Dogfighting is a cruel animal blood sport where dogs are put on strict diets and training regimes, and the winning canine wins the owner cash. Some dogs were specifically bred for this sport, and most fighting dog breeds are medium-sized with sturdy bodies, strong jaws, and bite force.
However, while you're familiar with some breeds known to this sport, other most popular fighting dogs used in this disgraceful activity may surprise you.
Dogfighting goes back centuries…
Today, dogfighting is illegal in most developed countries and considered animal cruelty with huge penalties and even jail time for the owner.
Where it remains legal, the blood sport of dogfighting is divided into categories:
- Professional
- Amateur
- Street fighting
In parts of the Russian Federation and Japan, dogfighting remains a legal sport.
Elsewhere, even if it's officially unlawful to organize dogfighting events, the law turns a blind eye on it in Latin America, Pakistan, some Eastern European countries.
It's even occasionally spotted in the U.S. and the U.K.
According to a story from NPR, dogfighting sport have originated when the ancient Romans would pit fighting dogs against each other in gladiator-style fights to the death.
These fights last up until one dog dies, exits the pit, or fails to scratch.
As history shows, the dog who loses the battle is then shot by its owner, tortured, or beaten severely.
Other than the entertainment aspect of dogfighting, there are large sums of cash at stake. Money is made by charging stud fees and admission.
Thus, a gambling format is reached. People can bet on a certain fighter dog to win some extra dough.
Fortunately, in today's society, we find the idea of two dogs being forced to fight against each other for sheer entertainment repulsive and immoral.
In fact, dog fighting is considered a felony in all 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and many other countries.
As recently as last year, Mexico also said “no” to any dogfighting activities.
RELATED: 20 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds
A Dog in the Fight and Bait Animals
While many dogs were and sadly still are used for fighting in different parts of the world, these modern fighting dogs we know of today can all be traced back to five distinct breeds:
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Great Dane
- Saint Bernard
- Danish Mastiff
- Newfoundland
Today, none of the above five make the list of popular fighting dogs.
Years ago, fighting dog breeds were revered for their large bodies, powerful builds, and powerful jaws. They had to have a low and loud bark.
But now, fighting dog handlers prefer medium-sized and sturdy dogs.
Bait Animals
Another cruel aspect of dogfighting that is less known or forgotten is bait animals.
Bait animals are used to test the fighting ability of any fighter dog. They are usually tied up, and then the fighting dog is let loose.
These training methods also include killing and torturing other animals to test the fighting dog's strength.
Records show that most bait animals are attained through dog adoption scams, stealing people’s pets, adopting pets from shelters under the pretense that the pet is going to a good home, and applying for “free to good home” ads.
Stories are circling about Americans being scammed in online puppy sales. That's why you must never advertise your pet online where you can’t go see where the animals will be going.
Even though it's largely looked down upon and outlawed in the U.S. and other places, dogfighting is still thriving in many other countries.
In South Africa, dogfighting is a huge problem, especially in smaller provinces like Western Cape.
Even though it is illegal there, there are fewer human resources taking care of these activities.
The SPCA does its utmost best to eradicate the illegal sport, but it isn’t easy to reach everyone and spread awareness because it's very underground.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular fighting dog breeds out there, going back centuries ago.
Some of these fighting dogs were bred from the beginning for this purpose, while they realized later on that other similar dogs may be good in the pit, too.
RELATED: 20 Most Dangerous Dogs in the World
15 Most Popular Fighting Dog Breeds
(some of these dogs will surprise you)
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
As you have probably expected, one of the first on the list is the most famous fighting dog – the American Pit Bull Terrier.
We all knew the Pittie would make the list of fighting dog breeds, and there's a reason for that. They have had a terrible reputation going back many decades in western society.
Pit Bulls are the most preferred breed for dog fighting because they are strong and sturdy and very loyal and are genetically more aggressive due to breeding.
What makes them a perfect fighting dog is also their relentlessness – the dog won't back away from the fight even when injured or close to death, unlike other breeds.
2. American Bulldog
This breed doesn’t do well with other animals, making it a strong contender in the pit. This is especially true when the other dog is of the same breed and sex.
American Bulldogs never back down from a confrontation. Because they’re highly prey-driven, they are sought after in the dogfighting world and remain one of the more popular fighting dog breeds outside the U.S.
