So You Want an American Pit Bull Terrier?

You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull5-10-15 minutes perday, everyday, all week, every
Terrier youwant as your companion. Are you readyweek, all year, every year, youmay want to rethink
for this breed? Read thisarticle and then decide if youyour decision to get a Pit Bulldog.
want to go ahead with yourdecision.Actually, if you're not prepared to train your dog, you
Does your lifestyle fit the American Pit Bullshouldrethink getting any dog. Training is a fact of life
Terrierlifestyle?and must bedone in order to prevent a lot of trouble
These dogs are packed with energy from head todown the road.
toe. Craving agood run like a champion athlete.If you can not control your dog, you don't need one.
Exercise is critical to aheathy, happy bulldog. HighCan you afford them?
energy is their middle name and is alarge part of theirDog food, vet bills, training, leashes and collars, and
personalities. Play, work, and activity issomething youdoghouses all cost money. Money you may not have
must be able to give these dogsright now. Aquality dog food can cost as much as
If you're a couch potato you should find another$800 per year. Do you havethis kind of extra money
breed to livewith.to spend on food? If not, wait untilyou do before
Do you have the security?you bring home that puppy.
American Pit Bull Terriers are the Houdini's of theDo you want a American Pit Bull Terrier to impress
canineworld. Able to leap tall fences with a singlepeople?
bound, dig underthem with amazing speed andIf this is the case, stop! Do not, repeat, do not bring
stealth, and unlock gates thatpeople would haveonehome. You're doing yourself and the dog a great
trouble with.injustice.
You should have 6' privacy fence, beware of dogAmerican Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of
signs, hotwiring at the top and bottom of the fence,their allaround strength, agility, great looks, and
out door housing thatkeeps them out of the sunmystic. Breeders arepumping puppies out like
(even if they live indoors), andsupervision areunleaded gasoline. Puppies are beingneglected and bad
required for these dogs. You can't leave themalonebreeding practices are producing unstabledogs.
for long outside because one of two things mayBeware before you make any final decisions.
happen:If I may point you in a different direction. Every day
1. They escape. 2. They're stolen.there arethousands of great bulldogs put down
Are you prepared for the scrutiny of neighbors andbecause no one will adoptthem or they are deemed
friends?"unadoptable" by shelters.
American Pit Bull Terriers are notorious. They have aConsider a Rescue Dog.
bad nameand the misinformed public is out to getPeople who love this breed have created rescues for
them. It seems likeeveryday another "Baby mauledthese dogsand hundreds of dogs are available for
by pit bull" story runs,diminishing your choice of breed.adoption.
People will dislike you for your choice. Some mayRescues are a win-win-win way to go. You give a
even try tokill your dog. Others will direct commentsdog that wouldotherwise not have a home, a home.
at you, vulgar,hateful comments, and friends andYou give your money (which inmost cases is a small
family may also be in conflictwith your choice.adoption fee) to the rescue so they cancontinue
Be prepared for some rude behavior and protecttheir work, and you get an awesome dog that will
your dog byteaching food refusal from strangers.9times out of 10 deliver more than any pure-bred
Can you train your dog?dog could ontheir best day.
There are two methods of training. One is to trainIn closing, before you run out and buy a American Pit
your dog byshowing it how to sit and lay down andBull
then quitting. The otherlasts forever. Real training isTerrier, think about your options, make sure you
life long training that startswhen the puppy arrives athave what ittakes to provide and care for the dog,
your home and ends with death.and take your time tofind a dog that matches your
Unless you're prepared to work with your dogdesires.