Do bikes require a specific brake type?
Brakes are usually standard!

It comes down to three things:


Frame options/brake type 

If it is a frame with a "connector" for a v-brake, it won't be
possible to fit a caliper brake type (and vice-versa). Or if it
has no way to connect a disk-brake, then no way to use it without a
proper adapter (or even impossible to do it); you even have frames
without connectors for the brakes (ex: when the brakes are in the
wheel itself).

You need to try to indetify which type of brake it uses, and from
there get a standard one (as long as it "answers" the next two
points, wheel size and type of bicycle)
Wheel size

If the wheel is too big or too small for a v-brake type (for
example) then no way you can use it.

Also the frame "connector" for the v-brake (for example) if it is
too small for a certain wheel rim, there is no way it will work
unless you use the right size.
Type of bicycle

If it is a really old or out of the ordinary bicycle, the standard
brakes may not work, and you will need to find suitable/custom/old
ones...