American Pitbull Puppies: Get to Know This Misunderstood Breed

American Pitbull Terriers are very loyal and loving dogs. They are great companions and family dogs.

They are good for people who work long hours and need someone to take care of them while they’re gone.

These dogs are smart and courageous, but they’re not aggressive unless provoked.

They love to play games and go for walks. Dogs of any breed can suffer health issues throughout their lives, but pit bulls are particularly vulnerable.

This article lists some of the most common problems associated with pit bull breeds.

Small dogs are usually less energetic than large dogs. They’re also quieter inside apartments. A great crate can be found here to provide your dog with some extra room in your apartment.

The Term “Pit Bull”

Dogs that are labeled as “pit bulls” are often American Staffordshire Terriers.

However, this breed doesn’t belong to the American Pit Bull terrier group of breeds. It should be avoided because of its aggressive nature.

History

Bulldog and terriers have been around since the 1800s. These dogs were created for fighting bulls and bears. Dogs used to fight people were called bulldogs or terriers.

People started using them to protect their homes. They are very loyal and protective. They are gentle and loving toward other pets.

Bulldogs are big, strong, and loyal dogs who were bred to hunt down and kill game. These dogs were used by farmers to guard livestock and protect crops. 

They became popular pets because they were easy to train and loved to play. Today, there are many breeds of dogs including poodles, Labradors, and huskies.

These dogs are basically the same breed, but the American Pit Bull Terriers have longer snouts than the American Staffordshire Terriers. Their personalities are similar too.

Personality

Dogs love people and are eager to greet visitors. Their confidence and awareness make them great watchdogs.

They protect their families with their lives. Early socialization ensures that puppies grow into well-rounded dogs.

Behavior

American pit bull terriers are very strong dogs. They are often used by police officers because of their size and strength.

Their tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs makes them unsuitable for families with children. Breed-specific laws usually include this breed.

Be aware that there are rules in your area as such. Also, check if your neighbors have similar rules. Dogs should only be given tough, durable toys that cannot be chewed up and swallowed.

Pit bulls are best suited to owners that can provide firm, fair training and gentle consistent discipline.

Price

You should be careful when buying any dog. Make sure the name is indeed what you think it is. Look for reputable breeders who sell healthy puppies.

Puppies sold by shady breeders are typically sickly and unhealthy. Don’t pay more than $500 for a dog. Show quality dogs do not necessarily make better pets than others.

They are not more expensive because they have superior traits for families.

Instead, they simply display physical characteristics that are more in line to the breed standard, though most owners may not notice these traits.

Health

American Pit Bull Terriers are healthy dogs, but they can suffer from hip dysplasia. If your dog has HD, he’ll need an operation to fix it.

Allergies are quite common among American Staffs. Skin allergies can be caused by many things including fleas, grass, pollen, and dust. Food allergies are less common than skin allergies.

Beef, rice, wheat and corn are common foods that cause allergic reactions. Dogs often itch when they eat these foods. Sometimes they can even bleed internally.

Medications can control some symptoms, however. Hypothyroidism is a condition that makes dogs grow fat and have bad coats. It also can cause reproductive problems.

Dogs with hypothyroidism usually have aortic stenosis. This means the valve connecting the left ventricle to the aorta doesn’t open properly. This issue can lead to sudden death if not treated.

Pet insurance plans can be helpful if your dog gets sick or injured. You can also save money by getting an annual wellness exam.

Your American Pit Bull Terrier needs regular dental care. Her teeth require cleaning every six months. She should also get an annual checkup.

A vet will tell you how to brush your pet’s teeth and give you instructions about brushing your dog’s teeth.

Obesity

Obesity can be a serious health concern in pit bulls. It’s a disease that can cause or worsen joint issues and metabolic and digestive disorders.

Your dog will love you more if you feed her leftovers instead of giving her human food. A great way to make sure she gets enough exercise is by taking her for a walk.

You can also play games with her such as fetch, tug-of-war, or even Frisbee.

Appearance

The American Pitbull Terrier is a muscular, athletic dog. Their heads are large and square, with a flat skull. Their ears are small to medium, high set, and natural, or cropped.

