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Are You an American Pit Bull Terrier Person?

Is the American Pit Bull Terrier dog breed for you?

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American Pitbull Terrier PuppyBefore purchasing your APBT, you must give much thought to the personality and characteristics of the breed to determine if this is the right dog for you. This is not a dog for the laid-back owner who will not give the dog the training and attention that he deserves. In addition, this is not a dog for the first-time puppy owner. This is a dog for the individual who has studied up on the breed, understands its characteristics and is willing to train the dog and give him the time that he will need.

You should consider the following issues before purchasing an APBT:

1. Do you have the time to give to a dog? He will need care, companionship, training and grooming. This is almost like having a child, except the dog remains a child and will always require your care.

2. Do you have a fenced-in yard for your Pit Bull? This is not a breed that you can tie out on the porch or let roam free. He must have a secure area in which to run and exercise.

3. Have you owned a dog previously and did that dog live a long and happy life with your family?

4. Have you checked with your towns offices to make certain that there are no breed-specific laws in your neighborhood? Some communities will not allow certain breeds of dog, and the APBT may be one of them.

5. Understand that your neighbors may not be pleased with your bringing this dog into the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the Pit Bull is not looked upon kindly by many people who do not understand the breed or who have not had contact with a well-bred APBT.

6. Even if this breed requires a minimum of grooming, your dog will require some coat care.

7. Do you have the time and interest to do this?

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Are You an American Pit Bull Terrier Person?
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Reader Comments
Having owned an American Staffordshire terrier for 14 years, I can only share from my experiences. I bought my dog, Tyson as a puppy from a breeder. Raising him from a puppy, I have experienced a lot of positives and some negatives. As far as the dog's interaction with family, friends and their children, my experiences were 99.9% very good. Tyson loved everyone and just wanted everyone to love him. He especially had a sense of calm around small children and smaller animals. One day our friend’s 10 month old crawled over to Tyson as he slept, grabbed Tyson’s tongue that was sticking out and started to yank on it!! Tyson woke up, just looked at the baby, yawned and went back to sleep. He was a 50 lb. baby, who just wanted to spend time with people and go for walks....Which leads me to some of the negatives. There are people out there who have no idea what Am. Staffs or APBT's are about and do judge based on media (I use the term loosely) reports and hearsay. Some people will judge you and your dog with no reason or proof of any wrong doing. So if you choose this breed be aware of this.

An example of this was years ago, my wife was walking Tyson ON A LEASH. As she was approaching a neighboring apartment, a man and his friends were in the front yard, preparing to leave. In the yard was his Aussie sheep dog NOT ON A LEASH. Before she could cross the street, the dog charged her and Tyson in an aggressive manner, snapping at Tyson's torso. From our apartment three apartments down I heard her screaming and ran because I knew it was her. As I arrived the owner of the Aussie was pulling Tyson of his dog's rear quarters, As he's doing so his elderly neighbor is yelling at my wife, (who is hysterical), "Your dog is evil and should be killed. Pit bulls are evil animals and they should all be killed." The owner of the other dog asked the elderly man to please leave. It all worked out in the end. The Aussie owner was very cool, his dog had a bite wound to the rear, we assisted with a portion the vet bills, but the owner realized it was his responsibility. But there were several other occasions with off the leash dogs, when we narrowly avoided serious problems.

So to wrap up this novel, These are GREAT dogs with proper breeding, training, and supervision. Just be prepared for the other people who aren't educated and aren't being good owners. Because in the end you are the owner of the "Bad dog" and even if they do not start a fight, they will finish it.
R.I.P. Tyson
Mike, Los Angeles, CA
Posted: 10/1/2009 2:33:36 PM
i have a american staffashire terri dog i love her to death shes my big baby she thinks she is a cat most of the time she is 8 years old and iv had her since she was 4 month old she grew up weth all my kids and grandchildern i have a big family she jazzmin is her name she loves people very much see great with babys my grandaughter rides her like a horse hif jazzmin get agatend she will move to the other room se has never hurt any body except once i was in a bad reliship with a guy and he abuse me and jazzmin would bite him cause she was preoted me .so if people say pitbulls are mean ya they can be it epends how they are brought up and my jazzmin has lots of loving and care with lots of treats and food and water i would just fall apieses if any thing happend to her she my baby.
elizabeth, gouldsboro, PA
Posted: 9/30/2009 8:27:43 PM
good article thanks
janet, bethlehem, PA
Posted: 9/11/2009 4:43:09 AM
Yes! I would never own a different type of breed. They are such a great dog with the right owner.
Jessica, Bakersfield, VT
Posted: 9/6/2009 10:44:54 AM
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