AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Official UKC Breed Standard Terrier Group

©Copyright 1978, United Kennel Club
Revised May 1, 2017

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: GENERAL APPEARANCE
to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly
the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined
this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic.
and to act as a guide for judges. The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may
Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of
any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the
the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog’s
breed, and must take the responsibility to see that height at the withers.
these are not perpetuated. The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat
The American Pit Bull Terrier has a long history of skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to
being a physically active, muscular, very agile breed, medium in size, high set, and may be natural or
and has maintained breed type for over 150 years. Any cropped.
departure from the following should be considered a The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base
fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should and tapers to a point.
be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and
and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog color patterns except merle. This breed combines
and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work. strength and athleticism with grace and agility and
Quality is never to be sacrificed in favor of size. should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-
Characteristics that very clearly indicate crossing with boned and rangy.
other breeds are not to be tolerated. Above all else, the APBT must have the functional
UKC is unwilling to condone the validity of using capability to be a catch dog that can hold, wrestle (push
exaggerated specimens of this breed in a breeding and pull), and breathe easily while doing its job. Balance
program and, to preserve its health and vibrancy, and harmony of all parts are critical components of
cautions judges about awarding wins to these breed type.
representatives. Eliminating Faults: Any disproportionate overdone
characteristic (such as short legs, excessive bone or
HISTORY massive head or body) that would interfere with
Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers physical activity or working ability.
in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for Dwarfism.
a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with
the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result CHARACTERISTICS
was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull
great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This
gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these breed is eager to please and brimming over with
bull-and-terrier crosses to the United States. The enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions
American Pit Bull Terrier’s many talents did not go and have always been noted for their love of children.
unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog
APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to aggression and because of its powerful physique, the
hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and
Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to obedience train the dog. The breed’s natural agility
demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so
Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not
Coursing, Dock Jumping and Weight Pulls, as well as the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely
Conformation. friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior
The United Kennel Club was the first registry to toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and
recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC founder C. highly undesirable. This breed does very well in
Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his performance events because of its high level of
own APBT, Bennett’s Ring, in 1898. intelligence and its willingness to work.
Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Serious Faults: Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth;
missing teeth (this does not apply to teeth that have
been lost or removed by a veterinarian).
NOSE - The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The
nose may be any color.
EYES - Eyes are medium size, round and set well apart
and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable
except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be
visible.
Serious Faults: Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in
color; blue eyes.
EARS - Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped
without preference. Prick, or flat, wide ears are not
desired.
Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral deafness.

NECK
The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a
slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from
where it joins the skull to where it blends in to well laid-
back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and
HEAD without dewlap.
The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed Faults: Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; dewlap.
type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great Very Serious Fault: A short, thick neck that would
power, but it is not disproportionate to the size of the interfere with functional ability.
body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a
broad, blunt wedge. When viewed from the side, the FOREQUARTERS
skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular, and well
by a well defined, moderately deep stop. Supraorbital laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to
arches over the eyes are well defined but not the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right
pronounced. The head is well chiseled, blending angle.
strength, elegance, and character. The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows
Very Serious Fault: Overly large, heavy heads. are set close to the body. Viewed from the front, the
SKULL - The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, forelegs are set moderately wide apart and
and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short,
skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile,
median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop the pasterns are nearly erect.
to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of Faults: Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned
wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs
on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
expression. Eliminating Faults: Front legs (measured from elbow to
MUZZLE - The muzzle is broad and deep with a very ground) shorter than half the total height at the
slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight withers. Front legs so bowed as to interfere with normal
falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is movement.
shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of
approximately 2:3. The topline of the muzzle is straight. BODY
The lower jaw is well developed, wide and deep. Lips The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide
are clean and tight. with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest
Faults: Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw. should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest
Eliminating Faults: Muzzle so short and blunt as to does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder.
interfere with normal breathing. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the
TEETH - The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to
of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline
Fault: Level bite. inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a
broad, muscular, level back. The loin is short, muscular
and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but
narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck- HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
up. The croup is slightly sloping downward. The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful
Very Serious Fault: Overly massive body style that and agile; overall balance and the correct proportion of
impedes working ability. weight to height, therefore, is far more important than
Eliminating Fault: Chest so wide as to interfere with the dog’s actual weight and/or height.
normal movement. Desirable weight for a mature male in good
condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable
HINDQUARTERS weight for a mature female in good condition is
The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and moderately between 30 and 50 pounds.
broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail As a general and approximate guideline only, the
and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, desirable height range for mature males is from 18 to
angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in 21 inches at the withers; for mature females it is from
balance with the forequarters. The thighs are well 17 to 20 inches at the withers.
developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Viewed It is important to note that dogs over or under
from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear these weight and height ranges are not to be penalized
pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.
ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive
straight and parallel to one another. dogs and dogs with a height and/or weight so far from
Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from what is desired as to compromise health, structure,
pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over movement and physical ability.
angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed
legs. GAIT
The American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty,
FEET confident attitude, conveying the impression that he
The feet are round, proportionate to the size of the dog, expects any minute to see something new and exciting.
well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful,
cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed. and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and
Fault: Splayed feet. drive behind. When moving, the topline remains level
with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed
TAIL from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do
The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed
and tapers to a point. When the dog is relaxed, the tail increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of
is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. balance.
When the dog is moving, the tail is carried level with the Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over
backline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs
carried in a raised, upright position (challenge tail), but moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling;
never curled over the back (gay tail). sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.
Fault: Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock).
Serious faults: Gay tail (not to be confused with ELIMINATING FAULTS
challenge tail); kinked tail. (An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it
Eliminating Fault: Bobbed tail. eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a
Disqualification: Screw tail. conformation event.)
Any disproportionate overdone characteristic (such as
COAT short legs, excessive bone or massive head or body)
The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately that would interfere with physical activity or working
stiff to the touch. ability.
Faults: Curly, wavy, or sparse coat. Muzzle so short and blunt as to interfere with normal
Disqualification: Long coat. breathing.
Front legs so bowed as to interfere with normal
COLOR movement.
Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is Front legs (measured from elbow to ground) shorter
acceptable, except for merle. than half the total height at the withers.
Disqualifications: Albinism. Merle Chest so wide as to interfere with normal movement.
Bobbed tail.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered
for placement in a conformation event, and must be
reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Merle.
Unilateral or bilateral deafness.
Long coat.
Dwarfism
Screw tail

Note: Although some level of dog aggression is

characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to
comply with UKC policy regarding dog temperament at
UKC events.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is

legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an
international registry, the United Kennel Club, Inc. is
aware that the practices of cropping and docking have
been forbidden in some countries. In light of these
developments, the United Kennel Club, Inc. feels that no
dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be
penalized for a full tail or natural ears.