Do Pitbulls Make Good Pets?
Many myths and misconceptions surround the American Pitbull Terrier, probably more so than any other dog breed. Unfortunately, the Pitbull's future has been irreparably harmed by people who choose to train this naturally affectionate, people-pleasing dog to fight. Hyped-up media coverage of Pitbull attacks, often with factually inaccurate reporting, adds to the breed's bad reputation and results in public paranoia.
But aren't Pitbulls vicious people haters?
No more vicious than beagles and golden retrievers! In a study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society, Pitbulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. Beagles scored 78.2% and golden retrievers, 83.2%. If you want to see how other breeds scored, go to the Testing Society's website, ATTS.org.
In the ATT test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations, and any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The high scoring of Pitbulls in this study disproves the widely held believe that this breed is inherently mean and aggressive to people.
What you can expect from a Pitbull puppy
The Pitbull is good-natured, amusing, eager to please and very loyal. When properly trained and thoroughly socialized, Pitbulls make loving family companions who will happily put up with rough child's play. Like any breed of dog, a healthy Pitbull puppy that is raised correctly will remain devoted, trustworthy and friendly to their death.
The Pitbull can be willful and needs a firm hand. They are highly protective of the family and property. They do have natural aggressive tendencies toward other dogs and animals, but are generally okay with family pets if raised with them from puppyhood and properly socialized.
Physical characteristics of a Pitbull
The Pitbull is muscular and stocky yet agile, and extremely strong for his size. When full grown, a Pitbull puppy will be approximately 18-22 inches tall and on average, weigh between 35-55 pounds. They can be expected to live to around 12 years of age.
The Pitbull puppy has a smooth, short-haired coat that is easy to groom by brushing regularly, and bathing as necessary. Rubbing the pup's coat with a towel or piece of chamois will make it especially shiny.
Pitbull pups are very active indoors but do okay in an apartment provided they get enough outdoor exercise (Pitbulls should be leashed in public to avoid fighting with other dogs, though).
The breed's tenacity and accompanying strength are unmatched in the canine world. Pitbulls excel in canine tasks such as herding, guarding, hunting, policing, cart pulling and more.
Where to find a Pitbull puppy to adopt
If you are certain the Pitbull breed is right for your family, and you're ready to start looking for a pup to adopt, you have several options. You can search your local newspaper's classified ads, or go online to find private party ads and websites devoted to placing dogs in loving homes.
However, the best way to ensure that the Pitbull puppy you bring home is healthy, properly socialized and has a good temperament, is to purchase from a reputable breeder. You can find a breeder by asking for referrals from friends or your vet, or attend a dog show. Many reputable Pitbull breeders also maintain their own websites.
Choosing a Pitbull puppy
If there's more than one Pitbull puppy available for you to choose from, look for one that is curious, alert and playful, and not fearful of you. Select one who shows that he's interested in making friends, but isn't so exuberant that he's out of control.
Supplies you will need for your new puppy
Before you adopt your puppy, here are just a few of the many things he will need in his brand new home:
· Food and water bowls
· Dog bed and blankets
· Grooming supplies (brush, shampoo, toenail clippers, towel)
· Puppy crate for training
· Flea and tick supplies
· Collar, leashes, training aids
· Good quality puppy food and treats
Published by Julia Williams
Writing was my "first crush," and over the years it's blossomed into a great love affair. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Journalism & Marketing and worked as an ad copywriter for 8 years before decid... View profile
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63 Comments
Post a CommentPitbulls are very nice dogs. One time we heard my dog barking at night. We came out to see and it turned out that a strayed pitbull got in the dog coral. My brother kept the pitbull. He was very playful and did not show signs of agressions. We walked it every day with the rest of our dogs and he became part of the pack. Unfortunately for us, the owners of the pitbull pass by and saw the pitbull.
Pit bulls are the best dogs a pearson could have. They are sweet, loyal, and soooo loveable! Any dog can be tought to be agressive, it is just how you bring them up and how well they are trained. I hope those MORONS out their see that someday and stop senticing all of these great dogs to die!!!!
I grew up with Shepards and Goldens, and have also owned a lab, which is on his last legs. I just recently acquired a pit bull and have since adopted another one. I have to say, both of these dogs make better pets than all of my other breeds. Not that I oppose the other breeds; it's just that the pits are more affectionate and easier to train. I used to believe things about breeds such as Dobermans and Rotts, but I now understand the negative affects of the media and biased statistics. No breed is bad, and I really cannot believe the people are so stupid, and haven't figured it out yet. Anyone that truly believes these dogs are born vicious or mean because of some hyped media story or through hearsay needs to go out and get a real education, because they are gullible. I want a list of these people so I can to them and get rich!!
I was a person that did not like pitbulls yet I never had been around one. My son came home with a Blue nose pit puppy. I was so angry. I said horrible things. This dog is one of the most loving, funny ,good looking dog I have ever known. We love her so much. She is so loving and wanting to please us its to funny. She loves to cuddle. We have a older dog of 15 years and just got a kitten and this beautiful pit loves them as much as she loves all of us. I am so happy she is in our lives. She has taught me how judgemental (racist) I was. I thank my son everyday for bringing her home.
I have a 9 year old pitbull mix, Star, and she is my biggest baby!She is a big lover and loves to play with my two kids and has never been agressive towards them. Yes she would protect us if she thought any of her family was in danger,but is that a bad thing? I do not think so and I agree there is no such thing as bad dogs only bad owners!! It's all in how they are raised, I will never own anything other than a pit, she has made my life better just by knowing her!
Ive grown up with pitbulls since i could walk ive always hada big"bully" to use for my pillow and to turn to when my people friends sucked <3 Pitbulls are ALWAYS there for Loyal to death and amazing personalites make up the two most universal pitbull triats<3 THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS BAD DOGS JUST BAD OWNERS!!!!!
I have 1 amstaff & 1 rednose thet i got from someone who was going to put her down because she was (agresive) I fell in love with her so did buster! (my amstaff)she was about 2 he was 3 they are like soulmates. they had puppys not long after. I kept 3 boys. there quite a bunch. pitbulls are like kids. YOU MAKE THEM GOOD OR BAD!!! I also raised 3 kids around pitbulls. they are the best dogs..AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER!!! anything else is just a dog...
Tanya, you can house train your dog by keeping him/her in a crate all day/night (even though it's mean it will only be untill he/she gets the hang of it) and take him/her outside every morning and afternoon. She/he will not go potty in the crate, but when you take him/her outside he/she will really have to go and will go potty outside. Right when your dog does this praise him/her. After a few weeks of this routine your dog will start to get used to the idea of going outside. Then you can start to let him/her out of the crate and remember to keep taking him/her out regularly. If she/he does go inside sit him/her down by the accident and yell at her/his scat (I know it sounds silly, but DON'T ll at the dog, it will discourage and confuse him/her) then take the waste out side (if it's pee soak it up with a napkin then take it outside) when the waste is outside, let your dog smell it, thenpraise her/him. hope this helped!
I have a 6 month old pitbull puppy, and so far she has been the smartest, docilest and easiest to train out of all the other dog breeds that I have raised. (And FYI I have raised 2 labradors, 1 cocker spaniel, 1 dochsaund, 3 golden retrievers, and 3 different toy breeds.) The only problem that I have with my pitbull is that when I take her out some of the other dog owners don't let me and my dog around them when they hear that she is a pitbull! I mean they act like total jerks! It is so not fair because Midnight (my pitbull) is so sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly!!!
i have 29 pitbulls and thear all good dogs