According to the AnimalFoundation.com today there are at least five breeds of dogs that are commonly misidentified and lumped into the category of the pitbull-type dogs. The term “pit bull” is commonly used to refer to mixed breed dogs with certain physical traits, such as a muscular body and broad head.
Find out more
Today there are at least five breeds of dogs that are commonly misidentified and lumped into the category of the
pitbull-type dogs: the English bull terrier, the American bulldog, the boxer, the American pit bull terrier and
the
American Staffordshire terrier.
Many different breeds and combinations can look like a “pit bull.” In fact many dogs that are well known and
loved, after being DNA tested, are lumped into the pit bull category. Some common breeds such as: cocker
spaniel,
boxer, golden
retriever, bulldog,
German shepherd, Boston terrier, and many other breeds in their heritage. For some dogs, assigning just one main
breed
is difficult.
The term “pit bull” originated in the British Isles in the early 1800s when the sport “bull baiting” emerged. Bull baiting involved tying a bull to an iron stake that gave him about a 30-foot radius in which to move. Blowing the bull’s nose full of pepper to enrage the animal was also done to add to the whole affair. Then dogs were set on him to immobilize the bull for the public's entertainment.