The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that is considered one of the most aggressive, they are called “fighters” and are rightly feared. Yes, these dogs are dangerous, but with proper upbringing, socialization and a firm hand from the owner, they will not become a threat to society and other dogs.
In some countries, these dogs are considered a weapon, and in order to purchase a puppy, future owners were required to undergo appropriate psychological tests. At the same time, American pit bull terriers serve in the police, work to search for drugs and detain criminals. We will talk about this interesting breed, its history, characteristics and maintenance features today.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Origin of American Pit Bull Terriers
In the United States, pit bull terriers have always been popular: they were used as fighters in dog rings. Actually, the name of the breed comes from its “specialization”: translated from English “pit” means “pit for fighting”, “bull” means “bull”. The ancestors of American pit bulls include bulldogs, used for bull baiting, and strong terriers, bred to protect people and property. The breeders had one task - to combine power, fearlessness, the ability to overcome pain, agility and anger in the American Pit Bull Terrier.
At dog fights, animals were released into a special pit from which it was impossible to get out. The fight went to the death - until one of the dogs killed the other, the fight was not stopped. Spectators participated in the betting, betting impressive sums of money on the individual that seemed to them the most promising and hardy. Soon the US government became interested in the bloodthirsty type of spectacle, and the fights were declared illegal.
American Pitbull: a merciless fighter
When dog fighting was banned, the breeding of American pit bull terriers also stopped. People who previously bred dogs of this breed were closely monitored, and strict control was introduced over the owners of adult dogs. The press of that time published articles denouncing the breed and talking about the excessive bloodthirstiness and immeasurable aggression of pit bulls. Journalists wrote articles about American pit bulls attacking passers-by, accompanied by scary photographs.
However, over time, it became clear that cruelty and constant readiness to defend and attack are not an innate trait of pit bulls, but solely the efforts of their owners, who drove the dogs into a frenzy in order to make money from them.
The owners themselves cultivated the anger in the dogs.
General information
Despite the prohibitions on breeding, this breed continues to be loved all over the world no less. The sooner. The breed was bred for fighting, but with proper upbringing, the dog will not show aggression and rush at every passing person. For many breeders, the question of the character of American pit bull terriers is important, which we will definitely talk about later.
History of origin
Many people are accustomed to thinking that the American in the name of the breed is related to the homeland of the breed. no, the dog was brought to the USA from Britain. Selection work was carried out in which Old English terriers and bulldogs were crossed. In Britain they wanted to get a much better dog in all characteristics and external data. If you look at the pit bull terrier, you can agree that the breeders did a decent job.
Before animal welfare laws existed, pit bull terriers were used to fight bears and bulls. This contributed to a strict selection among representatives of the breed.
Such fights have been partially stopped, but to this day people earn a lot of money from this merciless spectacle.
Breed standards
The appearance of the pet is impressive. The muscle corset is well developed.
The body is rectangular in shape, muscularity is very noticeable on the sides and back, which is completely straight.
- The head is square, with soft connections to the neck and sternum. The fore and hind limbs are massive. Proportion to the body is maintained. The abdomen is tucked in, there are no hanging folds.
- The tail is small and low.
- The pets' muzzle is serious, but friendly. Ears may be cropped. But ears are often found from the moment of birth, they are slightly pressed to the body. Nose is black.
- Coat color can be varied.
- The coat is short.
Breed standard
Despite the fact that the American Pit Bull Terrier breed is known not only to breeders and connoisseurs, but also to ordinary people far from cynology, the standard has not yet been adopted in Russia, as well as in the International Federation of Cynology. The pit bull is recognized as an independent breed by only two American organizations: ADBA and UKC.
