The American Pitbull Terrier suffers from prejudice, the result of dubious individuals. Simply by looking at its sweet face, any dog lover should see the opposite. Here, attentive and intelligent traits manifest, appearing very gentle and friendly. This led to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) classifying the Pit Bull Terrier as a family dog breed that is hardly suitable as a guard dog.

History of the American Pitbull Terrier

The American Pitbull Terrier is a crossbreed. It was bred in the late 19th century for so-called ratting competitions. The cross between Bulldog and Terrier was meant to combine strength and speed. The dog succeeded very well in this regard. Consequently, it was later used in the infamous dog fights, which also explains the name Pitbull.

The abuse of the Pitbull Terrier for dog fighting led to the American Kennel Club, the US umbrella organization for dog breeding and dog sports, refusing to recognize the breed. In Europe, the dog was subsequently given the name American Staffordshire Terrier for differentiation. The dog’s family suitability and its misinterpretation through the illegal exaggeration of its very good nature were ultimately the main reasons why dog breeders and clubs stuck to the Pitbull breeds. However, the image that spread among the population still persists today, with the dog being classified as a restricted breed.

Nature and Character

Studies from various universities, such as the University of Florida, come to a completely different conclusion. They do not attribute breed-specific aggressiveness to the American Pitbull or other Pitbull breeds. Rather, they emphasize the good tractability of Pitbull dogs, which ultimately makes them very susceptible to misdirection and therefore interesting for dog fights. Accordingly, the Pitbull Terrier is exclusively trained by humans to become aggressive and dangerous. Is the Pitbull a beginner’s dog? No, as mentioned earlier, Pitbulls need good training. Attending a dog school is also a must.

Today, the American Pitbull Terrier is considered a popular family dog. It is not suitable as a guard dog. Its medium-sized and physically strong to compact figure weighs up to 27 kilograms and is extremely athletic. Confident and friendly, as well as naturally intelligent and playful, are the actual characteristics of the Pitbull dog. The American Pitbull is also very fond of children. The Pitbull’s full of energy and enthusiasm makes it more of an ideal partner in search and rescue.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Low
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	High
Intelligence	Medium
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Acquisition of an American Pitbull Terrier

When acquiring an American Pitbull Terrier, every dog lover should be aware that regulations for handling restricted dog breeds exist in all federal states. Leash requirement and muzzle obligation are mandatory not only in cities in many places. In some European countries, keeping the dog is even completely prohibited. This is the case in Denmark, for example. Anyone who has chosen the country as a holiday destination for themselves and their dog should first inquire whether its import is even permitted. The legal regulations and hurdles demanded from a Pitbull dog owner are accordingly high. There is also the possibility that a municipality may require a character test for the dog.

What should I consider when buying?

While the American Pitbull Terrier is often bred under poor conditions here or in Europe, it is recommended instead to buy an American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. These are bred by reputable breeders in this country as family dogs and often come with expertise certificates.

This applies to all dogs, by the way. The illegal puppy trade leads to severe traumas in puppies of any breed, caused by the rearing and transportation of the animals. To acquire a Pitbull Terrier in a reputable manner, you should contact the AKC. A checklist for buying a dog is therefore recommended when buying a dog of any breed. The following precautions should be taken:

Development and education of the puppy

The education of the dog begins in puppyhood. More importantly, the so-called socialization is crucial for its character formation. While the nature of a dog, which is a fundamental characteristic of a breed and is mostly bred out, the character formation depends on the dog owner and also on the breeder. A hunting dog thus always remains a hunting dog in terms of its nature. The separation of the puppy from the mother and siblings must not take place too early, as this bond plays a significant role in intra-species socialization. The following socialization measures are crucial for all dogs and thus also for Pitbull Terrier puppies:

Furthermore, a Pitbull Terrier puppy, like any other dog, must be trained in proper defecation and urination behavior, as well as bite inhibition. The timeframe for these training measures is limited until the 14th week of the dog’s life. Although the dog can be trained later, it is much more difficult to accomplish and takes time. Positive feedback should also always be used in training to avoid frustrating the dog. How much does a Pitbull cost? If you now want to buy a Pitbull puppy, you should expect a price of $1000 to $1500.

How do I keep an American Pitbull Terrier?

Keeping Pitbull dogs is comparable to keeping other dogs. As a family dog, the American Pitbull can be kept both in an apartment and in a house. The dog itself is considered undemanding and adapts to any environment. Can you keep a Pitbull in an apartment? In a rented apartment, prior agreement with the landlord is necessary. The landlord may also prohibit you from keeping the dog.

Regular exercise and active engagement with the dog are mandatory. The extremely intelligent animal is also suitable for dog sports but should be socialized with other dogs. Different laws and obligations apply to Pitbulls across countries. Every dog owner should pay close attention to this.

Activities with the American Pitbull Terrier

As an extremely agile and intelligent dog, the Pitbull Terrier can be used for almost any leisure activity. However, cycling with the dog on a leash should be practiced beforehand. The previously mentioned dog sports are also possible with the Pitbull. Here, every dog owner is required to perform a temperament test of the animal before dog training. Watersports such as fishing or sailing should not bother the four-legged friend either. It is not known for Pitbull breeds to be afraid of water. Rather, your Pitbull will gladly retrieve any rubber ball or stick from the water for you.

Health and Care

The life expectancy of a Pitbull Terrier is on average between 12 and 13 years. The dog is very robust and requires less grooming due to its short coat. You should just brush him occasionally. Like any other dog, the Pitbull is required to be identified and needs a pet passport as well as required vaccinations in addition to microchipping. The Pitbull Terrier is generally not very susceptible to diseases. Allergies, skin diseases, as well as hip and joint problems can also affect this breed of dog. Proper nutrition and care are also important for the quality of life of the American Pitbull Terrier.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

The American Pitbull Terrier is not a recognized breed. Therefore, in this country, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be obtained from a reputable breeder. However, the Pitbull, which is suitable as a family dog, is not the only listed dog. These require a lot of duty of care by law. In some regions, this also includes the German Shepherd, the Great Dane, or the Doberman. These dogs are not known for their aggressive behavior.

American Pitbull Terrier Overview

Do you have an American Pitbull Terrier or are you considering getting one? Share with us in the comments what you think makes them special!