General Appearance: The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed embodies strength, agility, and athleticism.
Head:
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Skull: Broad and flat, with pronounced cheek muscles.
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Muzzle: Medium length, square and deep.
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Eyes: Round to almond-shaped, set well apart.
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Ears: High set, may be cropped or uncropped.
Body:
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Neck: Muscular, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of the skull.
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Back: Short, strong, and slightly sloping from withers to rump.
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Chest: Deep and broad, ribs well-sprung.
Limbs:
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Forequarters: Shoulders well-muscled with wide, sloping blades.
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Hindquarters: Well-muscled, with broad thighs and well-bent stifles.
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Feet: Round, compact, with well-arched toes.
Coat: Short, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Color: Any color or color pattern, except merle.
Gait: The gait is powerful, with strong drive from the hindquarters. Movement should be effortless, smooth, and well-coordinated.
Temperament: The American Pit Bull Terrier is confident, enthusiastic, and loyal. Known for its intelligence and eagerness to please, this breed thrives on companionship and is generally friendly with humans.
Faults: Any departure from the above standards should be considered a fault, with the degree of the fault affecting the dog’s suitability as a representative of the breed.
Disqualifications:
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Aggression towards humans.
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Severe unprovoked aggression.
This standard aims to preserve the breed’s working heritage while promoting health and temperament suitable for family life.