Table 1. American Pit Bull Terrier standard according to UKC
| Parameter | Description |
| Common parameters | Weight of males - 20-27 kilograms, females - 14-22 kilograms, height should be proportional to weight so that the animal looks powerful, but at the same time energetic and dexterous |
| Head, muzzle | Deep, tapering towards the nose from the forehead, well-developed strong lower jaw. Bite – “scissors”, disqualifying defects – overshot (the lower jaw protrudes above the upper) and undershot (accordingly, the upper jaw is longer than the lower) |
| Eyes | Round or almond-shaped, set low, any shade of the iris is allowed, with the exception of blue and light blue colors |
| Frame | Well-filled, deep chest, muscular shoulders, well-drawn ribs, short muscular loin, slightly sloping croup. The front half of the body is twice as powerful and wider than the back. Durable strong wide back |
| Limbs | Strong, muscular, elbows tightly pressed to the body, short, flexible and straight at the pastern joints, widely set |
| Movements | Lively, confident, cheerful, ready to break into a trot at any moment. Good coordination, powerful reach of the front paws and drive from the hind paws |
| Tail | It is a harmonious continuation of the top line. When the animal is at rest, it lies down, reaching the hock joint of the hind legs. When running and excited, a pit bull raises its tail to its croup |
| Wool, colors | Dense, smooth, moderately hard, tightly adjacent to the skin. Absolutely any colors are allowed, plain or combined. The exception is the merle color (silver spots on a black or white background) |
Adult female American Pit Bull Terrier
Characteristic
The breed is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, and its standard is determined by the UKC. The emphasis in the standard is on the working qualities of the dog, and not on appearance.
UKC breed standard
The key behavior characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are confidence, strength, patience, endurance, energy and enthusiasm.
The appearance of an American pit bull must meet the following parameters. The wedge-shaped head, wide and massive in relation to the body, creates a feeling of power. The dog has well-developed brow ridges and cheekbones, the outlines of the muzzle are clear, expressing a stern character.
When the dog listens or carefully observes what is happening, small wrinkles gather on the forehead, which is typical only for representatives of this breed.
The pit bull's muzzle is short with powerful jaws - the lower one is better developed than the upper one. The lips fit tightly to the jaws, the bite is scissor-shaped. The teeth are white and evenly spaced.
Eyes can be any shape, from round to almond-shaped. Located widely, closer to the dog's nose. The ears are set high and laid back when loose. The tips of the ears droop by one third. If desired, the owner can crop the dog's ears.
The pit bull's neck is muscular and dense, the skin is elastic and adheres to the body. The body is compact, moderately wide, with a massive chest and narrowed loin. The top line of the body descends from the withers and passes through a slight arch in the back into the sloping croup. The tail continues the top line of the body naturally, in a calm state it is lowered and does not curl. When moving, the dog carries its tail almost parallel to the ground. The length of the tail is up to the hock joint.
The disadvantages are:
- narrowed muzzle;
- loose lips, shaved;
- undershot and overshot;
- eyes blue or different colors;
- drooping ears;
- excessively thin neck;
- incorrectly positioned limbs;
- a break in the tail or bobtail;
- long wool;
- merle color.
American Pit Bull Terrier photo, breed description, character
Dimensions, weight and height of the breed
Permissible weight for males is 16-27 kg, females - 13.6-22.7 kg. The standard takes into account the proportions of the dog's body, rather than the ratio of height and weight, so if the weight of an American pit bull exceeds that specified in the standard, this is not a reason for disqualification.
The dog must be strong, proportional, compact and dexterous, move briskly and energetically, with a good span of limbs.
Possible colors
The American Pit Bull Terrier's coat is short and covers the body tightly. The dog seems tough to the touch. Wavy or elongated coat is not acceptable. Any shade of color is acceptable, the only exception is merle, when the coat is unevenly colored and spotted.
Puppy weight by month
APBT puppies vary greatly from each other. The ratio of weight and age depends on the genetic parameters of the parents.
Approximate age to weight ratio:
- 1 month – 2-3 kg;
- 3 months – 7 kg;
- 4 months – 9-11 kg;
- 8 months – 17 kg;
- 11 months – 20 kg.
When choosing a diet for a puppy, focus not on weight, but on the proportions of the pet. The skin should be shiny, and the body should be collected, without a protruding belly.
Lifespan
American pit bulls live up to 12-15 years. A balanced diet, regular feeding and walks, and sufficient activity can prolong a dog’s life.
Allergenicity
Pit bull terriers shed just as much as other dogs. Their wool is short, needle-like, and collects in carpets and furniture. Dogs are not considered hypoallergenic.
Pit bull - photo, description and character of the breed. American Pit Bull Terrier
Character and psyche
American Pit Bull Terriers are dogs with a difficult character. From their ancestors they inherited a strong fighting spirit, a high level of excitability, gambling and a tendency to dominate. Pitbulls crave to be the first in everything: the strongest, the fastest and the bravest. At the same time, representatives of the breed have extraordinary intelligence and often make decisions independently. The only thing that can depend on the owner raising the dog is what exactly these decisions will be.
