Problems with pit bull identification

Richard H. Polsky, Ph.D, CAAB
Animal Behavior Counseling Services, Inc.
Certified applied animal behaviorist / Dog Bite Expert

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1. First, it is essential to realize that there is no officially recognized breed of dog known as pit bull.  The term is vague.  A "pit bull" is not a dog breed. A pit bull is not listed or recognized as a breed either by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club, or any other dog registry in the world. 

2. Second, established breeds commonly lumped together as "pit bulls", such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier, are recognized as specific and different breeds.  Each is recognized as unique breed by the United Kennel Club and American Kennel Club respectively.

3. Even though the term "pit bull" is defined in the dictionary as “a dog (as an American Staffordshire terrier) of any of several breeds or a real or apparent hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was developed and is now often trained for fighting and is noted for strength and stamina” there is no standardized list of breeds which are universally accepted as pit bulls, and pit bulls are notoriously misidentified. Pure-bred dogs generally falling within what some might broadly considered as pit bulls are several.  Each is a separate and distinct breed, however.  American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Miniture Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, Dogo Argentino, Boxers, or Alpha Blue Blood Bull Dog are some examples. 

4. In my experience as an expert on breed identification, various dog types have been erroneously misidentified as American Staffordshire Terriers or American Pit Bull Terriers, and when there is a mixed breed dog involved accurate identification becomes problematic.  In my opinion, when percentages fall below approximately 75% for the American Pit Bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier, I do not feel that it is possible to accurately assess the breed composition of a mixed breed dog based on appearance alone for the purpose of stating that the dog is partially American Pit Bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier or a closely related breed.