Before You Adopt: Five Things to Know About Owning a Pit Bull

Before you adopt a pit bull, there are many things to consider. Owning a pit bull can be a wonderful, rewarding experience. They're generally very loyal dogs and are ideal pets for the right type of owner. With that in mind, you should never adopt a pit bull if you can't keep your commitment to the dog-which can easily happen if your life situation changes in the slightest. These changes may be no fault of your own (or the dog's), but the negative behavior and stereotypes surrounding pit bulls has created an extensive stigma against them and a climate in which pit bulls are nearly impossible to re-home.

If you cannot provide a completely commitment to a pit bull, do not acquire one. If something happened to you and you have no one else who could take the dog, do not get a pit bull. If your financial situation could change and you may have to live in an apartment in the future, adoption is not in a pit bull's best interest-you will likely be unable to relocate with your dog.

Here are some specifics to consider if you think owning a pit bull might be the right choice for you.

Never Buy From a Breeder

Most pit bull breeders breed dogs to sell them to people who will fight them-end of story. People who really love pit bulls understand that shelters are overflowing with a variety of them, including puppies. If you buy from a breeder (even though you're going to raise the dog as a loving pet), you're supporting the vicious sport that is ultimately damaging to the breed at large.

Spay and Neuter

It's best to spay and neuter all dogs for health and population control, but you'll find that other pit bull owners may act negatively toward you if your dog is not fixed. This is due to the overpopulation and breed fighting. Once your dog is spayed or neutered, other pit bull owners will be more accepting.

If you have a pit bull that is not fixed, your local SPCA is a great resource for information about spaying and neutering pets. They also offer reasonable rates on performing the procedure or can direct you to a trusted veterinarian.

Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)

Many apartment communities, housing groups and communities have a complete ban on pit bulls and any other name a pit bull might go by (such as American Staffordshire Terrier). If you are in a BSL location or privately-owned residence, you may be forced to leave the property or put your dog to sleep.

If you need to move into a BSL area (now including American military bases), you'll find no help if you need to surrender your dog. You'll find even less sympathy. Shelters are simply overwhelmed and overflowing and most will simply accuse you of being an irresponsible owner rather than offer genuine assistance. They don't care if your house was foreclosed upon and you need to move into an apartment-as they see it, you've been irresponsible. Unless you can ensure 100 percent financial stability and you are not considering living on a military base, do not adopt a pit bull.

Because breeding, overpopulation and pit bull fighting are such widespread problems, almost every publication, website and organization will offer you absolutely no help when you need to re-home a dog-regardless of your situation or exception.

If you think you can sneak a pit bull past an apartment complex owner, don't try it. When adopting a dog, you'll also be subject to a background check, which includes the shelter's talk with your landlord regarding breed.

Shelters and Surrendering

Pit bulls are not like other dogs. Shelters are simply full of them and cannot take any more pit bulls. If you should ever need to give up your dog (regardless of the reason-even if you're dying of cancer and can no longer care for the animal), shelters are dealing with cases of cruelty and abandonment constantly. As a loving pet owner, you probably wouldn't do the things you'd have to do to enable your dog to 'get in' to a shelter or find a new home; most shelters will turn you away or tell you to put the dog to sleep. I've even heard this advice from "no-kill" shelters.

Breed Characteristics

While there are unfortunately negative stereotypes and stigmas about pit bulls due to irresponsible owners using them to fight and breed, pit bulls do have breed traits and characteristics like any other dog breed.

It takes a patient and firm owner to train a pit bull properly. This means working with a headstrong dog every single. These strong, beautiful creatures can do serious damage if they do bite-so training is a must. Pit bulls are also prone to aggression towards other dogs, so if you have another pet or are considering owning multiple pets, this breed may not be the best choice for you.

Pit bulls can also be possessive over children (also known as "possessive aggression"). This is not a pit bull-only trait, but it comes to the forefront with the breed when owners decide to have children and realize they are unable to make quick movements towards their child or discipline the child. While you wouldn't want a stranger hurting your kid (and would much rather have the dog guard your child), you must be able to train the dog to allow you to reach your child quickly in case of emergency. A large dog should not go after you if your child is choking and you need to perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

Before you get a new best friend of any sort, it's best to do thorough research on the dog. Local shelters, veterinarians and advocacy groups are great resources for any potential dog owner.