Rapid Reply Registry
Standard for the
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
There are many other standards for the APBT devised by various registries throughout the world. We at R.R.R.
have consulted with some of today's top breeders in arriving at our standard for the conformation. We want to concentrate
on the trait and looks of some of the great pit dogs of the past.
The R.R.R. Conformation Champion should reflect the great dogs of yesteryear. The problem is that there
was so much variation in appearance, since the dogs where bred for performance. The traits that all the dogs had in common
where he ones that were incorporated into the standard.
Obviously, there are very few perfect specimens, so it is not expected a show winner be exceptional in
all areas, in general, a balance of many good traits is preferable to an outstanding head or a perfect tail or other near
perfect trait.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
A smooth, short coat, well balanced, giving the impression of great strength and ability. The demeanor should
be fearless and bold, but the temperament MUST be totally reliable with people. The gate should be powerful and fluid,
and a dog with exceptional conformation should seem to glide across the ground effortless in his stride.
HEAD
The head should be wedge shaped and short and deep, as compared with most other breeds, with powerful jaw
muscles
EYES
Generally, a dark eye is preferred, but the color of the coat must be taken into account. Red dogs with red
noses may have lighter (reddish or yellowish) eye with out penalty and the lids on dark dogs should be uniformly dark.
EARS
The ears should be rose (half pricked), not large and heavy. Full dropped and fully erect (bat ears) are
undesirable, however, ears are not an important trait as compared to the rest of the dog.
MOUTH
The mouth should be tight and clean. The incisor teeth should comprise a scissor bit, meaning the top teeth
should fit tightly over the bottom teeth. The canine's teeth should also fit together tightly. Undershot mouths, although
not desired should not be considered a serious fault.
NECK
The neck should have a slight arch. Muscular but not short, free from extreme looseness of skin.
FOREQUARTERS
The front legs should be straight, and the feet should point forward. The elbow should be even with the chest,
the elbow should not turn in or out.
BODY
The body should be muscular with good bone. There should be a slight incline from the wither to the rump,
the idea being to provide leverage for a driving dog, a short back with a slight roach is preferred.
HINDQUARTERS
The stifle should be well bent, with the femur (hip bone) shorter then the tibia and fibula (bones in the
lower part of the leg). The feet should point forward when the dog walks. A dog should not be considered cow hocked if its
rear feet momentarily point outward when standing.
FEET
The feet should be strong and of medium size, not splayed (toes splayed apart).
TAIL
The tail should be shaped like a pump handle, with the tip about even with the hock. It should not be carried
over the back and the hair should be short. A docked tail is a major fault.
COLOR
Any color is acceptable. A black or or red nose is acceptable, but duller (pink) nose is a fault.
SIZE
The breed has Historically been of great size variation, however, Males are preferred not over 70 pounds
and Females are preferred not over 60 pounds, as extremely large dogs seldom show fluid and agile movement. Any departure
from the forgoing points should be considered a fault. The seriousness of the fault shall be regarded in the proportion to
its degree. A balance of these points is what is important here. A dog that is clearly superior in conformation to the other
but has an undershot bite should still place above the others. Spade or neutered dogs shall not be entered in sanctioned events.