Pitbulls love to cuddle, lick your face and remain close to you. Pitbulls are pack animals and like to always be at their owner’s side. This also makes them great pets for people who live in apartments or tiny houses. These dogs don’t mind snuggling up in a cozy spot as long as they can sit right next to you – sometimes, they want to be right on your lap!
While they have gotten a bad rap for being aggressive and violent over the years, they aren’t different from most dog breeds. It’s up to you to create a nurturing bond with your dog; if you do, the rewards are splendid!
With early training and care, your Pittie is an overgrown lapdog that wants to lean on you whenever possible and enjoy a cuddle and a belly rub. If you want a dog that loves physical affection and wants nothing more than to be in your proximity and ready for a cuddle at all times, there is no option better than a pit bull.
Pit Bull Development
Understanding why pit bulls like to cuddle so much will help to know a bit about how this breed was developed and how that plays a role in modern Pitbulls’ behavior and temperament.
Pitbulls are the result of cross-breeding between Terriers and Bulldogs. English Terriers and Bulldogs are large, powerful dog breeds developed for physical tasks like herding and hunting. In the past, Pitbulls were associated with many not-so-popular tasks, such as hog hunting and bull baiting. More recently, they were used for dog fights.
While these tasks give the dogs a bad reputation, there is another side to the coin. These activities require an animal that is physically well-built and can properly carry out instructions and intelligently handle a situation. This is one of the features of this breed that make it an excellent family dog.
Pitbulls love to please, which is one reason they are so affectionate. They are highly adaptable, and they love human companionship. However, they can be a handful and challenging for someone without dog experience.
Pit Bull Temperament
The Pitbull is a generally happy dog. You will often find a Pitbull wagging its tail intensely, jumping up when it’s happy, kissing and licking its owner, and snuggling up to its pet parent for some love.
Some of the things that give this breed a unique temperament include:
Bite Inhibition – While Pitbulls do have one of the strongest bites of any dog breed, they have been developed not to want to bite. However, they can be highly ferocious if they are triggered to attack.
In the past, when pit bulls were used for hunting and dog fighting, they needed to be easy to control in volatile situations. Dog owners needed a dog that could be controlled even in the heat of the moment, and bite inhibition helped with this purpose.
Worker Breed – Pitbulls have been developed as a working breed. Whether in the form of herding dogs, rescue dogs, or any other purpose, they have been bred to work with humans in different conditions. It is in their nature to have a deep relationship with their pet parents, and they love to have a job to do for their human guardians.
Care – They can be a handful for new dog owners due to their strong-willed nature and physical strength. People often get overwhelmed by this breed and put them up for adoption. Pitbulls are amongst the most neglected breeds.
Taking one from a shelter can be hard to train an animal with such a troubled past. However, it is possible and extremely rewarding. Getting help from a qualified trainer goes a long way!
Being intelligent animals, they are very conscious of how people treat them. Once they understand that they are now under the care of a loving pet parent, they will show their appreciation and affection.
Why Are Pit Bulls Cuddly?
Pitbulls are tough dogs. They can withstand physical stress a lot better than other dogs. A small bump, a fall, or rough play doesn’t physically hurt these dogs as much as other breeds. This could be why these dogs need and enjoy more physical stimulation than other breeds.
Since they are physically less sensitive, they need more stimulation to feel love and affection. Similarly, they will be more likely to express their love through physical gestures like hugging, cuddling, and physical contact with their owners.
Overall, pit bulls tend to be more affectionate than other breeds and love showing affection through physical gestures. They will want to sit right next to you on the sofa to lean into you and properly feel your body on them. They will want to sit up on your lap whenever possible, and they enjoy getting their belly rubbed.
Pitbulls love human attention, and they are especially wary of children. Children provide dogs with endless hours of stimulation and attention, and these dogs are very friendly with children.
However, this is a big dog breed, so you must be careful when you have a Pitbull around children. These dogs love to play and aren’t always aware of their size and weight, so ensure you supervise your children until they have developed a comfortable relationship and know how to handle the dog.
Who Do Pit Bulls Love the Most?
Pitbulls can love anyone and anything. They love human companionship, whether it is their pet parent, neighbor, or someone they meet when walking down the street. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Pitbulls are among the most loving and affectionate dog breeds we consider ‘family dogs.’
The only problem is that to get the best behavior from a Pitbull, the guardian needs to be a strong and level-headed person who can perform the role of the pack leader. Otherwise, you give the pitbull room to create rules and behave according to its thinking rather than what you want from a domestic dog.
Pitbulls, like other dogs, will naturally have a soft spot for the person they spend the most time with, especially if this person is also responsible for giving the dogs meals, boundaries, taking them out for walks, and tending to other basic needs of the dog.
However, if you are keeping a Pitbull in a family environment, you can be sure the dog will show affection to everyone. Many Pitbull owners have noted that these dogs have a soft spot for kids and love having them around.
Pit Bull Affection
Pitbulls will show their affection in many ways. The most common is their tendency to want to be physically close to the person they like. This could be just sitting next to them, leaning into them as they walk together, or even jumping into their lap and begging to be petted. While this loving behavior is enjoyable, given the size of the dogs, it can be a little tough to manage for some people.
Final Thoughts
Pitbulls are cuddly and love showing their owners what they mean to them. They have a lot of energy that needs to be stimulated to avoid becoming too clingy or developing a case of separation anxiety. So, ensure your pooch has a consistent daily routine that involves a lot of exercise.
Too much energy in these dogs can lead to dangerous behavior and aggressive play. While these dogs aren’t a threat with the proper training, they can become difficult to handle if they are left to live on their terms or the owner does not reinforce certain behaviors.
