Pitt Bull puppies are adorable and sweet, but do you know what to expect if you want to get a Pit Bull puppy?
The first thing you should know is that Pit Bull is not an actual breed, but rather a general name used in the USA for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, the American Bully, and the American Pit Bull Terrier, which are all different breeds.
In the UK, Pit Bull is the name used to refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier. This is the breed that we will examine in this article.
The other fact you are probably aware of already is that Pit Bulls are unfortunately often misunderstood, feared, and in many areas banned due to their reputation as dogfighting and aggressive dogs.
So, what can you really expect when you get a Pit Bull puppy, and how to counteract the common belief that the American Pit Bull Terrier is a fierce and dangerous breed?
Read on to find out more.
They are gentle and loving family dogs
For years, Pit Bulls have been referred to as “Nanny dogs” because, according to historians and fanciers of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed, they have been used for keeping the children in the family safe for centuries.
As with any other dog breed and mix, when properly socialized from an early age, a Pit Bull puppy will be a loving member of the entire family, kids included.
The dogs from this breed are very loyal and bond with their humans. They are not natural guard dogs but can step in to defend a member of the family if they sense danger.
You should get ready for lots of games and get some strong chew toys
Your Pit Bull puppy will require a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation in order to grow and develop healthy and well and to stay away from troublesome or destructive behavior.
So, it is a suitable dog for an active owner or family who is ready to spend as much time interacting with their pup as possible.
Plus, your Pit Bull puppy will have strong jaws and will love spending time chewing, so it is recommended that you get him or her some strong and durable chew toys, which are safe and will not fall apart and become a choking hazard for the puppy.
Today’s Pitt Bulls are not the same as the old Bull-baiting dogs
This cruel blood sport involving dogs and bulls or sometimes bears was practiced in England, Ireland, and North America in the 17th to 19th century when Bull-Baiting was finally outlawed with local cruelty to animal acts and laws.
The dogs used for these cruel sports included different Bulldogs and Bull Terriers. But today’s Pit Bulls have all of those aggressive tendencies bred out of them.
But even in those old times, the dogs used for Bull baiting would rarely bite their owners or humans, as this has always been an unwanted trait.
Today, a Pit Bull puppy or dog is not naturally aggressive to humans or animals unless it has specifically been trained to be and unless it hasn’t been socialized in a timely and proper manner.
Pitt Bull puppies require a lot of training and socializing
When they are young, Pit Bull puppies can be pretty stubborn and even bossy. At the same time, they are highly intelligent and easy to train with the proper training methods and consistency.
They need obedience training with positive reinforcement and socializing if you want a well-mannered, socially skilled, and non-aggressive dog.
You can expect some discrimination against your Pit Bull puppy
Just like with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and similar breeds, Pit Bulls are still being discriminated against and often misunderstood and portrayed as aggressive and vicious dogs. They are actually banned in some countries and areas.
The fact is that a well-trained and socialized Pit Bull has a much more loving and pleasant temperament than that of many other dog breeds.
Still, there are some people who continue using dogs from this breed for illegal dogfighting events, which worsens their general reputation.
Before adopting or buying a Pit Bull puppy, make sure that there is no Breed Specific Legislation ruling against owning a Pit Bull in your area because otherwise, you may get your puppy seized.
If you are considering getting a Pit Bull puppy, please check the rescue centers and shelters in your area for any pups from this breed looking for forever homes.