American Pit Bull Terrier
Also called pit bull, pittie.
The most misapplied label in dog identification. 'Pit bull' is used for a group of unrelated breeds and for a great many mixed dogs, and DNA studies repeatedly find shelter dogs labelled pit bull have no bull-terrier ancestry at all.
- Group
- Terrier
- Weight
- 14–27 kg
- Coat
- short
- Ears
- semi erect
- Muzzle
- medium
- Build
- Sturdy
- Origin
- United States
What it looks like
Muscular and athletic with a short glossy coat, a broad wedge-shaped head with well-defined cheek muscles, a moderate muzzle, and a tapering tail carried low.
The characters that confirm it
- A broad wedge head with prominent cheek muscles and a moderate — not short — muzzle.
- Short, close, glossy coat in almost any colour.
- Athletic build with a deep chest and a defined waist. Not a heavy dog.
- Ears naturally semi-erect or rose; cropped ears are cosmetic surgery, not a breed feature.
Temperament
Typically people-oriented and enthusiastic. Dog-directed reactivity varies and is worth assessing honestly rather than by reputation.
Health
Hip dysplasia, skin allergies and cerebellar ataxia, which has a genetic test. The larger practical issue is legal: breed-specific legislation restricts or bans these dogs in some jurisdictions, and the restriction is usually applied on appearance rather than pedigree.
Confused with
Effectively the same dog under a different registry, slightly heavier and more standardised in build.
This is the important one. Visual identification of pit bull type in mixed dogs is wrong most of the time, and the label affects adoption, insurance and tenancy.
Questions about this breed
How do you recognise a American Pit Bull Terrier?
A broad wedge head with prominent cheek muscles and a moderate — not short — muzzle. Short, close, glossy coat in almost any colour.
What is a American Pit Bull Terrier like to live with?
Typically people-oriented and enthusiastic. Dog-directed reactivity varies and is worth assessing honestly rather than by reputation.
What health problems do American Pit Bull Terriers have?
Hip dysplasia, skin allergies and cerebellar ataxia, which has a genetic test. The larger practical issue is legal: breed-specific legislation restricts or bans these dogs in some jurisdictions, and the restriction is usually applied on appearance rather than pedigree.