PawPedia breed guide
Pit bull breeds
The breeds people mean by “pit bull,” related bully and bull-and-terrier dogs, and common look-alikes—sorted so type labels don’t blur into one dog.
17 breeds · Updated 2026-08-15
Searching pit bull breeds usually mixes three ideas: the core pit bull–type breeds (APBT, AmStaff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier), modern bully / American Bulldog relatives, and look-alikes that share power or a blocky head but are not the same type. Media and housing rules often ignore those lines.
This catalog covers 17 breeds people group in that search—clearly labeled by group. For the “what is a pit bull?” explainer, start with our pit bull guide. Registry context: UKC APBT, AKC AmStaff, AKC Staffie. Fit check? Match quiz.
Core pit bull–type breeds
These three are the breeds most often meant when people say “pit bull” in a pedigree sense:
- American Pit Bull Terrier — 30-60 lbs; energy 4/5
- American Staffordshire Terrier — 40-70 lbs; energy 4/5
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier — 24-38 lbs; energy 4/5
Deeper type narrative (temperament, BSL, adoption): pit bull guide. Side-by-side: Compare.
American Bully & American Bulldog family
Often searched with pit bull breeds—related “bully” builds, not interchangeable with APBT:
- American Bully — medium; Strong Willed, Stubborn
- American Bulldog — medium; Friendly, Assertive
- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog — medium; Loving, Protective
- Olde English Bulldogge — medium; Friendly, Alert
Pocket through XL classes and cost notes: American Bully cost. Broader bulldog family: bulldog breeds.
Bull-and-terrier cousins
Egg-shaped Bull Terriers and related companions share bull-and- terrier history but are distinct breeds and club standards:
- Bull Terrier — 50-70 lbs; energy 4/5
- Bull Terrier (Miniature) — 25 - 33 lbs; energy 5/5
- Boston Terrier — 12-25 lbs; energy 3/5
More terrier browsing: terrier breeds.
Common look-alikes (not the same type)
Power, stigma, or a muscular outline pulls these into “pit bull breeds” searches. They are separate breeds and jobs:
- Boxer — large; Germany
- Bullmastiff — large; England
- Dogo Argentino — large; Argentina
- Cane Corso — large; Italy
- Presa Canario — large; Spain
- Bulldog — medium; England
- French Bulldog — small; France
Mastiff-type guardians: Cane Corso guide and protection dogs. Flat-faced companions: brachycephalic breeds.
Choosing responsibly
Pick the breed and individual, not a toughness label. Confirm housing and insurance rules before you commit— appearance-based restrictions often ignore pedigree. Prefer health history, socialization, and a training plan over viral “rare color” ads.
Aggression myths and bite-risk context: most aggressive dog breeds? Adoption: dog rescue. Soft family shortlists: best family dogs. Still deciding? Take the match quiz.
Pit bull–type & related breed profiles
Browse 17 profiles. Open any breed for temperament, care, and lifestyle scores.
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Bully
American Bulldog
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Olde English Bulldogge
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (Miniature)
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Presa Canario
Bulldog
French Bulldog
Frequently asked questions
How many pit bull breeds are there?
There is no official count because “pit bull” is a type label. The three breeds most often meant are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Many other bully or bull-and-terrier breeds get pulled into the same search—and some are simply look-alikes.
What’s the difference between APBT and AmStaff?
American Pit Bull Terriers are recognized by the UKC (not as APBT by the AKC). American Staffordshire Terriers are an AKC breed with their own standard. They share ancestry and can look similar; pedigree and registry matter more than nicknames.
Is an American Bully a pit bull?
The American Bully is a separate modern breed (UKC) with Pocket through XL classes. It is often lumped into “pit bull” talk and ads, but it is not the same as an APBT. See our American Bully price guide if that’s the dog you want.
Are French Bulldogs pit bulls?
No. French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are companion bulldog breeds with different standards and often brachycephalic care needs. They share “bull” in the name and sometimes a stocky look—not the same type as APBT/AmStaff.
Are Cane Corsos or Presas pit bull breeds?
No. Those are large mastiff-type guardians. They get searched with “pit bull breeds” because of power and stigma, not because they are pit bull–type terriers. See our Cane Corso and protection-dog guides.
Which pit bull–type breed is best for families?
Individual temperament beats breed name. Many Staffies and well-bred AmStaffs/APBTs are people-oriented; dog-dog manners vary. Meet adults, plan training, and check housing rules. Soft companion shortlists live on our best family dogs page.
References
This guide summarizes publicly available breed-standard and veterinary education sources. Always consult your veterinarian for individual care.
- [1]American Pit Bull Terrier — United Kennel Club (UKC)
- [2]American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (AKC)
- [3]Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (AKC)
- [4]Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (AKC)
- [5]Why Breed-Specific Legislation Is Not the Answer — American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- [6]How to Choose the Right Dog Breed — American Kennel Club (AKC)
- [7]Terrier Group — American Kennel Club (AKC)
- [8]General Dog Care — ASPCA