<P> Pit bulls also constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal dog fighting in America . In addition, law enforcement organisations report these dogs are used for other nefarious purposes, such as guarding illegal narcotics operations, use against police, and as attack dogs . On the other side of the law, pit bulls have been used as police dogs . </P> <P> In an effort to counter the fighting reputation of pit bull - type dogs, in 1996 the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals renamed pit bull terriers to "St. Francis Terriers", so that people might be more likely to adopt them . 60 temperament - screened dogs were adopted until the program was halted, after several of the newly adopted pit bulls killed cats . The New York City Center for Animal Care and Control tried a similar approach in 2004, relabeling their pit bulls as "New Yorkies", but dropped the idea in the face of overwhelming public opposition . </P> <P> Currently, there are a number of breeds that are recognized by different associations which fall under the term "pit bull". The Federation Cynologique Internationale currently only recognizes three breeds: the Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshier Bull Terrier . The Canadian Kennel Club also recognizes these breeds, as well as the American Staffordshire Terrier . The American Kennel Club recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, and the Bull Terrier as breeds also . </P> <P> Dogs termed pit bulls share similar physical characteristics, but the morphological variation amongst bully breed dogs makes it difficult for even experts to visually identify them as distinct . While 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, visual identification of mixed breed dogs is not recommended by the scholarly community . Some of the breeds which often get mistaken for pit bulls which are not genetically a pit bull includes the Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, and others, but because these breed did not originate with the cross-breeding of terriers and bulldogs, they do not fall under the term "pit bull". </P>

What does it mean to be called a pitbull