Adoreable Pit Bull | Dog Breed

Pit bull is the common name for a type of dog. Formal breeds often considered to be of the pit bull type include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Stafford shire Terrier, American Bully, and Stafford shire Bull Terrier.The American Bulldog is also sometimes included. Many of these breeds were originally developed as fighting dogs from cross breeding bull-baiting dogs and terriers. After the use of dogs in blood sports was banned, such dogs were used as catch dogs in the United States for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt and drive livestock, and as family companions.Despite dog fighting now being illegal in the United States, it still exists as an underground activity, and pit bulls are a common breed of choice.

These days, pit bulls often make headlines and it’s rarely good news. If it isn’t about an attack on a child or a shooting by police, it’s a tale of neglect or abuse. The heat of such reports has forged a frightening image of the pit bull as having a hair-trigger temper and a lock-jawed bite. But pit bull advocates and some experts say the dogs get a bad rap. They say the dogs are not inherently aggressive, but in many cases suffer at the hands of irresponsible owners drawn to the dog's macho image who encourage aggression for fighting and protection.

Personality

These dogs love people and have no idea that their size is something of a deterrent to being a lap dog. Confident and keenly aware of their surroundings, they are watchdogs in that they may alert you to the presence of strangers, but that's primarily because they're eager to greet "their" guests. While their love of people makes them failures as guard dogs, their courage is unmatched and they will defend their family with their lives. Like every dog,Pit Bulls need early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Characteristics

Pit Bulls have great physical and mental characteristics that make them excellent partners for responsible, active, and caring owners. On the other hand, these same outstanding qualities can make them a little difficult to handle for people who don’t have a lot of experience with dog ownership or for those who don’t understand the breed very well.

Training

Luckily, Pit Bulls are very responsive to training and eager to please. It is therefore strongly recommended to take them to obedience classes as soon as they are up to date with their shots. (Pit Bulls are prone to distemper and parvo, so it is important that they receive all their vaccinations before coming into contact with other dogs or going places that other dogs frequent). A well-behaved and obedient Pit Bull will be a great ambassador for the breed and help fight prejudice and misconceptions. Pit Bulls are very adaptable and will even do well in urban living, provided they have enough exercise or other positive outlets for their energy. Many Pit Bulls are easy going couch potatoes, but can also be quite rambunctious until they mature. Maturity can come pretty late with this breed (2 to 3 years old in some cases). Pit Bulls remain playful all their life and have a great sense of humor. These dogs will make you laugh like no other.

Origins and Nature

The American Pit Bull Terrier is technically the only true pit bull, although the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are often referred to as pit bulls. So are a handful of other breeds and mixed breeds. Pit bulls were originally used for bull- and bear-baiting, and later were bred to fight dogs in an arena. They had “a fabulous reputation early on and were considered the ideal family pet because they were so good with people,” Reid says. “Petey” from The Little Rascals was a pit bull. Helen Keller, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Fred Astaire all had the breed as family pets. But the tide turned in the late 1990s, when pit bulls became popular among people who "weren’t focused on the positive attributes of the breed - they were looking for a strong, scary-looking dog," Reid says.

Physical appearance of Pit bull

The most important thing about their physical appearance is their correct proportion of weight and height. Pit Bull’s physical appearance shows strength, power, and passion. Their head shape is similar to that of the broad brick, especially the cheeks, which hold extremely powerful jaws. Their bite is scissor-y and ferocious! Meanwhile, their necks are muscular as are their whole bodies! They are very strong for their size and are extremely light, athletic, and speedy dogs, which are also well-known to have a very high jump! Their ears generally get cropped, but cropping them is optional. If not cropped, they are curled forward and down! Their tails are thin, long and somewhat pointy. Some may even duck their Pit Bulls’ tails, but this will not allow your Pit Bull to be accepted as a regular breed, though! Some Pit Bulls have blue eyes, although they are not accepted as a regular breed, just as the ones that have merle coat colors. Their coats are made up of thick, short and shiny hair and the colors may include shades of brown to red. Their noses should match their coat-color. Red-nose Pit Bulls are the ones that have the brown and red coat colors. Whereas, Blue-nose Pit Bulls have a coat that includes shades of gray and a matching gray nose!

Height,weight and Life Span

Height and weight variations between matured male and female Pit Bulls: Female Weight: 14 to 36 kg Female Height: 45.72 cm, Male Weight: 14 to 36 kg Male Height: 48.26 cm Life Span: 8 to 15 years old.

HEALTH

Pit Bulls are generally healthy, however they are prone to hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, allergies and congenital heart disease. 

Hip Dysplasia 
Is a malformation of the hip joint. It is a very painful condition, depending on the severity of it. It is advisable to get your dog for an X-ray while the dog is 2 years of age in order to check out their hip condition, just in case! 

Hypothyroidism 
Is the dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which may cause weight gain, poor coat, and reproductive problems among others! 

Heart Disease 
Could be caused by aortic stenosis, which is the most common condition and it is a congenital heart defect – meaning a condition that your dog is born with. It is a narrowing of the connection between the left ventricle and the aorta!