How can you tell if your staffy is part pitbull? (pics + video)

I had a friend ask if Rio was a pitbull mix, and as he's a rescue i don't know his parent background. I'm convinced he's not all staffy as he hasn't got a full head split and is taller/ heavier than the typical staffy.

But without getting bloods done, how is it possible to tell as they all look quite similar?









Video: https://youtu.be/FIyaOZyIWKg

It's all here: https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t55231-is-my-dog-a-pit-bull-terrier

As you'll see it's not straightforwards, so I prefer this:



Seriously, though, we get dogs in at Danaher that aren't full staffie but even the experienced staff there can't say for sure if they'd be classed as 'pitbull type'. The only way we know is when the police come to check them, and they decide with the aid of a tape measure. Most of the staffie crosses we get, though, are just that. Just because a dog isn't a pure staff doesn't at all mean that he's part pit. For what it's worth, my guess is that Rio is probably more likely to be American Bulldog x.

I wouldn't put the onky pig on the judging panel, though. It might be biased.

As Liz has said, only a tape measure can say for sure, apparently! But I have previously run the isolation unit for the RSPCA in Bristol, and if he came into my block I would not put him forward for police assessment. He definitely isn't 100% stafford, I would also say American bulldog or perhaps even a little mastiff cross. Handsome boy

Great advice, I can definitely see some mastiff in him

Yes, the head's quite mastiff, isn't it? Gorgeousness cross with gorgeousness, I'd say.

I think we may try to measure him at some point, but we've just googled mastiff and american bulldog x's and i think he could be either of those from the looks of it. Whatever his mix i agree it's made him a handsome chappy

I've no idea what the cross might be but he's a handsome fella Kerry

I don't think there's any APBT in him.

He's a beaut what ever he's crossed with

My boy's got some american bulldog in him and has a similar look to Rio, but it's so hard to tell with mixes. One of the Spanish guys at work asked me if Gizmo was crossed with a Presa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perro_de_Presa_Canario because of his colouring being so similar to them.

My beaus crossed with a camel ,diraffe staffy mastiff dog de boudeux and baby we just don't know what she's crossed with but shes fantastic

My beaus crossed with a camel ,diraffe staffy mastiff dog de boudeux and baby we just don't know what she's crossed with but shes fantastic

I would say American bulldog cross staffy myself. He is gorgeous. 

All your x's are gorgeous I'm glad i've got a general opinion of what he may be crossed with now, more because of curiosity than anything

mastiff for sure, i walk with one every night in the park. (my ex wifes dog riley) I would even go to say he is an english mastiff cross staff with the markings. stunning fella and probably going to be a big soft lump. just a word of warning, mastiffs floor things and not bite so they will run past whatever you throw for them and then double back for it...just dont throw balls at the feet of people lol they will get bowled over

He's gorgeous Let me know how the measuring goes...we were looking once at the guidelines and measurements of a pit bull and none of it made sense Total load of bullpoop!