Editing Pit bull (section)

== Identification ==
Determining whether an individual dog is of a pit bull breed can be necessary for health or legal reasons. Pit bull breeds and their mixes can be prone to certain health issues and proactive care can prevent or mitigate certain issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahaney |first=Patrick |date=2025 |title=A Complete Guide To Pit Bull Skin Allergies & Skin Issues |url=https://vetnique.com/blogs/vets-corner/a-complete-guide-to-pit-bull-skin-allergies-amp-skin-issues-vetnique |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Vetnique |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fischer |first1=Kara E. |last2=Rush |first2=John E. |last3=Freeman |first3=Lisa M. |date=2023-07-01 |title=Pit bull–type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015–2022) |url=https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/7/javma.23.01.0025.xml |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |language=EN |volume=261 |issue=7 |pages=1011–1019 |doi=10.2460/javma.23.01.0025|doi-access=free |pmid=37059420 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Olby |first1=Natasha |last2=Blot |first2=Stephane |last3=Thibaud |first3=Jean-Laurent |last4=Phillips |first4=Jeff |last5=O'Brien |first5=Dennis P. |last6=Burr |first6=Jeanne |last7=Berg |first7=Jason |last8=Brown |first8=Talmage |last9=Breen |first9=Matthew |date=2004 |title=Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration in Adult American Staffordshire Terriers |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2004.tb00161.x |journal=Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=201–208 |doi=10.1111/j.1939-1676.2004.tb00161.x |issn=1939-1676}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Katie |date=2017-03-01 |title=Unlocking the genetic secrets of your dog |url=https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-03-15/unlocking-genetic-secrets-your-dog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250214122045/https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-03-15/unlocking-genetic-secrets-your-dog |archive-date=2025-02-14 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.avma.org |publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association |language=en}}</ref> Pit bull breeds, pit bull type dogs, and their mixes are legally regulated or banned in many countries. The burden of proof can lie with the dog owner or with the authorities. In Denmark, the police can request that a dog owner provides proof that the dog is not prohibited under the Danish Dog Act. Danish authorities recommend that dog owners make sure they have documentation of their dog's origin and breed, especially if their dog has characteristics similar to those prohibited: "Possessors of a dog, which in appearance have some features in common with one or more of the prohibited breeds, are recommended to ensure that they possess documentation of their dog's breed."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danish Legislation on Dogs |url=https://en.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/animals/animal-welfare/danish-legislation-on-dogs |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=en.foedevarestyrelsen.dk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri |title=Bekendtgørelse af lov om hunde |date=2021-02-03 |url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2021/329 |access-date=2025-02-11}}</ref>  

In the United Kingdom it is also a dog owner's responsibility to prove that the dog is not one of the prohibited types (dog types bred for fighting) under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or that the dog has a Certificate of Exemption (grandfather clause). The UK uses Dog Legislation Officers (DLO) which have special training and experience in dog identification. Those officers also provide expert evidence for authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Controlling your dog in public |url=https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dangerous Dog Offences |website=The Crown Prosecution Service |url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/dangerous-dog-offences |access-date=2025-02-11}}</ref> 

'''Methods'''

There are various ways to identify a pit bull's specific breed. It can be proven through [[Breed registry|registration papers]] ([[Pedigree chart|pedigree]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Importance of Pedigree Papers |url=https://dogsaustralia.org.au/getting-a-dog/importance-of-pedigree-papers/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=dogsaustralia.org.au}}</ref> and through testing a dog's DNA to validate parentage or it can be determined through testing DNA-based ancestry,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wiley |first=Claire |date=2023 |title=Genetic Testing in Dogs – an Overview |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/genetic-testing-dogs-overview/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref> through examining a dog's traits<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Kriangwanich |first1=Wannapimol |last2=Nganvongpanit |first2=Korakot |last3=Buddhachat |first3=Kittisak |last4=Siengdee |first4=Puntita |last5=Chomdej |first5=Siriwadee |last6=Ponsuksili |first6=Siriluck |last7=Thitaram |first7=Chatchote |date=2020 |title=Genetic variations and dog breed identification using inter-simple sequence repeat markers coupled with high resolution melting analysis |journal=PeerJ |volume=8 |pages=e10215 |doi= 10.7717/peerj.10215|doi-access=free |issn=2167-8359 |pmc=7605226 |pmid=33194413}}</ref> or the use of artificial intelligence.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Hybrid Deep Learning Algorithms for Dog Breed Identification—A Comparative Analysis |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10192536 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240420045846/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10192536/ |archive-date=2024-04-20 |access-date=2024-12-12 |journal=IEEE Access |date=2023 |doi=10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3297440 |language=en-US |last1=Valarmathi |first1=B. |last2=Gupta |first2=N. Srinivasa |last3=Prakash |first3=G. |last4=Reddy |first4=R. Hemadri |last5=Saravanan |first5=S. |last6=Shanmugasundaram |first6=P. |volume=11 |pages=77228–77239 |bibcode=2023IEEEA..1177228V |doi-access=free }}</ref> Which method is suitable depends on the purpose of the identification. While some methods might be good enough to satisfy a dog owner's curiosity, not all methods are accepted for legal reasons. For example, France banned pit bull type dogs (category 1) in 1999, but purebred registered American Staffordshire Terriers (category 2) are only restricted, not banned. Therefore only American Staffordshire Terriers registered with Central Canine Society ([[French language|fr]]. [[Société Centrale Canine|Société centrale canine]]) are legally allowed to be in or to re-enter the country. Parental DNA testing of a not-registered purebred dog would not be sufficient under French law to legally transfer such a dog into or through France.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Avoir un chien de catégorie: quelles sont les règles ? |trans-title=Having a category dog: what are the rules? |url=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1839 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.service-public.fr |language=Fr}}</ref>

