Heartbreaking as it may be, shelters continue to bring in more dogs on a daily basis. The worst part is that many of them end up there due to no fault of their own. With so many loving souls waiting for a forever home, it makes a lot of sense to save a life rather than shop for your new friend, right?
Don’t worry if you already have your heart set on a specific breed such as an American Pit Bull Terrier. This breed can easily be found in many different shelters. Keep in mind, before rushing off to your local shelter to welcome home your new buddy bully, there are some things you need to know.
What You Need To Know Before Adopting A Pitbull
1. The Stigma Is False
2. Activity Is A Must
3. Are They Tolerant?
4. Know The Local Laws
5. Someone Will Have An Opinion
6. Males And Females
7. Puppy Or Adult?
8. Pay Attention To Their Behavior
9. They’re Actually Great With Kids
10. Do You Have Space?
1. The Stigma About Pit Bull Terriers Is False
You’ve probably heard the terrifying stories of this breed’s lockjaw, hostile temperament and brain swelling that causes craziness in their later years, right? Well, none of this is true. American Pit Bull Terriers are just like any other dog when it comes to their anatomy. The stories you’ve heard are merely gossip and rumors.
2. Activity Is A Must
The majority of Pit Bull mix breeds need plenty of activity throughout their day. Being energetic and athletic dogs, the last thing you want to do is keep them cooped up. Find ways to keep your furry friend entertained so they can burn off some of that energy.
3. Are They Tolerant?
Believe it or not, aggression toward other animals is not a breed specific issue. With all dogs being different, every breed has the potential to become aggressive in social situations. If you have other dogs at home, it would be a good idea to ask the shelter about your new friend’s tolerance for other animals.
4. Know The Local Laws
Sadly, animal abuse and bad training have led some bully mixes into making poor decisions. Unfortunately, these actions have led some communities into thinking all Pit Bull breeds are dangerous. This couldn’t be further from the truth, but that’s not how the law sees it in certain areas. Make sure you brush up on your local laws to see if they are a prohibited breed in your area.
5. Someone Will Have An Opinion
All of the false hype that has spread around about this breed has given them a really bad name. Many people go off what they hear rather than taking the time to learn the truth. For this reason, someone in the public will likely have a negative opinion of your new friend. Prepare yourself for the occasional smug look and learn to brush it off.
6. Male And Female Pit Bulls
Most people aren’t very concerned about the sex of an animal when adopting. However, Pit Bull mixes require a little more thought. Bullys of the same sex can be more likely to show aggression toward one another. While the chance that this will happen is slight, it’s still important to keep in mind. However, it’s also important to remember that this is something that happens across all breeds.
7. Puppy Or Adult?
There’s no way to deny that puppies are adorable. There’s also no way to deny that they require a lot more work than an adult. Puppies require a great deal of time, attention and training. If you have a rather busy schedule, an adult American Pit Bull Terrier is likely your best option.
8. Pay Attention To Their Behavior
Just as with any other breed you may find in a shelter, some Pit’s haven’t had the best past. Sadly, this breed is often subject to abuse. The emotional and psychological wounds it leaves on them can sometimes take a lifetime to heal. While this may not be their fault, a pit mix with a bad past may not be the best fit for your home. Pay attention to their behavior and watch for signs of anxiety or aggression.
9. Pit Bulls Are Actually Great With Kids
Have you ever wondered “are American Pitbull Terriers good with babies and kids?” If you were to ask someone with children if they would be willing to adopt any type of Pit Bull, there’s a good chance they would say no. In reality, this is quite odd because this breed actually has a long history of being great with kids. If you do have children at home, you may want to consider adopting a puppy so that your new friend can grow with your children. It’s also important to teach your kids how to properly play with your new family member.
10. Do You Have Space?
American Pit Bull Terriers aren’t really the best fit for people with limited space. They like to run and play which can be hard to achieve in apartments or houses with small yards. However, if you’re willing to put in the extra work to walk them multiple times per day and find creative ways to help them get the exercise they need, they will still make a great addition to a small space.
So, after reading the above information, do you feel like an American Pit Bull Terrier would be a good fit for your home? What matters most is that you make an informed decision and not one based off of the crazy stories floating around that have little to no truth behind them. I hope what you have read has cleared up some of the confusion and made your choice simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you adopt a Pitbull?
If you’re interested in adopting an American Pitbull Terrier you should know that these dogs are loyal, caring, and quite affectionate. Their grooming needs are minimal making them low maintenance and they don’t have a lot of health issues to watch out for. They make great friends and are amazing home protectors. Overall, this breed will fit well into most homes without any need for concern.
Do shelters kill Pit Bulls?
Sadly, in a lot of cases they do. Unfortunately, Pit bulls and Pitbull mixes are being euthanized at an alarming rate, often as soon as they are brought to a municipal shelter to no fault of their own. There’s a good chance that adopting an American Pitbull Terrier will save its life.
Are American Pitbull Terriers aggressive?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but it’s important to realize that this has nothing to do with the breed. Every dog is unique, has its own personality, as well as its own temperament. Due to this breed’s history as being used as a fighting dog, many people assume that they are aggressive by nature but that simply isn’t true. Aggressive pit bulls are the result of bad humans and bad training, not bad dogs.
Do American Pitbull Terriers get along with other dogs?
American Pitbull Terriers often do get along with other dogs, especially when they are socialized from an early age. This may not always be the case though. Some may get along with all dogs, some may only get along with dogs of the opposite sex, and some may not get along with any other dogs at all. It might be a good idea to ask how tolerant an American Pitbull terrier is before adopting.
Do Pitbulls get along with cats?
While this breed does have a strong prey drive, training them to get along with cats is more than possible. In fact, some may naturally get along with cats with no training at all. It’s recommended that you keep an eye on a Pitbull around a cat when they first meet to determine whether or not training will be necessary to create a safe environment for all of your furry friends.
Do Pitbulls turn on their owners?
It’s important to realize that all dogs can potentially attack their owner, regardless of their breed. American Pitbull Terrier attacks are extremely rare, but there is a slight possibility of it occurring. However, with proper training, a loving family, and a safe environment for them, they are no more dangerous than a smaller breed such as a Chihuahua or a Jack Russell Terrier.
Are Pit Bulls good house dogs?
Pit Bulls and Pitbull mixes actually make great house dogs, despite what you might have heard in exaggerated headlines. They even get along great with kids which makes them an amazing breed for a family household. On top of that, they can be a deterrent for possible intruders. They are kind of like a furry little security system.
Are American Pit Bull Terriers easy to train?
American Pit Bull Terriers are incredibly intelligent and enjoy learning new things. For these reasons, they are some of the easiest dogs to train. With enough patience, time, and effort, you can train your pitty to do just about anything.
Do Pitbulls like to cuddle?
Absolutely! It won’t be long before your furry friend is leaning on you, laying its head on your lap, or curling up with you when it’s time to lay down at night. This breed is extremely affectionate, and they aren’t shy about showing it.
How often should Pitbulls be walked?
It should be no surprise when looking at an American Pitbull Terrier’s muscle structure that they could easily walk throughout an entire day. Luckily, that’s not necessary to give them adequate exercise. Two walks a day for about 30 minutes each will help them burn off some of their energy and stay in great health.
