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Breed Info/Education – Breed Designations

Following is basic breed information for anyone interested in acquiring a pit bull*, for those who already have one or more and would like to learn more about the breed, or for anyone who would simply like to understand these great dogs a little better.

*Please note, Pit Bull is NOT a breed. It’s a generic term often used to describe all dogs with similar traits and characteristics often known by the public as “pit bulls”. There are actually three breeds that can be easily confused.

The correct breed designations are:

1. The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)

The APBT is bred for performance above everything else. The breeders usually focus on the working aspect of the breed, and unfortunately for many breeders that means specifically pit fighting. Therefore, many APBTs are bred primarily for their fighting abilities and for certain physical characteristics that will ensure good performance in the pit (mouth, air, stamina, etc.). Some are also bred for the characteristic called gameness.

Because performance is the most important trait, less consideration is given to conformation (this refers to how closely the dog matches a set physical standard for the breed). You may see APBTs weighing as little as 30 Lbs or as much as 100 Lbs. In general though, the APBTs bred for the pit are usually less than 70 Lbs.

Not all APBT breeders breed for the pit. Some breed for conformation, temperament, weight-pulling, obedience trials, therapy work, etc. The foundation of their bloodlines however, has most likely been tested in the pit and kept the physical and mental characteristics of the pit dogs — lean and athletic body, agility, intensity, drive, etc.

Cropped ears are not an indicator of the dog’s background. Some dogs bred for the pit have cropped ears, some don’t. Show dogs often have cropped ears, both with the APBT and the AST, but not always. Some dog fighters prefer cropped ears, some don’t.

Today, you will find that a lot of people are breeding Pit Bulls for nothing in particular, or just to be pets, or for protection, or to make a quick buck. In general, these dogs are a little larger than the original APBT. Most of them have stable dispositions and make excellent companions. Unfortunately some backyard bred dogs may be born with terrible temperament and human-aggressive tendencies because unknowledgeable individuals who don’t make temperament a priority, are allowed to breed dogs. This is true of any breed, not just the APBT.

2. The American Staffordshire Terrier (AST or Amstaff)

The AST or Amstaff used to be the same dog as the APBT but was taken out of the pit in the mid 1930s. AKC opened its stud books to a few APBTs that fit a standard they had chosen, and came up with the name Staffordshire Terrier. In early 1970s the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier, to avoid any confusion with a breed called “Staffordshire Bull Terrier” from England that was also recognized by the AKC.

Amstaffs are now primarily bred for conformation and temperament. They have a set height standard and usually weigh between 50 to 80 lbs. They may be a little stockier than the APBT, but not always.

Red noses are considered a fault with in the AST breed standard and this physical trait has been bred out of most AST lines. Red nose dogs are common in APBT lines, however. This may help you differentiate between the breeds. If the dog has a red nose, it is more likely to be an APBT lineage than an AST.

Since they share the same ancestors as the APBT (some are even dual-registered), AST and APBT not only share the same look, they also have similar personalities. Dog-aggression is a potential trait in both breeds although not as strong and common in the AST as its close cousin the APBT. Amstaffs are very dominant dogs though, and just like the APBT they often have a threatening and intimidating look. That look and dominant attitude could trigger a hostile reaction from other dogs and result in a fight.

3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT, Staffie or Stafford)

Staffies remain very popular in England, but are a less common in the U.S. They also share the same ancestors as the APBT and AST. They are much smaller though, about 15 to 40 lbs maximum and their ears are rarely cropped. They are essentially bred for good disposition and conformation. They are often referred to as “nanny dogs” because they are excellent with children. Some people still use them in the pit in certain countries, but rarely in North America since they are so rare to obtain.

This page discusses the most notable traits of pit bull type dogs, including the potential for dog-aggression as well as their great love for people. You will learn that while pit bulls make wonderful family companions in the right hands and living situation, they require intelligent, responsible and dedicated ownership. Unfortunately, too many people obtain these dogs for the wrong reason and/or have little understanding of the inherent traits this breed possesses. It is unfortunate that one of the original purposes of the APBT was (and still is) dog-to-dog combat, but it’s a fact that can’t be denied or ignored. It’s important that every potential pit bull owner understand the selective breeding process that took place to make the dogs of today.

PittieLove Rescue Inc is committed to educating current and potential pit bull owners so they have a better understanding of their dog and provide responsible and caring ownership. PittieLove Rescue Inc does not condone animal fighting, but acknowledges the importance of respecting the special traits of the breed and advocates education regarding responsible pit bull ownership. While a dog-owner can have all the dog experience in the world, it is also essential to understand the distinctive features of the type of dog you own or work with — in this case, a dog with an important fighting background that requires extra vigilance around other pets.

Remember that little is known about the background of rescue dogs. Some may be game bred APBTs (from fighting lines), some may be registered show dogs, some may be AmStaffs, some may look like APBTs but might be mixed with other breeds, etc. Since there is no way to know for sure unless you have the pedigree of the dog, we recommend following the guidelines offered by PBRC for any pit bull type dog.