The American Bull Terrier breed. Although most consider the pitbull to be an aggressive and dangerous dog, it is actually an affectionate and generous dog, even with children, provided it is raised and educated correctly.
American Bull Terrier Breed. General description
Unfortunately, pit bulls enjoy a bad reputation due to the evil humans who breed and train this breed for fighting. If well trained and socialised, however, the most attractive traits of its character emerge as great affection, sociability with strangers, patience with children, and intelligence.
If, on the other hand, he is poorly trained, either maliciously or through simple carelessness, he can become aggressive and dangerous, especially to other dogs. So, again, it requires the firm guidance of an experienced master who knows how to love it as it loves him but also to obey it.
Physically and aesthetically, it is a solid but elegant dog with a beautiful, shiny coat and lively, intelligent eyes.
Appearance and Attributes
The pit bull is not a very large dog. The UKC and ADBA breed standards show an animal between 40 and 50 centimetres tall at the withers, with a massive build and an imposing, well-defined musculature. With its strong jaw and lively eyes, the muzzle is undoubtedly the first thing one notices about this dog.
It is characterised by a relatively short back with a descending line from the withers to the croup, arched at the kidney, and rising upwards. Coats in dappled, multi-coloured, and single-coloured colours are always permissible.
Physical characteristics permitted by the Standard:
- Height: 41 to 54 cm
- Weight: 13 to 27 kg
- Longevity: 10 to 12 years
- Colours: can have any colour except the combination of merle shades
- Fur: hard and short
- Coat: dappled, multi-coloured and single-coloured colours are always permitted.
Price Bull Terrier
PitBull denotes the American Pit Bull terrier, a breed recognised only by the British Federation UKC (United Kennel Club). (Unfortunately, it is banned; you can control your dog in public: Banned dogs – GOV.UK) and the ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association). In Europe, you can only opt for the AmStaff alternative and contact the recognised breeders of the American Staffordshire Terrier; they can only provide you with adequate proof of parentage and hand over a pedigree dog. The cost is between £1,000 and £1,500 for a pit bull puppy.
This is why you should never, under any circumstances, buy a ‘Pit Bull puppy‘ without the necessary documents: these are always mixed-breed dogs whose character and health suitability have not been adequately checked. They are, therefore, high-risk animals.
A Pit Bull with aggressive ancestry can be a challenge at best. However, in less fortunate cases, it can represent a danger. In these cases, the health risks of hereditary diseases, which in mixed-breed animals are an unknown quantity, are also higher.
Many mixed-breed dogs that find themselves in kennels and are looking for a home are classified as ‘Pit Bulls’, which is why you have a good chance of finding your future paw friend there, provided you have the skills and experience with dogs that it takes to care for a ‘Pit Bull‘.
Before proceeding with the adoption, you should always inform yourself about the dog’s history and ask whether you can meet the requirements to care for an animal with that background.
Some furry friends waiting for a new family in kennels or in the homes of those who keep them in stalls come from backgrounds where the previous owner did not know how to handle them. In these cases, much educational and re-educational work will likely be needed.
But you must remember that if you have the necessary experience and the humility to be guided by some capable educators, adopting such a dog can make you extremely happy and, at the same time, can give an unfortunate animal a better life.
A Pit Bull educated and lovingly cared for by its humans is a splendid and faithful companion.
Pros and cons
Top 5 characteristics:
- His beautiful coat is easily kept clean.
- He is very affectionate towards his family.
- He loves to play a lot, and for him, play is crucial
- Can live in a flat but needs to move around
- Does not have a solid tendency to drool
The five most problematic characteristics:
- Dog not suitable for inexperienced owners
- Cannot tolerate loneliness
- Should never be left unleashed in the presence of other dogs
- Tends to bite, especially dogs and objects
- Strong and stubborn, may grow to pull on the leash and bully
character
Despite their reputation as ferocious and ruthless dogs, pit bulls bond very closely with their owner and love the company of people. Loneliness makes them suffer, and they need to feel the presence of their loved ones. For this and other reasons, this breed is unsuitable for those with little time to devote to their dog.
Like all dogs highly dependent on their owner, the pit bull has a sensitive character and constantly needs a relationship with its owner and his firm leadership to guide it. A pit bull that is poorly regarded, left alone for a long time or treated with little consideration may try to dominate its owner to remedy the situation.
Pit bulls are extraordinary companion dogs who return their family’s affection with boundless love. They love to be with their loved ones and need to feel them close. Brave and generous, they will do anything for the people they love without any fear for their safety.
As we have said, pit bulls were not bred to attack humans. They had to fight in crowded and noisy places and only attack other dogs. They generally greet strangers by wagging their tails happily. However, dogs must be socialised and trained from puppyhood with great care to be docile and obedient.
As we have already explained, the American pit bull terrier breed was born to satisfy the public’s need for entertainment (and betting) and has, therefore, been selected to be aggressive towards other dogs. If they are not well socialised as puppies, they can attack other dogs and become very dangerous with their powerful jaws. Therefore, they should never be unleashed in the presence of other dogs.
It is no coincidence that the full name of this breed is American pit bull terrier. Pit bulls have the hunting dog instinct in their blood, which derives from the English breed from which they originated. They may, therefore, be tempted to move away from their owner in pursuit of prey. They may also do so if they have a conflict with other dogs.
