1. General Appearance:
Pitbulls should have a sturdy and athletic build, with well-defined muscles that are neither too thick nor too thin. They should also have a short and shiny coat, which can come in a variety of colors, including brindle, black, blue fawn, red or white.
2. Characteristics:
Pitbulls tend to be loyal and protective of their family members and have high energy levels, requiring regular exercise throughout the day. They are intelligent dogs who thrive on training and positive reinforcement methods to ensure good behavior.
3. Head:
The skull is wide at the top with a flattened appearance between the ears and tapers slightly at the muzzle. The muzzle is moderately short and tapers slightly to the nose. The teeth should form a scissors bite, where the upper incisors overlap the lower ones.
4. Skull:
The skull should be proportionate to the body, broad, and well-defined. The stop should not be overly pronounced and the head should appear balanced from all angles.
5. Muzzle:
The muzzle should be short, slightly tapered, and have a moderate amount of depth when viewed from the side. The nose should be black in color with wide nostrils for efficient breathing.
6. Teeth:
The teeth should form a scissors bite where the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors. The jaws are strong and powerful and can carry a heavy load without tiring easily.
7. Nose:
The nose is black in color with wide nostrils for efficient breathing. The muzzle should be moderately short and taper slightly to the nose.
8. Ears:
The ears are wide at the base, thickly furred inside, and set high on the head. They may be cropped or uncropped depending on personal preference.
9. Eyes:
The eyes are medium in size and almond-shaped with an intelligent expression. The color of the eyes can range from light brown to dark brown hue.
10. Neck:
The neck is thick, muscular, and long enough to allow for free movement of the head while running or walking.
11. Forequarters:
The shoulders should be well laid back, with good angulation between the shoulder blades and forelegs. The chest should be broad, deep, and strong to the elbow.
12. Body:
The body should be compact with a moderate tuck-up in the abdomen. The loin is short, muscular, and powerful in appearance while the croup should be slightly sloping.
13. Tail:
The tail of a pitbull should be set low on the rump and taper towards the end. It may also have a slight hook or twist at the tip when held up in full alertness.
14. Feet:
The feet are round and tight with well-arched toes for good grip when running or walking. They may have some webbing between them but it shouldn’t be excessive.
15. Color:
The coat of a pitbull may come in many colors, including black, blue fawn, red or white, and brindle markings. The undercoat should be thick and soft to the touch.
16. Coat:
Pitbulls should have a short and shiny coat that is dense and weatherproof for protection against the elements. It should also lack any signs of balding or patchiness.
17. Height and Weight:
The height of a healthy adult pitbull can range from 18-21 inches at shoulder level while their weight usually ranges between 30-60 pounds (13-27kg). This varies depending on the size and sex of the dog.