Pit Bull Breeds: The 4 Dogs Called Pit Bulls, Explained
"Pit bull" is not one breed. It is a loose name for a group of dogs that share the same roots in old British bull-and-terrier dogs. Most people use it for four pit bull breeds: the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully. Only the American Pit Bull Terrier has "pit bull" in its real breed name. The AKC, the biggest US kennel club, does not register that breed at all. And here is the big twist: most dogs called pit bulls in shelters are mixed breeds. Their looks are often the only reason they got the label. Below, we walk through each breed, how they differ, and why the name matters so much for dogs waiting for a home.
In this article
- What does "pit bull" really mean?
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bully
- Pit bull breeds side by side
- Why most "pit bulls" are mixed breeds
- Why the label matters in shelters
- FAQ
What does "pit bull" really mean?
"Pit bull" is a type, not a breed. Think of it like the word "hound." It covers several breeds with a shared past and a similar look: a wide head, a strong jaw, a short coat, and a sturdy, muscled body.
These dogs trace back to England in the 1800s. People crossed bulldogs with terriers to get a dog that was strong, quick, and brave. Sadly, many were used in cruel blood sports. When those dogs came to America, some were bred for farm work and as family dogs. Over time, kennel clubs split the line into the separate breeds we know today.
No group of experts agrees on one exact list of "pit bull breeds." Laws, shelters, and kennel clubs all draw the line in different places. The four breeds below are the ones most people mean. Some lists also add the Bull Terrier, the egg-headed breed with the long face. It shares the same roots but looks quite different.
Pit bull breed 1: What is an American Pit Bull Terrier?
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the only breed with "pit bull" in its official name. The United Kennel Club (UKC) was founded in 1898, and this was the first breed it registered. The AKC has never recognized it.
Size and build
The UKC standard says males in good shape weigh about 35 to 60 pounds. Females weigh about 30 to 50 pounds. They stand roughly 17 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder. The body is lean, athletic, and a bit longer than it is tall.
Personality
The UKC breed standard calls these dogs eager to please and full of zest for life. They tend to love people. They are also strong and full of energy, so they need daily exercise, training, and play. Like many terriers, some do not get along with other dogs, so slow, careful meetings help.
Pit bull breed 2: What is an American Staffordshire Terrier?
The American Staffordshire Terrier, or "AmStaff," is the AKC's version of the same early dogs. The AKC first listed it in 1936 as the "Staffordshire Terrier." It added "American" to the name in the 1970s to set it apart from the smaller British breed.
For many years, AmStaffs and American Pit Bull Terriers were close to the same dog with two sets of papers. Breeders then went in different directions. AmStaffs were bred more for the show ring, so many look a bit wider and stockier.
Size and build
The breed standard asks for males about 18 to 19 inches tall and females about 17 to 18 inches. Most weigh about 40 to 70 pounds. Their coat is short and comes in almost any color.
Personality
AmStaffs are known as loyal, people-loving dogs with lots of energy. They are smart and like a job to do. Without enough exercise, they can get bored and make their own fun, often with your shoes.
Pit bull breed 3: What is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or "Staffy," is the British branch of the family. It is the smallest of the four. England's Kennel Club recognized it in 1935, and the AKC followed in 1974.
Size and build
The AKC standard asks for a height of 14 to 16 inches. Males weigh 28 to 38 pounds, and females weigh 24 to 34 pounds. That makes a Staffy short, solid, and easy to carry in a pinch.
Personality
In the UK, Staffies are famous family dogs. They are cheerful, clownish, and very fond of people. They have big energy in a small body, so they still need daily walks and play.
Pit bull breed 4: What is an American Bully?
The American Bully is the newest breed of the group. Breeders began creating it in the 1980s and 1990s, mostly by mixing American Pit Bull Terriers and AmStaffs, with some bulldog breeds added. The American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) set its first standard in 2004. The UKC recognized it on July 15, 2013. The AKC does not.
