American Pit Bull Terrier Complete Profile
Key Facts:
Size: Medium
Height: 46 - 56 cm (18 - 22 inches)
Weight: 14 - 36 kg (30 - 80 lb)
Life Span: 12 years
Grooming: Easy
Exercise: Demanding
Feeding: Medium
Temperament: Confident & exuberant
Country of Origin: United States
AKC Group: Not registered
Other Names: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull
Temperament:
The American Pit Bull Terrier is confident, eager, enthusiastic, loyal, courageous, gentle and loving. American Pit Bull Terriers usually display some level of aggression toward other dogs and have tremendous strength. Therefore these dogs need a firm owner who can provide proper training and socialization. American Pit Bull Terriers are known for their love of children and it is uncharacteristic for them to show any aggression towards humans. They are not good guard dogs as they are generally friendly with strangers. If American Pit Bull Terriers have early contact with household pets they should get along without any problems. American Pit Bull Terriers can make excellent, loving and protective companions with early obedience training and socialization.
Grooming:
Periodic grooming with a firm bristle brush (particularly when the coat is shedding) is sufficient for the American Pit Bull Terrier. Rubbing the coat with a piece of toweling or chamois will bring out the natural shine.
Exercise:
American Pit Bull Terriers need a considerable amount of daily exercise. These dogs should be kept on a leash unless within a controlled environment to prevent any aggessive interactions with other dogs. American Pit Bull Terriers enjoy running alongside a bike, which is a good activity for them to burn energy.
History:
The American Pit Bull Terrier evolved from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and other fighting dogs including the extinct fighting Bulldog. Their ancestors were brought to the Unites States in the mid - 1800's by Boston-Irish immigrants. They were originally bred to be fighting dogs until bull baiting was banned in England in 1835. There are differences in the classification of this breed between different countries. The American Kennel Club considers the American Staffordshire Terrier as a separate and distinct breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier, yet the United Kennel Club registers both breeds as American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs).
Physical Characteristics:
General Appearance: Solid, powerful and athletic.
Colour: Any colour, colour pattern, or combination of colours is accepted, except for merle.
Coat: Smooth, glossy, close, and moderately stiff to touch.
Tail: Tapering and naturally extending from the topline. Carried low when at rest and carried level with the back when active.
Ears: Set high and may be natural or cropped. If the ears are natural, semi-prick or rose are preferred.
Body: The body is slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in the body than dogs. The chest is deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs extending well back. The back is firm and strong and the topline inclines slightly downwards. The loin is muscular and short and the croup slopes downwards.
Additional Comments:
American Pit Bull Terriers do not have a good reputation with their name, after being banned in some countries and having strict regulations in Great Britain and America. The American Pit Bull Terrier is as much a victim of the press as it is of it's historic breeding to fight other dogs. Some unscrupulous owners continue to abuse the natural strength and loyalty of these dogs by using abusive training techniques to produce fighting Pit Bulls. If this breed is trained properly from an early age they generally make highly companionable dogs.
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