The Big Misconception Everyone Has About Pit Bulls

Whether you've owned a pit bull or not, you likely know about breed-specific legislation that bans or restricts this breed from certain places, like apartment complexes. These laws stem from the false belief that these dogs are inherently aggressive, but this isn't the only misconception that people have about them. Another is that the pit bull is a unique breed. They're actually not recognized as an official breed at all — at least not by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The phrase "pit bull" refers to several dog breeds that are recognized by the AKC. These include the American bulldog, Staffordshire bull terrier, bull terrier, and American Staffordshire terrier. Samantha Nelson, policy specialist for companion animals at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), told PetMD "There is no standard legal definition for pit bull."

Some people mistakenly refer to any muscular breed with a thick neck and broad chest as a pit bull. With so many mixed breeds around today, it's quite possible for hundreds of different dogs to match this description without having pit bull DNA. Here's more about the breeds that make up the vast majority of "pit bulls."

One club that does recognize the pit bull — specifically the American pit bull terrier — as an official breed is the United Kennel Club. The club defines the breed as a "medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature." However, the history of the dog isn't as black and white as the breed description.

The breed name originated in the 1800s to describe the process of "pitting" a dog against a "bull" during a cruel sport called bull baiting. The dog handlers used English bulldogs, but the sport was outlawed in 1835. The ASPCA makes a similar claim about the origin of the name, adding that people started having dogs fight each other for entertainment after the law banned bull baiting. However, instead of using only English bulldogs, they bred them with terriers to create a stronger, more agile breed.

The United Kennel Club describes this bulldog and terrier mix as the American pit bull terrier. However, due to the violent fighting history associated with the breed, the American Kennel Club refused to allow it to be registered as an official breed. Instead, the club eventually added the Staffordshire bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier breeds to the registry. While the same umbrella phrase can refer to both of these breeds, among others, there's a difference between American Staffordshire terriers and pit bulls. Regardless, their name and history shouldn't turn you away from this interesting dog. Each is an individual that can provide pet parents with lots of love.