'''Pure breed identification'''

Two pit bull breeds, the [[American Staffordshire Terrier]] and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, can be registered at internationally recognized Kennel Clubs, such as the American Kennel Club ([[American Kennel Club|AKC]]), through their respective breed clubs to receive registration papers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/staffordshire-bull-terrier/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref> Both breeds are also recognized by the Fédération Cynalogique Internationale ([[Fédération Cynologique Internationale|FCI]]), which maintains and publicizes their breed standards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Staffordshire Terrier |url=https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/AMERICAN-STAFFORDSHIRE-TERRIER-286.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.fci.be |publisher=Fédération Cynologique Internationale}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Staffordshire Bull Terrier |url=https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/STAFFORDSHIRE-BULL-TERRIER-76.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.fci.be |publisher=Fédération Cynologique Internationale}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=Presentation of our organisation |url=https://www.fci.be/en/Presentation-of-our-organisation-4.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.fci.be |publisher=Fédération Cynologique Internationale |quote=}}</ref> In contrast, the [[American Pit Bull Terrier]], the [[American Bulldog]] and the [[American Bully]] are not recognized by international Kennel Clubs, though they can be registered at other Kennel Clubs, such as the United Kennel Club ([[United Kennel Club|UKC]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Single Registration Requirements : American Pit Bull Terrier {{!}} United Kennel Club (UKC) |url=https://www.ukcdogs.com/single-registration-requirements-american-pit-bull-terrier |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.ukcdogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Breed Standards : American Bulldog {{!}} United Kennel Club (UKC) |url=https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bulldog |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.ukcdogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Breed Standards : American Bully {{!}} United Kennel Club (UKC) |url=https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bully |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=www.ukcdogs.com}}</ref><gallery widths="180" mode="nolines" caption="">
File:Bullterrier and staffordshirebullterrier.jpg|A Staffordshire Bull Terrier (right) is easy to tell apart from a [[Bull Terrier]].
File:Two dogs and a fireplace.jpg|An AKC registered American Staffordshire Terrier (left) and a [[United Kennel Club|UKC]] registered American Pit Bull Terrier (right).
File:Staffordshire Bull Terrier 600.jpg|alt=A Staffordshire Bull Terrier is of of small to medium size.|Staffordshire Bull Terriers are small to medium sized.
File:Bully.jpg|The [[American Bully]] shares phenotypic traits with other pit bull breeds.
</gallery>Through selective breeding, pit bull breeds have developed characteristics that distinguish them from one another, as well as from other dog types in terms of form and function: "[…] the name ''Pit Bull'' is actually a generic term that applies to the various breeds that share the same ancestry or have a similar appearance. This includes the APBT, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Terrier. Sometimes people even refer to the Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, or the American Bulldog as Pit Bulls. Although enthusiasts of these different breeds can easily tell them apart, to those who are unfamiliar with them many of the breeds appear quite similar."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Palika |first=Liz |title=American Pit Bull Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet |date=2006 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9780471781875 |edition=2nd |location=New Jersey |pages=11–12 |language=en |quote=Full quote: "American Pit Bull Terrier is the official name of the breed of dog recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Dog Breeders Association. Although often referred to as Pit Bulls, the name Pit Bull is actually a generic term that applies to the various breeds that share the same ancestry or have a similar appearance. This includes the APBT, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Terrier. Sometimes people even refer to the Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, or the American Bulldog as Pit Bulls. Although enthusiasts of these different breeds can easily tell them apart, to those who are unfamiliar with them many of the breeds appear quite similar."}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=McMillan |first1=F. D. |last2=Reid |first2=P. J. |date=2010 |title=Selective breeding in fighting dogs |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-welfare/article/abs/selective-breeding-in-fighting-dogs/A65BA6AAF9DC2C4580DA7C0341479DBD |journal=Animal Welfare |language=en |volume=19 |issue=S1 |pages=133–143 |doi=10.1017/S0962728600002347 |issn=0962-7286}}</ref>

