15 Dog Breeds Like the Pit Bull Terrier

Discover some dog breeds that resemble pit bull terriers, like American Bulldog, Boerboel, Bully Kutta, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, French Mastiff, Presa Canario, and more.

Fearless, Muscular and Powerful: The American Pit Bull Terrier

Pit bull terriers are great companion dogs. They're one of the most popular breeds, and they are very energetic, fearless, and intelligent dogs that make good family pets. On top of that, their power and stamina are unmatched, making them one of the most in-demand breeds in the world.

15 Other Dog Breeds That Resemble Pit Bull Terriers

You might love the pit bull appearance and other aspects of the breed, but perhaps you're seeking a dog with different traits. Consider adding one of the following breeds to your family instead.

1. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
2. American Bandogge
3. American Bully
4. American Bulldog
5. American Staffordshire Terrier
6. Banter Bulldogge
7. Boerboel
8. Bully Kutta
9. Cane Corso
10. Ca De Bou Dog
11. Chamuco Dog
12. Chinese Bone Mouth Shar Pei
13. Dogo Argentino
14. French Mastiff
15. Perro de Presa Canario

1. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

The Alapaha Blue Bulldog is a medium to large-sized mastiff-type dog native to Georgia, United States, and believed to be descended from Old English Bulldogs. Its name is from the Alapaha River region, where it was developed to work with livestock and guard property. Alapaha Blue Bloods are intelligent and devoted family pets and are highly protective of their family members and property. They are not recognized as a breed by American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other major kennel club.

2. American Bandogge

The American Bandog is a strong, muscular, fearless mastiff dog, which is a further extension of the English Bandog. The English Bandog was developed in Britain to participate in big games like boar hunting and dog fights by mixing between a couple of terriers, English mastiffs and English bulldogs.

Though the American Bandogge is a friendly and obedient dog, like other mastiff dogs, they are energetic, dominant and courageous dogs that need a firm and expert owner who can prove themselves the pack leader and provide sufficient mental and physical exercise.

3. American Bully

Other names: Bullypit

The American Bully is a medium-sized mastiff-type companion dog that makes a great family pet. The American Bully was developed by mixing the American Pit Bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier, and it was recognized as a breed by the American Bully Kennel Club (AKC) in 2004.

The American Bully is a muscular, heavy-boned, courageous, and devoted dog that gets along well with kids and strangers and make for a great family dog.

4. American Bulldog

Other names: Old Country Bulldog, AM Bulldog and American Bulldogge

The American Bulldog is a robust, muscular, courageous, loyal and determined dog that is native to the United States. They were developed to work as farm utility dogs to hunt wild boar, kill vermin, and guard property and livestock. The American Bulldog is a confident, intelligent, alert and friendly dog that is good with children and other pets but must be trained and well-socialized. The American Bulldog is one of a few mastiff dogs that can be recommended for apartment life as long as they are getting regular exercise and moderate walking.

5. American Staffordshire Terrier

Other names: Staffy, Staffie, Stafford, Staff, Am Staff, Amstaff, American Staffy, AmStaff and Stafford dogs

The American Staffordshire is a medium-sized, muscular dog from the terrier category of dog and is native to the United States. They are descended from the English Staffordshire, developed in the 19th century by mixing English terriers and mastiff dogs from Birmingham, West Midlands in England. Some breeders believe American Staffordshire terriers developed from mixing American Bulldogs with the White English terrier, Fox terrier or Black and Tan terrier dogs.

6. Banter Bulldogge

The Banter Bulldogge is a mix of a Boxer and different types of Bulldogs and was developed in the late 1990s in the United States. The reason for developing this dog was to recreate the Brabanter Bullenbeisser dog breed of central Belgium. The Brabanter Bullenbeisser dog was a working dog that became extinct in the 1800s. The Banter Bulldogge is a medium-sized, powerful, courageous, muscular dog that makes a good guard and working dog.

7. Boerboel

The Boerboel is a big, strong and intelligent working dog from South Africa. The Boerboel is also called South African Boerboel, or South African mastiff. This is a strong, well-balanced and muscular dog that has short, broad, square and muscular cheeks. It has a wide and strong black muzzle.

Though it has a ferocious look, it is a very reliable, obedient, loving and intelligent dog that always tries to keep his master happy. The Boerboel is fearless, alert and very active by nature and thus a good watchdog.

