American Pit Bull Terrier Training, Lifespan, Characteristics, and Food

American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed Introduction

American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog breed that was initially bred to “bait” bulls. They are short-haired dogs, of a solid build, whose early ancestors originated from England. This dog breed came about in the late 19th century in the United States where they emerged as the direct descendants of the Bull and Terrier.

This dog breed differs in size: males are 18 to 21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and 35 to 60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight, while females are 17 to 20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30 to 50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight. They make the best family dogs and have always been noted for their love of kids. They tend to show some level of dog aggression and due to their powerful physique, they need an owner who will perfectly socialize and obedience train them.

Their natural agility makes them one of the best capable canine climbers so good fencing is essential for American Pit Bull Terriers. They are not the best choice for a guard dog since they are more friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive trait toward humans is uncharacteristic of American Pit Bull Terriers. Due to their high level of intelligence and readiness to work, American Pit Bull Terriers do very well in performance events.

American Pit Bull Terrier History

This dog breed was created in 19th-century England, Scotland, and Ireland where breeders started experimenting with crossbreeding English bulldogs and terriers. American Pit Bull Terriers arrived in the United States in the mid-1800s where they were further refined. The Early breeders had an aim of creating a dog that would possess the athletic and energy levels of a Bulldog as well as the Terrier’s bravery. The outcome was the Bull Terrier which was recognized for its strength, courage, and gentle nature with loved ones.

Originally, the bull terrier was bred due to their aggression toward other dogs and used for dog fighting. Irresponsible breeding, paired with mistreatment of the dogs, resulted in some dogs having aggressive traits —which continues to tarnish the breed’s reputation now. Finally, the bull terrier made its way to America, where it was highly known by farmers and ranchers for its potential to corral feral cattle and hogs, drive livestock as well as still turn into a great family companion at the end of the day. The UKC recognized the Bull and Terrier as American Pit Bull Terriers in February 1898.

Lifespan

The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 8 to 15 years.

Grooming

They have a short, smooth single coat that needs brushing to get rid of loose fur and distribute skin oils. The parts that have skinfolds on the face should be cleaned with a damp cloth. Clean American Pit Bull Terriers’ nose with damp cotton.

When brushing American Pit Bull Terriers, use a medium-bristle brush or a hound glove to get rid of loose hair and promote new hair growth. American Pit Bull Terriers also require a bath every 4 to 6 weeks unless they roll in something messy. A hypoallergenic shampoo, warm water, and conditioner are used for bathing APBT. Always rinse off the grooming products from their coat to avoid skin irritation.

To avoid tartar buildup and gingivitis the American Pit Bull Terriers’ teeth are cleaned using a brush and a canine-formulated toothpaste two to three times a week. Clean their ears with a damp cotton ball soaked in an ear cleanser to remove dirt and wax once a week.

Shedding

American Pit Bull Terriers are single-coated dogs. They shed year-round at minimal to moderate levels.

Coat

They have a single thick, short, coat that is smooth and shiny.

Hypoallergenic

American Pit Bull Terriers are not hypoallergenic dogs since they tend to shed all-year round at low to moderate levels. The shedding coat allows fur and dander to spread around the house triggering inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies.

American Pit Bull Terrier Training

Being a working dog, American Pit Bull Terriers are intelligent dogs that are eager to learn new tactics making them highly trainable. However, some American Pit Bull Terriers may have a stubborn streak and have zero eagerness to please the owner. However, patience, consistency, and the use of positive reinforcement will make their training manageable. Start training them from an early age like at the age of eight weeks when they join you home from the breeder to 16 weeks to establish good behavior and prevent any bad habits from forming.

Parents are advised to keep the training sessions short, upbeat, and interesting to prevent them from getting bored and distracted. Every dog training session should be for 5 minutes which are distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom. It is important to make use of treats, interactive toys, verbal praise, and petting to inspire positive behaviors. Shouting and yelling scare American Pit Bull Terriers hence they shut down during training sessions. Also, harsh correction methods also negatively affect the relationship between the pet owner and the pet.

Socialization is the key to raising well-mannered American Pit Bull Terriers. This training is also good for American Pit Bull Terriers who are a bit wary of strangers. To socialize American Pit Bull Terriers, expose them to a wide variety of places, people, sights, smells, and sounds like doorbells, whistles, sirens, and lawnmowers.

Teach American Pit Bull Terriers basic command words like eat, heel, come, in, out, etc. Effectively housebreak American Pit Bull Terriers by creating a feeding guide, potty training, and crate training. Moreover, Potty training American Pit Bull Terriers should begin at the age of 8 weeks with several potty breaks every 1 to 2 hours.

Training Tips

Some of the tips to consider while training American Pit Bull Terriers include:

American Pit Bull Terrier Temperament

– Friendly.
– Strong-willed.
– Energetic.
– Intelligent.
– Affectionate.
– Loyal.
– Powerful.
– Agile.
– Aggressive.
– Stubborn.
– Muscular.

