Breeds

Pitbull-Type Breeds

The roots of pitbulls trace back to the 19th century in the United Kingdom, where breeders crossed bulldogs with terriers to create strong, agile, and obedient dogs. Today, these dogs have evolved into some of the most popular and versatile breeds in the United States. Known for their exceptional temperament, they serve in a variety of roles — from service and therapy dogs to K9 police dogs — but most often as beloved family companions. While the American Pit Bull Terrier is the only breed with "pit bull" in its official name, the term "pitbull" is broadly used to describe medium-sized dogs with athletic builds, short coats, and blocky heads — traits common among terrier and bully-type breeds.

The four breeds most often included in the modern pitbull-type category are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully. These breeds are recognized by major registries such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC), though recognition varies between organizations. Due to their popularity and the broad use of the term "pitbull," dogs labeled as pitbulls are estimated to make up approximately 20% of the total dog population in the U.S.

20%

Pitbulls are estimated to be 20% of the total dog population in the U.S.

4

The pitbull-type category commonly includes 4 distinct breeds recognized by the AKC and UKC.

20+

There are over 20 terrier and bully-type breeds with physical traits similar to pitbull-type dogs.

AKC & UKC Pitbull-Type Breeds

Four breeds are commonly included in the pitbull-type category, based on breed standards recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). Most fall under the Terrier Group. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most athletic, with a lean, medium build. The American Staffordshire Terrier is slightly shorter and stockier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the smallest of the group — compact and strong. The American Bully — not to be confused with the American Bulldog — is the most diverse, with three sizes: Pocket, Standard/Classic, and XL.

The "Pitbull" Label

Historically, the term "pit bull" was a broad, informal label applied to any dog involved in the inhumane practice of bull-baiting — a blood sport popular in England from the 16th through 19th centuries. Now outlawed worldwide, bull-baiting involved dogs — regardless of breed — being set upon tethered animals such as bulls in an enclosed arena known as a "pit," which gave rise to the term "pit bull." The label did not refer exclusively to the specific breeds we associate with pitbulls today. Instead, it encompassed a variety of breeds and mixes that participated in the practice, including various bulldog types, bulldog-terrier crosses, and mastiff-type breeds. For example, a mastiff used for bull-baiting would have been considered a "pit bull." It's important to note that baiting was not an instinctive behavior — it was taught and reinforced through training, much like teaching a dog to sit or fetch.

Today, "pitbull" is an informal umbrella term often used to describe a wide range of medium-sized, short-haired dogs with physical traits common to terrier and bully-type breeds. While the American Pit Bull Terrier is the only formal breed with "pit bull" in its name, more than 20 other breeds — and countless mixes — share similar traits. Recent DNA studies have found that 98% of dogs with pitbull-type ancestry are mixed breed, with most having less than 50% of their genetic makeup from pitbull-type breeds — meaning they are, by definition, mixed-breed dogs, not "pitbulls" or "pitbull mixes." So, when a dog is visually or casually identified as a "pitbull," it is likely to be a mixed breed — or even an entirely different breed — than one of the four recognized pitbull-type breeds.

Note: Except in this section, which addresses the term's historical context, we use "pitbull" as a single lowercase word — here's why.

Breeds Commonly Misidentified as Pitbulls

More than 20 breeds — along with numerous mixed breeds — share physical characteristics with pitbull-type dogs. However, the breeds listed below, especially their mixes, are frequently misidentified as pitbulls based on appearance alone. These breeds are generally larger and less common than recognized pitbull-type breeds, and no major canine organization classifies them as such. Most belong to the Working Group category.

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Updated: October 15, 2025