Given the news and alarmism one often hears, it is essential to emphasise that pit bulls are not ferocious dogs per se, especially towards humans. Their instinct, if anything, is to fight with other dogs. However, they are dogs that have been selected to bite, and therefore tend to bite, and they can be harsh on household objects, from shoes to toys. Provide your pit bull with sturdy toys that he can chew to exhaustion.
As mentioned, the pit bull has a relatively strong hunting instinct, which stems from its origins. This instinct has been partly mitigated by later cross-breeding but can still lead it to chase cats, rabbits and chickens and stray into a wood plank to follow prey. As they are among the dogs that tend to hunt, they should only be unleashed if in a fenced-in place where there are no other potentially aggressive dogs.
The pit bull barks mainly to cheer on its owner, family, and close friends. In short, it barks to welcome people and much less to guard, although guarding may be indicated for this breed. It is not particularly noisy and is therefore also suitable in a flat unless you have neighbours who don’t want to hear any noise…
Rather energetic but not hyperactive dogs, pit bulls should be taken out for walks, play and romp for at least an hour a day, but better still, for longer. They love to walk and move, so they are suitable for long walks and agility. However, they are no good if you are looking for a ‘couch’ dog.
The pit bull is not a gentle dog; it is strong, muscular, stubborn, and tends to think he is the boss. It can pull at the leash and is predisposed to overpower its owner. This is why its training is so essential and must be done constantly. Also, remember that keeping such a powerful dog under control requires a certain amount of strength.
Pit bulls love to play, which is an essential part of their lives. They play for fun, to let off steam, exercise their mighty jaws harmlessly, and bond even more closely with their owner. They also love playing with children, provided, of course, that they know how to respect them.
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Intelligence and Trainability of American Bull Terrier Breed
A knowledgeable dog with a solid and stubborn character, the pit bull is not among the easiest breeds to train. He needs a robust and constant guide who will teach him not to disobey without betraying his deep affection. It is not suitable for those who do not have too much time to devote to their dog. The training of the pit bull must be careful and protracted to keep the breed’s dominant tendencies under control.
Children and more
The people who selected the pit bull as a fighting dog wanted to be sure they would not be bitten when separating the two dogs during a fight was necessary. Therefore, they select dogs that do not have the instinct to attack people. This characteristic, combined with the extraordinary affection that pit bulls have for their owners, makes them excellent playmates, even for children. They are, however, solid and impetuous dogs, which could cause children to fall during play.
The health of American Bull Terrier.
Like all dogs highly dependent on their owners, the pit bull has a sensitive character and constantly needs a relationship with its owner and his firm leadership to guide it. A pit bull that is poorly regarded, left alone for a long time or treated with little consideration may try to dominate the owner to remedy the situation.
Pit bulls certainly have fewer problems with heat, although they are not comfortable with high temperatures either. However, their muzzle’s shape means they are also quite vulnerable to heat. Therefore, when the weather is scorching, they should be protected, allowing them to shelter indoors and avoiding letting them out during critical hours.
Pit bulls are not particularly susceptible to hereditary diseases. They are robust dogs enjoying good health and average life spans. However, they can suffer from hip dysplasia and skin allergies, manifesting as itching and irritation. Hypothyroidism and heart disease are less common but sometimes present in the breed.
If they do not move as their breed specifics require, pit bulls may tend to put on weight, with all the health problems that can follow. Unsuitable for passive owners, these dogs must run, walk, play and exercise to stay in top shape and not put on weight. They also need a well-balanced diet, with no breaking the rules.
grooming
This breed does not have a great tendency to drool, although you cannot even say they do not. Especially when partying, your pit bull might leave little drool spots on your clothes, but that is the price for their boundless love!
Pit bulls have a solid seasonal moult, but their short coat makes this problem much less visible than in other breeds. Simply brushing them regularly, particularly during moulting periods, will prevent their hair from shedding everywhere and thus keep the house clean. Grooming costs between £35 and £40 for this breed.
One of the qualities of American pit bull terriers is the ease with which they can be kept clean. Their beautiful, short, shiny coat does not require any special care, and to keep it attractive, you only need to brush it without needing repeated professional grooming. Likewise, a bath now and then is enough to keep your dog clean and smelling good without any further care.
Exercise American Bull Terrier
The pit bull is the ideal dog if you love to move. Your dog will follow you on walks or runs and never tyre of playing with you. If you have a passion for agility, this breed may be a good choice because it combines intelligence, beauty, strength, and energy but without the excessive activism of other dogs.
Tips for buying an American Bull Terrier
Pit bulls are dogs that need to move (walk, play, exercise) for at least an hour a day and are, therefore, unsuitable for passive owners. Despite this, they are vulnerable to the cold and must be kept indoors for much of the year. Nevertheless, they adapt well to a balanced life, provided they have an owner who gets them moving enough.
American pit bull terriers are not dogs with simple personalities. On the contrary, they are among the dogs for which a great deal of experience is needed because they tend to be stubborn and impose themselves as dominant if the owner is too weak and uncertain.
Unfortunately, aggression towards other dogs has been inscribed in their genetic code by a selection devoted to fighting. To prevent aggression from emerging, pit bull terriers need to be carefully trained and socialised. This is why it is essential to think carefully before buying or giving pit bull terrier puppies as gifts to inexperienced owners.
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