Bully Breed Breakdown: A Visual Guide

Every day, we see dogs being labeled as “pit bulls”—and I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of this too! But the truth is, "pit bull" isn’t an all-encompassing term for all bully breeds. In fact, it refers to just one specific breed: the American Pit Bull Terrier. The reason so many bully breeds get grouped under this label is that many of them share similar physical traits with the American Pit Bull Terrier, leading to widespread confusion.

Pit bulls are often unfairly given a bad reputation, and it’s one of my biggest pet peeves. Time and time again, I see articles about dog attacks where the headline either blatantly states, “Pit bull attacks,” or vaguely claims, “Family dog attacks,” when the breed isn’t a pit bull. The media continuously pushes a negative narrative about these dogs.

I once heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter if they aren’t pit bulls—if they look like pit bulls, they get treated like pit bulls.” And it’s so true. Our dogs are constantly judged simply because of their appearance, making it hard for all of us bully breed owners. We know firsthand that these dogs are loving, loyal, and affectionate, yet they face unfair profiling every day.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of your dog—but staying informed is key. The more you know, the better you can educate and advocate for your pup when faced with misinformation or ignorance. If you believe your dog is a pit bull, there’s a chance they may actually be a different type of bully breed. Understanding the differences can help you confidently stand up for your dog and challenge misconceptions. Here is a list of all of the bully breeds:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier

   
   

   

   credit: (https://www.trupanion.com/pet-blog/article/american-pit-bull-terrier)

   
   

2. American Bully

   
   

   

   credit: https://dogtime.com/reference/155362-pros-cons-american-bully-dog-breed

   
   

3. American Staffordshire Terrier

   
   

   

   credit: https://www.hundeo.com/en/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/

   
   

4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

   
   

   

   credit: https://wamiz.co.uk/dog/breeds/49/staffordshire-bull-terrier

   
   

5. Bull Terrier

   
   

   

   credit: https://bullystickscentral.com/blogs/your-guide-to-different-dog-breeds/all-about-english-bull-terriers

   
   

6. American Bulldog

   
   

   

   credit: https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/american-bulldog

   
   

7. English Bulldog

   
   

   

   credit: https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/bulldog

   
   

8. French Bulldog

   
   

   

   credit: https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/french-bulldog

   
   

9. Olde English Bulldogge

   
   

   

   credit: https://www.bullybreedersassociation.com/breeds/olde-english-bulldogge/

   
   

Every dog deserves to be seen for who they truly are—not just the breed they belong to. No matter what kind of dog you have, they are capable of being loving, loyal, and well-behaved with the right care and guidance. The truth is, aggression isn’t tied to a breed—it’s a result of how a dog is treated. When we provide dogs with love, structure, and kindness, we set them up for success.

As someone who has personally faced breed profiling with my own dog, I know how frustrating and disheartening it can be. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to advocate for these incredible dogs, breaking stereotypes and spreading awareness. I encourage you to do the same!

If you have a bully breed, or if you're trying to determine what kind of bully breed you have, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Let’s build a community that supports and uplifts these amazing dogs! 🐾❤️