8. Bully Kutta

Other names: Kumaon mastiff, Sindh mastiff, Pakistani bully, Indian bully and Bulli mastiff

Indian mastiffs are the largest and strongest mastiffs from North India. The name comes from the Hindi/Urdu word bohli, meaning "heavily wrinkled", and kutta, which means "dog". Thus, the original name of this breed was Bulli, not Bully, but it was changed because the British could not pronounce the word.

Bully Kuttas are rough and tough and well-suited for the Indian subcontinent's climate. They were bred to protect their owners from wild animals and help them hunt. They are strong, heavy-boned, broad-headed, and muscular, with high energy and stamina.

9. Cane Corso

Other names: Italian Cane Corso and Italian Mastiff

The Cane Corso is a giant mastiff dog descended from Molossian war dogs of ancient Rome. This dog was bred in Italy to be a guard dog to protect livestock and is usually kept as a companion dog. This is a muscular, powerful, fearless dog that was also used to herd cattle and hunt large game. It's also an assertive and willful dog that can be dominant and stubborn.

10. Ca De Bou Dog

Other names: Perro de Presa Mallorquin Majorcan Bulldog Majorcan Mastiff

The Ca de Bou belongs to the medium to large-sized dog breed of bulldog-type dogs from the Balearic Islands in Spain (Majorca). Ca de Bou was developed for the blood sports of bull-baiting and dog fighting in the 16th century.

They are calm, gentle and devoted dogs that make for an excellent guard and protector. They are reserved and aloof to strangers and highly territorial and aggressive towards other dogs.

11. Chamuco Dog

Other Names: Mexican pit bull, Dogo Mexicano and Chamuco o pit bull Mexicano

The Chamuco is a muscularly built, medium-sized bulldog dog originating in central Mexico. This dog breed was developed by mixing many pure breed dogs such as the American pit bull terrier, American Bully, the extinct Mexican Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull terrier, Blue Nose pit bull, the American Staffordshire terrier and possibly the Boxer.

They were developed in the 1970s to be fighting dogs and to participate in big games, and due to their aggressive instinct against other dogs, they were given the name after the Mexican word “Chamuco”, which means devil.

12. Chinese Bone Mouth Shar Pei

Other name: Chinese Bone mouth dog or Chinese Bonemouth

Bone Mouth Shar Pei is a medium-sized, energetic, athletic and sturdy livestock guardian dog from southern China, traditionally kept as a property guardian. Basically, the Bone Mouth Shar Pei and Blue Chinese Shar Pei are variants of the Chinese Shar Pei. The Bone Mouth Shar Pei is less wrinkled, athletic and taller than other variants; they need less grooming and are suitable for outdoor living. This dog was on the brink of extinction in the late 20th century.

13. Dogo Argentino

Other names: The Argentinian Mastiff, Argentine Dogo, Dog Argentina and Dogo Argentinho

The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular, sturdy dog that is native to Argentina. This dog breed was developed in 1928 for big-game hunting, including wild boar and protecting its human companion. The Dogo Argentino was developed by mixing the Cordoba Fighting dog with many other dog breeds, that include Great Dane, Dogue de Bordeaux, Pointer, Bull and terrier etc.

14. French Mastiff

Other names: Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff and Bordeauxdog

The French Mastiff is a medium to large-sized and very powerful, muscular dog, and is one of the most ancient dog breeds, developed in southern France in the region around Bordeaux, France back in the 14th century. The breed history of this dog is not clear, and many breeders believe that the French mastiff originated from the Tibetan Mastiff, but another theory is that they are related to the Greek Molossus used for war.

The French Mastiff is an ancient and unique dog breed that has a wrinkled head, powerful muzzle and broad chest, and it comes in fawn, mahogany, or red colors. It's a calm and gentle dog that gets along well with kids, strangers and other pets.

15. Perro de Presa Canario

Other names: Presa Canario, Canary Mastiff (also Canary Dog or Dogo Canario)

The Presa Canario is a large, powerful mastiff-type dog that is native to Spain and that has a powerful muzzle, and brindle coat. They look very similar to Brazilian Mastiffs (Fila Brasileiro). The Presa Canario dog was bred to participate in dog fights, as well as for guarding and herding in Spain's Canary Islands. This breed was almost extinct and the modern Presa Canario dogs were developed after the 1950s by mixing the existing mix breed Presa Canario dogs with mastiffs and other breeds.

I hope the information, stats and photos I've shared help you choose the best dog for your family and home. Enjoy your new best friend!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

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