Aggressive

Aggressive temperament toward humans is uncharacteristic of American Pit Bull Terriers and highly unwanted. To curb the aggressive temperament, expose American Pit Bull Terriers to a wide variety of places, people, sights, smells, and sounds like doorbells, whistles, sirens, and lawnmowers.

Stubborn

American Pit Bull Terriers can be stubborn at times. To manage the stubborn trait owners must keep the training sessions short, upbeat, and interesting to prevent them from getting bored and distracted. Remember, firm training doesn’t mean harsh; it’s all about being consistent and transparent with your anticipation.

Strong Willed

They have friendly and outgoing personalities but can still be strong-willed. To manage this trait owners are advised to start training their American Pit Bull Terriers from an early age and it needs patience to do away with this personality.

Exercise

Having high energy and intelligence, American Pit Bull Terriers’ owners should be prepared to put extra effort into keeping them entertained, well-exercised, and mentally stimulated. They can be engaged in several dog sports, such as weight pulling, dog agility, flyball, and lure coursing. They require a large fence in the yard where they can run freely. Running beside a bike or jogging partner also can stimulate them. Before exercising American Pit Bull Terriers, make sure that they rest for an hour before and after eating to allow digestion time and lower the chances of bloating.

Barking

They are average vocal dogs. Some American Pit Bull Terriers are more vocal than others, depending on how anxious they are. American Pit Bull Terriers can be less vocal when they are being engaged by their human family. They are obedient and will take a cue from the owner to stop barking and settle down.

American Pit Bull Terrier Size

The American Pit Bull Terriers differ in size: males are 18 to 21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and 35 to 60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight, while females are 17 to 20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30 to 50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.

Height

Mature American Pit Bull Terriers have a height of 17 to 21 inches ( approx. 43 to 53 cm ).

Weight

American Pit Bull Terriers have a weight of 30 to 60 pounds ( approx. 13 to 27 kg ).

Aggressive

If American Pit Bull Terriers are not socialized early from 8 weeks old, they may become very aggressive towards other pets and strangers they assess as a threat to their compound. The way to manage an aggressive dog lies in firm training. American Pit Bull Terriers should be controlled on a leash to ensure they cannot be destructive. Punishing them can worsen emotional responses like panic, anxiety, stress, and aggression.

Bite Force

American Pit Bull Terriers’ bite force measurements typically fall between 240-330 PSI. Their bite force is considered strong when compared to other dog breeds. American Pit Bull Terriers cause bite wounds. To prevent biting issues, it’s good to learn how to train American Pit Bull Terriers puppies not to bite from an early age.

American Pit Bull Terrier Food

American Pit Bull Terriers should feed on food formulated for medium-sized animals that are appropriate for their age. The amount of food American Pit Bull Terriers are fed depends on their metabolism, activity level, and size. Mature American Pit Bull Terriers should eat twice a day while American Pit Bull Terriers’ puppies should eat thrice a day. American Pit Bull Terriers may be fed on homemade food, raw diet, or commercial dry or wet food.

Calcium also strengthens American Pit Bull Terriers bones, teeth, and nails. It’s also good for all puppies to get calcium in their diet, but mostly those prone to patellar luxation. American Pit Bull Terriers adult dog feeds on protein to maintain its muscles, joints, and tendons. A limited amount of fat keeps American Pit Bull Terriers skin and coat healthy.

Food that has calcium and chicken is a quality source of protein for strong bones and joints. American Pit Bull Terriers should not be fed large meals a day and should not drink large volumes of water after eating. This dog breed may also be susceptible to overfeeding hence checking weight level is essential.

Health Problems

American Pit Bull Terriers are healthy dogs but may suffer from certain health issues such as epilepsy, kneecap dislocation, and hip dysplasia. Obesity also may be a serious health issue in American Pit Bull Terriers. American Pit Bull Terriers have a higher-than-average occurrence of hip dysplasia. Culling for performance has assisted in curbing this issue and others like patella issues, thyroid dysfunction as well as congenital heart defects. This dog breed can also suffer skin issues such as mange and allergies due to their short coat.

There are two various types of demodex mange, called localized and generalized demodex. Dogs with dilute coat colors have not had a higher incidence of skin allergies compared to other breeds. American Pit Bull Terriers are also more prone to parvovirus unlike others if not vaccinated, mostly as puppies, so vaccination is essential starting at 39 days old and proceeding every 2 weeks until 4 months old, then redo it at 8 months, and once a year after that, as approved for all breeds.

Names

The American Pit Bull Terriers’ owners may decide to get a name for the pet before it joins them home or days after the dog has settled to understand better the traits of a specific dog. Names can be obtained from the English heritage of the breed, the coat color, celebrities, songs, and historical people.

