Look first at the overall profile of the dog. Ideally, he should be “Square” when viewed from the side. That is, about as long from the point of the shoulder to the point of his hip as he is tall from the top of the shoulder, to the ground. Such a dog will stand high and have maximum leverage for his weight. This means that standing normally with the hock slightly back of the hip, the dog’s base, (where his feet are) will be slightly longer than his height. Using the hip and shoulder as guides will keep the viewer from being fooled by the way the dog is standing. Height to weight ratio is critical.

Head — Of medium length, skull flat and widest at the ears, prominent cheeks and forehead free from wrinkles

Stop — Well defined, indenture not too deep.

Muzzle — Square and wide as viewed from the front, presenting a round appearance as viewed from above Under jaw strong and well defined

Lips — Meet closely and evenly all around, not running too far back with an entire absence of any limpness

Teeth — Clean, sound and strong, meeting evenly

Nose — Black, nostrils wide and open

Neck — Slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to head, and free from any looseness of skin

Shoulders — Strong, muscular, shoulder blades wide and sloping back

Back — Short, strong and muscular, higher at withers than hips, slightly arched at loins, which should be well developed and slightly tucked

Ribs — Well sprung, close together, back ribs deep

Chest — Deep from withers to brisket, wide from front to back ribs, not too broad as viewed facing the dog.

Tail — Short in comparison to size, set on low, wide where it joins the body and tapering to a fine point, not carried over the back.

Legs — To have large, round bone, and strong, straight, upright pasterns. Reasonably straight without semblance of bow.

Thighs — Long, muscle well developed. Hocks straight, well let down, turning neither in nor out as viewed from behind

Feet — Of moderate size, toes of medium length, well arched and close together. Pads strong and nails short.

Gait — Springy and active, without roll or pace.

Coat — Short, close, stiff to the touch and with fine gloss.

Color — Uniform, any color permissible, markings not objectionable.

Weight — Not important, preferably between 15 and 30 kilograms.

Eyes — Round, black color preferred. As seen from the front they should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, with corners in a line at right angles with stop. As wide apart as possible to be within the line of cheek as viewed from the front.

Ears — To be straight, of moderate length, and should not cause wrinkling of the skin when held erect .

Above all, the American Pit Bull Terrier is an all-round athlete. His body is called on for speed, power, agility and stamina. He must be balanced in all directions. Too much of one thing, robs him of another.

In his ideal form, he is a thing of beauty!