Could someone explain EXACTLY what the difference is between a Pit Bull and an American Staff, if there even is one... I'm fed up with hearing so much rubbish about it...
Translated from French
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Please stop talking rubbish about Staffies!
the law is clear... if a Staffy doesn't have its pedigree papers (Kennel Club registered parents), it can be "typed" as a pitbull, just like other restricted breeds.
However, pitbull types are banned from being owned or bred in the UK. Your only real option is to get your dog exempted by a specialist vet or a Dog Legislation Officer. You'll need to go through a behavioural assessment (for both the dog and the owner), have the dog neutered, keep vaccinations up to date, and ensure they are microchipped. Once you’ve done everything strictly by the book, you won't have any issues with the law.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a close relative of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1936, long after the American Pit Bull had been recognised by Bennett’s UKC. Originally known in both the UK and America as either the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half, or Pit Dog, it first gained recognition in England as the "Staffordshire Bull Terrier". When the AKC recognised the breed in 1936, it was under the name Staffordshire Terrier. This was later changed to "American Staffordshire Terrier" in 1976 to distinguish it as the larger, heavier American dog.
While they share the same origins, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are two distinct breeds, though they are physically very similar in many ways. They are so alike that some experts describe the American Pit Bull as the working dog and the American Staffordshire Terrier as its show-ring counterpart.
There is also a significant difference in colour standards compared to the Amstaff. Additionally, the bone density and muscle definition in the hind legs are typically more pronounced in the Pit Bull than in the Amstaff.
If memory serves, Pitbulls have some English Bulldog in their ancestry too.
Legally speaking, as the Pitbull breed isn't officially recognised in France (neither domestically nor internationally), they had to find a way to define them. The original law was rushed through because they had to sort out a major public safety issue quickly, all because of the way some owners were acting. Getting a dog breed officially recognised can be a long-winded and tedious process—just look at the Saarloos Wolfdog. Even though the breed was created back in the 30s, it wasn't recognised locally until six years after its creator passed away, and it took another six years for international recognition.
If it weren't for some young idiots from rough estates acting like tough guys with these dogs (using them as weapons, among other things), this law would never have been passed.
I kept pure American Pit Bull Terriers – to use their proper name – from 1988 until 2000. They were ADBA registered dogs from Holland and California, where I actually went to pick them up myself. The Pit doesn't really have a breed standard, except that the 'fire' tan colour isn't allowed. Originally, they were the same dogs as the Amstaff, but the Amstaff drifted too far into the show ring, which didn't sit well with some enthusiasts. They tried to keep the original physical traits and the tenacity of the breed, but that wasn't popular in most countries, which is why we now have two separate breeds, though they’re cousins. We see the same issue with English Bulldogs; they don't match the 1880s standard or physique anymore because of how they’ve been bred for dog shows. Since 1969, enthusiasts have worked to preserve the original Bulldog under the name 'Olde English Bulldogge' to keep its true physique. So, you end up with two breeds – one modern and the other original... cousins once again.
The Pit Bull is the pure breed, whereas the Staffy is a descendant created by crossing Pit Bulls with other dogs. A Pit Bull is nothing like a Staffy (different size, temperament, head shape, and weight—they’re two completely different dogs). Having owned a Staffy and now a Pit Bull, I think the Pit Bull makes a much better pet, despite everything you hear.
This post is over 200 days old, but I’m going to reply anyway as it’s still relevant. Have you read the messages, @Kiara55? We’re talking about France here. In France, Pit Bulls are defined as dogs that look like an Amstaff but don't have papers. The Pit Bull Terrier is recognised in other countries—mind you, that doesn’t mean it has a pedigree, as it isn't recognised by the FCI, but it’s still a form of recognition. That being said, even if you import a "purebred" Pit Bull, it’ll be considered a crossbreed in France because there’s no recognition in the country; plus, it’s technically illegal. Also, in America, dogs heading towards FCI recognition almost always go through the AKC first, which isn’t the case for the Pit Bull Terrier at the moment.
Sorry, but you’ve got it all wrong! The Pit Bull is a breed in its own right, it’s just not recognised like the Staffie, which is an official breed! If you look into it a bit more closely, you’ll notice that the physical characteristics of these two dogs are actually quite different.
The Pitbull is a bit of a different case, as it's a breed (I’m referring to the pedigreed American Pit Bull Terrier) that is recognised in very few places—only two American registries, I think. To my knowledge, it has never been recognised in France by the LOF, nor is it recognised internationally by the FCI or even the American Kennel Club (AKC)...
France followed many other countries in banning "Pitbulls". They unfortunately needed a name for the dogs concerned and a "pseudo-standard" (I say pseudo because it’s so vague) to define exactly which dogs were being targeted. Clearly, that doesn't help explain what a breed actually is (selective breeding and the paperwork to track it)... it just keeps everything in a bit of a grey area.
Recognised by the UKC :)