3. Bull Terrier
Similar to American Pit Bull Terriers, historically, this breed was always known as a fighting dog.
In fact, even more than Pitties, the Bull Terrier breed was originally bred for dog fighting back in Roman days. It can often be seen portrayed in images of the Roman Empire (if you browse your history books).
This breed was and still is known as the canine gladiator. However, despite their look, they have a more favorable temperament than some other canines on this list of fighting dog breeds.
4. Cane Corso
Cane Corso is yet another well-known sturdy and strong breed that looks aggressive and generally makes most dogs' lists to watch out for.
This goes back to their history because this Italian Mastiff was used as a soldier dog for the Romans. They are large and extremely intimidating when you see one for the first time.
These dogs also have a mighty jaw and a strong prey drive.
Thanks to their large size and endurance in the pit, this breed can easily dominate, making them one of the best fighting dog breeds.
Today, they are also used in the military and becoming a popular dog in police work.
5. Doberman
Originally bred as a hunting and fighting dog, the Doberman can be a firm contender in the dogfighting pit because of its stamina and endurance.
While this dog looks much slimmer than some of the other breeds on this list, don't let them fool you – Dobermans are known for their aggression and strength.
The Doberman packs a lot of muscle and power into their slim frame. They are also brilliant and enjoy pleasing their owner.
This is a very easy breed to train, and they often take trophies as one of the smartest dog breeds in the world.
However, while being among famous fighting dog breeds, Dobermans are also known for their poor genetic health and are not as popular today as they used to be.
READ: 15 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds That Are Difficult to Train
6. Rottweiler
Not many people know that Rottweilers are generally more aggressive, stronger, and more dangerous (when not trained properly) than the famous Pit Bulls or other breeds.
According to statistics, Rottweilers are the number one most scary dog out there due to how many dog bite accidents have been attributed to this breed compared to any other.
Calm, courageous, and confident, this popular fighting dog breed will challenge anything that confronts them.
The Rottweiler is one of the most commonly used fighting dog breeds to this day, not only due to their strength, bite force, and aggressiveness, but also because, similar to Pit Bulls, they will never back down.
7. American Staffordshire Terrier
Agile, athletic, fast, and relentless, the American Staffordshire Terrier is yet another well-known fighting dog breed used in illegal sports today.
AmStaff, as these dogs are also known, is generally very aggressive towards other animals. They are relentless and will fight to the death.
Don't peg them as just one of the popular fighting dog breeds, though.
With training and proper socialization from puppyhood, the AmStaff can be a well-behaved companion and a loyal, calm pet to most loving dog owners.
8. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Another Terrier on the list, the “original” Staffordshire Bull Terrier from England, is just as popular in dogfighting.
The Staffy, as they're often called, will fight when it is challenged, and they aren’t great with other animals either.
They also have a high prey drive as a terrier breed, making them a perfect contender for a sport like dogfighting.
With their stocky build and drive to fight, these breeds are commonly seen in dog fights these days.
They are also smart dogs that are easy to train and like to please their owner, making them even more perfect for this practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQEznzjPjqU
9. Kuchi
A scarce dog breed, Kuchi – also known as the Afghan Shepherd dog – is one of the most popular fighting dogs in Afghanistan and other countries in the surrounding area.
These dogs were originally bred to protect their owners until people realized that they would also be great to make money in dogfighting.
Because Kuchi dogs are very territorial, hardy, and brought up to look after themselves, they make powerful competitors in the Middle East.
You can see a report on dogfighting in Afghanistan, with Afghan Shepherd dogs in action in the above video. You will rarely see this dog breed in the United States.
RELATED: 20 Most Expensive Dog Breeds from Around the World
10. German Shepherd
German Shepherd dogs make the list of fighting dog breeds because they are used in some fighting rings, mostly due to their ability to be easily trained to attack.
They are not the strongest or sturdiest canine among fighting dogs, nor do they have a powerful dog bite, but their intellect is what makes them popular.
The German Shepherd has a natural attack instinct coupled with its aggressive nature and loyalty that can be honed even more when brought up from a puppy.
They are one of the smartest dog breeds to this day, but they don't match up in strength to most other fighting dog breeds.
11. Akita
Strangely enough, the Akita makes the list of fighting dog breeds, mostly due to their high prey drive and very aggressive nature.
