Pros and cons of owning a Pit bull

A pit bull can be an excellent addition to your family, but you must be prepared for a serious commitment if that is your decision. Besides the usual things that you have to keep in mind when owning a dog, like when to use special shampoo for ticks, what are some good products for backyards that you can use to repel pests or what tick killing treatments you should use, this breed requires plenty of attention, as pit bulls need to socialize, they love being around people, and must also get plenty of exercise. Here are the most important pros and cons of owning a pit bull you should bear in mind.

Pros

1. They are playful and love to be around people

If your pit bull socializes a lot from an early age, you will end up with a loving pet that adores being close to you and around people in general. Pit bulls are playful because they like to exercise their muscles a lot, and that is why they make excellent companions for children who can keep up with them.

2.    They are competitive and smart

These dogs have outstanding traits that make them great learners. What used to make them bloody ring fighters in the past can be harnessed to train them to do tricks. They aim to please, and that is why they will prove resilience in learning everything you want to teach them. So, it is up to you to show them good things.

3. They need little grooming and overall maintenance

Because they are short-haired, pit bulls don’t require a lot of maintenance. A bath a week and a bit of brushing is enough, and you won’t have to worry about hair everywhere, on your carpets, upholstery and the like.

Also, they tend to be healthy so that you won’t look toward a lot of money spent on vet visits. Just ensure the regular vaccination and checkups, and you won’t have a problem with a pit bull.

4. They remain active even in their senior years

If you decide to get a pit bull, don’t be surprised to discover that you got yourself a pet that seemingly doesn’t age. Pit bulls like being active, both physically and mentally, and that changes little, if at all, over time. That means that even your aging pit bull might know and perform a trick or two, even if he or she is not a pup anymore.

5. Even at shelters, they are healthy

You don’t have to spend money for a pit bull if money is tight. Due to the bad reputation these dogs have, the shelters overflow with them. And the best part is that they are healthy, even when they are kept in shelters, so you won’t have to worry about getting a dog with hidden health issues.

6. A pit bull will always make you laugh

Although they might not look like it, pit bulls are pretty hilarious. They love performing tricks, but this is not all. Naturally, they love to cuddle and also roll on the ground or do other things that will bring a smile to your face. That might be one of the reasons why quite often, pit bulls are used as therapy dogs.

7. Pit bulls are beautiful dogs

Pit bulls look beautiful, with their strong, muscular bodies, short hair, and lovely eyes. You won’t have an issue taking amazing photos with them, as they know how to pose for the camera like pros.

Cons

1. They might attack other animals

If your household is already populated with other animals, getting a pit bull is not precisely the wisest idea. Pit bulls might attack other dogs, and not only. Since they were trained and bred for fighting, there is no way of telling what could constitute a challenge in their eyes.

2. They are stubborn and strong

Not everyone can rein in a dog that is practically over 80 pounds of pure muscles during his or her mature years. Because of their stubborn nature, pit bulls can be a significant challenge for an owner. That is why you need to make sure that you have the necessary strength and power of will to be a real leader for your pit bull.

3. They will demand your attention

If you’re not ready for a dog that really wants to spend time with you, don’t get a pit bull. They are famous for how terrible their separation anxiety can be, when they are away from their owners, so it is quite clear that they are not an excellent choice for someone who is away from home a lot. And that’s a mistake everyone makes once in a while. 

4. They can escape almost any enclosure

Securing your fences will have to be one of your priorities if you decide to get a pit bull. These dogs are excellent fence climbers, and that means that it won’t be easy to secure your space so that they don’t get out.

5. Be prepared for breed discrimination

Even if you know that your pit bull is well behaved and well trained, that doesn’t mean that people around you will believe the same thing. Be prepared to face at least some breed discrimination everywhere you go, from others.

6. Leaving a pit bull home alone equals disaster

Your pit bull doesn’t do well with separation, as already mentioned. That means that leaving yours home alone will lead to some terrible consequences, and it might not be only your curtains that will have to suffer. Use a crate with some toys for pitbulls or leave your dog in the backyard if you don’t want to return home and face total destruction of your belongings.

7. Get ready for legal liabilities

There are cities in the US where there is a ban on pit bulls. Also, you will encounter difficulties in renting an apartment if you have a dog weighing more than 30 pounds. Seeing that pit bulls can reach up to 80 pounds, if not more, in their mature years, it is easy to see where that takes you. You might also encounter problems with insurance, as companies don’t offer conditions for pit bull owners to get such a thing.