A pit bull, to which the owner devotes a lot of time, effort, training and socialization, grows up to be an incredibly devoted and reliable protector, who does not hesitate for a long time if a person needs his help.
Pitbull is a stern and vigilant bodyguard
In general, we can highlight the following nuances in the psyche and character of the average representative of the breed:
- Stable nervous system - with faithful and regular communication with the dog handler and other dogs, as well as the constant attention of the owner, pit bulls perfectly assess their capabilities and will not try to surpass the owner or a relative they meet on a walk.
- Willingness to serve people - pit bulls are very owner-oriented and are happy to be useful and needed at any time.
- Pugnacity - from their fighting ancestors, pit bull terriers inherited a dislike for other dogs. The owner must be prepared for the fact that until his pet learns all the necessary commands and obeys unquestioningly, he will strive to fight with other dogs.
- Stubbornness, desire for leadership - from a very early age, the puppy’s owner must show him that the person in charge in the family is the person. Males are especially stubborn, periodically testing a person’s strength for up to a year and a half, trying to establish their own rules. The peculiarity is corrected together with a professional dog handler.
- Activity - the American pit bull is always happy to spend time on a walk, preferring long runs, swimming, and running after a toy.
- Highly trainable - pit bulls are willing to train if you find the right approach to them. When the owner encourages every correct decision of the dog and gently, without cruelty, corrects mistakes, the training area becomes the most favorite place for the pit bull.
Video – American Pit Bull Terrier
Character
The United Kennel Club (UKC) standard describes the character of American Pit Bull Terriers as follows: “The main characteristics of the breed are strength, self-confidence and zest for life.
Dogs are eager to please and brimming with enthusiasm. They are wonderful family companions and love children very much. Because pit bulls have a high level of aggression towards other dogs, as well as great strength, they must be properly socialized and undergo general training.
The natural agility of dogs is high and makes them capable of climbing, so a high fence is required when keeping them. Pit bulls are not well suited for guard duty because they are extremely friendly, even with strangers.
Aggressive behavior towards people is uncharacteristic of them and is highly undesirable. They perform very well because they are smart and capable.”
In September 2000, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on cases of dog attacks on people (resulting in death). The purpose of the study was to “identify the dog breeds that caused death in attacks on humans over a 20-year period in order to create appropriate policies.”
The study covered 238 incidents that occurred between 1979 and 1998. It showed that in 67% of cases that resulted in human death, Rottweilers and pit bulls were the culprits.
Friendly towards family, friends, even strangers. With strong nerves and a developed mind, these dogs are ideal for families with children, as they are tolerant with them and can protect them.
There is no need to teach them the basics of defense, as they intuitively understand the level of danger. While not aggressive towards people, they are aggressive towards other dogs, but the level of aggression varies between dogs.
A properly trained dog will not rush, but it will not shy away from a challenge either. They are aggressive towards small animals: cats, rabbits, domestic ferrets, hamsters and others.
Aggression towards dogs and small animals is not considered a fault, but uncontrolled aggression is unacceptable.
Use and purpose of the breed
Of course, modern American pit bull terriers are not at all the bloodthirsty killers they were originally created to be. Strict selective selection and mental tests made it possible to develop a truly universal breed. The Pit Bull Terrier is, perhaps, capable of any work and any purpose, with the exception of those that involve a long stay in the cold.
American pit bulls are used as vigilant guards - they are trusted with large territories, which they patrol together with humans. American Pit Bull Terriers cannot live in an enclosure or sit on a chain - without close contact with the handler, the dog begins to “go crazy.”
Pit bulls on duty
Pit bull terriers are excellent companions and companions for police officers (in the USA this is perhaps the most popular breed serving in law enforcement agencies). A pit bull is able to catch up and detain a criminal without giving him a single chance to escape. In addition, these dogs have an excellent sense of smell, which allows them to pick up a scent or participate in the search for explosives, drugs and other illegal or dangerous substances.
Also, dogs of this breed have a pronounced hunter instinct, and fearlessness helps them not to hesitate when meeting even a large animal and give it a fight. The physique and short hair of pit bulls does not prevent them from making their way through thickets; the dogs are excellent swimmers, tireless and energetic, so owners often take them hunting.
