Before You Register
It has recently come to my attention tht some of the animals being registered have a mastiff type face/head to them. I have reviewed several of the animals registered and in fact they are right. The club has decided to become more strict about the animals we allow into the registry.
What Does This Mean For Your Currently Registered Canine?
At the moment we are in contact with the SKC about the already registered canine's to find out if the animals should be put back on a somewhat "pending" showing status and mentioning what corrections need to be changed/altered to the animals. With my eye for detail I should have been more strict to begin with however, I do know not everoyne can create exceptional Sims 3 Canines.
Future Registrations - What does this mean for you?
I have decided to search far and wide for prime examples of what your canine SHOULD look like depending on if it's a show ring animal or a working animal as yes there are difference'sin the look and build of these two. Let me start first with the Conformation and examples of CH,GCH ect titles APBT.
UKC CH PR BLUPRINT 7S OMNIA PARATUS
UWPV UWPCH NBOB NGRCH GR CH PR BLUPRINTS TINY TERROR,CGC
The above Dog and Bitch are prime examples of show ring quality American Pit Bull Terriers as well as UKC standard APBT's
Things To Reference When Creating Your APBT
Head Shape And Rules To Remember
THE APBT IS no more A HEAD BREED than any other.
RULE #1
The APBT IS A COMPLETE TOTAL AND BALANCED DOG!- HEAD structure is important but not overwhelmingly so! A massive skull has a negative impact on a breed because of the added weight without proportionate increase in strength.
RULE #2
In actual practice, a dog with a small head with proper structural mechanics, has the advantage and should be preferred to a dog with a massive head that does not fulfill all of the structural requirements.RULE #3Bitches with overly doggy heads should not be considered
Males with overly bitchy heads should not be considered
RULE #1
The APBT IS A COMPLETE TOTAL AND BALANCED DOG!- HEAD structure is important but not overwhelmingly so! A massive skull has a negative impact on a breed because of the added weight without proportionate increase in strength.
RULE #2
In actual practice, a dog with a small head with proper structural mechanics, has the advantage and should be preferred to a dog with a massive head that does not fulfill all of the structural requirements.RULE #3Bitches with overly doggy heads should not be considered
Males with overly bitchy heads should not be considered
The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle
(wide and deep muzzle is very important) . Why wide and deep (not exaggerated)? A straight, box-like muzzle and well developed mandible will not have much to do with the biting power but will endure more punishment.
The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power
The head of the APBT should never be exaggerated. Certainly the size of the head is NOT disproportionate to the size of the body. Looking at the dog from the front the width of a correct head should be approximately 2/3 the width of the dogs shoulders. The head is about 20% wider at the beginning of the jaw (cheeks) than the neck at the base of the skull.
(wide and deep muzzle is very important) . Why wide and deep (not exaggerated)? A straight, box-like muzzle and well developed mandible will not have much to do with the biting power but will endure more punishment.
The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power
The head of the APBT should never be exaggerated. Certainly the size of the head is NOT disproportionate to the size of the body. Looking at the dog from the front the width of a correct head should be approximately 2/3 the width of the dogs shoulders. The head is about 20% wider at the beginning of the jaw (cheeks) than the neck at the base of the skull.
Central Body
The golden rule of APBT conformation. Moderation and Optimization.
Nothing should be over-done or exaggerated.
If you see a dog and think WOW what big muscles or WOW what a huge head this is not correct!
The optimal APBT is a beautiful blend of bull and terrier characteristics.
In this section we will focus on that part of the standard that deals with the central body. The body involves many of the key aspects of conformation that drive working functionality. As with all aspects of conformation we must seek to understand that structure which lends success to the working task for which the APBT was designed. The shape of the chest influences many aspects of working type. The APBT needs to be both stable and agile. So a torso that is too narrow does not provide stability and a barrel shaped rib cage dramatically takes away from agility. A shallow rib cage does not move air as effectively as a deep well sprung rib cage. A barrel chest carries excess weight that has no functional benefit. Thus as with all aspects of conformation the APBT is a medium sized, shaped breed that is optimized for maximal performance.
The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep.
Nothing should be over-done or exaggerated.