They have a strong jaw line and a long neck. American pit bulls are strong dogs who are agile and athletic. Their tails are very short and thick at the base. They come in all colors except Merle.

These dogs should never appear bulky or muscular or overly thin. Short-legged dogs should be eliminated because they’re too slow to run and chase after balls.

Dogs with oversized heads should also be disqualified because they’ll never be able to see what’s going on around them.

And any dog who isn’t able to work should be eliminated because he won’t be able to do anything else but sit there and bark.

Head

This dog’s head shape is different from other breeds. This breed is strong, elegant, and powerful. Their heads are broad, blunt wedges.

Their skulls are well-defined, moderate depth, and well-chiseled. Also, their supra orbital arches are well-defined, but not pronounced.

Teaching Your Pit Bull To Behave Properly

Because of their muscular size and power, pit bulls do not often respond well to training that includes leash corrections or other forms of punishment.

Positive reinforcement strategies, like clicker training or other reward-based training methods are more likely to yield better results.

The majority of pit bulls are eager to learn and would gladly work for a reward.

Pit bulls are known for being aggressive towards other dogs. You should never allow them to play or interact with other dogs.

Training your dog to focus on you is very important. Other commands that can be used include: stay, come, and emergency recall. 

To make sure your dog responds to your commands, try practicing in different environments. This process is called proofing. Dogs are loyal companions who love to play with you.

Even if they’re aggressive toward other dogs, they will rarely attack people. Pit bulls are very loyal and loving. They may act aggressively towards other dogs, but they won’t harm people.

Staffords are friendly, intelligent, and protective. They enjoy being around children and other pets.

Myths Regarding American Pit Bulls

Myth 1: Aggression Towards Animals Means People Are Next

It’s a little strange how the term “pit bull” is used. It can refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier, a group of pit bull-like canines, or a different breed entirely.

Many people mistake the American Staffordshire Terrier for a pit bull, despite the fact that it is not.

When buying and researching this breed, be cautious because you can end up with something completely different.

Myth 2:  If a Pit Bull Wasn’t Trained To Fight It Will Be Safer Than Other Dogs

Pit bulls are not naturally or inherently dangerous to people. Their aggression towards other dogs is learned from being taught by humans. Pit bulls are not bred to be aggressive towards humans.

When they are trained by humans, they are sometimes bred to become aggressive towards other dogs, however.

Myth 3: American Pit Bull Terriers Lock Their Jaws

Pit Bulls are loyal, loving, and protective dogs. Their breed was originally created to protect livestock from predators. Today, they are often used as guard dogs.

Unfortunately, some people see them as vicious dogs, but this is not true. Most pit bulls are sweet and playful. They are also smart and trainable. They need to be trained properly and treated well. 

Pit bulls are very protective towards people. They are usually friendly until they get older. At about 2 years of age, they become intolerant of other dogs. This could be because they were previously friendly but now feel threatened by them.

Dogs bite because they want to protect themselves and their families. They do this by attacking people who threaten them or their families.

Their teeth are designed to break bones and tear flesh. This makes them dangerous. If you see a dog attack someone, call 911 right away.

Myth 4: Pit bulls’ Brains Never Stop Growing

Brain size does not affect behavior. Dogs’ brains do not swell when injured. This breed’s brain grows at the same pace as any other breed.

Myth 5: It’s Unsafe To Get A Pit Bull From A Rescue Shelter As Their Genetics Are Unknown.

Pit bulls are very loyal dogs that are known for being aggressive. They are also very protective of their families. They have been bred for fighting and guarding.

Their owners should research the breed before purchasing them. Pit bulls are very friendly dogs who love people. They are great with children, and most of them get along well with other dogs.

They don’t bite unless provoked. Furthermore, they are usually calm and quiet around strangers.

Most pit bulls are adopted by families because they’re easygoing, loving, and fun-loving dogs. They make wonderful companions.

Final Thoughts

After finishing this article you should now have changed your outlook on American Pitbull Puppies.

Although these breeds do have a reputation, it is important to refer to this article to ease your mind before purchasing one of these breeds. 

If you want to learn more about Dogs and Dog Breeders Check our these articles.