Adopting a pit bull is a solid idea for anyone seeking a loyal, affectionate furry best friend. Even though they have a reputation for being aggressive and lethal dogs, pit bulls are, in reality, intelligent and protective of the owners they love. Originally pit bulls were bred to be companions to watch over children because they had a gentle nature.
However, pit bulls instead became known for being affiliated with dogfighting and biting their owners and other pets in the home, leading to fear and the media spreading fake news about the breed. Unfortunately, this media obsession with shedding a negative light on pit bulls leads to them being abandoned or euthanized.
The good news is that despite what reporters say, most pit bulls are kind and sympathetic and make loving family pets. If you adopt a pit bull, you’ll offer a warm home to a dog desperately needing one and give yourself a chance to own a trustworthy and dedicated friend. This article will discuss what you should know before adopting a pit bull, including its history, personality traits, and the typical lies and misconceptions you will hear about them when watching the news.
Understanding Pit Bulls
Another common name for a pit bull is American Pit Bull Terrier, and it originated in the United States of America around the 19th century. Some other pit bull types from the American Terrier include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the Bull Terrier. Each one varies regarding specific characteristics, but all are medium-sized, bulky, athletic, have smooth coats, and possess a muscular build.
Regarding their behavior, these dogs are delighted and social with strangers and their owners. Some other personality traits you can expect from pit bulls are a high intelligence level and eagerness to serve, making them a pleasure to train. But some drawbacks to their behavior include stubbornness and yearning for independence. The solution to this is constant training and teaching them how to act around everyone they encounter.
In the right environment with responsible owners, pit bulls are safe to own and will form an unbreakable bond with you. Their reputation as being vicious and unpredictable is false and the result of unreliable new stories. The truth is pit bulls are excellent pets for the right family.
Pros and Cons of Adopting a Pit Bull
Pros
- Loyalty: Pit bulls are loyal to the core and dedicated to their owners. They will do almost anything to defend you and ensure you feel safe.
- Loving: Pit bulls are compassionate and enjoy being near their owners. They want attention and feed off connecting with others.
- Intelligent: Pit bulls are smart and love to please, which makes training them simple. With enough time and consistency, they learn all the commands and tricks you want to teach them.
- Protective: This breed is known for having a protective instinct and will risk its life to protect its owners when there is danger.
Cons
- Highly energetic: Pit bulls are super active and need daily exercise and play to keep them happy and healthy long term.
- Needs to be Socialized: Keeping your pit bull socialized is essential, and you need to start from the first day you take them home to prevent aggression against animals and humans.
- Potential for Aggression: While having the ability to be kind and gentle, pit bulls also have the potential to be dangerous if you don’t train them early and get them used to strangers.
- Breed-specific legislation: Several cities and countries have breed-specific legislation restricting citizens from owning pit bulls. This law makes it hard to find housing or travel with your dog.
Things to Expect When Adopting Pit Bulls
Anyone interested in adopting a pit bull should consider a few things to ensure the process runs smoothly.
- Locate a reputable breeder or rescue organization: Conduct thorough research to find the most respected breeder or animal shelter when adopting a pit bull. Find breeders that put the health of their dogs first and conduct health tests regularly. Ask about the dog’s history, personality traits, and any previous medical problems if you go with an animal shelter.
- Preparing to Pick up your Pit Bull: Before taking your new pit bull home, ensure you bought everything necessary for its happiness, a plush bed, high-quality food with a water bowl, exciting toys, and a collar with an extendable leash. Appoint a spot in your home to be your pit bull’s safe space where it can go to feel secure without being disturbed.
- First Steps in Training and Socialization: Pit bulls need daily training and socialization starting when you take them home to avoid them being aggressive and stay a well-behaved member of your family everywhere you go. The best way to start is with fundamental obedience training and positive reinforcement tactics that slowly introduce your dog to strangers and other animals in a safe environment.
- Extra Advice to Guarantee a Smooth Transition: Establish a daily routine and do your best never to miss a day so you don’t break the cycle. You must ensure your pit bull gets lots of exercise and time to play while making it feel loved and cherished. Also, try never to lose your temper and stay patient while training your dog, and if you think you cannot do it alone, hire a trained professional to help you for as long as you need it.
Common Pit Bull Myths and Misconceptions
The mainstream media love to spread negative stereotypes and misinformation about pit bulls. Below are some typical myths about this breed and whether we feel it is true.
- Pit Bulls have locking jaws: This is a popular myth that insinuates this breed can lock their jaws, making it hard to let go of their bite. No scientific evidence backs up this claim, and pit bulls have the same jaw structure as any other breed.
- Pit Bulls are Naturally Violent: Despite being infamous for dog fights and bull-baiting, it doesn’t mean they were born aggressive toward other humans. These dogs are described as fun and affectionate towards people and are ideal pets for the right family.
- All Pit Bulls are Dangerous: This claim is a discriminatory stereotype against this breed and even breed-specific legislation in certain aspects. A well-known fact is that any dog breed can be violent if not appropriately trained and socialized. If you keep an open mind, you will see many friendly and playful pit bulls raised by competent owners.
- Pit Bulls are more likely to attack than other breeds: Despite being involved in several high-profile attacks, studies prove pit bulls are not more likely to bite someone or attack other animals than any different breed. It’s a fact that other breeds, like Chihuahuas and labrador retrievers, are involved in more bites and attacks than pit bulls.
Conclusion
Adopting a pit bull will be a memorable experience for anyone ready to commit to giving this beautiful breed a loving and safe home. Their negative reputation is not based on facts; it has been proven how dedicated, caring, and protective these dogs are, making them the definition of man’s best friend. By studying their history, behavioral traits, and the common myths and misconceptions surrounding them, we can all promote the benefits of responsible ownership of pit bulls. If these efforts are successful, they will help fight discrimination against this noble breed.
