[Andoror]

Hi all. So Zoe is my first "pitbull". Her actual breed is APBT. I hear and read a lot about how pit-bull isn't really a breed at all but a nickname of sorts given to dogs with similar characteristics big head, short snout, stocky etc... Then I will find another page or site that from the wording seems like pitbul is a breed all in itself, one particular kinda dog. I was thinking if so then pitbull it would be the APBT but then at the vet's office I was talking to a woman. She was scared of Zoe, said she was a dangerous dog and that my kids were in danger. She went on to tell me that if I paid for her I got ripped off because the APBT is just a mix of other bull dogs? She said that the APBT is a "knock-off" breed from the staffordshire bull terrier and a pit bull is an entirely different breed. So if that is true then what is a pit bull? Is it just a nickname that kinda lumps all these different dogs together? Is a pit one particular kind of dog? I need a crash course on the specifics of this breed. I try to advocate for the breed when I get a chance, tell how they are loving and quite good with children. I try and explain that every dog can attack and no dog should be thought of as harmless, they all have instincts and drives we cant understand. I read an article a few months ago about how the APBT was initially bred to take down large animals like bulls and even bears, then I read one that states that the breeds whole purpose was just to fight. I have encontered people who say my APBT is a mutt and not a true pitbull at all, that only staffys are pitbulls?? So whats the deal guys?