Are Pit bulls aggressive?

If there is one canine breed that has gotten the brunt of the negative media attention during the last years, that must be the pit bull. As a result, most people believe that these dogs are naturally mean and they should never be kept as pets. Experts can tell you that it is all a misconception. There are many other facts about pit bulls that you might not know, and we want to show them below.

Pit bulls are not aggressive to humans, but mostly to other dogs

Plenty of pit bull owners can tell you that this breed can be very affectionate, and its members only want to be close to humans. They do not often make such great guard pets, just because they would feel tempted to fraternize with the burglars instead of chasing them away.

The matter of aggression in these dogs relates to their training. If they are trained to attack, being the loyal breed they are, that is what they will do. But if you surround the puppies with love from an early age, and you give them a lot of toys for pitbulls to play with, don’t be surprised when you realize that you’re raising quite an affectionate dog.

However, what you must know about pit bulls is that they can be very aggressive toward other dogs. That is a trait of character stemmed from their history of being trained as fighting dogs. Again, if that happens, it is up to you, as the owner, to take the necessary steps to prevent this type of behavior from becoming the norm.

Their bite is not as hard as people think

Another misconception about pit bulls is that their bite is so hard that once they stuck their teeth into something, they won’t be able to let it go. That locking jaw thing you might have heard about is all a myth. According to experts, a Mastiff’s bite is much harder than a pit bull’s.

Pit bulls make great exercising partners

One trait pit bulls have by the ton is tenacity. They have great stamina, and they can get involved in physical activities with enthusiasm. If you have been looking for an exercising partner and had no luck so far, maybe it’s time to get a pit bull. The only issue you might face is keeping up with him or her.

The term breed should not apply to pit bulls

Although it is common to consider pit bull a breed, the truth is that this name is used only to cover dogs that share the same traits. Only a few breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier are accepted as breeds on their own; otherwise, many dogs you see that are labeled as pit bulls are that only to some degree.

Pit bulls are affectionate and playful

While many people believe that these dogs are aggressive and difficult to deal with, their owners can tell you that they are the most affectionate canines you might keep as pets. They love to cuddle, snuggle, or stay next to you. They have a natural inclination to spend time among humans, and they can even be trained to be successful nanny dogs.

Another thing is that they can be quite playful, and the best part is that they remain this way for the duration of their lives. They tend to mature later than other dogs – at the age of two or three – and that may also count toward their more playful nature.

They were used for World War I posters to symbolize the bravery of the US Army

Due to their noble traits, such as determination, loyalty, and courage, pit bulls were chosen for the posters used during the first World War, to symbolize the bravery of the US Army. Sergeant Stubby was, for instance, a decorated war hero, as he served, along with the troops, in the trenches in France during World War I.

There are two millions of them in the US alone

Another argument those who love pit bulls might have against those who claim that these canines are aggressive and mean is that there are many of them everywhere. The estimates, only in the US, are two million. If they were so mean to humans, would they be so many?

They were never trained to be aggressive toward people

Even during their bloodiest days, when they were trained to fight other dogs in rings, or kill rats, pit bulls were never taught to be aggressive toward people. Their handlers didn’t want their pit bulls to turn on them, and therefore, they worked toward eliminating such behavior, which might explain why many pit bulls prefer humans to other dogs.

They can easily climb fences

Keeping a pit bull inside your yard might prove tricky, as these dogs excel in fence climbing. Proper training is paramount if you don’t want to deal with an expert escape artist on a regular basis.

Many celebrities own pit bulls today

While pit bulls were present on the battlefields back in the day, when they comforted wounded soldiers, among their tasks, and even Theodore Roosevelt had a pit bull called Pete, today, many people love them. It is no surprise that a lot of celebrities love these dogs and even own representatives of the so-called breed. Names such as Brad Pitt, Dr. Phil, and Jessica Biel, are on the list of famous people owning pit bulls.

You can’t read their behavior before they attack

One of the results of their intensive training of fighting in a ring is that pit bulls will not display aggressive behavior before attacking. Even a dog that rolls belly up on the ground can still be attacked by a pit bull.

People with experience in dog ownership can handle them better

Because they are determined and strong, pit bulls need equally determined and strong owners. Their training must keep track of their characteristics, and someone without experience in dog ownership might find them difficult to deal with.