Should You Adopt a Pit Bull?

A negative image of pit bulls has been generated by the media. They are portrayed as hateful, vicious creatures who will turn on their owners and attack people and other animals with no provocation. This simply isn’t true; pit bulls are a marvelous breed. They’re beautiful, loving, sweet, and loyal companions. My own Angel is part pit and she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.

However, it’s important to note that pit bulls are not compatible with everyone. If you’re interested in adopting a pit bull, there are quite a few things to take into consideration to make sure that it’s a good fit for you.

Because of their reputation as killers and vicious dogs, pit bulls are often mistreated. They are used for dog fighting, or trained to be attack dogs that maim on command, because of their extreme physical strength. Sometimes, misinformed owners simply used unnecessary force during training. Unfortunately, the vast majority of pits that are rescued from those types of living conditions have to be put down. They are considered a threat to the lives and health of any prospective owners, and are marked as dangerous animals. After the abuse that they’ve suffered, they are simply incapable of functioning in a normal way without being a danger to themselves and others.

Some of these dogs, however, are able to be rehabilitated. It takes a special person to rescue and rehabilitate a pit bull. Pit bulls are very strong. They have a more muscular build than many other dog breeds, and this can make them hard to handle. Being in good physical shape is important when dealing with a large, physically strong animal, especially one that likely comes with issues from being abused or neglected.

The idea that pit bulls are naturally more aggressive than other breeds is widely held, but is a misconception. Dogs of any breed are made aggressive by their living situation. If an animal is abused or neglected, it begins to use aggression as a means of defense. It takes a lot of time, and even more patience, to show your dog that it has nothing to fear from you.

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding whether a pit bull is right for you is the area in which you live, and the social stigma attached to owning a dog of this breed. Many states have set in place a ban on owning pit bulls within certain city limits. Be sure that you check your local regulations. If you are found to own a pit bull in a restricted area, your dog will be taken away and put to sleep. Be prepared to hear nasty comments from the misinformed about how dangerous your dog is. If you can’t handle the stress of defending your dog to the general public, then a pit bull is not for you.

It’s disheartening to see the number of pit bulls that are put to sleep each year. They have acquired such a bad reputation due to attacks being sensationalized in the media that most people are afraid to adopt a pit bull. In some cases, a person adopts a pit bull but isn’t capable of training it properly, and the dog attacks them, another person, or another animal, and is put the sleep. These deaths are preventable.

Do your research. Learn the proper ways to handle a large, strong dog. Be patient, use positive reinforcement, and be responsible. Pit bulls make wonderful pets, but they aren’t for everyone.