MOVEMENT

Breeder/Working dog/Show dog enthusiast. Next to temperament (confidence and friendliness) movement is the next most important aspect of the breed. Give me a happy, outgoing, playful, not afraid of anything, dog that moves efficiently and is not overly massive and I'll show you a dog that can do anything.

American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed lincreases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance.

The left shows a dog gaiting at a slow pace exhibiting proper reach and drive as well as a tail carried in challenge position indicating excitement or enjoyment. The skeletal representation provides an indication of what is occurring at the shoulders and hips. The WHITE LINES indicating drive and the ORANGE LINES indicating reach. Notice the top line on both of these figures remain level and the heads are carried at a 45 degree angle while moving indicating well laid back shoulders. Improper shoulder set or short overly muscled necks for instance would prevent the dog from carrying the head high with confidence and would instead give the look of trundling. Without proper angulations, hip and shoulder set, improperly overreaching or shortened reach and/or drive are exhibited. The final picture is a dog that is really moving fast and exhibiting AMAZING form. IF a dog can move nicely both at a slow and a faster gait you have a dog that is well put together.

Judging movement is a fine art. One thing I have often heard is that we look for the dog that moves perfectly, smoothly and efficiently from the side and if their down and backs are good that is a big plus. If the dog does not appear to move efficiently from the side but has a good down and back it is OK but not preferred.