There’s so much to love about Pit Bull Terriers; Between their trademark short coats, well-muscled bodies, sweet demeanor and adorable smile— what’s not to love. Although some believe that Pit Bulls are dangerous breeds, others may say that they are incredibly affectionate and great with other dogs, people, and children. In this Pit Bull breed breakdown, we’ll touch on common myths about Pit Bull Terriers such as how to care for a Pit Bull, the best living environment for a Pit Bull, as well as other facts and information. Read on to learn about this special breed, and discover whether a Pit Bull Terrier is the right pup for you.

Pit Bull Terriers are an interesting breed to say the least. They are not in fact a single breed in itself, but a combination of a few different breeds mixed together. Pit Bull “type” dogs include a combination of the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bully, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The biggest parallel among these Pit Bull-type breeds is their square-shaped head, muscular physique, short coat, sweet eyes and expressive face:

Coat Length and Coloring: Pit Bull Terriers also have a variety of coat colorings, including red, blue, brown, black, white, brindle, and more. Due to their incredible short coat, Pit Bull’s typically require minimal grooming.

Physique and Build: Pit Bulls are known to have very defined muscles and can range from being fit and slender to short and stout. The downside is that some people find a muscular pit bull intimidating and consider their breed to be aggressive. We believe that they are some of the most lovable dogs in the world. Read on to learn why.

American Pit Bull Terrier Personality
Affectionate and loyal, it’s very easy for a Pit Bull to become attached to their owner or just to people in general. Just like other dogs, they can be protective of their loved ones but absolutely people and attention. Pit Bulls actually don’t make dependable guard dogs for this reason as they just want to be everyone's friend and get all the pets. So if you are planning on getting a Pit Bull, prepare to get a BFF rather than an intimidating protector.

Pit Bulls Bad Reputation
Due to their natural Terrier “prey drive”, Pit Bull’s have earned themselves a rough reputation as aggressive fighting dogs. However, just like many other breeds of dog, Pit Bull’s are just as good as their training. Luckily we now keep dogs mostly as family dogs, but many “prey driven” breeds were bred to do the exact things we fault them for. Early socialization and consistent training will go a long way. Pit Bulls will only grow to be aggressive if they are not raised in a loving environment or if you train them to be aggressive towards other dogs and people.

American Pit Bull Terrier Environment
Pit Bulls are great family dogs and love to be at home. They enjoy spending time with their owners and only do well outdoors for short spurts at a time, especially in colder environments. Their moderate energy level makes them great pets for almost any living situation. Pit Bulls notoriously don’t like to be left alone and love the comfort of people or other dogs, preferably dogs they’ve spent enough time with to feel comfortable.

Pit Bull Terriers tend to have a moderate energy level, but a strong drive to do what comes naturally to them: jumping and chasing. Make time for daily walks and activities that will keep them occupied and their energy at bay. If you can’t accomplish a daily walk, find a trusted pet sitter or daycare provider.

Ideal Human for a American Pit Bull Terrier
The ideal Pit Bull owner is prepared to spend a lot of quality time with their pet and take them wherever they may go. A Pit Bull left alone for long periods of time will likely become lonely and low energy. An owner who works only part-time (or from home) is the best human for this dog breed. The Pit Bull needs someone who will treat them like they are part of the family, and get to know their personality and needs for optimal affection, comfort, and companionship.

American Pit Bull Terrier Training
Early training will curb aggressive and bossy traits, and help you establish authority before your dog gets too big to handle. Staying consistent is the key to success.

Keep a crate or kennel as a safe place to put the dog in the beginning.
Make sure to give your pup plenty of exercise and attention to avoid behavioral problems before they start.
Leash up when you go out, use gentle discipline, and reward your Pit Bull Terrier with positive attention and food treats.

With good training, Pit Bulls have the potential to become everything from a fantastic snuggle buddy to a well-respected service dog. Many Pit Bulls go on to work in search and rescue, as therapy dogs, or even police dogs.

American Pit Bull Terrier Grooming
The Pit Bulls short coat doesn’t require regular grooming. Instead, they’ll thrive with a regular bath, brush, and nail trim. A healthy coat depends on the combination of a good diet and a weekly brushing routine. Once per week, use a brush in a circular motion to loosen dead hair and stimulate the skin to increase the production of natural oils. This will keep their coat shiny and fresh. Though they don’t need their hair cut, a visit from a groomer is productive. A groomer will often give them a bath, trim their nails, express their anal glands and clean their ears—all necessary to ongoing health and hygiene of your pup.

American Pit Bull Terrier Health
Pit Bulls are known to be a relatively healthy breed. However, they’re predisposed to some health problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia, skin and food allergies, hypothyroidism (which is very treatable), and, rarely, a type of heart disease called aortic stenosis.

For general home hygiene and prevention of minor health conditions, it’s important to (carefully) trim your pit bull’s nails, brush their teeth regularly, and check ears for signs of infection. To address possible allergies, consult with your veterinarian about allergy testing, and the best dog food for Pit Bulls who might tend toward skin or food allergies. Many pet parents opt for health insurance, just in case.