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Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria

This is an approved standard for the purposes of section 3(3) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Pursuant to section 3(1) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 a restricted breed dog (RBD) is a dog that is any one of the following breeds – American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier), Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario).

Under section 3(3) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 a dog that falls within this approved standard for a breed of dog specified above is to be taken to be a dog of that breed.

Note: Whilst this standard is based on a fully mature animal it would be expected that an individual puppy would reach the prescribed height and overall balance desired by the age of approximately 9 months. However body maturity and strength would not be achieved until much later – maybe two to three years plus. If possible the bitch and sire should be evaluated when considering the possibility of a puppy meeting this standard.

Part 1. American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT, Pit Bull Terrier)

A dog that meets the description of a dog in this Part is an American Pit Bull Terrier; except a dog in respect of which the owner has one of the following certificates stating that the dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier—

a pedigree certificate from the Australian National Kennel Council;
a pedigree certificate from a member body of the Australian National Kennel Council;
a pedigree certificate from a national breed council registered with the Australian National Kennel Council;
A certificate signed by a veterinary practitioner (as per Victorian Government Gazette on 10th February 2012)..

General appearance & characteristics

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium sized dog and is strongly built with well defined muscles. The breed is noted for its climbing ability and subsequent strength in its hindquarters.

The overall outline of the breed indicates it to be slightly longer in length (point of shoulder to buttocks) than height (withers to ground). Bitches may be slightly longer than males.

A distance from withers to the elbow and the elbow to the ground is generally equal.

Figure 1

Illustration of a dog naming parts of the body

Head

The head is proportionate to the dog. Viewed from above, the general shape of the head is that of a blunt wedge, large and broad.

Figure 2

Illustration of the face of the dog highlighting its shape

Viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are on parallel plains separated by a moderately deep stop. Arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced (refer figure 3).

Figure 3

Illustration of the side of a dog's head

Muzzle: Slightly shorter in length to the skull (i.e. 2:3 ratio for muzzle:skull). It is broad, deep and powerful with a slight taper to the nose and falls away slightly under the eyes (refer figure 4).

Figure 4

Illustration of a dog showing its muzzle

Head profiles:

Figure Female head	Figure 6 male head

Skull: Large, fairly flat, broad and deep, slightly tapering towards the stop. There is a deep median furrow reducing in depth from stop to occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is alerted wrinkles will form on the forehead.

Lips: Clean and tight

Figure 7

Photo of a dog's face showing its wrinkles

Illustration of a dog's face showing its wrinkles

Teeth: Large and a complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Figure 8
Illustration of the dog's teeth and bite

Nose: Large with wide open nostrils and may be of any colour.

Eyes: Medium in size, round in shape and set low in the head – not prominent. Eyes can be all colours except blue. The eye rims are the same colour as the skin colour.

Ears: The shape and carriage of the ears will vary from dog to dog. Generally they are set fairly high on the skull, not large and may be half pricked or rose shaped (i.e. folding backwards and exposing the inner burr of the ear).

Whilst ear cropping in Victoria is a prohibited procedure, a dog should not be ruled out of being an APBT if its ears are cropped as internationally it is common in this breed.

Figure 9	Figure 10

Neck

Moderate length and with great strength, tapering from the head into the shoulders. A slight arch over the crest. The neck must be free from loose skin or dewlap (loose, pendulous skin under the throat).

Figure 11

Illustration of a dog highlighting its neck

Forequarters

Strong forelegs, well boned and muscular with elbows fitting close to the body. Viewed from the front the forelegs are set moderately well apart and in a straight line to the ground.

Figure 12

Illustration of a dog highlighting its forequarters

The pasterns are short and fairly straight but with flexibility. Viewed from the side, the legs are straight with some flexibility in the pasterns.

Figure 13	Figure 14

Body

Powerfully built with a deep chest of moderate width.

Figure 15

Forechest: Should not extend far beyond the point of shoulder or below the elbow. Well ribbed back with moderate tuck up (concave underline of the body curving upwards from end of the ribs to waist).

Back: Broad, strong, firm and level and with a slight incline at the withers.

Loin: Short and deep with a slight slope to the croup.

Figure 16

Illustration of a dog highlighting its loins

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular hindquarters that are in balance with the forequarters. Thighs are well developed and muscular.

Figure 17a

Photo of the back of a dog highlighting its hindquarters

Illustration of the back of a dog highlighting its hindquarters

The hock joint should be well bent and the rear pasterns close to the ground, perpendicular and parallel to each other.

Figure 17b

Photo of a dog's hindlegs highlighting the hock joint

Illustration of a dog's hindlegs highlighting the hock joint

Feet

The feet are round and in balance with the size of the dog, well arched and tight. The pads are hard and well cushioned. Nails are strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

Figure 18

Figure 19

Tail

The tail is set in line with the back and tapers to a point. At rest the tail is carried low and when excited may be carried raised but never curled over the back. The length of the tail should reach approximately to the hock joint.

Figure 20

Illustration how a dog's tail is correctly set

Coat

The coat is short, smooth, glossy and of a harsh texture, free of undercoat.

Colours

All colours and combination of colours are acceptable, with the exception of blue merle and pure white. White feet and a splash of white on the chest are not uncommon on solid coloured dogs.

Height and Weight

Height at withers:	Bitches & Dogs	43 cm – 53 cm
Weight:	Bitches & Dogs	14 kgs – 36 kgs

The disparity between height and weight is considerable and importance should be placed on the overall consideration of the assessment of the dog rather than adhering absolutely to the guidelines on height.

Part 2: Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Mastiff)

2. A dog that meets the description of a dog in this Part is a Dogo Argentino.

General appearance & Characteristics

The Dogo Argentino is a large athletic dog that has powerful muscles which stand out under the consistent and elastic skin.
The height at the withers is equal to the height at the croup.
The depth of the thorax is half of the measurement of the height at the withers.
The length of the body is slightly longer than the height at the withers.

Head

The head looks strong and powerful, without abrupt angles or distinct chiselling. Its profile shows an upper line which is: convex at the skull (because of the prominence of its masticatory muscles) and nape; and slightly concave at the foreface.

The head joins the neck forming a strong muscular arch.

Skull: Compact, convex in the front to back and transverse direction. The occipital bone is not very prominent. The median furrow of the skull is slightly noticeable and the stop is slightly defined.

Muzzle: As long as the skull. The upper line is slightly concave.

Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws with big teeth firmly implanted with a pincer bite, or scissor bite possible.

Nose: Large nostrils slightly elevated forwards, black pigmentation.

Lips: Moderately thick, short and tight with free edges.

Cheeks: Large and relatively flat.

Eyes: Dark or hazel coloured, almond-shaped.

Ears: Set high, broad, thick, flat and rounded at the tip and covered with smooth hair. Whilst ear cropping in Victoria is a prohibited procedure, a dog should not be ruled out of being an RBD if its ears are cropped as internationally it is common in this breed.