Growth plates, soft areas of immature bones have to close prior to extensive exercise, as these bones are more susceptible to injury, which can cause the bones to stop growing. A six month old Pit Bull can typically tolerate a mile run. Work your Pit Bull up in distance slowly and wait until they are at least a year old to start running more than a mile at a time.

Avoid jumping on a bicycle with your Pit Bull leashed at your side. This activity takes a lot of practice and a well trained dog to successfully exercise in this manner without causing injury to dog or owner. Moving at high speeds on foot with a collar that pulls a dog to one side, usually in front of runner is a combination for a rough fall and a bad case of road rash. Gentle Leaders are great for walks; stick to a regular collar or halter for runs.

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American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Facts | Hill's Pet

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ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics. East Dane Designer Men's Fashion. Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. See Dogs Not Kid Friendly. Anything whizzing by — cats, squirrels, perhaps even cars — can trigger that instinct.

Dogs that like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase, but you'll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by.

See Dogs With Low Intensity. The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the so-called bully breeds often labeled a pit bull. Others, just as forcefully, say they're entirely different breeds. But all experts can agree that the confusion started with a decision by the AKC in the early s to give it a new name, American Staffordshire Terrier, to separate it from its pit-fighting past. The bull breeds are often grossly misunderstood. The qualities that make these dogs tenacious players in obedience and agility games also attract highly unscrupulous people looking for strong competitors for their dog fighting rings.

The sorry result is that bull breeds, in particular the APBT, have gained a reputation over recent years for being dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth. But rampant misinformation and fear caused by the actions of a minority of dogs kept by criminally negligent people have provoked legislation against the breed in a number of cities and countries around the world.

As the owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier you must be aware that you may be met with anger and hostility by people who are misinformed about your wonderful dog. This is not a breed for everyone, especially those who aren't willing to invest time in training and socialization and can't or won't provide consistent firm guidance.

When raised with the proper training and socialization, the American Pit Bull Terrier makes an excellent companion for children. He is loving and gentle with people and often makes a lousy guard dog because of his tail-wagging eagerness to greet the person at the door.

American Pit Bull Terriers are devoted and loyal to their family and will, if necessary, defend them to the death. These dogs are extremely intelligent and learn commands and tricks with ease. They have a zest for life and love to be involved in everything going on around them.

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They maintain a puppyish demeanor well into adulthood, and that vitality makes them a joy to live with. Once you have met and gotten to know this breed you will wonder how you ever lived without one. American Pit Bull Terriers are not a good choice for people who can give them little or no attention. They must be trained and socialized when young to overcome the breed's tendencies toward stubbornness and bossiness, which combined with his strength can make him hard to handle if he hasn't learned you are in charge.

Your American Pit Bull Terrier must be kept on leash in public to prevent aggression toward other dogs. It's not a good idea to let these dogs run loose in dog parks. While they might not start a fight, they'll never back down from one, and they fight to the finish. American Pit Bulls who aren't properly socialized as puppies can become aggressive toward other dogs. Breed-specific legislation almost always includes this breed. Be aware of rules in your area as well as neighboring regions if you travel with your dog. American Pit Bull Terriers have a great need to chew, and powerful jaws make quick work of cheap or flimsy toys.

Give yours only tough, durable toys that can't be chewed up and swallowed. American Pit Bull Terriers are best suited to owners who can offer firm, fair training, and gentle consistent discipline.

American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information and Personality Traits

Bull and terrier breeds were created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull- and bear-baiting. When those sports were deemed inhumane and became illegal , dog-fighting sprung up in its place — and thus was the trait for dog aggression bred into the genetic line. But another part of this breed's genetic makeup is an unwillingness to bite humans.

Handlers reaching into the dog-fighting rings wanted to be able to separate dogs without getting hurt themselves. Quite soon the breed developed a reputation as a strong, protective dog, but one also known for being gentle and family-friendly. When these "bull dogs" accompanied immigrants to America they began new careers as all-around farm dogs.

Their jobs included hunting wild game, guarding the property from animal intruders, and providing companionship. In keeping with the "bigger is better" mindset of their new country, the settlers developed a dog larger than it had been in England. The results are very slight differences in build and in personality.


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Height of 18 to 19 inches for males, 17 to 18 inches for females. Weight ranges from 30 to 85 pounds. 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.

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Socialization helps ensure that your your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. American Pit Bull Terriers are generally healthy, but as with all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all American Pit Bulls Terriers will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. This condition is a malformation of the hip joint ball and socket. It can be extremely painful depending on the severity of the condition.

Dogs who are going to be bred should have x-rays of their hips done at 2 years of age to ensure they do not have this condition.

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Skin allergies are typically caused by such environmental allergens as fleas, grass, pollen, and dust. They can also be food related, but this is less common. Common food allergens include beef, rice, wheat, and corn.

A Happy Healthy American Pit Bull Terrier

Allergies can cause intense itching and discomfort, which means dogs will dig and chew sometimes till they bleed. This is risky because secondary infections can develop in the damaged tissue. To treat allergies, the cause must be identified and removed from the dog's environment if possible. A veterinarian can help you with this, as well as let you know which allergy symptoms can be controlled with medication. This is a dysfunction of the thyroid gland that causes weight gain, poor coat, reproductive problems and other issues.

It usually occurs in middle-aged dogs and can be controlled with daily medication that must continue throughout the dog's life. Heart disease affects these dogs in several forms, with aortic stenosis being most common. Aortic stenosis is a congenital heart defect, meaning it's something the dog is born with.

It's an abnormal narrowing of the connection between the left ventricle and the aorta.