American Pitbull Terriers
The American Pitbull Terrier, popularly known as the Pitbull or Pitbull terrier, is a medium sized, short haired, strong breed of dogs
Breed Profile
Height
18 – 21
Inches
Weight
40 – 60
Pounds
Life Span
8 – 15
Years
Health
health
Degenerative Myelopathy
What is it?:
It is a disease affecting the spinal cord which results in the slow progression of hind limb weakness and paralysis. Basically it is the loss of muscle co-ordination.
Clinical signs
The clinical symptoms of this condition may include -
Difficulty rising
Hind limb weakness
Incoordination
Muscle loss from the entire body
Scuffed toenails on hind limbs
Treatment
There are tests available to confirm the condition such as neurological exams, blood check-ups, X-Rays, etc. There is no cure as such for the condition but physical therapy and medications may be prescribed to treat the condition.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Luxating Patellas
What is it?:
Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of the groove in which it normally rides up and down. It could be slipped medially, which is towards the opposite leg, as opposed to laterally, which would be away from the dog.
Clinical signs
Skipping or hoping for a few strides while running and kicking the leg frequently to put the kneecap back in place.
Treatment
If it is a mild condition of luxating patellas, common arthritis medicine may be prescribed. But, if the problem is severe, then a re-alignment surgery may be needed
Eligible vet bill
$2,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Fun-Loving
Pitbulls are a fun loving breed, always up for a game of catch or any other interesting one
Gentle
They might look big and scary but are actually very gentle and family friendly
People oriented
Pitbull terrier puppies are very affectionate and pleasing kind who love a human companion
Lifetime Care
Coat
There are 3 a single coated breed with short hair which is shiny and stiff
Colors
There is a variety when it comes to the colors of Pitbulls. It includes black, fawn, blue, white, tan, grey, brindle, brown, grey
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The Pitbull breed’s short coat is a blessing for grooming which doesn’t require much. A weekly brush, nail trim, ear and teeth cleaning should suffice.
Training
Pitbull terriers are people loving, smart, responsive and come with a high aptitude which makes is easy for not only basic training but also some special ones as well.
Learn more about the cost of caring for an American Pitbull Terrier.
American Pitbull terriers are a combination of the now extinct ‘Old English terriers’ and ‘Old English Bulldogs.’ Hence giving it both the qualities of a terrier as well as a bull. The origins are from the United States and hence the prefix American in the name. Their strong and muscular bodies have been used even for extreme blood sports like bull baiting and bear baiting which fortunately are now eliminated. In the recent times, these dogs are now being used as companion dogs, working dogs, athletic sport dogs which includes weight lifting. They are also a part of the police dog army and find applications in therapy dogs as well. Their strong scent sense makes them very useful for narcotics operations as well. This clearly proves the versatility of the breed and the kind of aptitude they possess to perform all these skills.
American Pitbull Terrier Dog: Introduction to the Breed
The breed has now been converted into a family dog from a deadly sporting one. However, it is always better to know as much as possible about a breed before bringing them home.
Pitbull Terrier Dogs are generally:
Energetic and playful
Affectionate and people loving
Highly intellectual
Very much agile
Strong and zesty
American Terriers are best suited for –
Experienced dog owners
Active households
Owners who can spend time training and playing with their dog
Someone who can train the dogs well or has access to professionals who can do so
Families with older kids
Health Risks for a Pitbull Terrier Puppy
Apart from the above-mentioned common health problems, these terrier dogs are also prone to some other health related issues which can give the owner a hard time to their time, head and even wallet.
Skin Problems – Having a short single comes with several problems. Including sunburns, itchy allergies, tumors and even skin cancer. It is important to keep the pitbulls away from places where there are a lot of mosquitoes orelse one bite and the dog may scratch itself till it bleeds.
Cataracts – It is the same as found in humans and refer to opacity in the lens of the eye. They are usually caused by genetics but can also occur after a certain age due to some diseases. They can also lead to blindness and these terriers are prone to it
Dental Diseases – Your American Pitbull terrier should not have a stinky breath. Otherwise, these problems start with the teeth and then grow up to the gums and roots of the teeth. Adequate care is required here or else there is a risk for your dog to lose its teeth.
Hip and elbow dysplasia – Because of its high levels of energy and playful nature, they are highly prone to various dysplasia as well and the treatment of the same can be costly
Knee displacements – Ligament tears and knee problems are common for this breed as they are playful, energetic and can also be aggressive at times which can lead to excessive running
Hypothyroidism – Pitbulls are prone to gaining extra weight and develop skin issues if the thyroid glands are not producing enough thyroid hormones. It can elevate their aggression as well.
GDV or Gastric dilation volvulus – From a mere bloating to a fatal disease GDV in severe conditions can be very threatening and these terriers are susceptible to it
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a American Pitbull Terrier
There are a few cautions that you need to know before deciding to adopt a Pitbull Terrier puppy
They can be very aggressive. They need a lot of obedience and patience training or else it can lead to severe aggression problems which can even be destructive.
They need a lot of exercise. Their origins being so active and worked out, the genes have to be fed accordingly to match up in the recent times as wel.
They are also known to treat their owners badly at times due to their disobedience
The adult ones are comparatively hard to train because they tend to develop their brain of their own and can be quite dominant
Young kids and toddlers need to be carefully supervised with a Pitbull in the house as their sheer size can intimidate them
Conclusion
Big in size but gentle by heart, the American Pitbull Terriers are a family friendly and very much human friendly dog. Bringing it home is like bringing home a big package of love and affection. Just a little scary at times but if trained and taught well, they can very well be your best buddies!
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