American Pit Bull Terrier

Table of Contents

American Pit Bull Terrier Appearance

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a stocky, muscular dog with a sleek and streamlined structure. Their smooth, well-defined build is covered in a short and glossy coat. The coat ranges greatly in color as well as markings and comes in a vast combination of patterns. These dogs can be solid, patched, have colored points, or any color facial mask markings. These terrier breeds carry broad heads with an almost sculpted look to their well-defined jawbones and prominent cheekbones. Their dark, intelligent eyes are often set wide apart and can be round to almond shaped. Their sleek tails are slightly thick, in accordance with their overall hefty appearance, and tapers to a tidy point. A full grown APBT will usually grow to be 17-20 inches tall and have a healthy weight between 30-85 lbs, compatible with their height. These powerful dogs develop great devotions to their families and can be downright clownish when playing.

American Pit Bull Terrier Grooming

Due to their short, dense coats, this breed has very simple grooming needs. Their short coat is inherently shiny and stiff to the touch and only requires an occasional brushing. The right brush can really make a difference in the shine of an American Pit Bull Terrier’s coat, so be sure to use a short, soft-bristled brush. This will distribute their natural, healthy skin oils as well as remove any loose fur. This breed of terrier sheds very little, making them a great household pet. In between bathing, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth is sufficient to help keep their gleaming coat bright. Their wash-n-go coat make bath time an easy undertaking. Regular nail trimming is needed to prevent nails from growing too long and becoming cumbersome. Dogs with excessively long nails can have difficulty walking, develop ingrown nails, or have painful breakage.

Pit Bull Terrier Temperament

These dogs are very intelligent, good-natured, and can be very goofy during playtime. They are a very confident breed who stay alert and aware of their surroundings. They will alert their owners when strangers approach, but don’t make very good watchdogs due to the friendly nature of the APBT. They have medium energy levels and can be satisfied with a daily walk along with adequate playtime with others. American Pit Bull Terriers are very enthusiastic and excitable, eager to please their owners as well as show off their skills in return for praise. These dogs crave companionship and often debunk their own intimidating reputation through their lap-dog like behaviors. They will seek to cuddle with their owners and are very sweet in their interactions with their family members. As with most animals, these dogs will get along with other animals with proper training.

American Pit Bull Terrier Training

Due to their high levels of intelligence and eagerness to please, American Pit Bull Terriers are highly trainable and are present breeds in many notable competitions. They exude a willingness to work and their intelligence is not a roadblock to proper training, as with some more stubborn breeds. Obedience training is possible at any age, but will be an easier task if started young. Early socialization and interactions with others will result in a well-rounded dog who knows how to behave around other dogs as well as people. Interactive training will also help burn off the terrier’s energy and can satisfy their exercise requirements. There is a lot of misinformation and mistrust of this breed, so proper training can be key in helping others overcome the fear of the vicious stereotype through positive experiences with an actual American Pit Bull Terrier.

American Pit Bull Terrier History

The American Pit Bull Terrier originally descended from ancestors in England and Ireland and is a member of the molosser breed group. The American Staffordshire Terrier is also bred from the same lineage but is sometimes recognized as a totally separate breed. It is speculated this is due to some kennel owners wanting to distance themselves and their dogs from the stigma the term “pit bull” carries. The dog was bred to bait bulls and bears as a brutal spectator sport in early 19^th century England. This also evolved into rat-baiting and dog fights where animals were forced to fight. A commonly unknown fact is that while these dogs have an unwillingness to bite humans and this trait was extensively sought after and bred. Handlers of the dog fights wanted to be able to reach into the ring and separate the animals without getting hurt and this trait resulted in a strong, protective dog with family-friendly characteristics. The dogs began their transition into home life as immigrants brought them to America and utilized their strength and devotion to have them help hunt and guard the property. There are still many breed specific laws and legislation banning the American Pit Bull Terrier, but responsible and loving pit bull owners worldwide are working to help eradicate the stereotype and restore the pit bull’s reputation as a good-natured family dog.