Pitbulls in the AKC?

Question

It's been explained to me that dogs like the American Pitbull terrier are 'types' rather than an actual breed. The American Staffordshire terrier is a member of the American Kennel Club while the dog that most would recognize as the APBT is not -does the AKC view the APBT as a derivation of the AmStaff, then?

Answer 1

A dog registered as an AKC Am Staff can be duel registered as a UKC APBT. However, the reverse is not so..The Am Staff and the APBT were one and the same, with the Am Staff being bred for show, and the APBT being bred for gameness.
Here is a great site to answer any pit bull questions, by Dainne Jessup> http://www.workingpitbull.com/
this particular page answers the question very well> http://www.workingpitbull.com/amstaffpit.htm (excerpt)
At the turn of the last century, the American Dog Breeders Association and the United Kennel Club were already registering pit bulls. When the American Kennel Club accepted the pit bull into their stud books in 1936, UKC and ADBA registered pit bulls got their registered names changed to "Staffordshire Terriers. To add to the confusion, the name "Staffordshire Terrier" was changed to "American Staffordshire Terrier" in the 1970's when the AKC decided that the pit bulls still being bred in England had enough variation in type to warrant being called a different "breed".

So, while the dogs all originated from the same group of animals from the United Kingdom, the dog show world turned them into three different "breeds". The American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier.

Answer 2

The dogs are not considered pit bull types by breeders, that being more of a derogatory term to identify any short haired muscular dog accused of a crime. Of the bully breeds, some similar breeds are registered breeds including the American Pit Bull Terrier, UKC registered, being very similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier, AKC registered. In fact, there are some people that have the same dog registered as one breed with UKC and the other with AKC.
The English Bull Terrier is a bully breed that is quite a bit different in appearance.
The American Bull Dog is a bully breed which is thought to have originated by selectively blending different bully breeds.
Contrary to over-reported media on Pit Bulls, (often not even a mixture of a bully breed) where the breeds are maligned as viscious and unpredictable killing machines, APBT's and AmStaff's are wonderful, loyal, guardians of children and of their homes who are delightful dogs, like big teddy bears.
I own one that is a mix, mostly APBT and she will literally hug a person and is absolutely safe around kids.

Answer 3

APBTs and Am Staffs came from the same dogs. But Am Staffs were bred for showing and have a more uniform look.

I don't know the view of the AKC, but most dog fighters will not use an Am. Staff. as they have not been bred as fighters for so long.

http://www.workingpitbull.com/amstaffpit.htm Has some good info. on the breeds' histories.

APBTs were registered first with the UKC. AKC registered Am. Staffs later in the 30's. The name changes were mainly political AFAIK.

regards

Answer 4

APBT is a breed. Only people ignorance keeps them from being recognize. UKC dose but people think or them as a lesser club. APBT are used as SAR dogs, service dogs, they are used to sniff out druggs, Popscile aAPBT is the #1 detection dogs. They are used as therpy dogs. It is a shame what is happening to the breed, we a punishing the wrong side of the leash.

Answer 5

In many respects yes.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) which is a legit registry.

Answer 6

It is my understanding that the APBT is not recognized by the AKC in anyway. However, I do think there is a growing dedicated group of responsible folks who are trying to change that. The irresponsible breeders and owners make it difficult, though.

Answer 7

Wow! That is an excellent question! I would like to know, too... I will do some research and tell you what I come up with!

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Well, here's an interesting fact ~ the UKC was created with the specific purpose of registering ABPT.

Answer 8

APBT is a designer dog....basically a mix between staffie bulls and american staffies plus other bad genes because people don 't breed them right. If a breeder calls his stock a "family of pit bulls" (s)he is a backyard breeder simply because there is no such breed as a pit bull.

Answer 9

It's still a Pit no matter which way you look at it. Different branches of the breed don't matter it's still the same dog. I have never heard of this before and I am all about dogs.