Size and build
Bullies are wider, heavier, and more muscled than the other three breeds. The ABKC sorts them into four sizes: Pocket, Standard, Classic, and XL. A Pocket Bully may be under 17 inches tall. An XL male can be over 20 inches tall, and weight varies a lot from dog to dog.
Personality
Breeders aimed for a calm, family-friendly dog, and many Bullies are laid-back couch lovers. Size still matters, though. A big, strong dog needs good training from day one. In 2024, England and Wales added the XL Bully to their banned-breed law, so owning one there now takes a special exemption.
How do the pit bull breeds compare side by side?
Here is a quick look at the four pit bull breeds. Sizes are typical ranges from each breed's main kennel club standard.
| Breed | Height | Weight | AKC listed? | UKC listed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Pit Bull Terrier | 17 to 21 in | 30 to 60 lb | No | Yes (1898) |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 17 to 19 in | 40 to 70 lb | Yes (1936) | Yes |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 14 to 16 in | 24 to 38 lb | Yes (1974) | Yes |
| American Bully | Under 17 to over 20 in | Varies a lot by size | No | Yes (2013) |
Sources: UKC, AKC, and ABKC breed standards. Single dogs can fall outside these ranges.
Want to see where these dogs fit among all breeds? Our plain-English guide to dog breed groups covers all seven AKC groups. AmStaffs and Staffies both sit in the Terrier Group.
Why are most "pit bulls" really mixed breeds?
Walk through a US shelter and you will see lots of kennel cards that say "pit bull mix." Most of those dogs have no papers. Staff guess the breed from how the dog looks. And looks can fool even experts.
In a 2015 study in The Veterinary Journal, Olson and a team of researchers asked staff at four shelters to say which dogs looked like pit bulls. Then they checked each dog's DNA. Staff spotted dogs with pit bull breed DNA only 33% to 75% of the time, based on who was judging. Some dogs they called pit bulls had little or none of that DNA.
Even DNA does not tell you how a dog will act. A big 2022 study in Science looked at more than 18,000 dogs. It found that breed explained only about 9% of the differences in how each dog behaved. The single dog in front of you matters far more than the word on its card. For more on what the research says, read our post on 7 pit bull myths, debunked.
A soft tee that says what every pit bull fan already knows.
Why does the pit bull label matter in shelters?
The name on a kennel card can change how long a dog waits for a home. In a 2016 study in PLOS ONE, Gunter, Barber, and Wynne tracked dogs at an Arizona shelter. Dogs labeled "pit bull" waited about 42 days to be adopted. Look-alike dogs labeled as other breeds waited about 13 days. That is more than three times as long.
Then the team showed photos of the same dogs to people with no labels. People rated the two groups about the same. So the word, not the dog, seemed to make the difference.
The same study looked at a Florida shelter that stopped putting breed names on kennel cards. Pit bull adoptions there rose from 52% to 64%. The shelter made other changes at the same time, such as longer hours, so the label was likely only part of the story. Still, many shelters now skip breed guesses and describe each dog's personality instead.
Thinking of adopting? Our guide to the real cost of adopting a dog walks you through fees and first-year costs. Many cities also have rescues that focus on pit bull type dogs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 4 pit bull breeds?
The four breeds most often called pit bulls are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully. Some lists also add the Bull Terrier.
Is a pit bull a real breed?
Not quite. "Pit bull" is a type of dog, not one breed. The only breed with the name is the American Pit Bull Terrier, which the UKC recognizes but the AKC does not.
Is an AmStaff the same as a pit bull?
They share the same roots and were once almost the same dog. Today they are separate breeds with separate standards. AmStaffs are often a bit stockier because they were bred more for dog shows.
Which pit bull breed is the smallest?
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It stands 14 to 16 inches tall and weighs about 24 to 38 pounds.
How can I tell what breed my pit bull mix is?
Looks are not a reliable guide, even for experts. A dog DNA test can show which breeds are in your dog's family tree. But it will not tell you much about behavior. Your dog's own habits and needs matter most.
For people who love a good pittie
AmStaff, Staffy, Bully, or shelter mix: start your morning with a little pit bull love.
A pit bull puppy peeks over the rim of your cup. Also comes in black.
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