An example of distinct [[Phenotypic trait|traits]] that a Labrador Retriever and an American Pit Bull Terrier have. This list considers characteristics of a dog's form as well as function and typical behavior:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Labrador Retriever (gun dog)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paddock |first=Arliss |date=2023-06-09 |title=The Six Breeds of Retrievers: Can You Name Them All? |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/retriever-breeds/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Retriever (Labrador): Breed Standards |website=The Kennel Club |url=https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-labrador/ |access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LABRADOR RETRIEVER |url=https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/LABRADOR-RETRIEVER-122.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.fci.be}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2023 |author=Randa Kriss |title=8 Unique Dog Breeds That Make Excellent Bird Hunters |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/8-excellent-bird-hunter-breeds/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}</ref>
!American Pit Bull Terrier (catch dog)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breed Standards: American Pit Bull Terrier |website=United Kennel Club (UKC) |url=https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-pit-bull-terrier |access-date=2025-02-12}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Black_labrador_retriever.jpg|center|frameless|300x300px]]
|[[File:007_American_Pit_Bull_Terrier.jpg|center|frameless|299x299px]]
|-
|
* Double coat (protective underwool)
* Solid black, yellow or chocolate
* Thick otter tail
* V-shaped drop ears
* [[Bite inhibition#Soft mouth|Soft mouth]]<br/>(for retrieving birds without damage)
* Water retrieving
* Dog aggression is not characteristic
|
* Single coat
* All colors and markings, except [[Merle (dog coat)|merle]]
* Thin tail
* Rose ears (often cropped), high set
* Hard mouth<br/>(a break stick can be required to release)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Break Stick |url=https://www.pbrc.net/breakstick.html#/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=PIT BULL RESCUE CENTRAL |language=en}}</ref>
* Gameness<ref name=":4" />
* Dog aggression is characteristic to some level
|}
'''Dog type identification'''

Breed assessors look at a suspected pit bull's physical characteristics like the shape of the head, ears, flews, jowls, teeth, eyes, chest, legs and tail, as well as the characteristics of the dog's coat (color, hair length, growth and texture), skin, weight, height and body length to determine if a dog categorizes as a pit bull type dog or not.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Manawatū District |date=2024-04-23 |title=Dog Classification |url=https://www.mdc.govt.nz/services/animal-control/dogs/dog-classification |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=www.mdc.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Guidelines-For-Breed-Assessors-may-2013.pdf Companion Animals Act 1998, Guidelines for breed assessors]. (2013) Chief Executive, Department of Premier and Cabinet.</ref> "Pit bull-type dogs are defined as any dog displaying a majority of physical traits of any one or more of the specific breeds mentioned above [American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier], or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing (physical) characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established by American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club".<ref>[https://denver.prelive.opencities.com/files/assets/public/v/1/animal-shelter/documents/restrictedbreed_faq_1.8.21.pdf Denver Pit Bull Fact Sheet]. (2021) Animal protection – Denver Public Health & Environment.</ref>

Whether the dog type pit bull can be sufficiently defined has been the subject of legal disputes. For example, the claim that the legal phrase "commonly known as a pit bull dog" is unconstitutionally vague has been dismissed by judicial decisions: "...the ownership of a dog 'commonly known as a pit bull dog' is [[prima facie]] evidence of the ownership of a vicious dog, is not unconstitutionally void for vagueness since dogs commonly known as pit bulls possess unique and readily identifiable physical and behavioral traits which are capable of recognition both by dog owners of ordinary intelligence and by enforcement personnel." The court also found that specific behavioral features distinguish pit bulls from other dogs and therefore can be taken into account when identifying a pit bull: "Furthermore, the dog owner of ordinary intelligence, when determining whether he or she owns a pit bull dog, need not rely solely on the dog's physical traits. Rather, the pit bull possesses certain distinctive behavioral features which differentiate it from other dog breeds."<ref>''[https://casetext.com/case/state-v-anderson-227 State v. Anderson]'', 57 Ohio St. 3d 168,  (Ohio 1991).</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Linda S. |title=Breed-Specific Legislation in the United States |website=Animal Legal & Historical Center |url=https://www.animallaw.info/article/breed-specific-legislation-united-states |access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohio's 'pit bull' law sticks despite tries for change |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/news/state/2009/12/06/Ohio-s-pit-bull-law-sticks-despite-tries-for-change/stories/200912060020 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=The Blade |language=en}}</ref>

