With a height range of 17-19 inches and a weight of 30-60 lbs, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a muscular dog breed with a reputation for courage and fierceness. The Pitbull has a very long history, running far back to the 19th century when it was bred for blood sport and bear-baiting.
Due to their strength and tenacity, Pit bulls are often mistaken for violent and unwelcoming dogs. But this stereotype couldn’t be farther from the truth. Indeed, beneath all that muscle and scary jaws is a loving dog and loyal companion, ready to defend its owner at all cost. When you add their intelligence, you see that the Pitbull, when adequately trained, is a darling pet.
The big question is, why are Pit bulls generally despised – or feared – that much? What is behind the bad rep they have in the media? Are they really that aggressive? Would they interact nicely with your pets and family? Let us find out in this guide.
What are the Characteristics of a Pit Bull Dog?
Opposed to the negative stereotypes strewing society about Pit bulls, it is astonishing to learn that the Pitbull is an affectionate dog. This is way different from the misconception that the Pit Bull is a pack of muscles and powerful jaws eager to wreak mayhem.
Moving from the physical characteristics of the Pit Bull, there is the exciting personality and temperament to learn about.
Do You Know Pit Bulls Love People?
At first sight, you may mistake the Pit Bull for an unsocial dog oozing aggression. But Pit Bulls are actually friendly and affectionate. They loved to be loved and can be great and loyal companions, so long they are adequately trained. Yes, they snuggle and kiss too.
The Pit Bull has a keen awareness of its surroundings. They are remarkably loyal, not hesitating a second to step in harm’s way to protect their family.
Your Pit Bull wouldn’t struggle to mix with people and other pets that much if it is adequately socialized – and most importantly, socialized early enough. Expose them in a controlled environment to sounds, sights, and varying experiences to ensure your Pit Bull is overall more composed and less volatile.
Pit Bulls Learn Easily
Pit Bulls are eager to please their owners. Add this to their natural intelligence, and you get a dog that is remarkably receptive to training.
Indeed, Pit Bulls thrive in obedience training. Provided your training is equipped with positive reinforcement in terms of rewarding your dog with treats, gifts, and love, you will see your Pit Bull easily grasping your commands.
They can learn to respect boundaries and rank at the top for dog breeds quick to catch tricks. It is only unnatural for a dog that is not adequately socialized to end up aggressive. Therefore, ensure you get your Pit Bull – preferably when it is younger.
Are Pit Bulls Born Aggressive?
No, Pit Bulls are not necessarily born aggressive. We will not deny that Pit Bulls are not the most tolerant dogs either.
Yes, Pit Bulls have a history of violence. In their early beginnings, they were deployed for violent blood sports where animals battle themselves almost to death or defeat.
Pit Bulls only thrived in this curious form of entertainment, not because they were born with a penchant for aggression, but because they have strength and have higher pain tolerance than most pets.
If your Pit Bull is appropriately trained and socialized, chances are extremely low that it will display unprovoked aggression.
Is a Pit Bull a Hunting Dog?
Provided they are given befitting training, Pit Bulls can be excellent hunting dogs. No doubt, Pit Bulls boast the requisite for a hunting dog.
They are strong and courageous, not the type that readily shies away from a fight. What more, Pit Bulls have a high prey drive.
Thanks to this, they have a penchant for chasing and hunting. Aside from livestock, Pit Bulls can catch even bigger games like boars.
Can a Pit Bull Be a Therapy Dog?
Personality, empathy, and intelligence are the core characteristic requirements of a therapy dog. The good news is that a Pit Bull has these traits abundantly. This qualifies Pit Bulls as good therapy dogs.
Can a Pit Bull Be an Emotional Support Dog?
If your Pit Bull is well trained and consequently well-behaved, it can serve as your emotional support dog. You must be able to exercise control over such a Pit Bull and reign on it quickly when needed.
Now, it is essential to check the bylaws of where you stay before adopting a Pit Bull as your emotional support dog. Not every jurisdiction allows for the legal ownership of Pit Bulls.
If the city does, make sure to procure your paperwork as factual evidence the Pit Bull serves support functionalities.