A powerful push from the hind legs allows the pit bull to get off to a quick start.
If we talk about more “civil” options for using the breed, then there will also be many options. The owner of a pit bull will not be bored with his pet on walks - representatives of the breed are strongly focused on sports and other types of training and entertainment.
Table 2. What to do with an American Pit Bull?
| Classes | Description |
| Agility | A sport in which a dog must temporarily overcome an obstacle course consisting of certain equipment. The animal, without the help of the owner (the dog cannot be kept on a leash), goes through such equipment as: slide, swing, boom, barriers, tunnel, fence, tire and others. How are agility competitions held? Where in Russia can you learn agility and how to start training? More details in a special article. |
| Waitpulling | A kind of weightlifting for the dog. The animal must drag behind it a platform on wheels (sometimes another option is allowed, for example, a tire), on which loads of different weights are placed (depending on the weight of the dog). At the same time, the owner cannot influence the pet, only encourage it with praise. |
| Mondioring | Competitions during which the animal must consistently perform the following exercises: jumping over obstacles with fetch, protecting the owner or things, complex obedience. |
| Obidience | Group competitions that test the degree of trust and interaction between dog and owner. The task is to complete all the exercises included in classical obedience as clearly as possible. The handler and the dog work without a leash. |
| Skryjoring | A sled sport discipline in which a dog tows a skier. There are also summer variations: the dog accompanies a cyclist or runner. |
Pitbull in whitepulling
History of the breed
The history of the breed is truly unique. It dates back to 1888. The American Bull Terrier dog was obtained by crossing a bulldog and a terrier. It started with the bulldogs. In Old England, bulldogs were considered baiting dogs. Later, bullying became prohibited. People began to use bulldogs for dog fighting. However, later the interest in fighting with dogs simply disappeared. The bulldogs, despite their anger and aggression towards their opponents, turned out to be clumsy. Representatives of the breed could not jump and dodge agile opponents. The result of the battles was considered known.
Taking into account their characteristics, bulldogs began to be crossed with representatives of agile and agile breeds. The species obtained by crossing a bulldog and a terrier turned out to be successful. The American Bull Terrier dog breed appeared.
The pit bull dog breed was considered a fighting dog. Pit bulls were actually used for dog fighting. After the ban on fighting, dog breeding continued, and fights began to be held in illegal ways in order to earn money on bets. The dogs were bred according to the principle of “killer dogs”, teaching them to fight from an early age. After the fights, the more the dog won in fights, the more expensive the dog was sold. Previously, this type of gambling was considered a powerful and profitable betting. The American Pit Bull Terrier dog was quite suitable for participating in battles. She is aggressive, cruel, quick to react.
The breed originally appeared in the United States of America. After the ban on fighting and the identification of the aggressive qualities of dogs, at the initiative of the government, the media carried out a campaign among the population for the complete destruction of the breed. The press constantly talked about cruel cases of pit bull terriers attacking people, and provided terrible-looking photographs and comments.
In fact, the characteristics of the breed are such that it is possible to raise an excellent guard dog from a pit bull terrier. Due to their keen sense of smell, representatives of the breed are indispensable when working in special services. Mainly used to search for drugs and explosives. Today in European countries, breeding and keeping American pit bulls is strictly prohibited. The breed is popular in Russia and the USA. There are strict rules for dog breeders.
How to care for an American Pit Bull Terrier?
Pit bulls are an unpretentious breed of dog, so the owner does not have to devote much time to caring for the pet. The most important aspect of keeping this dog is the owner's willingness to go on long walks and the ability to train the pit bull individually or in a group several times a week.
American pit bull terriers are lovers of active games, including with toys, so the owner must provide the animal not only with high-quality equipment (collar, harness, leash, muzzle), but also with durable toys.
American Pit Bull Terriers are lovers of active games
Toys for American Pitbull
The modern pet market offers a lot of toys for dogs. Conventionally, they can be divided into three groups:
- items for fetching;
- items to play with the owner;
- items for dogs to play independently.
The first group - fetch items - includes various balls, frisbees and flying saucers, rings and pullers. These toys should be selected based on their size (medium or large is needed for a pit bull terrier) and durability. To prevent the animal's powerful jaws from biting through the toy, it is worth purchasing those designed for large breeds. In addition to the toys we have listed, special wooden fetch dumbbells are well suited for pit bull terriers. It is important that the dog retrieves the item without trying to spoil it.
