The Premier Terrier Group

Premier Breed Name: American Pit Bull Terrier

Purpose: Dog sports, companion & catch dog

At First Glance
A short haired, stocky and "square" dog that is athletic and muscular with an impression of strength for it's size as well as grace and
agility. The American Pit Bull Terrier is also a confident dog with a courageous attitude and heightened awareness of its surroundings.
In motion the gait is springy and in action the APBT displays a low center of gravity with nimbleness.

Premier Breed Standard and Physical Description
Weight
Healthy and active. Proportionate to the dogs length, width and height.

Height
Height should be proportioned to the size and weight of the dog.

Coat
Short and close with a clean and healthy appearance.

Color
Any solid or partial color. Merle is not accepted.

Head
Proportioned to the size of the dog with a broad skull with pronounced cheek muscles and a distinct stop; and high set ears. Ears -
Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Eyes - Dark slightly round and
almond shaped. Muzzle - Medium length, broad and deep in proportion to the dogs size. Well defined jaws appearing to be strong with
biting power. Lips fairly close yet even. Teeth should be straight, white, full and strong in appearance. Molars, Premolars, and Canines
should all be intact while the top front teeth meets and "scissors" over the front bottom teeth. Nose has wide-open nostrils with any color
acceptable. (if dudley nose, the pigmentation should be approximately 3/4 of the dogs natural original color)

Neck
Should be well rounded slightly arched with well fitted skin. Strong in appearance and complementing the size of the dog to proportion. The
neck should be narrowest just behind the ears and widen downward gradually to blend smoothly into the shoulder area (withers).

Shoulders
The shoulders should be strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping.

Back
At a side view the back is fairly short with a slight slope from withers to rump. Short slope at rump to base of tail. The loins are tucked
showing a healthy appearance.

Body
The ribs and rib cage should be well sprung and deep in rear. When view from the side the brisket should be deep enough at its lowest
point to be even with the elbow. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. The chest should be deep and broad
complementing the dog's body size.

Tail
In a line with the back or topline is where the tail is set and carried and should begin with a strong thick root and taper to the tip. The tail
ends right above the hock or heel joint and should not be docked nor curled or held over back.

Legs
The front legs should be set straight with strong round or large boned. Pastern should be short, strong and upright with no semblance of a
bend in front. The elbows when viewed from the front show no tendency to turn in or out and are set directly below the highest point of
the shoulder blade. Hindquarters should be well muscled with a let down at the hocks. Hocks are straight turning neither in or out with
healthy with clearly defined thighs. Feet should be compact and well arched.

Gait
The gait (movement) should be coordinated and springy. When the gait is viewed from the front or back the feet and legs move in a straight
line with no rolling or pacing.

Approved to Premier Breed standards.