Pit bull is the common name for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers. The pit bull type is particularly ambiguous as it encompasses a range of pedigree breeds, informal types and appearances that cannot be reliably identified. Formal breeds often considered to be of the pit bull type include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The American Bulldog is also sometimes included. Mixed-breed dogs which physically resemble these breeds often get labelled as "pit bulls" by shelters. Many of these breeds were originally developed as fighting dogs from cross breeding bull-baiting dogs and terriers. After the use of dogs in blood sports was banned, such dogs were used as catch dogs in the United States for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt and drive livestock, and as family companions. Despite dog fighting now being illegal in the United States, it still exists as an underground activity, and pit bulls are a common type used.
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of the terrier type, which are typically small, wiry and fearless. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just 1 kg (2 lb) to over 32 kg (70 lb) and are usually categorized by size or function. There are five different groups, with each group having several different breeds.
The Canadian Kennel Club is the national kennel club of Canada. The Canadian Kennel Club maintains breed registries services for all purebred dogs it officially recognizes and provides governance for all CKC approved dog conformation shows, dog trials and canine events.
A hunting dog is a canine that hunts with or for humans. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs. Further divisions can be made among these categories based upon the dogs' skill sets.
The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America. This "American Gentleman" was accepted in 1893 by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting breed. Color and markings are important when distinguishing this breed to the AKC standard. They should be either black, brindle or seal with white markings. Bostons are small and compact with a short tail and erect ears. The AKC says they are highly intelligent and very easily trained. They are friendly and can be stubborn at times. The average life span of a Boston is around 11 to 13 years, though some can live well into their teens.
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a purebred dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club and American Dog Breeders Association. It is a medium-sized, solidly-built, intelligent, short-haired dog, whose early ancestors came from the British Isles. When compared with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier is larger by margins of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in height and 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg) in weight. The American Pit Bull Terrier varies in size. Males normally are about 18-21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and around 35-60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight. Females are normally around 17-20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30-50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in Tibet. Despite its name, it is not a member of the terrier group. The breed was given its English name by European travelers due to its resemblance to known terrier breeds. The Tibetan name for the breed, Tsang Apso, roughly translates to "shaggy or bearded ("apso") dog, from the province of Tsang". Some old travelers' accounts refer to the dog as Dokhi Apso or "outdoor" Apso, indicating a shaggy or bearded working dog which lives outdoors.
Bandog is a general term to non-purebred dogs of any working molosser strain developed by selective breeding to protection work.
The Blue Paul Terrier, also known as the Blue Poll, was a Scottish breed of dog that is now extinct.
The Bull and Terrier is an extinct type of dog that was the progenitor of the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Skye Terrier is a breed of dog that is a long, low, hardy terrier and "one of the most endangered native dog breeds in the United Kingdom" according to The Kennel Club.
The Catahoula bulldog is a crossbreed dog created by crossing the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the American Bulldog.
The American Bully is a recently formed companion dog breed, originally recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). It has been recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) since July 15, 2013. It is a small to large breed which has been divided into four categories; Pocket, Standard, Classic and XL.
Guatemalan Dogo, formerly known as the Guatemalan Bull Terrier and the Guatemalan Mastiff, is a Molosser-type dog breed originating in Guatemala. It is neither recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) nor the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, it has the official national recognition of the Asociación Canofila Guatemalteca (ACANGUA) where it belongs to the Group 2.2.1 - Mastiffs. As the unique breed originating in Guatemala, it is also the national dog of the country. Nowadays it has spread to various other countries, such as the USA.
Brazilian Dogo, also called Brazilian Dogge, is a Molosser-type working dog breed originating in Brazil. It is neither recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) nor the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, it has the official Brazilian recognition of the CBKC(Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia) where it belongs to the Group 11 - Breeds not recognized by the FCI.
Dogo, Dogue, Dogge or Presa is a sub-type of molosser dogs, which represents a medium-sized intermediate between the mastiff and the bulldog. Typically Dogos have a much lighter structure than mastiffs and most of them have a longer muzzle - with the exception of the Dogue de Bordeaux.
The Chamuco or Mexican Pitbull is a dog breed not recognized by any dog association. It originated in the center of Mexico.
The Gull Terrier is a breed of dog that originates from the Punjab region of Pakistan and India; it is believed to be several hundred years old. They are often used in dog fighting, hunting, and guarding. The Gull Terrier is related to the Bull Terrier breeds that come from Great Britain. These English dog breeds, along with those indigineous to the Indian subcontinent such as the Bully Kutta, played a major role in the Gull Terrier’s breeding development and are considered to be a direct ancestor of the modern Gull Terrier.