Rubber puller
The puller is one of the most popular toys purchased by owners of large dogs. The puller consists of two identical rings. The toy has many advantages: the rings are made of soft foam material that does not injure the dog’s teeth. Pullers do not sink, they jump when they hit the ground, they are difficult to tear or bite through - the dog’s teeth simply fit into the ring without damaging it.
Large version of the dog puller
Toys that involve interaction between the owner and the dog, first of all, include ropes and their various modifications. American pit bulls, as they have a strong grip, will appreciate the opportunity to play tug-of-war with the owner.
Some dogs enjoy playing with a laser pointer by chasing the light beam. This type of game can be used in the cold season or when you need to quickly tire the dog, but a long walk is not possible. The main thing is not to let the dog become fixated on the laser, and to alternate such a chase with other games.
Rope constriction
Another category of toys are those that do not require intervention from the owner. For the American pit bull, good entertainment options include a Kong toy (designed for chewing, with a hollow hole for treats), a Jolly Egg (an egg-shaped plastic ball that eludes the dog when he tries to grab it) or rubber bones, embossed balls and other figures that allow the pet to brush its teeth.
Video – Educational toy for dogs
Pit bull terrier: hygiene
The owner of an American Pit Bull Terrier must regularly monitor the length of the pet's claws, trimming them once a month with a special guillotine nail clipper, and also check the cleanliness of the pet's ears, eyes and teeth. Pit bulls are not dogs with problem ears, so it will be enough to clean the ear shell once a week with napkins or a cotton pad moistened with boiled water.
The same goes for the eyes: a healthy dog's eyes do not run and do not require daily washing. If the animal has been walking in dust or something has gotten into the eye, you need to carefully rinse both eyes with a gauze swab or cotton pad, poured with a weak solution of chamomile or special eye drops.
Before swimming, it is better to place cotton wool in the pitbull’s ears to prevent water from getting in.
As for bathing American Pit Bull Terriers, this can not be done often. It is permissible to wash the dog with shampoo a couple of times a year, not counting cases when the dog is very dirty. The short and smooth coat does not require combing, but during the shedding period it is better to help the pet get rid of falling hairs by passing over the dog’s coat once a day with a rubber mitt with delicate teeth.
From the moment you change your teeth, you need to brush them two to three times a week. Only zoopaste that does not form foam and does not have a strong taste or smell is suitable for a dog. You can clean it with a special soft toothbrush or just with your finger, wrapping a bandage around it or wearing a special latex nozzle.
Changing teeth in puppies
Answer
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a strong breed, but controversial in terms of public opinion. Often causes concern among passersby. Pit bulls become dangerous and aggressive due to improper upbringing.
Having decided to acquire such a pet, the future owner assumes responsibility. By allowing improper upbringing, provoking the development of anger towards people is fraught with serious consequences. If you want to get not a wrestling dog, but a dog - a sports companion, vying for the place of a pet, the chosen option is quite suitable.
It is important to make serious efforts in training - obedience from a dog is supposed to be achieved by proving superiority. And if developing anger towards a person does not seem difficult, then it is difficult to tame a breed with unquestioning obedience.
American Pit Bull Terrier Health
The American Pit Bull is a strong and healthy dog, but this breed is not without a predisposition to certain diseases. Thus, pit bulls often have allergic reactions, especially to poor-quality feeding, as well as diseases related to the hormonal system and the thyroid gland.
Allergies in dogs are a common occurrence that causes discomfort for them and their owners. In a special article we will tell you how to deal with this disease.
Pit bull terriers can suffer from thyroid dysfunction, which causes dogs to accumulate excessive fat tissue and develop pathologies such as cardiovascular disease or liver disease. Veterinarians note that representatives of this breed are more likely than other dogs to suffer from aortic stenosis (manifestations are fatigue and difficulty breathing), as well as pelvic dysplasia.
American Pit Bull Terriers are classified as allergy dogs.
Pitbull vaccination
At two and a half to three months of age, an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy should receive its first vaccinations. Usually the breeder is involved in vaccination, and only after that he transfers the baby to a new home and allows the owner to go for walks with the puppy.