If you see a dog and think WOW what big muscles or WOW what a huge head this is not correct!
The optimal APBT is a beautiful blend of bull and terrier characteristics.
In this section we will focus on that part of the standard that deals with the central body. The body involves many of the key aspects of conformation that drive working functionality. As with all aspects of conformation we must seek to understand that structure which lends success to the working task for which the APBT was designed. The shape of the chest influences many aspects of working type. The APBT needs to be both stable and agile. So a torso that is too narrow does not provide stability and a barrel shaped rib cage dramatically takes away from agility. A shallow rib cage does not move air as effectively as a deep well sprung rib cage. A barrel chest carries excess weight that has no functional benefit. Thus as with all aspects of conformation the APBT is a medium sized, shaped breed that is optimized for maximal performance.
The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep.
The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows.
The following graphic shows what is meant by well-sprung. There is considerable problem with the interpretation of well-sprung thus we will hope with this module to give a clear indication. There are basically 3 shapes of chest. There is the barrel chest which is very wrong for an animal that must moderate agility with stability. the English Bulldog is very stable but not very agile. There is the well-sprung rib which is a moderate shape and form. then there is the Deep shaped rib. Thus at the extremes we have the English Bulldog barrel chest and at the other end of the spectrum we have the Gray Hounds very Deep and narrow chest.
In essence this is one of the more important aspects of APBT conformation and one which has been dramaticaly neglected especially in the UKC and AKC. Breeders are seeking the more Bulldoggy look and forsaking the truth of well-sprung and flattening to a deep body. The graphic below shows the spectrum we typically see these days in the UKC show ring. On the left is a nice moderate well-sprung rib, in the middle, and as with the overwhelming majority of animals we are beginning to see at shows, gives an example of a barrel, and at the far right we see an extreme barrel chest. THis extreme shape is more appropirate for Old English Bulldogs and bulldoggues.
The rational for a well-sprung rib that flattens to a deep chest is related, as noted above, to the need for both dexterity (side to side lateral movement) and the need for an efficient ventilation system. the depth of the chest is vital to the ability of the dog to efficiently transport oxygen to the muscles. If the chest is shallow there is less volume of air moved with each breath. the deeper chests (within reason) provide more volume, which in turn allows more oxygen exchange within the lungs. Without efficient gas exchage in a working dog the muscles will not recieve enough oxygen and during even short burst of energy it can result in the muscles quickly becoming hypoxic. Without enough oxygen being supplied the muscles quickly tire and stop working efficiently.
Thus, by selecting for these wide (BIG CHESTS) breeders are short circuiting and dramatically decreasing the working type of the APBT. This is by far one of the most devastating transformations that is occuring in the breed.
Barrel chested is BAD! THe APBT should be well-sprung and deep!
well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body
The following graphic shows what is meant by well-sprung. There is considerable problem with the interpretation of well-sprung thus we will hope with this module to give a clear indication. There are basically 3 shapes of chest. There is the barrel chest which is very wrong for an animal that must moderate agility with stability. the English Bulldog is very stable but not very agile. There is the well-sprung rib which is a moderate shape and form. then there is the Deep shaped rib. Thus at the extremes we have the English Bulldog barrel chest and at the other end of the spectrum we have the Gray Hounds very Deep and narrow chest.
In essence this is one of the more important aspects of APBT conformation and one which has been dramaticaly neglected especially in the UKC and AKC. Breeders are seeking the more Bulldoggy look and forsaking the truth of well-sprung and flattening to a deep body. The graphic below shows the spectrum we typically see these days in the UKC show ring. On the left is a nice moderate well-sprung rib, in the middle, and as with the overwhelming majority of animals we are beginning to see at shows, gives an example of a barrel, and at the far right we see an extreme barrel chest. THis extreme shape is more appropirate for Old English Bulldogs and bulldoggues.
