Picturing yourself entering an animal shelter and coming across a dog with a wide chest, short coat, and confident stance. You may automatically say to yourself, “That is a pit bull.” But what if that assumption is false? In a University of Florida study, workers in animal shelters wrongly labeled dogs as pit bulls 52 percent of the time by appearance alone. DNA testing showed that just 21 percent of those dogs actually had real American Pit Bull Terrier lineage.
That is not just a cute mistake, it can have real consequences. Pit bull-type dogs experience longer waits for adoption, breed restrictions, and undue stigma. According to ASPCA, in some shelters, those labels can mean the difference between life and death for a dog.
In this blog, we will explore some of the breeds of dogs that are most frequently mixed with Pit bulls.
Dog Breeds Commonly Mistaken for Pitbull
1. American Bulldog
Take on look at an American Bulldog and a Pitbull side by side, and it becomes pretty clear why the two are so easily confused. Both breeds have a muscular physique and a blocky head, but peel back the layers and their unique traits stand out. The American Bulldog originated from English bulldogs that were brought to the U.S. by early settlers.
These hardy dogs served as working companions on farms, assisting in herding livestock, guarding property, and even tracking down feral hogs with their owners. American Bulldogs Males are 60-110 pounds at 20- 27 inches tall. They also have deep wrinkles across their slightly smushed face as well as big, emotive eyes. They typically have white coats with either brindle, black, tan, or brown patches.
Due to their size, American Bulldogs would do best if they lived in a house with a backyard. Their softer nature makes them a perfect family dog for children; however, their guardian instinct requires proper guidance from an experienced handler.
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Both Staffordshire bull terriers and Pit bulls are similar in appearance and history, however, they do have distinct characteristics. According to the American Kennel Club, Staffies ( as they are commonly called) were developed in England by crossing Bulldogs with Terriers to produce a dog that was small and muscular, but with a powerful and tenacious attitude.
They were selectively bred as dogs that could get along with people, and even other dogs, under extremely stressful, life-threatening situations in dog fighting, but were completely safe to live with as pets, often with children.
Staffies are full of beans and interested in what you are doing. They enjoy playing games, going for brisk walks, and having you throw them things that challenge their agility or their brains.
3. American Bully
Even though American Bullies and Pit Bulls have a similar lineage and physical appearance, they are separate breeds with their own characteristics. The American bully became a new type in the 1980s and 1990s with the infusion and mixing of the American Pit Bull Terrier with the American Staffordshire Terrier, in addition to including the American Bulldog as well as several bulldog-type breeds.
It was created as a companion breed with the look and temperament for family living. Short and stocky, they are smaller and stouter than Pit Bulls, with an apparent muscular build.
The breed can be found in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. These bullies are bred to be friendly, affectionate, and sociable. Aggression towards humans is a major fault in this breed.
4. Boxers
The boxer was developed in Germany late in the 19th century, from the now extinct Bullenbeisser. These strong dogs were originally bred to hunt large prey such as boar and bears. They are named for “boxing” with their front paws in the play of fights. Their faces are rounder and their underbites are exaggerated, creating an interesting facial expression and look.
Boxers also have large, floppy ears and bodies covered in tight, smooth coats that come in fawn or brindle (white) or tan. Boxers are known for their clownish behavior and silly, playful mood. According to PetMD, they are very loyal to their families and are good with children, so they make excellent family pets.
5. Presa Canario
They are two separate breeds with different characteristics. This breed originated in Spain’s Canary Islands, where they were first raised to herd and protect livestock. They were also used, unfortunately, in dogfighting games through the mid-20th century. Almost driven to extinction, the Presa was resurrected in the 1970s.
They are now regarded as watchdogs due to their formidable size and protective nature. They have a large, square head, a wide chest, and a sturdy body. Their short coats are fine and shiny, and their colors come in black, silver, and brindle. Presas have cropped ears that give them their fierce demeanor.
Presa’s are typically low-key and calm, but are naturally dominant, so as such need an experienced hand. Unless led, they may resist authority.
6. Bullmastiff
There are a few major differences between Bullmastiff and Pit Bull in terms of their origins, physicality, and family suitability. Bullmastiffs were developed in England in the 19th century as guard dogs to discourage poachers from killing game on the estates.
A breed which is the combination of the Mastiffs and Bulldogs and was created to create a giant breed having the size and strength of a Mastiff and the fearlessness, tenacity of a Bulldog.
Bullmastiffs are less active than Pit Bulls and would enjoy a more laid-back home. They need training because they are protective and do better with strong, calm authority figures. They must be well-socialized due to their large size, so that they behave well with other pets and around strangers.
7. Dogo Argentino
Dogo Argentino and Pit bulls have a muscular and powerful build, which gives them an attractive look. The Dogo argentino comes from Argentina and dates back to the 1920s, where it was used for hunting big game such as wild boar and puma.
Dogo Argentino is almost always all white, with sometimes a black spot on the head. They have a short, smooth coat that adds to their clean and noble look.
Their different shades are part of their appeal. You might be picking up on the gentle, kind, and patient nature of this breed with children. However, he is big and strong, and sometimes, a little too much for the kiddos. They are high-energy working dogs and need to be exercised for at least 1-2 hours every day.
Conclusion
Knowing those dog breeds can be more than a visual guess, but understanding the personality behind a wagging tail goes a long way. There are many breeds of dogs with a muscle-bound build and short coat, as well as brash expression that we associate with pit bulls, but most have their own temperament, history, grooming needs, and care requirements.
As dog lovers and breeders, adopters and neighbors, we owe it to our four-legged friends to go beyond myths and conjecture. With learning and sharing additional information, promoting early socialization, and rewarding behavior that reinforces what we consider a positive temperament.
