Big Pitbull Looking Dog: Separating Fact from Fiction

The big pitbull-looking dog has long been a topic of debate. These dogs often get a bad rap, but is it deserved?

The American Pitbull Terrier, a breed that's often mistakenly identified as a pitbull, was originally bred for companionship and hunting. They're known for their loyalty and affection towards their families.

In fact, a study found that pitbulls are less likely to bite than other breeds, such as the German Shepherd or the Rottweiler. This contradicts the common stereotype that pitbulls are aggressive.

Many people assume that pitbulls are inherently mean or violent, but this isn't supported by the facts.

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The American Terrier Basics you need to know. This breed is a muscular and stocky dog with a broad, blunt wedge-shaped head. Their ears are set high on their head and can be cropped or left natural.

Their eyes are medium in size, round, and set well apart, with all colors being desirable except blue. A flat nose with wide nostrils is also a characteristic of this breed. Their coat is short, sleek, and stiff to the touch, and comes in a wide variety of colors and combinations.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier loves to play and needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation, which means they require daily exercise and training to prevent boredom. This breed is not for the faint of heart, as they can be quite energetic and destructive if left to their own devices.

Here are some key physical characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier:

This breed has a rich history, dating back to the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terriers, which were crossbred for fighting in England. They were later brought to the US, where they found work on farms and ranches, and eventually became a recognized breed in 1898.

Caring for American Terriers requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so be prepared to spend time exercising and training them. They love to play and need a lot of attention, so don't even think about leaving them alone with a dog toy in your living room.

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To prevent boredom, which is lethal for this breed, you'll need to engage them in daily exercise and training. This will nicely balance out their relatively low-maintenance grooming needs. They require a yard that's fenced securely, as they can be strong and determined.

A great way to keep your American Terrier happy and healthy is to provide them with plenty of human interaction, such as games, training, and leashed walks. They also need a lot of mental stimulation, so consider enrolling them in agility, obedience, or scent work classes.

You'll also need to pay attention to their health, as they can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, knee problems, skin infections, allergies, and blindness. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy diet can help prevent these issues. Here are some common health issues to watch out for:

In terms of grooming, American Terriers are low shedders, so they require less maintenance than other breeds. Brush them once a week with a rubber mitt or firm bristle brush, and use a damp cloth to smooth out their coat. They also need regular nail trimming, ear checks, and dental care, including daily tooth brushing and annual professional cleanings.

As the owner of a big pitbull-looking dog, you want to ensure they live a happy and healthy life. The American Pit Bull Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and can be susceptible to a range of health issues.

Hip dysplasia is a common inherited disease in bully breeds that causes hip joints to form improperly and can lead to arthritis. If your pup has difficulty getting up or develops lameness in their hind legs, take them to the vet to get X-rays of their joints and have their arthritis managed with medication.

Knee problems are also a concern, particularly with the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) which can rupture over time. Surgery is typically required to repair it.

Skin infections can be a problem if your dog has a lack of zinc or an inability to absorb it, which can cause zinc-responsive dermatosis. Vets can prescribe a regimen of zinc to add to your dog's diet to treat the symptoms.

Allergies can also cause skin issues in bully breeds, triggered by diet ingredients or environmental factors like pollens, grasses, flea activity, and dust mites. Affected dogs may develop symptoms like itching, skin rashes, redness of the skin, and hair loss.

To manage your dog's health, consider non-invasive treatments like hydrotherapy, massage therapy, or supplements like fish oil and glucosamine. A dog hip brace can also help reduce your pup's hip pain.

Here are some potential health issues to watch out for in your big pitbull-looking dog:

Keeping your dog at an ideal weight can help lessen the discomfort on their joints, especially if they have arthritis or mild to moderate hip dysplasia.

American Pit Bull Terriers are highly intelligent and thrive on structure and routine. They need early socialization and obedience training starting at 8 weeks old to become well-adjusted and confident.

A consistent and positive training program is key to developing good behavior in American Pit Bull Terriers. They respond well to rewards, treats, and positive reinforcement techniques.

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Their smarts and lovable nature make them a lot of fun to train, and they excel in advanced dog sports like agility, obedience, and weight pulling. With patience and training, they can live peacefully with other pets in the home.

Exercise and mental stimulation are essential to keep American Pit Bull Terriers happy and healthy. They need at least one to two hours of intense activities every day, such as running, playing tug-of-war, or agility obstacle courses.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a people-pleaser, affectionate, and playful breed that enjoys rough-and-tumble activities, but is also content to relax when it's time to settle down.

They tend to become BFFs with everyone they meet when properly trained and socialized, making them a great family companion.

Aggression towards humans is uncharacteristic of the breed, and biting is no more prevalent than among any other type of dog.

These pups are highly social and love to play, which means they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

They are not a prolific barker and can be a fair watchdog and protector, but it's essential to supervise them around other people and pets.

The breed learns quickly and responds well to positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewards, treats, and love.

Early socialization is crucial, starting at 8 weeks old, to help them get into a comfortable routine and bond with their owners.

With consistent and positive training, American Pit Bull Terriers can thrive and become well-behaved members of the family.

A recent study found that injuries from pit bulls and mixed-breed dogs were both more frequent and more severe. This is based on data from 240 patients over 15 years at the University of Virginia Health System and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

There is no nationwide reporting system for tracking dog bites in the US, which makes it difficult to determine the exact frequency of pit bull attacks. The CDC stopped collecting breed data on dog-bite-related fatalities in 1998.

Pit bulls may be capable of inflicting more severe bites due to their large heads and jaws, but there are countless unreported dog bites from various breeds, sizes, and shapes of dogs.

There are no dogs that are inherently vicious, says Melissa Pezzuto, a behavior consultant. Viciousness and aggression are not breed characteristics or personality traits.

A dog's life experiences, such as abuse and lack of socialization, can lead to viciousness, not a specific breed of dog. This is a crucial point to remember when interacting with any dog.

The American Temperament Test Society rankings show that the Staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier earned high marks for affability. They scored 90.9% and 87.4%, respectively, for their calm demeanor.

In fact, these breeds were less likely to show aggression than many traditional "family dogs", including the beagle, golden retriever, and St. Bernard.

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Pit bulls are often misunderstood, but the truth is that they're a diverse breed with a wide range of behavioral predispositions.

Pit bulls are not a fighting breed, despite their distant relatives being bred for that purpose. In fact, many pit bulls were bred for companionship and are known to be gentle, affectionate, and loyal.

Dogs end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, not just because of their breed. Pit bulls are no exception, and they're often surrendered due to reasons like aggression, energy, or owners moving away.

Pit bulls are highly intelligent and trainable, making them a great breed for obedience training. In fact, they excel in canine sports like agility and dock diving.

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is a misleading and ineffective way to address dog safety concerns. It's based on prejudice and misunderstanding, and 18 states have legislation that prohibits it.