Hi everyone, I'm looking for a specific type of dog that I've never come across before. Based on my research, it's supposedly an American Pit Bull Terrier, 'black panther' type. I've attached some photos to show you what I mean.
Is that the correct name for the breed?
And where would I be able to get a dog like this?
Thanks in advance for the help..
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
Hi, whether this dog is a Pit Bull of any kind, it would be banned here in the UK anyway. The 'Black Panther' doesn't have that build; it has a longer muzzle and a less massive skull... Besides, don't just go by looks, you have to take temperament into account as well. The US is constantly churning out breeds and crosses based solely on their physique; these dogs have no real working purpose other than looking more 'hard' than the one next door. As a dog lover, you should choose a recognised breed that has proven itself and is stable in both its appearance and general nature.
Actually, that’s a load of rubbish—no dogs are banned here. Besides, this breed is fully recognised; it’s an American Bully (most likely an XL). It’s just a very rare colour for the breed, which is why it’s pretty much impossible to get hold of one.
So, basically, what even is Prague??? A "soft" XXL Bully, yet another American breed? Because he definitely doesn't look like a Bully to me, even the XXL ones you see online sometimes...
I’ve got the same soft spot as @Mel1 for big, powerful breeds and large dogs. As for their reputation, well, I couldn't care less.
I’ve been a huge Doberman fan for over 15 years, and if I ever hesitated to get one, it was only because I was worried about dealing with the "vicious beast" everyone talks about. Because, just like @Mel1, I wasn't after the negative stereotype; I wanted the steady, fearless dog that breeders and enthusiasts described. Good call on my part—I’ve managed to win a lot of people over to the breed 😁. Obviously, I fell in love with the look first... then you look into the temperament and bingo, it’s a perfect match. Maybe less so nowadays, I’ll admit, but I’ve never regretted choosing them over dogs that were more "on-trend". After all, the Dobie had its heyday back in the 70s and 80s. I wasn't even born then! 😳
What’s off-putting about the Bully is the fact they were bred purely for looks. A colleague of mine has an XL female—gorgeous dog, actually—but even he said she’s the kind of dog you get just to show off, without having to worry about the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Are Staffies becoming "yesterday's news," even while breeders are working their socks off to produce dogs that are temperamentally sound and have a physique that doesn't impact their health? You have to wonder.
I’m sure there are genuine enthusiasts (like @Draugen with Seth), but what about the majority of owners...?
Just for a bit of a story... I’ve got a Staff (accompanied by an owner who isn't the least bit intimidating, a name that's far too cute, and a lovely floral collar – when I actually remember to put it on her). Originally, I wanted a small dog, like a Chihuahua, a Pom, or a Dachshund... something cute and easy to take everywhere, that I could dress up in lovely collars, teach tricks, play with, and meet other owners... basically, my plan was seriously overhauled. I don’t exactly enjoy having a dog that ‘scares people’ because it can be a real weight to carry sometimes. It leads to constant questions (Is it a pit bull? Is she aggressive? Why is she muzzled?) as well as direct confrontations. I certainly didn't expect some old fool to tell me never to come back to his neighbourhood with my dog, or for people to shout insults from a distance.
Having an imposing dog is no small thing (especially since mine must be the least scary in the ‘scary’ category x)), and today, I’m just relieved that the locals have got used to seeing her. I get fewer stares and comments now, and maybe a few more positive conversations.
And as a little bonus... I was waiting for my partner who was running a few errands, so I was sitting near a little local shop with Dolly waiting beside me. A woman walks up and asks if she’s a Staff... I say yes, and she tells me, with all the class you’d expect, that Staffs are proper tough-guy dogs, unlike Staffies which are a bit wimpy. Oh? Clearly, she hadn’t taken a good look at the human on the other end of the lead... ;p
In that case, surely it’s better to say you like Mastiff-type dogs rather than "scary-looking" ones?
If it’s just down to aesthetics, it means you would’ve gone for Odin or your old Dogo even if they were breeds with a really positive image from kids' cartoons or films where they were the heroes.
What I find a real shame is that many people who get "intimidating" dogs are actually quite attached to the negative image their dog projects (even while they moan about it), rather than liking their looks, temperament, or some other practical trait. They often tend to switch their go-to breed as that image evolves.
I can understand wanting a dog with a positive public image and changing your mind if that reputation goes downhill, but the other way around?
You can really tell it just comes and goes with the latest trends.
It reminds me of a guy at the dog park who said, "I used to like Staffies, but they’re becoming a bit of a girly dog now." Right... (it’s true they’ve become the new Chihuahua around here lately, but so what?)
As for the "curly ones", in my case it was mainly a practical choice (non-shedding, hypoallergenic) rather than an aesthetic one, even if I have grown fond of the look. I’m not sure I would’ve gone for those types of dogs if shedding wasn't an issue.
@Kainate, when I say a "scary-looking" dog, it’s just a figure of speech. It doesn’t mean I actually want to go around scaring people with my dog! ;)
I just really like the look of those breeds.
Actually, Odin isn't scary at all! He’s got such a lovely, gentle face that people aren't usually intimidated by him.
But yeah, I haven't been able to socialise him much because he does frighten owners of small dogs. And let’s be honest, compared to Odin, 90% of the dogs we come across are tiny.
