Pitbulls are awesome. Those that love them know them as friendly, devoted,
playful pets with lots of love to share. But, a Pit Bull is a large powerful dog that is
not for everyone. Here are 5 Legitimate Reasons You Should Not Get a Pitbull.
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Pit Bulls Bond Deeply with Family
A Pit Bull is loyal and bonds deeply with family.
They are exceptional dogs, but they need exceptional owners.
You must consider your Pit Bull as part of the family. This is not a
dog that you can just throw out into the backyard and leave it. Very few dogs are.
It needs time with family. The Pit Bull is also not a dog that you can leave home alone all the
time. If you work a lot, you should consider a different breed or a different type of pet
altogether. A reptile perhaps. There’s a link to Low-Maintenance Reptiles in the description.
This is not a pet you can abandon if it doesn’t work out. Pit Bulls are among the
most euthanized in shelters thanks in no small part to media hype. The decision to
get a Pit Bull is a 12-14 year commitment and one that should not be taken lightly.
But, you’ve never lived until you’ve had a Pit Bull try to crawl into your lap for a cuddle.
Pitbulls are Lousy Guard Dogs
If you are looking for a guard dog, keep looking. Despite their reputation as tough dogs,
Pit Bulls are lousy guard dogs. Instead, many pit bulls will invite the person in, tongue kiss them,
and then have the person snuggle with them on the couch while watching Netflix.
For the most part, this is a people-friendly breed, who is generally happier to see guests
than their human family members are. Greeting them with a whole wagging butt.
Granted, they are big and have that not so accurate reputation of being aggressive,
so your Pitbull may be enough to scare away a stranger. But, keep in mind that Pit Bulls
are also one of the most stolen breeds. Link in the description explains more.
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Pitbulls are Victims of Breed Specific Legislation
One of the more difficult parts of owning a Pit Bull just might be humans, specifically lawmakers.
Breed-specific legislation targets specific breeds of dogs that are
wrongly thought to all be dangerous – most frequently "pit bull types" – and
places stricter regulations on these dogs or even makes ownership of them illegal.
Frequently, breed-specific legislation focuses on dogs with a certain appearance or physical
characteristics, instead of an actual breed. "Pit bulls" are the most frequent
targets of breed-specific legislation despite aiming at a general type rather than a breed;
other breeds often included are Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Boxers.
You might not even realize you live in such a community and it might take
years before someone reports you to authorities.
It doesn’t end there. Your HOA may have rules against Pit Bulls and Pit Bull types
and your homeowner’s insurance may even drop you from coverage for owning a Pit Bull.
None of this is the dog’s fault, but it does put you and the dog in a bad situation
since most people can’t afford to just move because they aren’t allowed to have their dog.
This often ends with the dog being abandoned.
Just make sure you are 100% sure you don’t live under such laws before adopting a Pit Bull.
Pit Bulls are Strong and Need Activity
A Pit Bull is a strong and very muscular dog. It is also
very energetic. A Pittie will make a great pet if you are the type of person who is
always up for an adventure and wouldn’t mind a canine companion.
However, if you are not the active type and would rather have your ten-year-old walk your
dog by himself (a Pittie is way too strong for that), or if you are always busy with work and
have no time to take your dog out for a stroll, then a Pit Bull is not for you.
Also keep in mind that while intelligent and fairly easy to train, Pit Bulls can be a bit
stubborn, especially when they want to get to something, most likely something they think
they can eat. If the dog doesn’t have proper leash manners, there is very little you can do
to keep your dog from pulling you across the street if it really has its mind set on it.
You’ll need to be an exceptional dog owner.
As we’ve noted above, Pitbulls have gained a bit of a bad reputation,
mostly coming from Myth, Urban Legend, and Bad Actors (ie dog fighters).
So, to combat some of these negative perceptions, you’ll need to be an exceptional pet parent.
Socializing the dog with people and other animals is key. Here are some tips:
If your pitbull is friendly with other dogs, maintain that socialization by meeting up with
friends or going to the dog park, if your dog doesn’t get too rowdy in such settings.
Monitor your dog’s play and be prepared to distract your dog if they get too intimidating.
The ones that are friendly with other dogs are sort of the life of the party,
but they can play a bit too rough at times.
If your dog isn’t friendly with other dogs,
make sure they are on a leash and there are no unleashed dogs around.
When it comes to other pets some pit bulls are absolutely lovely
with other animals - cats and even bunnies, but others are not. Make
introductions slowly. The more you know about the dog, the better off you are.
Responsible pet ownership includes spaying or neutering your pet.
That will help decrease some undesirable behavior, such as male dominance aggression.
Overall, Pit Bulls are awesome pets. They are loving, great with kids, and they look like land
seals, but there are valid reasons for you to look to other breeds for your family companion.
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And as always, catch ya next time.