When deciding on a dog breed to welcome into your family, it’s important to not only look at the appearance of the dog, or as I like to call it “The cute factor,” but the temperament, and character of the breed as well!
Many owners see a breed that they think looks the part and forget that they need to make sure that the energy level and character of their chosen pooch has to fit with their lifestyle.
For example, if you’re a super active family yet you buy a lazy dog breed – it’s not going to go very well for either you or your new dog.
Today, we’re taking a look at everything you need to know about the fantastic and lovable dog type that is, the Pitbull.
From the history of the breed, and their temperament, to trainability and health information.
We’ll run through the basics that you’ll need to decide whether a Pitbull Puppy is the pooch for you.
History
The Pit Bull descends from the English Bulldog which is so named as he was used as a bull-baiting dog, trained to fight with large animals including bulls and bears in a genuinely barbaric sport.
When bull-baiting was outlawed in the 1800s, an unfortunate group of people began crossing their Bulldogs with terriers to make a smaller and more agile dog breed and started fighting their crossbred dogs against each other.
The breeders hoped that by crossing the formidable Bulldog and nimble terriers, they would be left with a dog that possessed all of the strongest characteristics from each breed, and indeed the Pit Bulls of today are strong and agile little pooches!
Aggressive Reputation
The Pit Bulls history with horrendous training and mistreatment by few irresponsible owners has led to instances of extreme aggression that has received widespread media attention.
Unfortunately, because of this – many now think of aggression when they think of Pitbulls – but, in fact, the opposite is almost always true.
The Pit Bull, like any other breed, when raised and trained correctly is one of the most loving family dog breeds that there is, and doesn’t even make a good guard dog as he’s just so people friendly!
Many owners, upon hearing that the Pit Bull is merely a “type” and most frequently he’s a crossbreed of a Bulldog and a Terrier, two of the most lovable and charming dogs out there!
Myth Busted
There is a rumor going around that the pit bull is, in fact, the most dangerous type of dog out there because he can lock his jaw in place, meaning that when he bites hold, he can lock it in place.
This is absolute poppycock, and there is no scientific evidence to suggest that any dog breed has a locking mechanism to his jaw.
Temperament
The Pitbull has such a zest for life, loving nothing more than playing a game of fetch with his humans, and he is exceptionally reliable with kids.
While he is incredibly people friendly, the pitbull is prone to animal and dog aggression if not socialized well as a puppy – however, the same is true with most unsocialized canines.
An incredibly trainable breed, the Pitbull is eager to please and can make a brilliant working dog or agility pooch.
He is often used in law enforcement as an incredibly talented drug or explosive sniffer dog.
Is the Pitbull a breed?
The Pitbull isn’t one singular breed; rather, this is a type of canine made up of a few breeds, these include:
The American Pitbull Terrier
Size: Medium
Energy: Level High
Temperament: An enthusiastic and friendly dog breed that’s eager to please!
Fun Fact: In the ’90s, San Francisco wanted to rename the breed the St. Francis Terrier.
American Staffordshire Terrier
Size: Medium
Energy: Level Medium
Temperament: He loves having a job to do and thrives in a family environment.
Fun Fact: The American Staffordshire can be seen in films and TV, perhaps most famously “Petey” the Am Staffy had a leading role in The Little Rascals!
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Size: Medium
Energy Level: Medium
Temperament: A sensitive and loving little guy that loves playing more than anything
Fun Fact: The Staffy is one of the most kid-friendly dog breeds out there
American Bulldog
Size: Large
Energy Level: High
Temperament: This reliable and brave dog breed is the best guarding breed within the pit bull type, but he’s still a giant ball of friendliness
Fun Fact: This breed comes in two distinct types, the bully and Scott type
Adopt or Shop
Once you’ve decided that a Pit Bull is the right dog for you and your family, the next step is to determine whether you’re going to adopt your new bundle of fluff or buy from a breeder.
There are pros and cons for each, the clear advantage of buying your new pup is that you know his history and can play a role in his upbringing from the get-go.
But the obvious pro for adopting is that you’re giving a homeless puppy the chance to have a family to call his own.
And for the most significant cons, when buying a pup, it’s hard to know which are the reputable breeders, and which are secret puppy mills so make sure that you really do your research and ask for testimonials from previous puppy purchasers.
Adoption often means that your pup or dog will be a little older by the time you welcome him home.
Not knowing his history and treatment before you bring him into your family can be tough, but on the plus side – rescue centers do an incredible job at evaluating each dog that comes through their doors and can usually give you a great idea of their personality, and cheeky habits!
Health and Exercise
Generally speaking, they’re very healthy, the pit bull lives on average between twelve and fourteen years of age, they can be susceptible to certain conditions including allergies, hip dysplasia, and cataracts in their old age.
This energetic dog breed does need sufficient exercise to keep him happy, healthy, and well behaved. So be sure to have a strong collar and leash.
It varies by pup but generally, an adult pit bull requires around forty-five minutes of vigorous exercise per day, this could be anything from a brisk walk to a hike up the canyon!
Final Thoughts
This medium energy, the medium-sized dog breed is a great family dog for the moderate or highly active family.
Low shedding, no health problems, and incredibly people-friendly the pitbull has to be one of the most lovable dog breeds out there.
This is a breed that needs well socializing and training at a young age, and is better when handled and owned by an experienced dog owner that can lay down the law, and stick to the rules – no matter how much patience that takes!
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