4 Types of Pit Bull Breeds That Are Loyal Dogs

The Pit Bull Terrier originated in 19th-century England and later developed into its modern form in the United States. It is a crossbreed between Bulldogs and Terriers, originally bred for blood sports like bull-baiting and dog-fighting. Consequently, it was deliberately bred for a robust physique, astonishing explosive power, extraordinary bite force, and a “never-let-go” play drive. Characterized by compact musculature, a large square head, and commonly cropped erect ears, they stand 45-55cm tall and weigh 15-30kg. Pit Bulls are often described this way: When raised well, they’re angels; when raised poorly, they’re ticking time bombs.

I. American Pit Bull Terrier

This is the most authentic and classic “Pit Bull,” the breed that comes to mind for many when “Pit Bull” is mentioned.
Breed Origins: Developed in 19th-century England through crossbreeding Bulldogs with various Terriers, originally for bull-baiting, bear-baiting, and later dog-fighting.
Registration Bodies: Primarily registered with UKC (United Kennel Club) and ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association). Not recognized by AKC.
Size: Males stand 43-53cm at the shoulder, weighing 16-30kg. Females are slightly smaller.
Physical Traits: Exceptionally muscular build with deep chest and short loin. Large but proportionate head, often humorously called a “walking dumbbell.”
Key Traits: Extremely friendly, loyal, and enthusiastic toward humans; boundless energy and intense play drive. May exhibit animal aggression toward other dogs—a legacy of its breeding heritage as a fighting dog.
Current Status: Banned or restricted in many countries/regions, yet remains a beloved “nanny dog” in many American households.
The APBT represents the purist, most hardcore version of the “Pit Bull” breed, boasting the purest lineage.

II. American Staffordshire Terrier

Considered the “refined, aristocratic version” of the APBT.
History: In the 1930s, American breeders sought to rehabilitate this type of dog from its fighting reputation and gain entry into AKC show rings. They selected larger, more composed individuals with heavier bone structure. The breed was officially recognized by the AKC as the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1936.
Build: Generally larger than the APBT, with males standing 46-48 cm at the shoulder and weighing 25-40 kg. They possess more robust bone structure.
Appearance: Features a squarer head, shorter muzzle, and often cropped ears, giving an overall “tank-like” appearance.
Temperament: Significantly milder than the APBT, exhibiting markedly reduced aggression toward other dogs while remaining exceptionally affectionate and friendly toward humans.
Current Status: Possessing AKC pedigree papers allows “legal” ownership in many regions banning pit bulls, as laws typically target “pit bull-type dogs” but exclude AmStaffs.
The AmStaff represents a more “politically correct,” family-friendly refinement of the APBT lineage.

III. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Originating in the UK, often hailed as the “original nanny dog.”
Smallest size: 35-41cm shoulder height, 11-17kg weight, a “little powerhouse.”
Appearance: Super-healing smile, large head with compact body, slightly chunky proportions but still packed with muscle.
Personality: Incredibly friendly toward humans, naturally loves children—the British called them “Nanny Dogs” even before the Americans did. Dog-to-dog aggression is much lower than APBTs, though not entirely absent.
Current Status: Extremely popular in the UK with virtually no bans and a highly positive public image.
The Staffy is the smallest member of the Pitbull family, boasting the sweetest smile and the least guarded nature toward humans—the “happy-go-lucky” one of the breed.

IV. American Bully

A 21st-century breed developed purely for “appearance” and “companionship.”
Bloodlines: A massive crossbreeding of APBT, AmStaff, Bullmastiff, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, and more, intensively bred for short, stocky, and muscular builds.
Four official sizes:
Pocket: Male shoulder height under 43cm
Standard: 43-51cm
Classic: Build like APBT but with a larger head
XL: 51-58cm shoulder height, built like a miniature bull
Appearance: An exaggeratedly large head, extremely short muzzle, stubby limbs, a chest wide enough to hold a beer, and bone structure so heavy it borders on absurd—truly the epitome of “grotesque aesthetics.”
Temperament: Breeding has largely eliminated dog-to-dog aggression, resulting in extreme gentleness toward humans. Many XL individuals are as docile as Golden Retrievers.
Current Status: Currently the world’s most popular “Bully-type” dog, commanding astronomical prices (top-tier XL bloodlines can fetch over 100,000 RMB). However, its exaggerated appearance leads many to deem it a “degeneration of the Pitbull.”
The American Bully represents a modern aesthetic reimagining of the Pitbull, completely abandoning combat functionality and embracing extreme “petification.”

