Positive Pitbull Facts

The pit bull terrier is officially known as the American Staffordshire terrier and is a registered breed of the American Kennel Club. The brochure of the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America explains that the often misunderstood breed loves to be around people and is a good breed for families with children. The Staffordshire Terrier Club also states that training of the Staffordshire Terrier is extremely important and should be started when the dog is at a young age for best results. This recommendation is actually true for most of the terrier breeds, which can become quite bossy and headstrong if their master does not take training seriously.

  1. Intelligence and Loyalty

    • Pit bulls are extremely intelligent. They love to please their masters and this can make them readily trainable. Obedience classes, early socialization and continued owner training can make a pit bull into a wonderful pet. The intelligence of the pit bull has made it possible for them to serve in law enforcement and drug interdiction, as therapy dogs, as search and rescue dogs and in the military.

    Temperament

    • In temperament tests by the American Temperament Testing Society, statistics show the American Staffordshire Terrier having an 84 percent pass rate. This temperament test pass rate is higher than the beagle and on a par with the Bassett hound. Dachsunds, Collies and chow breeds. This indicates that though there can be variations in any breed, the overall breed statistics for pit bull dog temperaments are good. A significant aspect of this study is that a large number of dogs were tested from this breed in particular.

    An Owner Problem

    • There are a large proportion of pit bulls in animal shelters. This, however, is likely not the fault of the dogs. Many owners purchase dogs with little thought as to their own responsibility for care, training and maintenance of a lifetime commitment. Owners need to recognize the adoption of a dog as a commitment of 12 to16 years. That commitment includes training, medical care, feeding and spending time with the dog. The American Staffordshire Terrier Club of America states in their breed brochure that the dog demands and thrives on plenty of attention. This aspect of the pit bull must be considered; this is not a dog to be adopted and then left in the back yard. Loneliness causes many breeds of dogs to become destructive chewers and diggers and breaks the dog-master bond that is crucial to effective training.

    Breeder Problems

    • Now that we understand that leaving a pit bull alone in the yard causes problems, consider the typical "backyard breeder." This is a person who breeds dogs to make a buck without regard to the temperament of either the producing pair or the puppies. The puppies grow up without human interaction which is just as critical for imprinting puppies as it is for imprinting foals from the moment of birth forward. Follow the recommendations of the breed brochure and choose a reputable breeder. Compare the parents and puppies of different breeders. Do not just grab the first pit bull puppy you see. Breeders who are interested in protecting and perpetuating the breed will select their breeding stock from the best in both physical attributes and temperament.