Crownml, damn, I didn't know that you could pick those up at shelters or that they weren't recognized, hmm. I have been wanting one for a long time, but I was waiting until I moved into my next place. I have always loved pits, they are beautiful dogs.

If it really came down to it though, I would prefer to have an American Staffordshire Terrier. Which is still a pit bull, but is a purebred. But they say it is hard to tell which ones are pure breeds and which are not. I just hope i can find a purebred when the time comes.

If you really want to get technical though. Some people believe that the only true pit bull is the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Staffordshire is next in most hearts though. These are the only two breeds that as far as I know are recognized as true pit bulls. I know they also classified any thing that was mixed with one of these two that show most of their characteristics as a pit. I just didn't know you could simply pick them up at the shelters though. Becareful getting one like that though. You don't know what kind of life it had before, or what kind of lineage it comes from. Once one gets mean, they can be changed, but they are at more of a risk for turning on you if for some reason, you one day get mad at them.

American Staffordshire
http://www.perrosargentinos.com.ar/am.stafforshire.jpg
http://www.petgroomer.com/Grooming10...ffordshire.jpg

Some reading to compare the two purebreds.
http://www.petbrazil.com.br/en/pets/dogs/035.htm