Today, Purebred Breeders LLC looks at the true nature of one of these misunderstood pooches, the American Pit Bull Terrier.
There has been an almost wide-scale vilification of Pit Bulls that Purebred Breeders LLC just cannot understand. Additionally, anyone who knows anything about the breed will attest to this; their personality is a direct correlation to the treatment they receive.
History
These agile, muscular dogs were originally bred to be working dogs on farms (yes…FARMS) and as family companions. They were also given other tasks around the farm, and were even dubbed as the “poor man’s horse” due to their strength and high pain tolerance. While some owners settled with their natural purpose, which was mainly to be a cattle or hog dogs, others realized that their strength was incredible. They also realized that if taught how, they could be extremely aggressive. These persons would go on to develop “pit-fighting”, and now this is the activity that most persons associate with the breed the instant it is mentioned. The result is wholesale panic about the temperament of a breed that was once seen as an obedient and helpful companion.
Temperament
The American Pit Bull Terrier or APBT are natural pleasers. They want to do whatever makes their masters happy and can be fiercely protective when it comes on to other dogs. However, those raised in a home with an established pack order, calm, reassuring yet firm pack leader, and kind treatment remain sweet-tempered. Proper training also deals with the issue of aggression towards other animals.
Loyal, good-natured, affectionate and amusing are all words that describe their true personality. These are high-energy dogs that adapt to most types of homes (even apartments) as long as they receive ample playtime and exercise. They are brave dogs that make great guards, and are quite intelligent. They are also really good with children, even those who are rough (thanks to their high pain threshold and calm nature), but should not be left alone as all dogs require supervision particularly with a small child. Nor should small children be left alone with any breed. Incidentally, a lot of the breeds kept as pets have a lower tolerance for children who have not yet been taught how to treat them with respect, and could get snappy or bite in response to rough handling.
Typical Build/Size
The APBT usually weighs around 22lbs to 78lbs and should not be mistaken for American Bullys that can exceed 85lbs due to crossbreeding. In fact, the majority of APBTs that weigh that much are mixed. Height averages around 14 to 24 inches.
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