Pitbulls Achieve Excellent Temperament Scores

Recent temperament test data reveals that, as a group, the breeds commonly included in the pitbull-type category — the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully — score within the top 20% of all breeds evaluated. These results highlight their exceptional temperament and support their effectiveness in roles such as service animals, therapy dogs, K9 police dogs, and family pets, while also further underscoring their reputation as valued canine companions. Moreover, the temperament test results align with recent studies on canine behavior, which have reached similar conclusions about the positive temperament of pitbull-type dogs. Below, we summarize the results of temperament tests and findings from scientific studies on breed-specific aggression and behavior.

Temperament Test Results 📊

Temperament Test Scores

Pitbull-Type Breeds
  • American Pit Bull Terrier: 87.6%
  • American Staffordshire Terrier: 85.7%
  • American Bully: 100%
  • ​Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 91.9%


Other popular large breeds
  • Doberman Pinscher: 80.1%
  • German Shepherd: 85.7%
  • Golden Retriever: 85.9%
  • Labrador Retriever: 92.4%​
  • Rottweiler: 85%


Pitbull-type breeds vs. average
  • Average score for the 198 breeds included in this analysis: 83.0%
  • Average score for pitbull-type breeds: 91.3% (better than 158 of 198 breeds tested, or in the top 20%)​
Source:
  • ATTS Breed Statistics (Latest available: January, 2023)
  • The ATTS data used for this analysis includes 198 breeds with a test population size of 5 or more dogs using the latest available temperament test data.

"The ATTS Temperament Test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat." - American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS)

Scientific Studies 📑

Journal Of Veterinary Behavior

Is there a difference? Comparison of Golden Retrievers and dogs affected by breed-specific legislation regarding aggressive behavior

FINDINGS:
  • There were no significant differences in aggression between the legislated breed group (pitbull-type breeds, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and others) and the Golden Retriever control group.
  • "Comparing the results of golden retrievers and breeds affected by the legislation, no significant difference was found. A scientific basis for breed specific lists does not exist."

APPLIED ANIMAL SCIENCE BEHAVIOR JOURNAL

Human directed aggression in domestic dogs: Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors

FINDINGS:
  • Aggression is strongly linked to an individual dog's experience and environment — aggression is not a trait that can be associated with any specific breed.
  • The factors associated with increased rates of aggression were not breed-specific and included intact dogs (failure to neuter), a dog's age, and dogs subjected to punishment-based training methods.
  • "It would be inappropriate to make assumptions about an individual animal's risk of aggression to people based on characteristics such as breed."

Pitbulls Are Family 🐶

While all dogs are individuals, temperament tests, studies on canine behavior, and the growing popularity of pitbull-type dogs collectively demonstrate that dogs labeled as 'pitbulls' are great companions, loved as family members in millions of U.S. homes. Their positive temperament is one of the many reasons why ‘pitbulls’ have been popular in the U.S. since at least World Wars I and II, when they earned the title 'America's Dog' and were featured as national mascots on military recruitment posters, as mascots for sports teams and companies, and in television shows and movies. Their positive temperament and enduring popularity are among the reasons why it is no surprise that breed-specific legislation (BSL) — which targets dogs based solely on their appearance or assumed breed, regardless of behavior or responsible ownership — has become increasingly unpopular and is now a trend in decline.