The American Pit Bull Terrier

A person just has to say " Pit Bull" and the look of fear crosses many faces. It has a bad reputation in America as being an overly aggressive and unpredictable dog. This dog used to scare me as well. When a neighbor brought one home, I began to worry about my family's safety. After about two years of knowing this dog, I've been able to put those fears to rest. Hopefully, for those of you still doubtful about the breed, I can put them to rest for you, too.

There is no doubt that the Pit Bull is a strong and powerful breed. If he wanted to, he really could tear something or someone to shreds and no doubt that has unfortunately happened. The problem with Pit's is the way in which they have been raised. A lot of people get these dogs with bad intentions in mind. If only the breeder would carefully screen the potential buyer, then a lot of these bad situations would never happen. Regretfully, though, some of the breeders are just as bad. Their only intent with the breed is to make fierce fighters out of them. Their intent is to sell them to people using them in dog fighting rings. It all comes down to a big profit for those involved. The one that loses the most is the dog. When you really get to looking at this breed, they have the potential to be number one as a family dog.

Picture in your mind a very muscular dog. He has a square head and broad cheeks, with this huge, deep chest. It's a very stocky dog and kind of makes me think of Popeye the Sailor when he walks. He has that bowl legged look. Most of the time the dog's ears will be cropped. This makes them look very attentive, which they really are. (If you want to show your dog, his ears don't have to be cropped.) What an amazing-looking dog! Just wait until you see his teeth, though. No, not through a growl, but instead a grin.

That's how I see my neighbor's dog. Actually, it's a she, not a he. She is mostly white with a few spots here and there of a brindle color. Her eyes are a beautiful chestnut color. And I used to be afraid of this dog! Now, when I walk out my front door, I'm disappointed if I don't see her. She usually comes trotting over to see me and to make sure all is well. She's not only proven to be a good friend, but a protector as well. My son and other neighborhood kids get out and play with her. Other dogs come over to see her and frolic around. She's just a great addition to the neighborhood. Not to mention that she's really smart. Her owner has worked with her on obedience - she follows commands very well, even under pressure. But I taught her how to sit! She loves me because she knows I usually have treats in my pockets. She isn't allowed to get one unless she sits for me, though. I don't have to even say the word, just use a hand signal like the ones you see them use on TV shows. She's just an all around good dog with a great personality.

Despite what I say, I know people will always have that doubt about the APBT. For some reason, people get really irrational about this breed. I think there is no in-between: you either love it or hate it. It all comes down to education on the human part. Yes, Pit's are naturally aggressive, that's why not just anyone can own one. You have to make sure the dog understands it's place in the family. Dogs belong in packs and when a dog is brought into the home, no matter what the breed, it has to know it's order in the pack. With a Pit, there needs to be one person that is very clearly the alpha, then the other family members are right behind. The dog comes after the family, in the lower order of the pack. It is up to the owner to make sure the dog knows it's place.

When these dogs are socialized correctly, they will become less aggressive and very loyal and obedient. As long as the owner isn't abusive towards the dog, he'll turn out to be a great addition to the family. They have a good nature about them and it's almost as if they find humor in a lot of things. At times, I swear, I can see my neighbor's dog laughing. The expression on her face is just hard to describe.

This is not a passive breed, though. If his family is threatened, he will react aggressively. I've seen this first hand with Trixie. She's young, about two or three, but I've seen her ugly side and I don't want to go there! One day while I was standing in my driveway talking to a friend, the electric meter-reader guy came out of nowhere. At least it seemed that way. I'm sure I just didn't see him until it was almost too late. Trixie also appeared out of nowhere! She was in full attack mode - hair standing up on her back, teeth showing and the meanest bark I've ever heard! In an instant, I was screaming "no" at her and she paused. While she paused, her owner came out and took control of the situation. Just by getting her attention, he was able to get her to back off. She never lunged at the guy, but if we hadn't been right there, I'm not sure she could have been stopped. It was very frightening for all of us, but it proved her loyalty to not only her owner, but to me. If she hadn't known me, my voice and respected my authority, she never would have hesitated in her attack on the meter-reader. So, make sure you are the type of owner that can keep this dog under control at all times. He must be taught to respect humans, even those not living in his house. I'm not really sure that guy ever came back to read the meter, he was so scared, he just kept going.

If you raise this dog right, he'll be a great companion, show dog, protector. Just about anything you might want from a dog, you'll find in a Pit. I never thought I'd say that, but with Trixie around, I find it true. I even read up on Cesar Millan "The Dog Whisperer" . He has owned a Pit named Daddy for several years and has never had any trouble with him. Again, it all depends on how they are raised. During my research, I found out that these dogs have a very high level of tolerance for pain. That's probably one reason they have been used as fighting dogs. They get hurt and just keep on going until one finally dies. What a terrible thought. But, when raised as a family dog, that tolerance comes in handy with small children. Kids, especially toddlers, aren't always aware of how much pain they can inflict. With a Pit, the kids can dish it out and he can take it. Even Cesar Millan says that about Daddy. Trixie lives in a house with one teenager and two younger girls. I've yet to hear of Trixie hurting any of them. I know she's never hurt my son, no matter how rough he gets with her.

APBT's don't get to be all that tall, at around 18 to 22 inches. They can weigh a lot for their height, though: 22 to 110 pounds. Trixie is probably about 20 inches tall and 70 pounds. She's a good sized dog. She may be short and stocky, but I believe she could fight her way out of anything.

I have seen her not be so nice. In fact, it was towards one of my own dogs. Honey, my Anatolian Shepherd, was a giant dog. She was about 35 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds. A lot larger than Trixie. We usually made sure they were just never around each other, which was probably a mistake. Honey was diagnosed with bone cancer and began to go downhill fast. She got to the point that she wanted to go outside in the front to do her business and not in the back. I'm not sure why because we don't have stairs anywhere. So, one day, I put her on her leash and let her go out front. Trixie came trotting across and as soon as she caught wind of Honey, started growling and snapping. I ordered her to go back home and she listened to me, but after that, I wouldn't let Honey go out front. Honey, in her healthier years, would have been able to hold her own against Trixie, but being sick, she just couldn't. I don't believe it was Trixie or Honey's fault. What I do believe is that when one dog smells the sickness of another, instinct takes over. Just like in a wolf pack. The weakest has to go. I think that's what happened with Trixie. She wanted to put Honey out of her misery. It's sad, but I just think that's how the animal kingdom works.

No matter what happened with Honey and Trixie, I still admire Trixie. Pit's are a beautiful dog and if raised right, will make great family pets. They are smart, eager to please, loyal and obedient. They make great companion dogs and protectors.

If you do decide you want one, please check out the breeder. If you buy from a breeder that breeds for fighting purposes, then you will not get the best quality dog and you risk more behavior problems. Always check to see if they are AKC registered and you can check with the AKC about the breeder's history. If you choose to adopt, which a lot of Pit's end up in shelters, try to find out the dog's history. Spend time with the dog before you adopt him. Make sure he gets along with your children or other pets before bringing him permamently into your home. And always, make sure you take him to the vet for regular check ups to help keep him healthy.

Do your research and I'm sure you'll find the breed for you, even if it's not the American Pit Bull Terrier. He's definately not for a weak owner!