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Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Do you want to add a strong, no-nonsense kind of dog to your family? If so, you might be thinking about a Pit Bull Terrier. And why not?  After all, in the “right” hands, the American Pit Bull Terrier can make an excellent pet for just about any family.

However…

Due to this dog’s natural tendency to protect its loved ones and its inherent physical “gifts,” when combined with an inexperienced dog owner or one that does not have the “best” intentions for their Pit, terrible things can happen.

This is why…

We wanted to take a moment and describe what it might be like to own an American Pit Bull Terrier and try and shed some light on this dog breed so that we could “dispel” some of the negative rumors about this remarkable dog breed. At the same time, try to encourage those who wouldn’t make an excellent owner to choose a “less” challenging dog.  After all, few of us can think of a time when we heard a news story about a Pug that had gone wild and injured a person.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Pit Bull Fast Facts

Country of Origin: America (USA)

Original Purpose: Dog Fighting

Height: 16 to 22 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 30 to 60 pounds

Dog Breed Classification:  Not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC); however, the American Staffordshire Terrier is by all accounts a very close relative

Lifespan: 10 to 16 years

Origin of the American Pit Bull Terrier

This is a dog fighting kind of dog with a history right in the good US of A. A cross between bulldogs (American Bulldog) and Terriers (likely the American Staffordshire Terrier), this dog had a lot of different names back in the day. Some people call them:

  • Yankee Terriers,
  • Half-and-Halfs,
  • Pitties,
  • And, of course, Pit Bulls.

Although the American Pit Bull Terrier currently has a somewhat negative reputation, back in early 1900, this all-American dog was the mascot of the USA on its propaganda posters for World War I. It’s also made its way into popular culture as the name of a famous rapper, the RCA trademark, and more.

These guys are also…

Not necessarily a new dog breed to the United States because as early as 1898, the American Pit Bull Terrier was “officially” recognized by the United Kennel Club. Oddly though, the American Kennel Club (AKC) still does not remember the dog.  This might be because they are so similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier or because Pit bulls aren’t welcome in every state or district. Breed-specific legislation is in place throughout the United States, which has been put in place due to incidents of dogs hurting humans or other dogs.

So, before you get a pit bull, check the laws about this breed in your area.

Personality and Temperament

The American Pit Bull terrier is known to be full of aggression – and maybe even vicious. While he comes from a background of fighting dogs and can be aggressive in a crisis, he is much more playful and friendlier than you might think.  Many pit bulls are pretty close to people. That’s not to say they’re the best around children – you will still want to be careful – but they deserve a few more friendly points than customarily given.

But…

One thing to keep in mind is that these guys love to dig and destroy. You might find him pulling on a pillow, chewing carpets, etc. If you have a pit bull, remember that everything is free reign. If it’s valuable – store it away.  Also, you can help an APBT to be better behaved if you train it from when it is a puppy. American Pit Bull puppies should be taught from the time they are eight weeks, no later. Otherwise, you will see why this dog is sometimes named the American Bully (hint, it’s not just a play on words).

Other Breeds to Consider

If you are thinking of getting a pit bull, then you should also check out some of these dogs:

There is very little breed-specific legislation on these dog breeds, which can be helpful if you live in an area prohibiting “Pitbulls” as pets.

Potential Health Concerns

You must go to a breeder who follows specific breeding standards whenever you buy or adopt a dog. You can check online for certain verifications and recommendations on the best breeders of this breed of dog. This will help increase your chances of getting a healthy Pit Bull puppy. Of course, even the best breeders cannot ensure perfect health. Here are some of the most common health concerns for a pit bull.

The most common health issues for a Pitbull include:

  • Hip Dysplasia: this is common among all bull breeds. They have small hips, and it’s difficult for many female pit bulls to give birth without a C-section.
  • Allergies: this can be problematic depending on where you live and what your dog is allergic to.
  • Hypothyroidism: your pit bull may need hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their life.

Remember, any dog can get sick at any time. The question isn’t just about genetics. So, regardless of how healthy your dog is when they are a puppy, you must prepare for what could come.

And while…

Many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues.  This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.

Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not.  But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.

{ 13 comments… add one }
  • rs August 4, 2020, 5:11 pm

    Pitbulls are NOT KID FRIENDLY

    • Rc May 29, 2020, 6:38 am

      Wrong, in fact these dogs are very friendly when brought up in the right home.
      I have a nine month old baby and our pit loves to give him kisses and to cuddle him.

    • Liza June 8, 2020, 7:17 pm

      Lots of people say they aren’t, because sometimes bad things can happen. But they actually are! It all depends on the personality and previous experiences that the dog could have gone through.

    • SR August 19, 2020, 3:34 pm

      Yes they are!

    • Isa September 10, 2020, 8:17 am

      My five-year-old pitbull is very careful and loveable around my baby cousins the most he does to bother them is to nudge them with his nose to indicate he wants attention. I’m not very experienced in taking care of dogs but he is very well behaved and I’ve had him since I was ten. He is a sweetheart but not everyone will be able to see that.

      • indulgeyourpet September 11, 2020, 3:36 pm

        Isa,

        Thank you for sharing your experience with this breed, it sounds like you have a real sweetheart on your hands!

        Thanks,

        IndulgeYourPet.

  • Ashley November 20, 2020, 7:47 pm

    I have 2 pit bulls and they’re both VERY destructive!! They eat and chew EVERYTHING!! They are both sweethearts though. They get along well with my other dogs, except during feeding, and love to play with them all. I also have 3 apple head chihuahuas who are much more aggressive than the pits. I love them all!

    • indulgeyourpet November 21, 2020, 9:30 am

      Ashley,

      Thanks for sharing. Especially your stories about your 3 Chihuahuas because people often fail to realize how aggressive those little guys can be.

      Thanks,

      IndulgeYourPet.

  • Uriel May 8, 2021, 6:53 pm

    I have a American pitbull terrier puppy and he is nine weeks old and he is a little destructive dog. He actually chews everything he see’s😄😄😄😄🐶

  • Kodi S January 9, 2022, 9:18 am

    Growing up my parents only had Labradors. And as an adult I would never have anything but a pibble. Best land hippos. Very loving and affectionate. All they want to do is nap, cuddle and get treats. I have 4 children and have had them around pitbulls since they were infants. All of their friends we have never had anything bad happen. Blame bad owners not the breed.

  • mikey May 13, 2022, 12:39 pm

    I had a pitbull, but she sadly passed. We had her for almost 10 long years! She was a sweetheart. Very strictly trained, too.

  • Jay September 17, 2023, 10:14 am

    Your site loses all credibility listing this s**t breed as kid friendly. Way to put people in danger. Countless news stories about dead toddlers.

    • indulgeyourpet September 17, 2023, 4:51 pm

      Jay,

      We can certainly understand your opinion however, we here at IndulgeYourPet, don’t believe that there are “sh**ty breeds”. Instead, we believe that most “bad dogs” are the result of “sh**ty” owners. Unfortunately, when it comes to Pitbulls, bad owners create lethal situations. This is why, for every 1 horror story you’re likely to read about, you’ll find 1000’s of current Pitbull owners who would tell you that they are one of the sweetest dog breeds in the world.

      Best wishes,

      IndulgeYourPet

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