Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier Breed Information and Care

Pit Bulls are a loyal and affectionate breed, known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are often described as "nanny dogs" due to their gentle nature around children.

Pit Bulls are a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 35-60 pounds and standing between 17-20 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.

One of the most distinctive features of the Pit Bull breed is their broad, flat head and muscular build. This physical characteristic has led to their use in various forms of dog fighting, which is illegal in many countries.

To care for a Pit Bull, it's essential to provide regular exercise, such as daily walks and playtime, to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A balanced diet and plenty of attention from their owners will also help to keep them happy and healthy.

The American Pit Bull Terrier's history dates back to the 19th century when dog fanciers in England, Ireland, and Scotland experimented with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers.

These early breeders were looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog, and their efforts resulted in a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors.

The breed was first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1898, with the first registered dog being Bennett's Ring, owned by UKC founder C. Z. Bennett.

Immigrants brought these bull-and-terrier crosses to the United States, where they were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions.

The breed's many talents did not go unnoticed, and today the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility in various dog sports and activities.

The bull-and-terrier was a breed of dog developed in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century for the blood sports of dog fighting and rat baiting.

It was created by crossing the ferocious, thickly muscled Old English Bulldog with the agile, lithe, feisty Black and Tan Terrier.

The aggressive Old English Bulldog was often pitted against its own kind in organized dog fights, but it was found that lighter, faster dogs were better suited to dogfighting than the heavier Bulldog.

To produce a lighter, faster, more agile dog that retained the courage and tenacity of the Bulldog, outcrosses from local terriers were tried, and ultimately found to be successful.

In the United States, organized dog fights have been progressively outlawed in various states since 1874, culminating in federal legislation criminalizing animal fighting in 2007.

The breed's association with dogfighting led to the American Kennel Club rejecting breeders' entreaties to recognize the breed in the 1890s.

In response, breeders established the United Kennel Club in 1898, which became a rival kennel club to the American Kennel Club.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog with a solidly built, short-coated body and smooth, well-defined musculature.

They are powerful and athletic, with a body that's just slightly longer than tall. Bitches may be slightly longer in body than dogs.

Their length of front leg is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. This means their front legs should be proportionate to their overall size.

The head is broad and flat, with a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped.

The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The breed comes in all colors and color patterns except merle.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic.

The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers.

The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped.

The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and color patterns except merle.

This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy. Balance and harmony of all parts are critical components of breed type.

Any disproportionate overdone characteristic, such as short legs, excessive bone, or massive head or body, that would interfere with physical activity or working ability is considered an eliminating fault.

The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth. This is a desirable trait in the breed.

A scissors bite is the ideal bite for the American Pit Bull Terrier, where the upper and lower teeth meet in a harmonious scissor-like motion.

A level bite is considered a fault in the breed. This means that the upper and lower teeth do not meet in the correct scissor-like motion.

Undershot and overshot bites are serious faults in the breed. This means that the lower or upper teeth protrude beyond the normal bite.

Missing teeth can also be a serious fault, unless they were lost or removed by a veterinarian.

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The hindquarters of a dog are a vital part of its physical appearance, and breeders pay close attention to this area when evaluating a dog's conformation.

A well-developed hindquarters should be strong, muscular, and moderately broad, with a well-filled rump that's deep from the pelvis to the crotch.

The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters should be in balance with the forequarters, which means that the hind legs should be in proportion to the front legs.

The thighs should be well-developed with thick, easily discerned muscles, and the hock joint should be well-bent when viewed from the side.

The rear pasterns should be well-let down and perpendicular to the ground when viewed from the side, and straight and parallel to one another when viewed from the rear.

If a dog's hindquarters are too narrow, shallow from pelvis to crotch, or lacking in muscle, it can be a major fault.

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As a responsible pit bull owner, it's essential to know the general health information that affects your furry friend. Many diseases and health conditions are genetic, meaning they're related to your pet's breed.

American Pit Bull Terriers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, such as parvo, rabies, and distemper, which can be preventable through vaccination.

Your pit bull's health is also influenced by their weight, as being overweight can lead to arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering.

Hip dysplasia is a common inherited disease in American Pit Bull Terriers, causing the hip joints to form improperly and leading to arthritis.

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To keep your pit bull happy and healthy, it's essential to establish a routine care schedule. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed, picking up after yourself, and blocking off rooms as necessary.

A consistent diet is also crucial. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for your pit bull's age, and avoid giving her people food. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy, and brush her coat at least weekly. Don't forget to brush her teeth at least twice a week to keep them perfect.

Here are some key care and lifestyle tips to keep in mind:

Taking care of your American Pit Bull Terrier at home is all about common sense. Watch her diet, make sure she gets plenty of exercise, regularly brush her teeth and coat, and call a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that your vet recommends.

A consistent routine is key to keeping your Pit happy and healthy. Build her routine care into your schedule to help her live longer, stay healthier, and be happier. This includes supervising her as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed and picking up after yourself to keep her out of trouble.

Brushing your Pit's coat is a low-maintenance task that should be done at least weekly. You should also brush her teeth at least twice a week to keep them perfect. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy, to prevent infections.

Exercise is crucial for your Pit's physical and mental health. Keep her mind and body active with regular exercise, but don't overdo it at first. A high-quality diet appropriate for her age is also essential, and you should feed her consistently to prevent digestive issues.

