The Definitive APBT Pedigree Database
Preserve, explore, and share the lineage of America's original working dog.
Trusted by breeders & owners worldwide
What Is an American Pit Bull Terrier?
One of America's most athletic, loyal, and misunderstood breeds — with a lineage stretching back over two centuries.
Origins & History
The American Pit Bull Terrier traces its roots to 19th-century England and Ireland, where breeders crossed Old English Bulldogs with terriers to produce a dog that combined the bulldog's raw power with the terrier's sharp gameness and agility. These dogs were brought to America by immigrants and quickly became a fixture of frontier life — valued as farm dogs, hunting companions, catch dogs for livestock, and loyal family guardians.
In the United States, the breed developed its own distinct character. The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), founded in 1909, became the first major organization dedicated exclusively to the American Pit Bull Terrier. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the breed even earlier, in 1898, making the APBT one of the first breeds registered in America.
Over generations of selective breeding, American breeders reinforced the qualities the breed is still known for today: extraordinary athleticism, an indomitable drive to work, and an unwavering bond with its human family.
American Pit Bull Terrier — typical breed conformation. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Athleticism & Drive
Few breeds can match the APBT's combination of raw power and tireless work ethic. These dogs are natural athletes — lean, muscular, and built for endurance. They excel in a wide range of canine sports, including weight pull, agility, flyball, obedience, and conformation. The ADBA-registered APBT is consistently the #1 breed exhibited in the United States across ADBA-sanctioned athletic events.
The breed is also described as having a "never give up" spirit — a determination and heart that made them dependable working dogs and that continues to make them exceptional performance athletes. This drive, when channeled through proper training and responsible ownership, makes the APBT one of the most rewarding breeds to work with.
Beyond athletics, APBT dogs are celebrated as therapy animals, search-and-rescue workers, and deeply devoted family companions. Out of 115 UKC "Superdog" titleholders across all breeds, 34 were American Pit Bull Terriers.
Red Nose American Pit Bull Terrier — a classic and distinctive variety of the breed. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Breed Characteristics
Physical Profile
- Weight (male): 15–27 kg (35–60 lbs)
- Weight (female): 14–23 kg (30–50 lbs)
- Height: 43–53 cm at the withers
- Coat: Short, smooth, single-layered
- Colors: All colors except merle
- Build: Lean, muscular, well-defined
Temperament
- Confidence: Bold, self-assured presence
- Loyalty: Deeply bonded to family
- Intelligence: Quick learner, eager to please
- Drive: High energy, highly motivated
- Affection: Loving and people-oriented
- Human aggression: Disqualified under ADBA standard
Sport & Work
- Weight Pull: Elite pullers across all weight classes
- Agility: Fast, agile, highly trainable
- Conformation: #1 exhibited breed at ADBA shows
- Flyball: Exceptional speed and ball drive
- Therapy: Widely certified therapy dogs
- Family: Outstanding home companions
Registry Recognition
The APBT is officially recognized by two major registries:
- ADBA — American Dog Breeders Association, est. 1909. The largest dedicated APBT registry in the world, running conformation shows, weight pull, and Top Dog Athletic events internationally.
- UKC — United Kennel Club, recognized the breed in 1898.
The breed is not recognized by the AKC, which registers a separate breed called the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA)
The world's largest registry and most respected authority on the American Pit Bull Terrier, dedicated to breed preservation and responsible ownership for over 115 years.
Who Is the ADBA?
Founded in 1909, the American Dog Breeders Association is the largest registration office for American Pit Bull Terriers in the world. For over a century, the ADBA has served as the custodian of a great legacy — preserving authentic bloodlines, educating breeders and owners, and championing the breed's positive attributes against public misconception.
The ADBA maintains a comprehensive breed standard rooted in the APBT's original purpose: a functionally sound, athletically superior dog with exceptional character. Conformation shows judged by this standard ensure that registered dogs reflect the true type of the breed, not simply surface appearance.
Since 2006, the ADBA has expanded to register other purebred breeds as well, while keeping the American Pit Bull Terrier as its central focus. Today, the ADBA-registered APBT is the #1 breed exhibited across all ADBA-sanctioned events in the USA.
"The spirit, loyalty, dedication, and heart of the American Pit Bull Terrier — a never give up attitude that has never been matched by any other breed."
What the ADBA Does
-
Pedigree Registration
Registers APBT dogs and certifies purebred status based on documented lineage going back generations. -
Conformation Shows
Sanctions and runs breed shows judged exclusively by the ADBA standard, rewarding dogs that best represent the original breed type. -
Athletic Events
Weight pull competitions and Top Dog Athletic events are held throughout the year across the USA, Canada, Europe, and beyond. -
The APBT Gazette
The official ADBA publication, covering breed news, bloodlines, events, and responsible ownership for enthusiasts worldwide. -
Education & Legislation
Actively fights breed-specific legislation and advocates for responsible ownership through educational resources and community outreach.
ADBA Events Around the World
The ADBA sanctions events on multiple continents, bringing the APBT community together internationally.
apbt.gr is an independent pedigree database for the APBT community. To officially register your dog or attend ADBA events, visit the official ADBA website.
Why apbt.gr?
Pedigree Charts
Build and maintain detailed pedigree charts for your APBT dogs up to 8 generations.
COI Calculator
Calculate Wright's coefficient of inbreeding before making breeding decisions.
Community
Connect with APBT owners and breeders worldwide. Share photos and knowledge.
How It Works
Get started with apbt.gr in three simple steps
1. Create an Account
Sign up for free and set up your breeder or owner profile in minutes.
2. Add Your Dogs
Register your APBT dogs, upload photos, and link their parents to build pedigree trees.
3. Explore & Share
Browse pedigrees, calculate inbreeding coefficients, and connect with the APBT community.
Featured APBT Dogs
Trusted by APBT Enthusiasts
What breeders and owners around the world say about apbt.gr
"apbt.gr has completely changed how I manage my breeding program. The pedigree charts and COI calculator are invaluable tools I use before every pairing decision."
Dimitra Epi — Breeder, Asprovalta, Greece
"Finally a dedicated database for APBT pedigrees. The 7-generation charts are incredibly detailed and easy to navigate. Nothing like it exists in Italy."
Marco R. — Owner & Breeder, Rome, Italy
"The test mating feature helped me plan healthier litters. As a weight pull competitor I rely on bloodline data — this platform delivers exactly that."
Tyler M. — Breeder & ADBA Competitor, Texas, USA
"We've been looking for a platform like this for years. The private messaging and forum connect us with European APBT breeders we never would have found otherwise."
Jan K. — Owner, Prague, Czech Republic
"Brilliant resource for any serious APBT owner. I traced my dog's ancestry back six generations within minutes. The photo gallery for each dog is a lovely touch too."
Rachel D. — Owner, Cardiff, United Kingdom
"Als APBT-Züchter ist apbt.gr unverzichtbar geworden. Die COI-Berechnungen und Zuchtplanungstools sind professionell und präzise — genau was wir gebraucht haben."
Stefan W. — Breeder, Munich, Germany
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about apbt.gr
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