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American Pit Bull Terrier
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The American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized as a registered breed by the United Kennel Club in the United States and has been since 1898. They are also recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association. In many cases, however, the term “pit bull” refers to a general category of dogs that has been used for dog fighting, or to cross-bred dogs of this type. American Pit Bull Terriers are kept as pets and they can make very loving and devoted companions, excelling at sports such as weight pulling, agility, fly ball and obedience. Of the 25 dogs which have earned UKC “superdog” titles, 14 of the dogs have been American Pit Bull Terriers.
Breed History
The American Pit Bull Terrier dates back to the 19th century when British sportsmen experimented with dog breeding for the purposes of creating a superior fighting dog. They bred bulldogs to terriers to combine the strength and athleticism of the bulldog with the gameness of the terrier. At first the dogs were used to bait bulls and bears. However, these sports were outlawed in 1835. Afterwards, the dogs were used by being placed in a pit with rats for sport, thus adding the term “pit” to their name. Eventually the dogs became more popular as pets because of their friendly temperament toward people.
In the United States these dogs were used by farmers and ranchers for protection, to round up cattle and hogs, for hunting and even to drive livestock. During World War I and II they were used as messenger dogs on the battlefield. Around the turn of the 19th-20th century the dogs were very popular in the United States as companions. The dog Petey in the Little Rascal films was an American Pit Bull Terrier and APBTs were often used in family advertising.
Following World War II the popularity of the American Pit Bull Terrier began to decline in favor of other bull and terrier breeds, though all of these dogs had similar origins in the early 19th century.
Today the American Pit Bull Terrier suffers from a great deal of bad publicity in the United States and around the world. They have been banned in some countries and breed specific legislation has been passed in many communities aimed at them. Wherever dog fighting is alleged to occur, which is illegal throughout the United States, these dogs are most often associated with it. In fact, the dogs have not changed since they were popular as family companions. Anyone may abuse dogs by making them participate in an illegal activity. The dogs should not be blamed.
Appearance
In appearance the American Pit Bull Terrier is medium-sized with a short, smooth coat. They have well-defined muscles. The ears are small to medium and may be natural or cropped. Dogs stand 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds. Any color is acceptable.
In The Home
The American Pit Bull Terrier is friendly and affectionate toward its family. They are very loving and loyal dogs. They are usually friendly toward strangers, although many people are afraid of them because of their reputations.
The APBT can be aggressive toward other dogs and pets unless they are well socialized from a young age. Proper socialization is very important with this breed. If you have an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy you will need to make sure that you take him places with you from the time he’s a puppy. Introduce him to new things and new places. Have friendly strangers pet him and give him treats. Allow him to meet other friendly dogs on leashes. A puppy kindergarten class is a great idea for this breed, where he can meet and socialize with other puppies his age and learn to interact with them.
You will also need to teach your puppy basic obedience lessons from a young age. It’s important for you to always be in control of your APBT when he’s an adult. Whether or not these dogs have any more problems than other dogs, there is a public perception that they do. For this reason you will need to be able to control your dog at all times. Teach your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques such as praise and rewards and he should learn very quickly. You may also want to consider enrolling your puppy in a class for obedience, such as a puppy preschool class so he can learn basic good manners.
Some communities require American Pit Bull Terriers to complete Canine Good Citizen tests to show that they are well-behaved. A puppy preschool class should teach your puppy most of what he needs to know to pass this kind of class.
If you get an American Pit Bull Terrier you may also find that you have issues with your home insurance company. Some companies will not insure home owners who own this breed, or they may require a Canine Good Citizen class as proof of your dog’s good behavior. Talk to your insurance company if you have questions.
Good training and socialization can help you and your APBT avoid many problems. These are smart dogs with a high energy level. They need to have a lot of exercise to avoid problems like destructive chewing and boredom.
According to the UKC, “aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable.” The American Temperament Testing Society showed that 86 percent of American Pit Bull Terriers received a passing score, which was higher than many other popular breeds.
Care
Grooming for the APBT is relatively easy. They have a short, smooth coat and you will need to brush your dog about once a week to prevent excess shedding. You will also need to clean your dog’s ears regularly and trim his nails regularly.
As with other breeds, the APBT is subject to some health problems. If you are interested in getting an American Pit Bull Terrier you should talk to a good breeder about possible health issues in the breed. Ask about health testing. Health testing can often prevent health problems from being passed along to a dog’s offspring.
Some of the health problems which can occur in the breed include hip dysplasia, luxating patellas (slipped kneecaps), thyroid problems and congenital heart problems.
The American Pit Bull Terrier typically lives between 12 and 14 years.
Where to Find an American Pit Bull Terrier
Because of the issues facing this breed and the importance of having a dog with a good temperament, it’s important to get a dog from a good breeder. The parent breed club for the breed in the United States is the National American Pit Bull Terrier Association. You can contact them for information about breeders and for more information about the breed.
There are numerous rescue organizations for bully breed dogs in the United States. Some of the dogs rescued by these groups may be American Pit Bull Terriers and others may be cross-bred dogs or other kinds of bully breed dogs. It’s a good idea to talk to some of these groups if you are interested in getting a rescued American Pit Bull Terrier. They can fill you in on everything you need to know.
You can also check with your local animal shelter about bully breed dogs. They probably have some of these dogs in their kennels. However, you should always talk to people who know these breeds before getting one of these dogs. They can make wonderful pets but they are not always a good dog for a first-time dog owner, especially if they have issues from a previous bad situation.
Other Names: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Pit Bull
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American Pit Bull Terrier Reviews
Grooming (76%) |
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Exercise (76%) |
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Feeding (64%) |
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Temperament (96%) |
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Watchdog (80%) |
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Number of reviews: 5
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