Types of Pitbulls: Your A to Z Video Guide Of Every Breed!

With the media attention that Pitbull Breeds get, it is surprising to see so many people, including shelter workers, identifying various purebred dog breeds like the American Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bull Terrier as a Pitbull? The term ‘Pitbull’ is largely being used as a metaphor to describe dogs that look dangerous. So what really is the Pitbull and what are the different types of Pitbulls?

A Pitbull is not a specific breed, but rather a type of dog, which is used to classify many other purebred and mixed breed dogs such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, the American Stafforshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier or APBT. The checkered history of these dogs, has led to most people forgetting that they are one of the most loyal and coving companions you’ll ever find, and were actually used as nanny dogs, for their loving guardian nature. Learn more about the American Pitbull Terrier here, as we discuss their history, temperament and requirements, while also dispelling some common myths surrounding Pitbull Terriers.

Would you want to have a purebred Pitbull, a mix or wouldn’t want one at all? Let us know your experiences in the comments below!

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[gillianmoran]

I adopted a red nose pit bull from a shelter almost 9 months ago. She loves every dog, cat, human she meets. Pitbulls are just like every other dog, they live in the moment, they love so hard and all they want is to be loved in return.

[paulhamilton]

I have a big rednose and a brindle colored blue nose and they are both amazing and very well manored and tempered best breed in my opinion by far

[Shadyx]

They forgot to mention something bad about them.... their farts can kill you 😂😂

[overthemoune]

Our family loves the American Pitbull Terrier, they're fabulous nanny dogs, and protective of the children. I have 15 nieces and nephews, and they're literally perfect nannies. They keep an eye on the kids at the park, protect them from predatory adults, and play with them. They're truly amazing.

[neptunesotherdaughter]

They are the best ever. A ROTTIE is too. Shepard's are great ALSO. I have had all. I loved them like they were my children. My boys got mad bc they'd only come when I called them💯💯🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. When they hurt I hurt. Good watching baby's. I had just had my daughter. My pit laid on the floor bc she was on the couch. You know boys are a mess. Well she stood UP, growled and they came out the living room. But she wanted them to stop ruff housing over her. And they did, I was cooking in the next room, I saw the whole thing. So when she was on the couch, they took it to another rm. ROTTIES are good with kids and owner's. One stood in front of the STAIRS to keep her from the STAIRS. Her owner says FI got it, relax. I watched and she couldn't get past that big ROTTIE I tell you that. They pits DON'T like certain PPL. Don't ask why but they don't. My brindle pit DID NOT LIKE MANTANICE MEN. DON'T ASK ME WHY BC I DON'T KNOW. BUT NO TO THEM SO I'D HAVE TO PUT THE LEASH ON HER AND KEEP HER BETWEEN MY LEGS AND I'D SQUEEZE A LIL BIT AND TELL HER NO NO. WHEN THEY'D LEAVE SHE'D RUSH OVER WHERE THEY'D BEEN N SNIF SNIF, BUT SHE WAS CALM AGAIN. COPS ONE NIGHT CAME ARROUND LOOKING FOR A GUN N SHE LOST IT JUMPING TO THE CEILING ALMOST. AND YES THEY CAN JUMP THAT HIGH. BUT SHE WAS A GOOD GIRL. WHEN SHE DIED I WAS CRUSHED. I STILL TJINK OF HER AND CRY A RIVER. I 😍 LOVED HER SO MUCH. A NEIGHBOR OF MINE HAD A BIIIG ROTTIE ZEUS. HE BUSTED THE FRONT WINDOW OUT JUST TO GET OUTSIDE TO PLAY WITH THE KIDS. HE WAS OUT THERE RUNNING WITH THE KIDS. HE LEARNED HOW TO TRIP EM AND HE WOULD TRIP THEM, GET THE BALL N RUN WITH IT TO MAKE THEM CHASE HIM. B.U.T. HE DID NOT LIKE HER HUSBAND. HE COULDN'T MAKE HIM MOVE SO HE COULD GET INTO BED. WELL TURNS OUT HE'D BEEN CHEATING ON HER. HE WAS SMELLING THAT OTHER WOMAN ON HER HUSBAND. SO SHE THREW HIM...HUBBY OUT ON HIS EAR. HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY COMING BACK TO HER. A DOG IS A WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND. THEY SMELL WHAT WE CAN'T. SO IT WORKED OUT FOR ALL INVOLVED THAT TIME.

[alanthomas]

I had a XL Bully best dog I have ever owned. He weighed 110 pounds, he thought he was a lap dog. If a stranger pulled up in the driveway he would put himself infont of the kids and you knew that the children were off limits until I told him it was okay. He was a perfect pet I hate that they get labeled. I'll take a mixed breed over purebred everytime.

[lesa]

We own a blue nose pittie and an American bulldog; they get along and are great dogs! We love them!

[marcuspitchfork]

I am 36 years old and have had many dogs throughout the years but I've always had a pitbull always still do today and she is the sweetest dog ever as of now I have two female red news one solid white with brown tips on the end of her ears and her daughter which is a runt of a runt dairy cattle brown and white

[malakrkm]

I love all dog breeds, but pitbull are the elite class, i have 5 of them and they are so gentle and Loving, never had any problems with them. By the way i love all animals. They are gift from God to mankind. We should take care of animals and this Earth. Raja Khalid from Pakistan.

[justinomar]

This is why only one dog should be referred to as Pitbull aka the American Pitbull Terrier because as you mentioned The term “pit bull” usually doesn’t refer to a single dog breed. And with that said according to the ASPCA Pit bull is a broad description for a type of dog. Many dog breeds, including American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs — and mixed or non mixed dogs that resembles the Pitbull/apbt just to name a few — can be classified as pit bulls.

So when you hear about pit bull bans, pit bull bite statistics, and pit bull abandonment rates, they all refer to a much larger group of dogs than you’d imagine. And grouping so many dogs together under one label can skew statistics and lead to harmful stereotypes.

[melissagatewood]

I have A RED NOSE, AMERICAN BULLY female. She is the best dog ever, I am true believer that these dogs can steal your heart!!!

[hmtmth]

Simple. Pit = combat zone. Bull = Buffalo, Cow. If your dog doesn't fight in the pit, it isn't a pitbull. The correct term is a dog from the "Bull-and-Terrier" family of dogs. Or, a dog from the "Bull" family of dogs. There is no pitbull itself, only the True American Pitbull Terrier bred for Performance, bred for Gameness. The label "APBT = American Pitbull Terrier" is both to say to which family of dogs the dog belongs ("Bull-and-Terrier") and to talk about his function / work : the combat.

[robertpowers]

I have an a xl bully now, she is 7mths old, 60-65 lbs, awesome with my, 2 yr old grandson, an neighbors dogs! Pit babies are all I've had but a husky for my daughter!

[dominoelove]

the best dog ever but not my first dog. apbt with papers is the only way to go

[mardcon]

The most dangerous thing about my pitbull is his farts. Love my baby.

[adam.nelson]

Alot of bad info here. Just adds to the confusion.

[wanneske]

There is only one pitbull breed, the apbt. The other breeds are related but different breeds and are 'bully breeds'.

[adsummer]

First of all the American Pitbull Terrier is the only breed that has the word Pitbull as naming them as they specific breed right if I'm wrong somebody please tell me none of these other Pitbull types have Pitbull in their title of name

[michaelscott]

I have a pit/ great dane mix and he's a big cuddle bug but his size seems to scare most people till they get to know him. His name describes his appetite, I named him Hog

[cubistone]

My bully told me he was pitbull. If you said he wasn't maybe you'd care to discuss it with him?