Here are some essential care tasks to remember:

In animal shelters, pit bulls often face challenges due to public stigma. Many people consider them undesirable, making it harder for shelters to adopt them out.

Animal shelter workers may intentionally misidentify pit bulls to improve adoption rates or avoid euthanizing them in jurisdictions where they are banned. This practice is not recommended by animal advocates.

Pit bulls have higher rates of unsuccessful adoptions compared to other types of dogs. They are also more likely to be returned to a shelter multiple times and eventually euthanized.

The reasons behind failed pit bull adoptions are unclear, but behavioral problems or incompatibility with existing pets are common issues.

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Breed-specific legislation has been enacted in several jurisdictions in response to reported pit bull attacks, but it's largely ineffective at reducing dog attacks.

Research has shown that breed-specific legislation has been met with resistance from those in the adoption industry and veterinarians.

Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls apply their restriction to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds, as well as dogs with similar physical characteristics.

The Canadian province of Ontario is one such example, where pit bulls are restricted.

Denver, Colorado lifted its ban on pit bulls in 2021 after a referendum voted to repeal the ban.

Courts in the United States and Canada have ruled that expert identification, using published breed standards, is sufficient for enforcing breed-specific legislation.

Experts often debate whether apparent aggressive tendencies in pit bulls are due to poor ownership or natural breed behavior.

In England, Wales, and Scotland, the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 prohibits owning American Pit Bull Terriers, along with three other breeds, and also bans breeding, selling, and exchanging these dogs.

Similar legislation exists in Australia.

In Ireland, American Pit Bull Terriers must be led by someone at least 16 years old, kept on a short strong lead, muzzled, and wear a collar with the owner's name and address in public.

In Germany, the importation of pit bulls is banned.

Despite being a banned breed, there were 3,316 registered pit bull-type dogs in England and Wales in 2023, an increase from the 2,323 registered ten years earlier.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complex relationship with society, as evident from the words of a rescue facility. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it's essential to keep an open mind when learning about this breed.

Responsible ownership is crucial, and serious Pit Bull owners wish that "bleeding hearts" would not take one of these dogs without doing their research. The most common plea for help at a rescue facility is from owners who underestimated the needs of this breed.

Before acquiring an American Pit Bull Terrier, it's wise to do as much research as possible and make an informed decision.

Breed-specific legislation has been enacted in several jurisdictions, but it's largely been found to be ineffective at reducing dog attacks.

Research has shown that breed-specific legislation can be met with resistance from those in the adoption industry and veterinarians.

Courts in the US and Canada have ruled that expert identification, using published breed standards, is sufficient for enforcing breed-specific legislation.

In fact, in Denver, Colorado, a referendum was held in 2021 to repeal the city's ban on pit bulls, and the ban was lifted.

Some jurisdictions classify the American Bulldog as a "pit bull-type dog", which can lead to confusion.

The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 in England, Wales, and Scotland prohibits the ownership of American Pit Bull Terriers, along with three other breeds.

Similar legislation exists in Australia, and in Ireland, American Pit Bull Terriers must be led by someone at least 16 years old and muzzled in public.

Despite being banned, there were 3,316 registered pit bull-type dogs in England and Wales in 2023.

Liability insurance is a crucial aspect to consider as an American Pit Bull Terrier owner.

Dog owners in the United States can be held legally liable for injuries inflicted or caused by their dogs.

If you're found to be unreasonably careless in handling or restraining your dog, or if you knew beforehand that your dog had a tendency to cause injury, you could be held liable.

Some insurance companies limit their exposure to dog bite liability claims by putting restrictions on dog owners that they insure.

Owners of rental properties may also be held liable if they knew an aggressive dog was living on their property and they did nothing to ensure the safety of other tenants at the property.

Many rental properties forbid pit bull-type dogs and any other breeds if the rental property's insurance will not cover damage inflicted by that type of dog.

Insurance companies often refuse to cover dog bites under their policies or increase insurance rates for homeowners with specific breeds.

Specific breeds not covered by insurance companies include pit bull-type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, and Chow Chows.

In 2013, Farmers Insurance notified policyholders in California that it will no longer cover bites by pit bulls, Rottweilers, and wolf-dog hybrids.

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We need to approach the American Pit Bull Terrier with an open mind, understanding the breed's history and the challenges it has faced. They've endured a lot over the years.

Research is key before bringing one of these dogs into your life. Serious Pit Bull owners want people to make informed decisions, not just take them in on a whim.

It's not uncommon for well-meaning individuals to take on a Pit Bull, only to realize they've bitten off more than they can chew. This is a common plea for help that Villalobos Rescue Center receives.

Pit Bull type dogs require intelligent, responsible, and dedicated ownership to thrive.

They can make great family companions, but it's essential to understand their inherent traits and the selective breeding that shaped them.

Unfortunately, many people obtain Pit Bulls for the wrong reasons, such as dog-to-dog combat, which is a fact that can't be denied or ignored.

To provide responsible ownership, potential Pit Bull owners need to understand the breed's history and characteristics.

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was originally bred for dog-to-dog combat, a fact that's still relevant today.

Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs, but they require careful consideration and understanding from their owners.

The Pit Bull breeders and owners' community, such as the PBRC, is committed to educating potential owners about the breed's needs and characteristics.

Pit Bulls are a great breed, but they're not for everyone, and it's crucial to understand their needs before bringing one home.