Regardless of where you get the name one should ensure it won’t be a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud. American Pit Bull Terriers and other breeds better understand names that have vowels. Stop giving them a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that American Pit Bull Terriers owners give to their pets include:

– Princess.
– Duchess.
– Cassie.
– Flora.
– Sammy.
– Missy.
– Penny.
– Toby.
– Sparky.
– Spike.

Speed

Being an athletic canine dog, American Pit Bull Terriers can run 25-30mph which is about 40.2-48.3km/h.

Neck Size

Their neck size is 14 to 18 inches ( approx. 35 to 45 cm ).

Colors

The American Pit Bull Terriers come in many colors most commonly being red, blue, brown, grey, buckskin, black and white, and brindle.

Grey

The American Pit Bull Terriers which are grey have a white coat near the neck.

Red

The American Pit Bull Terriers which are red also have a red nose.

Brindle

Some American Pit Bull Terriers have a brindle coat color that can be associated with black stripes.

Blue

Some American Pit Bull Terriers have bluish-gray coat. Their nose can also come in blue.

Types

There is only one type of American Pit Bull Terrier. However, in the United States, several dog breeds are categorized under the Pit Bull name including American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier.

Allergies

American Pit Bull Terriers also suffer from allergies such as:

Food allergies – Even if rare, some American Pit Bull Terriers suffer from a true food allergy that causes an immune response. It is mostly accompanied by many symptoms from skin problems to gastrointestinal issues.

Skin allergies – American Pit Bull Terriers’ skin inflammation can be caused by food, contact, and environmental allergens.

Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect American Pit Bull Terriers are pollen, grass, mites, dust, and house molds.

Eyes

They have a medium size, round eyes well set apart and low on the skull. They are almond-shaped.

Ears

American Pit Bull Terriers have high-set ears that are small to medium in size. Their ears can be natural or cropped minus preference. The eyes can be in many colors apart from blue, which is a serious fault.

Head Size

This dog breed has a medium-sized head that is wide and flat. Looked at if from the front, the head is cast like a broad, blunt wedge. When looked at from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and connected by a well-marked, moderately deep stop.

Tail

This dog breed has a short tail that is set low, thick at the base, and narrows to a point. When the American Pit Bull Terriers is at rest, the tail is carried low and extends close to the hock. When American Pit Bull Terriers are at a walk, the tail is carried level with the backline. While the dog is playful, the tail can be carried in a raised, upright manner (challenge tail), but not curled over the back (gay tail).

Teeth

Full grown American Pit Bull Terriers have a total of 42 permanent teeth. However, their puppies have 28 milk teeth which begin to show up two weeks after birth and fall out at the age of 12 weeks.

Muscular

They have smooth well-defined muscle structure. American Pit Bull Terriers are known for their strength and larger prey. Their bodies are just slightly longer than tall.

American Pit Bull Terrier Blue Nose

Some American Pit Bull Terriers’ have a blue nose. Their nose is large with wide and open nostrils.

American Pit Bull Terrier Red Nose

Some American Pit Bull Terriers’ have a large red nose with wide and open nostrils.

Pric

The price of American Pit Bull Terriers is $1300 to $2500 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.

APBT Female

Females are 17 to 20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30 to 50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Aggressive

American Pit Bull Terriers can be prone to aggression because of their genetic makeup and environmental effects. Aggressive dogs need patience and commitment that is much more than that of the average pet owner.

How To Train American Pit Bull Terrier

Reward them with praise, treats, and affection. This type of training inspires good behavior and reinforces the bond between dogs and humans. Consistency is also significant to any successful training. American Pit Bull Terriers do best with a routine, established rules, and boundaries. Also teach them basic command words like eat, heel, come, in, out, etc.

Do American Pit Bull Terrier Shed

Yes, American Pit Bull Terriers shed year-round at low to moderate levels.

What Does American Pit Bull Terriers Look Like

This dog breed has a short coat, a well-muscled body, and a large nose. American Pit Bull Terriers’ shoulder blades are long and their forelegs are strong and muscular. While they are playful, the tail can be carried in a raised, upright, but not curled over the back (gay tail).

How Big Does an American Pit Bull Terrier Get

They differ in size: males are 18 to 21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and 35 to 60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight, while females are 17 to 20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30 to 50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.

How Much Do American Pit Bull Terriers Weigh

Females weigh 30 to 50 pounds (13–22 kg) while males weigh 35 to 60 pounds (15–27 kg).

American Pit Bull Terrier Quick Facts

• American Pit Bull Terriers are susceptible to demodex mange because of culling for performance.
• Due to their low maintenance coat, American Pit Bull Terriers are best for indoor and outdoor living.
• As of now, American Pit Bull Terriers are still known for their athleticism with success in obedience, tracking, agility, dock jumping, as well as weight pulling.