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Breed identification– American pitbull or American bulldog?
Keef Whiteman- BA, English & Psychology, Canine Behaviourist student advisor, PA to Scotty Valadao
American Bulldog
Based on looks alone, these two breeds are often confused with each other. However, there are a few differences that can be mentioned when one analyzes each, which should help our readers to differentiate one from another….both breeds come from the ‘Bully family’ and also have some similarities in their history. So how exactly does one tell the apart? Let’s see!
History:
American Bulldog -
American Bulldogs are actually a distinct breed developed in the US rather than the UK.
They are powerfully built dogs whose original function was that of a farm utility dog and family companion and protector.
The American Bulldog is thought to have been in the United States as early as the 1700’s.
The breed was well known for their abilities to catch feral cattle and pigs and became a useful tool to the small farmers and ranchers.
The breed largely survived, particularly in the southern states, due to this ability.
American Bulldogs as a breed nearly died out during WWI and WWII, with the only surviving dogs kept on farms primarily in the southeast.
The two men who are recognized as the pioneers of bringing the breed back from possible extinction are John D. Johnson and Alan Scott (AKC)
American Pitbull-
Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog.
In more recent times fanciers of the breed have argued that they have never been crossed with other breeds at all, well at least not in the past few hundred years. Citing proof found in art hundreds of years old of dogs of very similar look and build. Why would we cross our breed with those of non-game origin, as this would take us backwards', these fanciers say.
Regardless, the American Pitbull Terrier is a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones.
The Irish version of the APBT was actually known as the “Old Family Dog,” because it was considered the perfect family pet, known to be especially good with children.
Immigrants brought these dogs to the United States where The American Pit Bull Terrier’s many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, as family companions and unfortunately still for dogfighting!
Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing, Dock Jumping, as well as Conformation.
Temperament:
American Bulldog-
So why the confusion in identity?
People oftentimes get confused identifying which breed is which since they look quite similar.
There is one big difference however and that is size-
American Bulldog:
Larger with a stalky and chunky body it a reaches a height of 50 – 71 cm and weighs 30 – 60 kg’s.
American Pitbull:
A full-grown American Pitbull reaches a height of 43 – 53 cm and a weight of 13.5 – 27 kg, so generally a lot smaller than the bulldog!
Two more points of differentiation-
1. Even though both breeds come in similar coat colours, if the dog is ‘Merle’ then it’s not a true APBT, as this colour does not fit the breed standard!
2. Also, the American Bulldog has a more 'bulldoggy' face and undershot bites are not uncommon whereas this is a fault in the APBT.
Conclusion
Both these breeds have wonderful attributes, they are suitable to different sorts of families however as one is much larger than the other. I hope that the above helps our readers to differentiate!
History:
American Bulldog -
American Bulldogs are actually a distinct breed developed in the US rather than the UK.
They are powerfully built dogs whose original function was that of a farm utility dog and family companion and protector.
The American Bulldog is thought to have been in the United States as early as the 1700’s.
The breed was well known for their abilities to catch feral cattle and pigs and became a useful tool to the small farmers and ranchers.
The breed largely survived, particularly in the southern states, due to this ability.
American Bulldogs as a breed nearly died out during WWI and WWII, with the only surviving dogs kept on farms primarily in the southeast.
The two men who are recognized as the pioneers of bringing the breed back from possible extinction are John D. Johnson and Alan Scott (AKC)
American Pitbull-
Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog.
In more recent times fanciers of the breed have argued that they have never been crossed with other breeds at all, well at least not in the past few hundred years. Citing proof found in art hundreds of years old of dogs of very similar look and build. Why would we cross our breed with those of non-game origin, as this would take us backwards', these fanciers say.
Regardless, the American Pitbull Terrier is a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones.
The Irish version of the APBT was actually known as the “Old Family Dog,” because it was considered the perfect family pet, known to be especially good with children.
Immigrants brought these dogs to the United States where The American Pit Bull Terrier’s many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, as family companions and unfortunately still for dogfighting!
Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing, Dock Jumping, as well as Conformation.
Temperament:
American Bulldog-
- American Bulldogs are a great all-around dog.
- They’re active and powerful enough to serve as a guard dog, intelligent enough to be trainable, and friendly enough to worm their way into your heart.
- With enough exercise, they’re an affable and gentle breed that comfortably carves a niche for themselves in nearly any family.
- American Bulldogs are more demanding dogs than your average small or medium breed, and their rowdy antics are a bit too much for families with small kids.
- They need a moderately to highly active home that can give them enough exercise and mental stimulation in a safe manner. Without enough exercise and stimulation, they can grow anxious and develop bad behaviours, like chewing or aggression.
- American Bulldogs are a very take-charge type of dog, and it’s easy for them to see other pets as competition to dominate. Socialization when young is imperative to get them used to unfamiliar sights, including other pets and people.
American Pitbull - - Despite the fierce prey drive hardwired into the original pit bull, they always made excellent companions for humans.
- In part, this came out of their fighting ancestry. And even though we despise these acts of cruelty one does need to understand each breed’s history in order to be a great custodian:
- Handlers had to be able to jump in the ring and separate the fighters, and then treat the wounded dogs during matches and after the fights were over.
- These dogs of course were able to receive post-fight attention and care and were therefore more likely to survive.
- Dogs that showed aggression toward humans were actually despised by the dog-fighting fraternity, were very often killed, and definitely not bred.
- Doing this for generation after generation, created animals in which ‘loving humans’ became hard- wired into their DNA!
- It makes perfect sense as these dogs do not do well with other dogs, their companions are human and they form the strongest bonds with us, think about it they literally would give up their lives, in the name of human ‘sport’, be it bull-baiting, dog-fighting, or hunting….
So why the confusion in identity?
People oftentimes get confused identifying which breed is which since they look quite similar.
There is one big difference however and that is size-
American Bulldog:
Larger with a stalky and chunky body it a reaches a height of 50 – 71 cm and weighs 30 – 60 kg’s.
American Pitbull:
A full-grown American Pitbull reaches a height of 43 – 53 cm and a weight of 13.5 – 27 kg, so generally a lot smaller than the bulldog!
Two more points of differentiation-
1. Even though both breeds come in similar coat colours, if the dog is ‘Merle’ then it’s not a true APBT, as this colour does not fit the breed standard!
2. Also, the American Bulldog has a more 'bulldoggy' face and undershot bites are not uncommon whereas this is a fault in the APBT.
Conclusion
Both these breeds have wonderful attributes, they are suitable to different sorts of families however as one is much larger than the other. I hope that the above helps our readers to differentiate!
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