V. Breeds Similar to the Pit Bull

1. American Staffordshire Terrier (American Stafford): Essentially the “show ring version” of the Pit Bull, featuring a more robust frame and squarer head. Purebred individuals often exhibit more stable temperaments, leading many countries to exclude them from banned dog lists.
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier (English Bull): The smallest in stature but with explosive muscle proportion. Renowned for being the most “child-friendly” breed, earning the nickname “Nanny Dog.”
3. American Bully: A new breed developed from Pitbulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, and other bloodlines. It comes in four sizes: Pocket, Standard, XL, and XXL. Characterized by exaggerated musculature and an extremely short muzzle, its temperament is generally much gentler than that of Pitbulls. It is currently the most fashionable “companion version” of the Pitbull.
4. Dogo Argentino: All-white, muscular build resembling an enlarged Pitbull when standing. Bred for hunting large wild boars, it possesses greater bite force and a more independent, stoic temperament.
5. Cane Corso: An Italian mastiff breed twice the size of a Pit Bull. Its black mask and cropped ears give it a fierce appearance, yet it exhibits extreme protectiveness toward family and high obedience.
6. Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff): A guardian breed from Spain’s Canary Islands, characterized by a large head and thick neck. Standing beside a Pitbull, it resembles an older brother with a younger sibling. It possesses a calm temperament but exhibits extremely strong territorial instincts.

VI. Red-Nosed Pit Bulls and Blue-Nosed Pit Bulls

1. Red Nose Pitbull
Originating from Ireland’s “Old Family Red Nose” (OFRN) lineage. This ancient bloodline was historically renowned for its red/red-nosed coat, robust bone structure, and exceptional bite force. Distinctive traits:
Nose, eye rims, and paws are red/copper-red
Coat typically deep red, chocolate, or red-and-white
Square-shaped head, tight lips, well-developed jaw muscles
Generally very stable temperament with strong drive (heavy hunting instinct), highly loyal to humans but may be aggressive toward other dogs.
True purebred red-nosed dogs are now rare; 99% of those on the market are “red-nosed” dogs with mixed bloodlines.
2. Blue Nose Pitbull Terriers
This is actually caused by a coat color dilution gene, a product of modern breeding. Most bloodlines are linked to exaggerated muscular lines like Razors Edge and Gottiline. Typical characteristics:
Nose and eye rims are grayish-blue (like pencil lead)
Coat colors include rare blue-gray, blue-and-white, pure blue, or even tricolor blue
Significantly stockier build than traditional APBTs, with heavier bone structure, larger heads, and shorter legs
Generally milder temperament, lower dog aggression than red-nosed varieties, more suited as “family companions.”

VII. Current Legislation on Pit Bull Breed Bans Worldwide

United Kingdom: The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act directly bans four breeds—Pit Bull Terriers, Tosa Inu, Bull Terriers, and Fila Brasileiro—with zero tolerance; seized dogs are euthanized immediately.
France: Classified as Category 1 dangerous dogs since 1999; new ownership, breeding, and importation are prohibited. Existing dogs must be neutered, muzzled, and covered by short-term insurance.
Germany: After 2000, 13 federal states implemented total bans on Pitbulls, while the remaining 3 states impose strict restrictions.
Italy, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Turkey, Malta, and other countries have also implemented total or partial bans.
Ireland, Switzerland, and Finland are among the few European countries without total bans, but they enforce extremely strict regulations.
Australia: Virtually all states ban them. New Zealand followed suit in 2010, confiscating and euthanizing all seized dogs.
Canada: Ontario implemented a total ban in 2005; other provinces have no restrictions.
Latin American countries including Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay have recently joined the ban list.
The U.S. mainland has no national ban, only partial city-level prohibitions.
Singapore: Complete ban on Pitbulls and mixed breeds.
Malaysia: Prohibited from keeping, trading, or breeding since 2015.
China: No national ban on the mainland, but over 20 cities including Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Qingdao, and Chongqing have listed Pitbulls on their “Prohibited Dog Breeds List,” with confiscation and fines for violations.
Japan, South Korea, and Thailand currently lack national bans, but some cities impose restrictions.