'''Challenges of mixed or cross breed identification'''

Mixed or cross breed identification can be more challenging than pure breed identification and can be supported by testing for genetic markers.<ref name=":2" /> However, DNA-based ancestry testing that works with owner-reported databases can be unreliable and the American Kennel Club does not recommend using those.<ref name=":1" /> For example, the Manawatū District Council does not accept DNA heritage testing for pit bulls, instead they look at a dog's certain physical traits.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-23 |title=Dog Classification |url=https://www.mdc.govt.nz/services/animal-control/dogs/dog-classification |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.mdc.govt.nz |publisher=Manawatū District Council |language=en |quote="The Manawatū District Council will use the guidance set out in this section to identify the American Pit Bull type. Council will not accept DNA testing (e.g., the BITSA Breed Identification Test) as evidence of whether a dog is (or is not) wholly or predominately a Pit Bull. For a range of reasons, this testing is not always conclusive, especially where a dog is a mix of breeds."}}</ref> 

Studies have found that when people involved in dog rescue, adoption, and regulation identify the breed of a dog of mixed parentage, this identification did not always correlate with the DNA analysis of that dog.<ref name="Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff">{{cite journal |last1=Olson |first1=K.R. |year=2015 |title=Inconsistent identification of pit bull–type dogs by shelter staff |journal=The Veterinary Journal |volume=206 |issue=2 |pages=197–202 |doi=10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.019 |pmid=26403955 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice">{{cite journal |last1=Simpson |first1=Robert John |year=2012 |title=Rethinking dog breed identification in veterinary practice |journal=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]] |volume=241 |issue=9 |pages=1163–1166 |doi=10.2460/javma.241.9.1163 |pmid=23078561 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs">{{cite journal |last1=Gunter |first1=Lisa M. |year=2018 |title=A canine identity crisis: Genetic breed heritage testing of shelter dogs |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=8 |pages=e0202633 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1302633G |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0202633 |pmc=6107223 |pmid=30138476 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Mixed-breed dogs are often labeled as pit bulls if they have certain physical characteristics, such as a square-shaped head or bulky body type.<ref name="Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation">{{cite journal |last1=Swann |first1=Kristen E |title=Irrationality Unleashed: The Pitfalls of Breed-Specific Legislation |url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/umkc78&div=32&id=&page= |url-status=live |journal=UMKC Law Review |volume=78 |page=839 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326163501/https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals%2Fumkc78&div=32&id=&page= |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref>

'''Deliberate mislabeling of pit bulls'''

In Australia some dog owners give false information regarding the breed of their dog to local authorities, despite this being an offence under the Crimes Act. Inquests after fatal or serious dog attacks showed that pit bull owners registered their dogs under a wide range of other breeds, like the [[Australian Terrier]], to evade their local laws and regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fife-Yeomans |first=Janet |date=2014-04-26 |title=Lethal dogs in disguise: pitbulls registered under other breeds |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/lethal-dogs-in-disguise-pitbulls-registered-under-other-breeds/news-story/99e777e8a5547e33beecad813c0a3c23 |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=The Courier Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deare |first=Steven |date=2024-02-19 |title=Dog breeder claims may put unsuspecting owners at risk |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8526406/dog-breeder-claims-may-put-unsuspecting-owners-at-risk/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref>

In France, investigations following the dog attack death of [[Death of Elisa Pilarski|Elisa Pilarski]] led to the discovery that her partner and dog's owner had deliberately passed off a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier as a mix of a [[Whippet]] and a [[Patterdale Terrier]] and imported it into the country illegally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-05 |title=DNA solves the mystery of woman killed by dog - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2020/11/05/2003746429 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.taipeitimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=d'Adhémar |first=Margaux |date=2020-03-06 |title=Importation illégale, concours de mordant... Pourquoi le chien Curtis est au cœur de l'enquête Pilarski? |trans-title=Illegal imports, a biting contest... Why is Curtis the dog at the heart of the Pilarski investigation? |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/importation-illegale-concours-de-mordant-le-profil-du-chien-curtis-pose-question-20200306 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}</ref> American Pit Bull Terriers are not recognized as a breed in France and are considered a pit bull type, which has been banned in the country since 1999.<ref name=":3" />