Can a Pit Bull Be a Guard Dog?
Naturally, your Pit Bull would struggle to be a guard dog given their innate love for people. But with discipline and effective training, your Pit Bull can be a fantastic guard dog, no doubt.
The training, of course, can be challenging. The major hurdle when training Pit Bulls is consistency, which is crucial to the success of their obedience training.
Such consistency is mostly achieved with a combination of focus and motivation. This can be attained with treats (in terms of rewards of favorite toy or food), a secure leash, and an unfamiliar friend. Let us explain.
The aim of training your Pit Bull to be a guard dog is to bark at intruders or strangers. With obedience training, your dog will understand the instruction to bark at strangers.
When it gets it right, reward it with some treats. This is why you need a friend unfamiliar to your Pit Bull to play the stranger role again.
Inarguably, you need to socialize your Pit Bull to ensure that they are not aggressive to people they are acquainted with. The same tolerance applies to pets they already roll with.
When a stranger approaches the door, give your Pit Bull the directive to bark. Now to send the message home to your Pit Bull, the supposed stranger screams and runs off while your dog is barking.
Is a Pit Bull a Dog Breed?
The Pit Bull is fully known as the American Pit Bull Terrier. This means the word on its own, Pit Bull, is not a breed per see.
It is more of a colloquial term used to refer to the likes of Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good with Other Dogs?
We can’t definitively say American Pit Bull Terriers don’t interact well with other dogs or not. Such generic classification would be incorrect considering that each American Pit Bull Terrier is different, depending on the circumstances they were trained.
If your American Terrier is well trained and socialized, it can relate with another dog convivially. The same applies to the other dog, if it is open to its fellow canine company.
Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good with Cats?
Contrary to the prevailing stereotype that a Pit Bull Terrier will get into a fight anytime any day, the American Pit Bull can civilly interact with a cat with no aggression.
These two can get along well provided the right setting and boundaries are established. Factors that necessitate competition – like shared food and treat – should be avoided.
And when you introduce your Terrier to your cat, you must be very observant of their body language. If your Terrier is too fixated on the cat, then it is probably not the best time to get it near the cat.
Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Good Guard Dogs?
Yes, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be trained to be a good guard dog. They have a strong prey drive and are protective enough to chase off strangers when you give these dogs the befitting training.
Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Aggressive?
The Staffordshire Bull Terriers is not an extreme aggressor. They are independent and strong. But it is not in the culture of this dog to instigate a fight.
Are Staffordshire Bull Terriers Good with Other Dogs?
The Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not known to interact well with other dogs. They can get into a violent fit when they get too close to other dogs.
This hostility would reduce with consequent training and socialization. Regardless, it is recommended to always put your Staffordshire Bull Terrier on a leash anytime you take it out.
Is American Bully a Good Guard Dog?
The American Bully doesn’t necessarily measure up to the aggression we see from its older bloodlines. Regardless, with proper training, the American Bully can end up a fantastic guard dog. It has the strength and athleticism to excel in this role.
Are American Bully Dogs Aggressive?
Physically, American Bullies are tough, muscular, and almost intimidating. With a height ranging from 17-20 inches, and a weight range of 70-120 pounds, this dog is stocked with strength and power.
But beneath this frightening build is a loving dog that enjoys interacting with humans and socializing with other animals too.
American Bullies love attention; they enjoy it when their owner gives them enough stimulation and exercise.
Being a large dog doesn’t mandatorily make the American Bully aggressive. Just like any dog, the American Bully would display aggression when provoked.
It is only natural for an American Bully to display aggression when it feels an intruder is invading its space or territory. Similarly, an American Bully can get aggressive when it senses a threat to its owner.
Is a Pit Bull Dog Banned in the UK?
It is illegal to own or breed a Pit Bull in the United Kingdom. This ban arises from the polarizing the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.
In 1991, due to a spate of violent dog attacks on humans, the government decided to ban owing or breeding Pit Bulls and some other dogs like the DogoArgentino and Japanese tosa on UK soil.
However, no scientific finding establishes that Pit Bulls are more dangerous than other dog breeds.
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Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.