It’s also because there aren't any parks or anywhere to let dogs off-lead in my town, etc...
Anyway, I just love the look and the presence these dogs have. If I had one, it wouldn't be to terrorise the neighbourhood; it's just because I think they're stunning! It’s not about following a trend, it’s just what I’ve always liked.
Just like you like the curly-coated ones! ;).
I’d never have a curly-haired dog myself, unless it happened by accident. It’s just a matter of personal preference.
Personally, I don't have any prejudices against any breed. When I see a big dog on the pavement, I don't cross the road or try to avoid it. It’s only if the dog looks aggressive, and that goes for any size or build.
It’s great for Padja to see all shapes and sizes, and back when I had Gypsie in town (so there were more dogs around and Gypsie was social), they were all potential mates to play with. I’m only prejudiced against owners who get certain breeds just to turn them into aggressive dogs. But that’s true for Malinois and any other breed as well.
Of course, as an owner, I have my own preferences for the dog I live with. I don’t care if they look cute, or scare people, or if people don't even notice them. I just like well-proportioned dogs that haven't been over-bred with extreme traits that can affect their health—big enough for proper cuddles, but small enough that they don't have some massive strength I wouldn't be able to control.
But I really dislike trends like Emla, in the sense that, just like with Borders, Malinois and others before them, people get them without understanding their needs just because "they’re soooooo gorgeous".
And I hate the breeding selection for certain breeds that encourages over-typing (faces that are too flat leading to breathing problems, chests that are too wide which stop the dog from running properly, disproportionate muscle mass that leaves the dog out of breath quickly, etc.) or genetic defects in other breeds (deafness, etc.). Anything that doesn't fall into those categories is fine—it doesn't matter how imposing the dog is or what it looks like; dogs come in all shapes and colours and that’s exactly how it should be.
I’ve never bought a dog from a breeder, but if I did, the first thing I’d expect to pay for is good genetic health (not counting external illnesses). The guarantee of having a healthy dog compared to a crossbreed with uncertain genetics. That should always be the priority in breed selection. It’s the most important thing in my eyes. There’s no point in me having a dog that can run its heart out until it's two, can barely run at five, and dies at eight, having watched it struggle to breathe its whole life—which should be a basic right for any living thing (I’m talking about some of those really over-bred bulldogs, for example). I wouldn't pay for that.
The rest of it, a dog is a dog. It takes all sorts to make a world, and that’s for the best.
If I’m in town and see an aggressive Chihuahua, I’ll cross the road. If I see a big, chilled-out dog, why move? And in any case, regardless of size or breed, I always ask the owner if the dog is friendly so mine can say hello safely.
@Emla yeah, when someone calls their breeding setup 'designer', it’s definitely a bit dodgy... But I was speaking more generally, not just about the dogs from that particular breeder. You can love and own a 'scary-looking' dog while still taking proper care of it. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Of course, you’ll always get the muscle-bound posers who do the same to their dogs and post photos on Facebook. But is that really the majority of people who own these kinds of dogs? I don't think so, but the few who act like that end up giving everyone else a bad name.
We’re on the same page, though—I'm completely against extreme conformation.
Yeah, what’s happening with the Bully at the moment is pretty serious... Especially the ‘pocket’ and ‘extreme’ varieties, which are often completely deformed and can’t even move properly.
Bullys are everywhere round here... I reckon it’s because it lets people have a ‘scary-looking’ dog while avoiding the banned breed lists.
And sadly, with this trend comes a race to see who can have the most muscular Bully, with the most swayed back and the widest, most bowed legs :(
Yeah, but the thing is, a lot of people who want "scary-looking" dogs then go on to complain... that people are actually scared of them! They moan that people cross the road to avoid them or give them dirty looks as soon as they dare let their dog off the lead or take them on public transport.
But at the same time, they complain about it while appearing to relish the situation. I find it such a contradiction.
Actually, Mel1, that’s exactly what I’ve seen you write about Odin. You can’t manage to socialise him because people, especially other owners, cross the road when they see him. A Dogue de Bordeaux isn't really the kind of dog that scares me, given their clown-like faces, but still, I can see how they’d be intimidating. And you should understand that too, seeing as you chose that breed for that very reason (well, among others, I imagine).
By the way, what’s the real motivation behind wanting a dog that "looks scary"? It's a genuine question, I really struggle to wrap my head around it. Is it out of fear (as a deterrent) or something else? "Scaring" people is about emotion; it goes way beyond just what we think looks good or not.
For my part, it was the exact opposite; I wanted "cute" dogs, and I can easily explain why: I’d rather my dogs were social icebreakers than the other way around. I'm also fully aware that their "cute" faces earn me a bit more tolerance from the general public :)
The icing on the cake is that they’re cute but quite protective, and I still feel safe with them. They don’t look like a deterrent, but their behaviour certainly can be.
The flip side is the constant "Oh, he looks like a teddy bear!" that I hear every time I step out the door, and the kids coming up to stroke them, but... I take it with a smile. I find it much more pleasant than people crossing the road to avoid us.
Sorry if this was posted further up and I missed it, but could we have the link to the breeder's website?