This breed never was bred to fight, but in modern times (especially in the UK), they have been used in pits against other dogs of the same strength and ferocity.
This breed traces its origin back to Japan. They were originally bred to guard the nobility in their native country.
Dog owners also used them to track large games such as bear and wild boar and were great hunting dogs in those days.
12. Boerboel
Because of its size and strength, the Boerboel is often used as a fighting dog in counties like South Africa.
Also known as the South African Mastiff, these canines were bred to guard against predators and work on farms.
They are one of the most powerful dog breeds in the world.
With a muscular and large build and a mighty jaw and bite force, it's no wonder the Boerboel is often used as one of the fighting dog breeds.
RELATED: 14 Best Watch Dogs & Breeds That Are Good Guard Dogs
13. Tosa Inu
Another scarce dog breed, Tosa Inu, is a large dog that you won't often meet in the U.S.
This dog breed is one of the few originally bred specifically as a fighting dog and for no other reason.
As a result, Tosa Inus are very aggressive, skillful at fighting other dogs, and are extremely powerful.
This dog breed originated in Japan and remains mostly in that region, sadly still often used specifically in dogfighting events.
14. English Mastiff
Although not as favorable nowadays for dog fighting as it was back in the day, the English Mastiff is still used in fighting pits in some places and countries.
These massive dogs are known for their intimidating size and power.
They are born guard dogs but are actually known for their mellow temperament when properly trained from a young age.
Trainers tap into the dog's natural dominance and drive to defend its territory when raising an English Mastiff for the fighting ring, but normally, this breed is very calm and makes a great pet when raised right.
15. Dogo Argentino
We expected another mean and scary-looking popular fighting dog breed to be on this list – the Dogo Argentino.
Large, muscular, and usually white, the Dogo Argentino is a strong opponent when put in the pit and will pose a danger to any other animal.
Because of the loose skin around the neck, it isn’t easy for the other dog to get a grip and pull the Dogo down.
In the meantime, this breed is aggressive with a powerful bite force and makes for a terrifying opponent against any other canine on this list.
Honorable Mentions
These honorable mentions are also sometimes used as fighting dog breeds.
- Akita Inu
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Bully Kutta
- Ca de Bou
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Gull Dong
- Presa Canario
- Jindo
- Gull Terrier
- Kangal
- Caucasian Shepherd
- Shar Pei
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- New Guinea Singing Dog
- Spanish Mastiff
In Conclusion
These few dogs are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fighting dog breeds.
A single search using Google will pull up hundreds of photos and videos of dogs fighting, and you'll see the most unexpected breeds forced to engage in this cruel activity.
In some countries, dogfighting is still thriving. It's sad to see this illegal, barbaric sport still alive today.
Still, more governments are coming to grips with their morals and continue to outlaw dogfighting while more pet owners or dog lovers are becoming aware of it.
As for the fighting dog breeds mentioned above, every one of them will make a wonderful family dog if trained and socialized properly.
They are only aggressive because of training and ownership, and when that isn't their life's task, they will make great pets.
Common Questions About Fighting Dog Breeds
Still, have questions about fighting dog breeds? The following should clear them up.
Which Dog Breed Is the Most Laidback?
The most laidback breeds include Bernese mountain dogs, bullmastiffs, bulldogs, chihuahuas, Chinese crested dogs, French bulldogs, Glen of Imaal terriers, and clumber spaniels.
What Dog Can Beat a Pitbull in a Fight?
A Rottweiler is the most likely to beat a Pitbull in a fight.
Which Dogs Can Kill Lions?
Rottweilers can kill lions, as can wolf dogs, Boerboel dogs, Fila Brasileiros, bloodhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Neapolitan mastiffs, and Dogo Argentinos.
What Is the Most Difficult Dog to Own?
The most difficult dogs to own are typically those that are hardest to train.
These include beagles, rottweilers, Siberian huskies, Chinese Shar-Peis, Afghan hounds, and basset hounds.
What Is the Calmest Dog?
Some of the calmest dogs are Newfoundlands, cocker spaniels, basset hounds, golden retrievers, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and Boerboels.
Remember that a great deal of a dog’s calmness depends on its training.
READ NEXT: How Fighting Dogs Are Trained – The Grim Reality
