GENERAL APPEARANCE L : : The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog of solid construction, short coat, well defined musculature. This breed is powerful and athletic. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with females being slightly longer than males. The length of the forelegs (measured from the point of the elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to half the height of the dog from the withers. The head is of medium length, with a flat skull and a broad, deep muzzle. The ears are small to medium in size, set high and can be natural or cropped. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapering towards the tip. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and markings except merle. The breed combines stamina and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear clumsy or bulge-muscled or thin-boned and leggy. Above all, the American Pit Bull Terrier must have the functional ability to be a capture dog that can control and take down prey (push and pull) and breathe easily, while doing its job. Balance and harmony of all parts (of the body) are critical components of racial type.

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Personality:  Affectionate, loyal and intelligent.
 

Energy Level : Very Active.  This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.  
 

Good with children:  Yes.

Good with other dogs:  With supervision.

Grooming:  Seasonal.

Life Expectancy : 12-14  years old.

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Bark level:  Median.

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Country of Origin: USA

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HISTORICAL SUMMARY:  In the course of the 19th century, breeders in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers in search of a dog that combined the sportiness of the Terrier with the endurance and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that brought together all the virtues of great warriors: endurance, indomitable courage and kindness to those he loves. Emigrants took these crosses of Bulls and Terriers to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terrier's diverse talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used them for protection, catching semi-wild cattle and pigs, as hunting aids, sheepdogs and as companions for their families. Currently, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, successfully participating in Obedience, Lightning, Agility, Protection and Traction, as well as conformation championships.

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BEHAVIOR  AND  TEMPERAMENT: The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, self-confidence and joie de vivre. The breed likes to please and is full of enthusiasm. It is an excellent companion dog and its love for children is remarkable. Because most American Pit Bull Terriers have a certain level of aggression towards other dogs, as well as their powerful physique, the breed needs owners who carefully socialize and train their dogs to obey. The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable climbers, and it often uses its canines to scale a fence. The American Pit Bull Terrier is not the best choice for those looking for guard dogs as it is extremely friendly even with strangers. Aggressive behavior towards humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and is therefore extremely undesirable. The breed does very well in performance events due to its high degree of intelligence and its willingness to work.

HEAD :  It is unique and is a key element in the breed type. The head is large and broad, giving an impression of great power, but it should not be disproportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a rough, broad wedge. When viewed in profile, the skull and muzzle are parallel to each other, joined by a well-defined, moderately deep stop. The supraorbital arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced. The head is well chiseled, combining strength, elegance and character.

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• CRANIAL REGION

skull :  Broad, flat or slightly rounded, deep and wide between the ears. Viewed from above, the skull tapers slightly towards the stop. There is a deep median groove that decreases in depth from the stop to the occiput. The cheek muscles are prominent, without the presence of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on its forehead, which gives the American Pit Bull Terrier a unique expression.

• FACIAL REGION  

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Nose: Large, with wide and well-opened nostrils, and can be of any color.
 

Muzzle : Broad, deep, with a very smooth taper from stop to nose, and with a slight separation under the eyes. The muzzle is shorter than the length of the skull, with a ratio of approximately 2 to 3. Topline of muzzle is straight. The mandible is well developed, wide and deep. Lips are dry and well-fitting

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Jaws and Teeth :  It has complete dentition, with well-even and white teeth, meeting in a scissor bite.

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eyes :  Of medium size, round or almond-shaped, set well apart, deep in the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue. Blue eyes are a serious fault. The third eyelid should not be apparent

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Ears :  They are inserted high and may or may not be operated, without preference. If left natural, semi-erect or pink is preferable. Ears that are pointed, flat (laying) on the skull, or wide are not desirable.

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NECK : Of moderate length and muscular. Shows a slight curvature or bow at the crest. The neck gradually widens as it descends from the skull to the point where it joins the well-angled shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight fitting and no loose skin forming a dewlap.

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• BODY:  The chest is deep, full and moderately wide, with plenty of room to accommodate the heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest does not extend far beyond the point of the shoulder. The ribs extend well back and, starting from the backbone, are well sprung, tapering, until they form a deep body, extending to the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline is slightly descending from the withers to the croup, broad, muscular and level. The loin is short, muscular, arching slightly towards the top of the croup, but is narrower than the rib cage and has a moderate tuck up. The croup is slightly sloping downwards.

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TAIL: Set on a natural extension of the topline and tapering towards the tip. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and reaches almost to the point of the hock. When the dog moves, the tail is carried level with the topline. When the dog is excited, it can carry the tail raised in an erect position (called “challenge tail”), but never carried curved over the back (called “happy tail”).

• MEMBERS

FOREQUARTERS : The shoulder blades are long, broad, muscular and well sloping. The humerus is almost equal to the length of the scapula, with which it joins at an apparent right angle. The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows fit the body well. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are placed moderately apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns appear almost vertical.

HINDQUARTERS : The hindquarters are strong, muscular and moderately broad. On the sides of the tail, the thigh is very full and deep from the pelvis to the scrotum. The angulation of the bones and the musculature of the hindquarters must be in harmony with the forequarters. The thighs are well developed, with thick, well-defined muscles. Viewed in profile, the hocks are well angulated and the hind legs should be well angulated and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from behind, hocks are straight and parallel to each other.

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FEET:  Round, they should be in proportion to the size of the dog, and they should be well arched and fitted. Cushions are hard, resistant and well padded. Ergos can be removed.
 

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Moves with a confident, vivacious demeanor, giving the impression that he expects at any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, its movement is effortless, smooth, powerful and well coordinated, showing good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters. In movement, the back remains level, showing only a slight flexion that indicates elasticity. Viewed from either side, the legs turn neither in nor out and the paws do not cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, the paws tend to converge towards the center line of balance.
 

SKIN : Well adjusted to the body and tight, without wrinkles.

• COAT

Coat : Glossy and smooth, lying on the body and moderately rough to the touch.

COLOR:  Any color or color distribution as well as any color combination is accepted, except merle.

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WEIGHT:  Males: 15.87 kg and 27.21 kg.

        Females: 13.60 kg and 22.67 kg.

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• FAULTS  

Any deviation from the terms of this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.

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• DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

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• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.

• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.

•  Any disproportionately exaggerated characteristic (such as short legs, excessive bone, or a bulky head and body) that interferes with your ability to work.

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• GRADES

• Males must have both testicles, of normal appearance, well let down and accommodated in the scrotum.

• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs with typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.