A guideline on how to identify signs of a "menacing dog" have been released by Auckland Council, following an amnesty for dog owners with unregistered pooches.
Clearing the common misconception about pit bulls, it says the dog is not a breed but a type - just like a hound, shepherd or retriever.
The Dog Control Act (1996) automatically classifies four breeds - Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario - and one type - American Pit Bull Terrier - as menacing dogs, no matter how they behave individually.
Some of the things to look out for in menacing dogs such as the pit bull include an intense dog focus - a product of their fighting ancestry, Auckland Council said. Pit bulls are known to not shy away from a challenge from other assertive dogs.
More symptoms include high play drive - pit bull pups like rough play which can ramp up very quickly, making them hard to calm down.