The rational for a well-sprung rib that flattens to a deep chest is related, as noted above, to the need for both dexterity (side to side lateral movement) and the need for an efficient ventilation system. the depth of the chest is vital to the ability of the dog to efficiently transport oxygen to the muscles. If the chest is shallow there is less volume of air moved with each breath. the deeper chests (within reason) provide more volume, which in turn allows more oxygen exchange within the lungs. Without efficient gas exchage in a working dog the muscles will not recieve enough oxygen and during even short burst of energy it can result in the muscles quickly becoming hypoxic. Without enough oxygen being supplied the muscles quickly tire and stop working efficiently.
Thus, by selecting for these wide (BIG CHESTS) breeders are short circuiting and dramatically decreasing the working type of the APBT. This is by far one of the most devastating transformations that is occuring in the breed.
Barrel chested is BAD! THe APBT should be well-sprung and deep!
well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body
extending to the elbows.
In the followng graphic we see what is meant by the chest extending to the elbows. Notice the dog on the leg is one of the barrel shaped chests that is also too filled out and indeed also extends beyond the elbows. As we move toward the right we see a dog that is well sprung but is not particularly deep yet does extend to the elbows. The next dog has a wellsprung rib that flattens and extends to the elbows combining well sprung and depth. Finally the dog to the extreme right is well sprung but does not flatten nor extend to the elbows. THus we have a nice display of two moderate well formed ribs (the two center dogs) and two extremes (left OVERDONE, right shallow chested lacking fill)
The two middle chest extend to the elbows. The chests on either end are incorrect
In the followng graphic we see what is meant by the chest extending to the elbows. Notice the dog on the leg is one of the barrel shaped chests that is also too filled out and indeed also extends beyond the elbows. As we move toward the right we see a dog that is well sprung but is not particularly deep yet does extend to the elbows. The next dog has a wellsprung rib that flattens and extends to the elbows combining well sprung and depth. Finally the dog to the extreme right is well sprung but does not flatten nor extend to the elbows. THus we have a nice display of two moderate well formed ribs (the two center dogs) and two extremes (left OVERDONE, right shallow chested lacking fill)
The two middle chest extend to the elbows. The chests on either end are incorrect
The topline inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a broad, muscular, level back.
Also notice the graphic above and the difference between topline and backline. The topline is typically measured as visualized above though within the APBT standard this has been indicated to say that we need to look from whithers to backline and that their should be a very slight incline .
Visit the Topline study page to gain a better understanding of how to evaluate toplines
The following graphic shows 3 types of toplines. A very nice topline that has a slight incline from whithers to a broad, muscular level back. and two that have poor structure. Gaining an eye for what a functional APBT back is like is half the battle. There is an overabundance of short, close coupled animals these days. These dogs have the broad muscular aspect but have lost the agility and flexibility needed (REMEMBER OPTIMIZATION OF STRENGTH< SPEED < AGILITY)
This graphic shows a sway backed topline to the left, a gorgeous topline in the center, and a terribly roached topline to the right.
Also notice the graphic above and the difference between topline and backline. The topline is typically measured as visualized above though within the APBT standard this has been indicated to say that we need to look from whithers to backline and that their should be a very slight incline .
Visit the Topline study page to gain a better understanding of how to evaluate toplines
The following graphic shows 3 types of toplines. A very nice topline that has a slight incline from whithers to a broad, muscular level back. and two that have poor structure. Gaining an eye for what a functional APBT back is like is half the battle. There is an overabundance of short, close coupled animals these days. These dogs have the broad muscular aspect but have lost the agility and flexibility needed (REMEMBER OPTIMIZATION OF STRENGTH< SPEED < AGILITY)
This graphic shows a sway backed topline to the left, a gorgeous topline in the center, and a terribly roached topline to the right.
The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up
(TUCK UP IS VERY IMPORTANT IN AN ATHLETIC DOG AND THE DEGREE OF TUCK IS INDICATIVE OF THE LEVEL OF CONDITIONING. THE LOCATION OF THE TUCK IS INDICATED IN THE FIGURE BELOW) .
T he croup is slightly sloping downward.
(TUCK UP IS VERY IMPORTANT IN AN ATHLETIC DOG AND THE DEGREE OF TUCK IS INDICATIVE OF THE LEVEL OF CONDITIONING. THE LOCATION OF THE TUCK IS INDICATED IN THE FIGURE BELOW) .
T he croup is slightly sloping downward.