The vaccine that is given to the dog is called DHLP-P-, and it protects the animal from enteritis (many unvaccinated puppies die from this terrible disease), leptospirosis, distemper and parahepatitis. Separately, the puppy is vaccinated against rabies - this vaccine is given at six months. Before vaccination, the dog is examined by a veterinarian, who also gives the go-ahead for vaccination. An examination is needed in order to promptly identify symptoms of disease in a dog, and only an absolutely healthy animal can be vaccinated.
Vaccines for dogs from different manufacturers
Important! You cannot vaccinate a puppy while its teeth are changing. At this time, the animal’s immunity is already undermined, and the introduction of a vaccine, even with a small amount of pathogens, is fraught with illness.
After the puppy has received its first vaccinations, it is necessary to quarantine for at least ten days and only then take the pet outside. Adult American pit bulls, like other dogs, are vaccinated at the same time every year. The dog must have a veterinary passport, which will indicate the date of the next vaccination, a sticker from the ampoule with the vaccine will be pasted in, and the clinic where the procedure was carried out will be indicated.
During pregnancy and lactation, the bitch is vaccinated until the end of maternity
Health
American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the healthiest purebred dogs. They benefited greatly from their large gene pool, and they were created as a working, strong dog. Of course, they are not immune from hereditary genetic diseases, but they suffer from them less than other breeds.
Moreover, the life expectancy of pit bull terriers is 12-16 years, which is longer than other breeds. What you should pay attention to is their behavior, since they have a high pain threshold and suffer many diseases without showing them.
The two most common diseases that pit bulls suffer from are hip dysplasia and demodicosis. Dysplasia causes changes in the joints that cause the bones to fit together incorrectly.
This causes discomfort, pain, lameness. There is no universal recipe for treating dysplasia, and in any case you need to go to the veterinarian.
pituble puppy
Demodectic mange is caused by the development of an opportunistic mite, the acne gland, which is present on the skin of all dogs. It is transmitted from the mother while feeding the puppy and in normal cases does not cause problems. But sometimes immune reactions and inflammation begin, and again, you need to consult a veterinarian.
How to feed an American Pit Bull Terrier?
American Pit Bulls are athletic, active and muscular dogs for which a balanced diet is very important. A properly selected diet will keep your pet in ideal condition, will help the dog withstand physical and intellectual stress, and also recover from it.
The pit bull must receive not only all the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It is very important to balance the amount of fats, carbohydrates and especially proteins in the diet, because they are responsible for the growth of muscle mass in a dog.
To maintain optimal muscle percentage, your pit bull needs to be fed correctly.
An adult dog needs to be fed at least twice a day - after a morning and evening walk. You should not give food to an animal that has not yet gone outside, since a full stomach makes jogging uncomfortable; in addition, a walk after eating can result in gastric volvulus, which is fatal for the dog.
The serving size must be selected individually - the dog must eat everything that is offered no slower than five to seven minutes. If the dog greedily eats its portion and licks the plate for a long time, you need to increase the amount of food. If the pet leaves food, next time he should get less.
Food remaining in the bowl is a reason to reduce the portion
Dry food or natural products?
The owner of an American pit bull must decide what he will feed his pet - natural products or ready-made industrial food. It is prohibited to mix these types of feeding, since the dog’s stomach is adjusted to a certain type of food. Both “drying” and “natural” have their advantages and disadvantages, we will talk about this below.
Feeding with natural products means that most of the portion will be raw meat. This diet is the most natural for a dog, as it fully meets the needs of a predator and is suitable for the stomach of any member of the canine family. But “natural” is not food from the master’s table, not cereals or soups. The owner should prepare a fresh portion of food for the dog every day, based on the basic principles of feeding.
Meat is the basis of dog nutrition
In addition to raw fresh meat, the dog should receive raw offal and sea fish. There is no need to cook these products, since boiled meat simply passes through the dog’s gastrointestinal tract without bringing any benefit to the body. It is enough to pour boiling water over the pieces, then cool and offer them to the animal.
When purchasing meat for an American Pit Bull Terrier, you need to choose low-fat varieties: rabbit, veal, turkey, chicken. Pork and any minced meat will not work. You need to cut the meat into pieces so that the dog chews them before swallowing - this is beneficial for the pit bull terrier's jaws. By gnawing meat into convenient portions, the dog cleans its teeth, and solid food is also useful for maintaining gastric motility.
