The modern American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) can trace its roots back to England and the early 19th century. Crosses between
“bully” type dogs and terriers eventually produced the modern APBT. Although not recognized as a “breed”
and much smaller than the modern APBT, the early “bulldogs” were used as working dogs, controlling unruly bulls
for butchers as well as farmers.
These “bulldogs” resembled, phenotypically, the modern APBT but were considerably smaller, weighing in at 15-30lbs.
The courage and tenacity that made these dogs good at corraling dangerous bulls made them great at the blood sport of bull
baiting.
The year 1835 saw the end of deadly bull baiting (countless thousands of dogs lost their lives to this “sport”)
and the emergence of an even more sinister blood sport - dog fighting.
About the American Pit Bull Terrier:
General Appearance
The
APBT is a medium sized breed with a solid build, sleek, short coat and with appropriate muscling.
Color
Any color
and pattern is acceptable.
Weight
Bitches: 30-50lbs
Dogs: 35-60lbs. Larger and smaller dogs are accepted as
long as they are not disproportionately large or small (so those 100lb brutes would definitely be disproportionate and inadmissible
to a UKC show ring).
Height
17-23 inches (for dogs and bitches).
Ears
Both cropped and uncropped
are accepted by the UKC and ADBA.
