American Pit Bull Terrier 

Registration: All American Pit Bull Terriers are registrable with the United Canine Association and eligible to participate in all UCA sanctioned dog shows and events.

Click here to learn more about American Pit Bull Terrier registration; how to register your American Pit Bull Terriers or to dual register your American Pit Bull Terrier with the United Canine Association.

The United Canine Association recognized and began recording registration for the American Pit Bull Terrier in 2002.
                                        
  

During the nineteenth century, early dog fanciers in England, Scotland, and  Ireland began to test crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the early Bulldog. 

These early dogs were used in the infamous blood sports such as badger-baiting and bear-baiting and eventually dog fighting until it was illegalized in Europe. 

The outcome was a dog that personified all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, unconquerable courage, tenacity and tenderness with family members.

Early Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses with them to the United States. 

These were the early ancestors to today's American Pit Bull Terriers. 

The American Pit Bull Terrier's many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their "Pits" for personal protection from man and beast, as catch dogs for dangerous semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt and help provide food for the family, to drive livestock, and as family companions.

The American Pit Bull Terrier was first recognized for breed registration in 1898.
 
The American Pit Bull Terrier of today has changed little it continues to demonstrate its versatility, athletic ability and courage by successfully competing varied activities such as Schutzhund, French Ring Sport, Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Personal Protection, Catch Work and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation.

The average lifespan of an American Pit Bull Terrieris between 10 and 14 years.
 
 

Breed Standard: American Pit Bull Terrier

General Description:  The American Pit Bull Terrier instantly gives the impression of being a canine of power, passion and undaunted determination.

The perfect American Pit Bull Terrier should be of medium to medium large in height and size with a brick-like head, which is especially broad in the cheek area due to the powerful muscles of the jaws. 

The American Pit Bull Terrier's muscular body gives the appearance of great athletic ability, a thick neck of medium length runs into a broad, deep and well-sprung chest.  The APBT has a broad shoulder area and a thick powerful rear end.
 
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a very muscular, powerful, yet agile dog which is extremely strong for it's size.  The American Pit Bull Terrier should have an excellent temperament, and are quite intelligent. 

The temperament is to be very stable, loyal and trustworthy.  Their disposition should be outgoing, playful yet protective when needed.  
 

Head:  No other breed is as known for their unique head as is the American Pit Bull Terrier.  Large, broad and brick-like in shape.  It gives the impression of enormous power, but should not be disproportionate to the overall size of the body.
 
The American Pit Bull Terrier's head appears to have been chiseled, combining strength, elegance and character.  Very powerful looking in the cheeks.  Fault :  Head too small or disproportionate to the body.


Muzzle:  Broad, deep and of medium to medium short in length tapering slightly from the head to the nose. 

The bite of an American Pit Bull Terrier should be a scissor bite. 
Fault:  Muzzle too long, over or under shot  bite.


Eyes:  Round, wide apart , deeply set and of moderate size. 

Any eye color is acceptable for the American Pit Bull Terrier.  However, odd eyes (one dark, one blue or light) should be considered un-preferred.  

Misshapen or bugged eyes are a serious fault.  Lacking pigment around the eyes is undesirable. 

Crossed eyes or non-symmetrically shaped eyes are a disqualifying fault in the American Pit Bull Terrier. 


Nose:  The American Pit Bull Terrier's nose should be large and broad.  
Fault:  Completely pink nose (a small amount is acceptable).


Neck:  Medium in length. Should appear strong and muscular.  Slight taper from the shoulders to the head.


Chest:  Ribs should be well sprung (rounded) and the chest of medium width and deep.  
Fault:  Too wide or narrow in the chest.


Back:  Solid and strong with a slight rise from the shoulders to the rump (level back is just as acceptable).


Legs:  The American Pit Bull Terrier's forelegs should be stout and muscular, neither bowing out or turning in. 
Fault:  Bowing or turned out resulting in poor movement.


Feet:  The feet of the American Pit Bull Terrier should be round and the pasterns should be strong and tight. 
Fault:  Down in the pasterns or splayed feet. 


Height:  American Pit Bull Terrier males - 15 to 20 inches at the shoulder.  American Pit Bull Terrier females - 14 to 19 inches at the shoulder. 
Fault:  Too tall or large.

Weight:  American Pit Bull Terrier males between 35 to 70 lbs and females 30 to 60lbs.  No penalty for dogs above the standard weight as long as the dog is well proportioned. 


Color:  Any color or combination of colors is acceptable except merle in the American Pit Bull Terrier.  The coat should be short, bristled and glossy.
 

Ears:  The ears of the American Pit Bull Terrier are set high, natural or cropped.  If natural, semi-prick or rose are preferred. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired.


Tail:  Down to hock naturally.  Shape resembles a pump handle. 
Disqualifying Fault:  Docked or screw tailed.