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So You Want an American Pit Bull Terrier?


You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull Terrier youwant as your companion. Are you ready for this breed? Read thisarticle and then decide if you want to go ahead with yourdecision.

Does your lifestyle fit the American Pit Bull Terrierlifestyle?

These dogs are packed with energy from head to toe. Craving agood run like a champion athlete. Exercise is critical to aheathy, happy bulldog. High energy is their middle name and is alarge part of their personalities. Play, work, and activity issomething you must be able to give these dogs

If you're a couch potato you should find another breed to livewith.

Do you have the security?

American Pit Bull Terriers are the Houdini's of the canineworld. Able to leap tall fences with a single bound, dig underthem with amazing speed and stealth, and unlock gates thatpeople would have trouble with.

You should have 6' privacy fence, beware of dog signs, hotwiring at the top and bottom of the fence, out door housing thatkeeps them out of the sun (even if they live indoors), andsupervision are required for these dogs. You can't leave themalone for long outside because one of two things may happen:

1. They escape. 2. They're stolen.

Are you prepared for the scrutiny of neighbors and friends?

American Pit Bull Terriers are notorious. They have a bad nameand the misinformed public is out to get them. It seems likeeveryday another "Baby mauled by pit bull" story runs,diminishing your choice of breed.

People will dislike you for your choice. Some may even try tokill your dog. Others will direct comments at you, vulgar,hateful comments, and friends and family may also be in conflictwith your choice.

Be prepared for some rude behavior and protect your dog byteaching food refusal from strangers.

Can you train your dog?

There are two methods of training. One is to train your dog byshowing it how to sit and lay down and then quitting. The otherlasts forever. Real training is life long training that startswhen the puppy arrives at your home and ends with death.

Unless you're prepared to work with your dog 5-10-15 minutes perday, everyday, all week, every week, all year, every year, youmay want to rethink your decision to get a Pit Bulldog.Actually, if you're not prepared to train your dog, you shouldrethink getting any dog. Training is a fact of life and must bedone in order to prevent a lot of trouble down the road.

If you can not control your dog, you don't need one.

Can you afford them?

Dog food, vet bills, training, leashes and collars, and doghouses all cost money. Money you may not have right now. Aquality dog food can cost as much as $800 per year. Do you havethis kind of extra money to spend on food? If not, wait untilyou do before you bring home that puppy.

Do you want a American Pit Bull Terrier to impress people?

If this is the case, stop! Do not, repeat, do not bring onehome. You're doing yourself and the dog a great injustice.

American Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of their allaround strength, agility, great looks, and mystic. Breeders arepumping puppies out like unleaded gasoline. Puppies are beingneglected and bad breeding practices are producing unstabledogs. Beware before you make any final decisions.

If I may point you in a different direction. Every day there arethousands of great bulldogs put down because no one will adoptthem or they are deemed "unadoptable" by shelters.

Consider a Rescue Dog.

People who love this breed have created rescues for these dogsand hundreds of dogs are available for adoption.

Rescues are a win-win-win way to go. You give a dog that wouldotherwise not have a home, a home. You give your money (which inmost cases is a small adoption fee) to the rescue so they cancontinue their work, and you get an awesome dog that will 9times out of 10 deliver more than any pure-bred dog could ontheir best day.

In closing, before you run out and buy a American Pit BullTerrier, think about your options, make sure you have what ittakes to provide and care for the dog, and take your time tofind a dog that matches your desires.

About the Author:
Jason Mann is a American Pit Bull Terrier fancier and freelancewriter. He also owns and operates http://www.PitBullLovers.coma website devoted to educating the public and dog world aboutthe American Pit Bull Terrier.

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