Best Pet Articles

So You Want an American Pit Bull Terrier?


You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull Terrier youwant as your companion. Are you ready for this breed? Read thisarticle and then decide if you want to go ahead with yourdecision.

Does your lifestyle fit the American Pit Bull Terrierlifestyle?

These dogs are packed with energy from head to toe. Craving agood run like a champion athlete. Exercise is critical to aheathy, happy bulldog. High energy is their middle name and is alarge part of their personalities. Play, work, and activity issomething you must be able to give these dogs

If you're a couch potato you should find another breed to livewith.

Do you have the security?

American Pit Bull Terriers are the Houdini's of the canineworld. Able to leap tall fences with a single bound, dig underthem with amazing speed and stealth, and unlock gates thatpeople would have trouble with.

You should have 6' privacy fence, beware of dog signs, hotwiring at the top and bottom of the fence, out door housing thatkeeps them out of the sun (even if they live indoors), andsupervision are required for these dogs. You can't leave themalone for long outside because one of two things may happen:

1. They escape. 2. They're stolen.

Are you prepared for the scrutiny of neighbors and friends?

American Pit Bull Terriers are notorious. They have a bad nameand the misinformed public is out to get them. It seems likeeveryday another "Baby mauled by pit bull" story runs,diminishing your choice of breed.

People will dislike you for your choice. Some may even try tokill your dog. Others will direct comments at you, vulgar,hateful comments, and friends and family may also be in conflictwith your choice.

Be prepared for some rude behavior and protect your dog byteaching food refusal from strangers.

Can you train your dog?

There are two methods of training. One is to train your dog byshowing it how to sit and lay down and then quitting. The otherlasts forever. Real training is life long training that startswhen the puppy arrives at your home and ends with death.

Unless you're prepared to work with your dog 5-10-15 minutes perday, everyday, all week, every week, all year, every year, youmay want to rethink your decision to get a Pit Bulldog.Actually, if you're not prepared to train your dog, you shouldrethink getting any dog. Training is a fact of life and must bedone in order to prevent a lot of trouble down the road.

If you can not control your dog, you don't need one.

Can you afford them?

Dog food, vet bills, training, leashes and collars, and doghouses all cost money. Money you may not have right now. Aquality dog food can cost as much as $800 per year. Do you havethis kind of extra money to spend on food? If not, wait untilyou do before you bring home that puppy.

Do you want a American Pit Bull Terrier to impress people?

If this is the case, stop! Do not, repeat, do not bring onehome. You're doing yourself and the dog a great injustice.

American Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of their allaround strength, agility, great looks, and mystic. Breeders arepumping puppies out like unleaded gasoline. Puppies are beingneglected and bad breeding practices are producing unstabledogs. Beware before you make any final decisions.

If I may point you in a different direction. Every day there arethousands of great bulldogs put down because no one will adoptthem or they are deemed "unadoptable" by shelters.

Consider a Rescue Dog.

People who love this breed have created rescues for these dogsand hundreds of dogs are available for adoption.

Rescues are a win-win-win way to go. You give a dog that wouldotherwise not have a home, a home. You give your money (which inmost cases is a small adoption fee) to the rescue so they cancontinue their work, and you get an awesome dog that will 9times out of 10 deliver more than any pure-bred dog could ontheir best day.

In closing, before you run out and buy a American Pit BullTerrier, think about your options, make sure you have what ittakes to provide and care for the dog, and take your time tofind a dog that matches your desires.

About the Author:
Jason Mann is a American Pit Bull Terrier fancier and freelancewriter. He also owns and operates http://www.PitBullLovers.coma website devoted to educating the public and dog world aboutthe American Pit Bull Terrier.


MORE RESOURCES:

Care2.com

Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
Huffington Post
Global warming may exist, but winter is still upon us, and our pets can feel the chill. A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
Most American Pets are Too FatCare2.com
Confused.com guides pet owners through the minefield of pet insuranceWebWire (press release)

all 15 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets
Patch.com
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and veterinarians and advocates have answers and aid for unsure pet owners. By Therra C. Gwyn Millions of kittens (and puppies) end up homeless on the streets and in shelters because of the problem of pet ...
Royal Pet Club Announces Partnership With Animal Aid to Donate Profits to ...PR Web (press release)
Sex and the Kitty: Discounted pet spay/neuters during FebruaryExaminer.com
NEW: Channel 10 Leads “Help These Faces” Unwanted Pet CampaignGoLocalProv
St. Augustine Record -Mail Tribune -Today's THV
all 11 news articles »


Lynnfielders Help PAWS Pets Find Homes
Patch.com
By William Laforme Since this website went online in late 2010, it has run regular columns from PAWS (Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society) highlighting the various pets, mostly cats in this case, that need a home. The local nonprofit recently ...

and more »


Canine changes; Pet owners fear licensing costs will rise after takeover
Record-Searchlight
Pet licensing in Shasta County will be privatized by next year. Curtis Martin runs Wednesday with his dog Jemma on Market Street. A change in the Shasta County Animal shelter's licensing program prompted by Haven Humane Society's eventual takeover ...

and more »


Critter Cleaners, All Pet Pantry Open on State Street
Patch.com
The pet grooming business and feed store now share a space at 1120 State St. in the Chipain's Shopping Plaza. By Amanda Luevano Critter Cleaners, the pet grooming business formerly located in downtown Lemont, opened its doors at a new location on State ...

and more »


Plain Dealer

Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from China
Plain Dealer
Sherrod Brown WASHINGTON, DC - Candace Thaxton of Westlake believes that tainted chicken jerky pet treats from China killed her 10-year-old pug, Chansey, last year and sickened the five-month-old puppy her family got to replace it.
Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 4 news articles »


French Tribune

Pet Dental Care
NTV
February is National Pet Dental Care Month. At what age in our pet's life should we start to be concerned about dental care? As soon as possible while your pet is still young. Know what its teeth and mouth look like, get it accustomed to having its ...
5 Best Ways to Keep Your Pet's Teeth HealthyPaw Nation
A Bite as Healthy as Their BarkWall Street Journal
Pet Dental Health Under the Spotlight in the USACosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

all 56 news articles »


Columbus Dispatch

So to Speak | Joe Blundo commentary: Note to Steubenville: Politicians good pets
Columbus Dispatch
Sign up for home delivery of The Columbus Dispatch and find out What's In It for You. Enroll in EZPay and get a free gift! Enroll now. The governor is in Steubenville today to deliver the State of the State address — to be given for the first time ...

and more »


Pet limit and rooster ban on Coast
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Sunset clauses have been built into new laws governing keeping pets and poultry on the Fraser Coast to protect existing pet owners. Under the new Local Laws residents can keep two cats and two dogs. If they wish to keep more cats or dogs they will have ...

and more »


Pets and Cancer -- Pet loss, the death of a pet
Stamford Times
By Gerald Post, DVM, DACVIM The death of a pet can be devastating. Pets are more than just pets nowadays; they are family members, friends, and trusted companions. When they die, we experience grief and it is a very natural emotion.

and more »

Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008