Pit Bull Terrier - The Legal Definition...
Breed-specific legislation (BSL) requires that all dogs be classified as a particular breed or type of dog.
BSL almost always includes “pit bulls” as a specific target of the legislation.
Because the term pit bull does not mean the same thing to everyone,
a legal definition of pit bull is usually necessary in order to clarify exactly which dogs
are affected by the legislation.
Additionally, court cases revolving around BSL typically hinge on whether the
definition of pit bull is too vague or incorrect.
Who creates this definition?
Breed-specific legislation, and thus the legal definition of pit bull, is created by lawmakers
(state legislators, city council members, and so forth), sometimes with input from other sources
(animal control, citizens, laws written by other legislators, etc.) and sometimes based solely on the lawmakers’ own concepts of what a “pit bull” is.
For this reason, the legal definition of pit bull can differ significantly from the technical definition.
Breed-specific legislation (BSL) requires that all dogs be classified as a particular breed or type of dog.
BSL almost always includes “pit bulls” as a specific target of the legislation.
Because the term pit bull does not mean the same thing to everyone,
a legal definition of pit bull is usually necessary in order to clarify exactly which dogs
are affected by the legislation.
Additionally, court cases revolving around BSL typically hinge on whether the
definition of pit bull is too vague or incorrect.
Who creates this definition?
Breed-specific legislation, and thus the legal definition of pit bull, is created by lawmakers
(state legislators, city council members, and so forth), sometimes with input from other sources
(animal control, citizens, laws written by other legislators, etc.) and sometimes based solely on the lawmakers’ own concepts of what a “pit bull” is.
For this reason, the legal definition of pit bull can differ significantly from the technical definition.
The SHELTERS definition of a Pit Bull Terrier...
Head is medium length, with a broad skull and very pronounced cheek muscles,
a wide, deep muzzle, a well-defined, moderately deep stop, and strong under jaw.
Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge.
Eyes are round to almond shaped, are low in the skull and set far apart.
Ears are set high.
Un-cropped ears are short and usually held rose or half prick, though some hold them at full prick.
Neck is heavy and muscular, attached to strong, muscular shoulders.
Body is muscular, with a deep, broad chest, a wide front, deep brisket, well-sprung ribs,
and slightly tucked loins.
Tail is medium length and set low, thick at the base, tapering to a point.
Hindquarters are well muscled, with hocks set low on the legs.
Coat is a single coat, smooth, short and close to the skin.
This description depends on subjective criteria, meaning it could be unequally applied.
Head is medium length, with a broad skull and very pronounced cheek muscles,
a wide, deep muzzle, a well-defined, moderately deep stop, and strong under jaw.
Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge.
Eyes are round to almond shaped, are low in the skull and set far apart.
Ears are set high.
Un-cropped ears are short and usually held rose or half prick, though some hold them at full prick.
Neck is heavy and muscular, attached to strong, muscular shoulders.
Body is muscular, with a deep, broad chest, a wide front, deep brisket, well-sprung ribs,
and slightly tucked loins.
Tail is medium length and set low, thick at the base, tapering to a point.
Hindquarters are well muscled, with hocks set low on the legs.
Coat is a single coat, smooth, short and close to the skin.
This description depends on subjective criteria, meaning it could be unequally applied.
The term Pit Bull Terrier (from which comes the shortened term pit bull)
can be broken down into (3) components:
1) Pit
2) Bull
3) Terrier
Pit acknowledges the dog’s history as a fighting dog (because dogs fight in “pits”) while
BULL highlights the dog’s bulldog ancestry and
TERRIER describes the dog’s terrier ancestry (see the graph and history section above).
It is important to note that not every fighting dog is a Bull-and-Terrier,
and not every Bull-and-Terrier is a fighting dog.
The three elements (Bulldog, Terrier, fighting dog) come together only in the pit bull type dog.
“Pit bull” does not include all bully breeds or all fighting dogs.
Akitas are a fighting breed, but they are not a bully breed, so they are not pit bulls.
Bull Terriers are Bull-and-Terrier type dogs, but they were never used consistently for dog fighting,
so they are not pit bulls.
The Dogue de Bourdeux might be considered both a Bulldog breed and a fighting breed,
but the Dogue de Bourdeux has Mastiff, not Terrier, in its ancestry.
Thus, in a technical sense, “pit bull” refers to a dog whose ancestors were Bull-and-Terrier type dogs once used for dog fighting.
The specific breeds included in this technical definition are:
American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
can be broken down into (3) components:
1) Pit
2) Bull
3) Terrier
Pit acknowledges the dog’s history as a fighting dog (because dogs fight in “pits”) while
BULL highlights the dog’s bulldog ancestry and
TERRIER describes the dog’s terrier ancestry (see the graph and history section above).
It is important to note that not every fighting dog is a Bull-and-Terrier,
and not every Bull-and-Terrier is a fighting dog.
The three elements (Bulldog, Terrier, fighting dog) come together only in the pit bull type dog.
“Pit bull” does not include all bully breeds or all fighting dogs.
Akitas are a fighting breed, but they are not a bully breed, so they are not pit bulls.
Bull Terriers are Bull-and-Terrier type dogs, but they were never used consistently for dog fighting,
so they are not pit bulls.
The Dogue de Bourdeux might be considered both a Bulldog breed and a fighting breed,
but the Dogue de Bourdeux has Mastiff, not Terrier, in its ancestry.
Thus, in a technical sense, “pit bull” refers to a dog whose ancestors were Bull-and-Terrier type dogs once used for dog fighting.
The specific breeds included in this technical definition are:
American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
There are many breeds that, when purebred, have a distinct look — but when mixed, can easily produce offspring that resemble “pit bulls.”
Some of these breeds are listed below.
Black Mouth Cur
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Basenji
Boston Terrier
Redbone Coonhound
Dalmatian
German Shorthaired Pointer
Great Dane
Greyhound
Labrador Retriever
(English) Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiff
Plott Hound
(English) Pointer
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Smooth Fox Terrier
Tosa Inu
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Whippet
Most of the above breeds are medium or large size, have mastiff or terrier roots,
have short fur, and have a strong or muscular appearance.
These general traits can produce a “pit bull” - looking dog within a first generation mix.
Some of these breeds are listed below.
Black Mouth Cur
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Basenji
Boston Terrier
Redbone Coonhound
Dalmatian
German Shorthaired Pointer
Great Dane
Greyhound
Labrador Retriever
(English) Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiff
Plott Hound
(English) Pointer
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Smooth Fox Terrier
Tosa Inu
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Whippet
Most of the above breeds are medium or large size, have mastiff or terrier roots,
have short fur, and have a strong or muscular appearance.
These general traits can produce a “pit bull” - looking dog within a first generation mix.