[1] According to the ADBA, the American Pit Bull is described to be medium-sized and has a short coat and smooth well-defined muscle structure, and its eyes are to be round to almond-shaped, and its ears are to be small to medium in length, typically half prick or rose in carriage.

[6][7][8][9] Twelve countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Canada, some parts of the United States, Ecuador, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Venezuela, have enacted some form of breed-specific legislation on pit bull-type dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, ranging from outright bans to restrictions and conditions on ownership.

[14] These dogs arrived in the United States in the late nineteenth century where they became the direct ancestors of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

[16][17] On February 10, 1898, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) named as American Pit Bull Terrier.

[27] The New York City Center for Animal Care and Control tried a similar approach in 2004, relabeling their pit bulls as "New Yorkies", but dropped the idea in the face of overwhelming public opposition.

"[30] The standard imposed by the ADBA and Old Family Red Nose Registry (OFRNR) considers human aggression a disqualification factor.

[31] The American Preservation Dog Registry (APDR) standard points out that "the temperament must be totally reliable with people".

[32] In September 2000, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study that examined dog-bite–related fatalities (human death caused by dog-bite injuries) to "summarize breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks during a 20-year period and to assess policy implications.

A study from 2002 suggests that "news media exaggerates and exacerbates any real or potential problems that exist with Pit Bulls.

"[34] Other studies also note that many people, including experts such as animal control officers and veterinarians, falsely report any stocky short-haired dogs as Pit Bulls.

The breed tends to have bone diseases such as hip dysplasia, canine degenerative myelopathy and kneecap dislocation.

[40] American Pit Bull Terriers with dilute coat colors have not had a higher occurrence of skin allergies as other breeds.

Since demodex mange lives in the hair follicles of the dog, ivermectin will kill these mites at the source.

The Castillo bloodline is a lineage of American Pit Bull Terriers known for its unique combination of different breeding lines, resulting in dogs with desirable traits such as strength, intelligence, and temperament.

The bloodline's foundation includes dogs such as "PR" Nelson's Hazard Joe, born from breeding between Camarano's Buster Jo and Coonie's Bonnie.

Due to the interconnected nature of the breeding community and the various influences on the bloodline, the Castillo lineage has expanded as a result of the collective efforts of multiple breeders who contributed to its development over time.

[49][50] The "Old Family Reds" dogs found their way to America in the 19th century, mainly via Irish immigrants, though many in the United States did import the breed.

Some of the most reputable breeders of the past, such as Lightner, McClintock, Hemphill, Williams, Menefee, Norrod and Wallace have contributed to the preservation and development of the strain.

Finally, as McNolty said in his 30-30 Journal (1967), "Regardless of one's historical perspective, these old amber-eyed, red-nosed, red-toe-nailed, red-coated dogs represent some of the most significant pit bull history and tradition that stands on four legs today.

[53] On June 10, 1936, around 50 UKC dogs entered the AKC stud book under the name Staffordshire Terrier.

Wilfred Truman Brandon founded the AKC Staffordshire Terrier Club of America (STCA).

[67] Although, the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) describes how this practice can be dangerous for the hunting dogs, noting that the dogs may experience severe injuries, "heat exhaustion, poisoning, vehicular trauma, snake bite, and accidental shooting".

[68] United Kingdom,[10] Brazil,[69] Australia,[70] Ecuador,[71] Malaysia,[72] New Zealand,[73] the territory of Puerto Rico,[74] Singapore,[75] Venezuela,[76] Trinidad and Tobago,[77] Denmark, Israel,[78] France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland,[79] and Turkey[80] have enacted some form of breed-specific legislation on pit bull–type dogs, including American Pit Bull Terriers, ranging from outright bans to restrictions on import and conditions on ownership.

[79][81] The state of New South Wales in Australia places restrictions on the breed, including mandatory sterilization.

[82][83] Certain cities in the United States, as well as the province of Ontario, Canada, have banned ownership of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

[79][84] In the United Kingdom, it is against the law to own, sell, abandon, give away, or breed a Pit Bull Terrier.