The dog must chew the meat before swallowing
Also, the following foods should be present in the animal’s bowl every day: vegetables and fruits (raw, grated or cut into small pieces), herbs, directly pressed vegetable oils, lactic acid products (cottage cheese, kefir), eggs.
Industrial food gives the dog owner much more free time - there is no need to store large volumes of meat in the refrigerator, cut it, add vegetables and other additives. Just open the pack and measure out the required amount of granules. By the way, all manufacturers indicate the dosage of food on the back of the pack - according to the dog’s weight and activity level.
Dry food frees the owner from cooking
In addition, holistic and super premium food maintains a balance of all substances vital for a dog. The manufacturer adds not only fats, carbohydrates and proteins to the food, but also enriches the granules with micro- and macroelements, vitamins and other necessary additives.
However, there is no food that is suitable for every dog. You need to select the “drying” experimentally. Thus, the American Terrier needs to be fed a diet created for medium-sized breeds, and the specific food is selected according to age. An adult pit bull needs to choose food with a protein content of at least 25% to maintain the animal's activity at the desired level.
Pit bull terriers should eat food marked “Active”
If the dog always eats with pleasure, looks cheerful, has a shiny and glossy coat, and has no problems with the toilet, then the food is suitable for it. Individual adjustments to the dosage are possible, since the dog does not always eat the portion that the manufacturer offers for the weight of the animal. Dogs receiving heavy daily exercise should receive one and a half or even double portions.
The owner must monitor the pet’s condition: protruding ribs indicate that the dog is starving (except for illness), excess fat is a reason to change the brand of food to a less calorie one or cut down on the portion.
You should not feed a pit bull by eye - this can lead to obesity in the dog.
What is it forbidden to feed a pit bull?
The American Bull Terrier, like any other dog, must eat on a strict schedule and eat food suitable for its predator. There is no need to feed your pet between feedings, much less offer it harmful and even dangerous foods. These include bread, pastries, sausages, sausages and other semi-finished products. It is forbidden to treat your pit bull even with small pieces of spicy or hot food, smoked meats, sweets, fried or fatty foods.
It is forbidden to feed the pit bull terrier raw river fish (a carrier of parasites), game meat obtained by hunting (elk meat, beaver meat, wild boar meat, etc.). Do not include potatoes, legumes, pasta, cereals such as rolled oats or semolina, or mushrooms in the dog’s diet. Bones are dangerous for dogs - when chewed into small pieces, they can injure internal organs.
Foods prohibited for dogs
In a special article , we will analyze in detail what you should not feed your dog, which foods are strictly prohibited for representatives of any breed and can harm them.
How to choose an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy?
A person who is going to become the owner of a pit bull terrier must understand why he is getting a pet. If the animal is destined to become a loyal friend and participate in sports competitions, you can pay attention to pet-class puppies. These are dogs that have minor flaws in their exterior (blue eyes, bite problems, non-standard color). These nuances do not affect the dog’s health in any way, but they significantly reduce the price of the puppy - American pet-class pit bull terriers cost about ten thousand rubles.
Puppies of the “breeding” class are average representatives of the breed, having no flaws, but also not representing elite blood or rare combinations of dogs. Most often, the “breeding” class includes females that are capable of producing excellent offspring if mated with a good promising male. The cost of breeding puppies starts from twenty thousand rubles.
If the owner expects a brilliant show career for the dog, he must tell the breeder about this
The most expensive puppies belong to the “show” class. These are future winners of show rings, carrying interesting blood and having champion parents. Show dogs are considered the pride of the breed, and meeting a worthy litter is rare. To get such a dog, the future owner must prepare for the fact that he will have to part with an amount of fifty thousand rubles or more. At the same time, there is a high probability that you will have to wait a long time for a suitable litter from show parents.
Content
- The main character traits of the American Pit Bull Terrier: female or male?
- Character of the American Pit Bull Terrier
- Basic commands
- Raising a dog
In this article you will learn what features of character and behavior are inherent in the American Pit Bull Terrier. After studying this information about the temperament and disposition of the American Pit Bull Terrier at different ages, you will get an idea about the breed. Find out how the character of a bitch differs from the behavior of a dog. We hope our article will help you figure out which gender of puppy is best for you.
