American Pit Bull Terrier: Your Complete Guide

The American pit bull terrier can be a wonderful companion, especially with proper training and attention. While they used to have a reputation for being aggressive, this couldn’t be further from the truth, and American pit bulls are actually caring, loyal, protective, and even gentle dogs. These dogs love to bond, play, and just be around their human companions. 

In fact, once these dogs adapt to your family, you’ll find that they’re often glued to you at the hip. They can also get along well with children and other animals with proper socialization from a young age.

That said, it’s important to learn everything you can before adopting an American pit bull terrier. While the breed is easy to care for, compared to some other dogs, you still have to focus on their unique temperament, energy levels, barking, and more to determine if they’re the right fit for your family. 

Thankfully, we’re here to help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the American pit bull terrier.

Quick Look at the American Pit Bull Terrier

Below is a quick glance at the American pit bull terrier in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs. 

Weight/Height	18-21 inches, 30-60 pounds
Coat Type	Short, smooth, soft, and thin
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Gentle, kind, loving, loyal, protective
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	8-15 years

What Is the History of an American Pit Bull Terrier?

The American pit bull terrier has a long history that dates back to the mid-19th century. During this period, Old English bulldogs and English terriers were mixed to get a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the athletic and muscular build of the bulldog. While a few types of these dogs started to catch on, they were known as bulldogs or terriers based on their build. Initially, these dogs were only bred in England, but they made their way to the United States at the tail end of the 19th century. These dogs then went on to become the primary ancestor of the American pit bull terrier that you see today.

During their time in England, these dogs were used for sporting events, like bull-baiting and, unfortunately, dog fighting. This went on for most of the 19th century and was even used to help the quality of the breed evolve based on size and speed. However, in America pit bulls took on a different role. Instead of sports and fighting, they were initially used as working dogs. They made good catch dogs, which helped with the herding of animals. Additionally, American pit bull terriers were used alongside police and the military in tracking, guarding locations, and much more.

Unfortunately, we do have to note that the breed was popular for dog fighting rings in the United States as well. While they participated in these rings, it’s important to note that they’re not usually aggressive dogs. Plus, many organizations, including the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, did their best to rename the breed or make a campaign to show people that they’re not aggressive.

While the American pit bull terrier is recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association, the breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

What Do American Pit Bull Terriers Look Like?

The first thing you’ll likely notice about an American pit bull terrier is their muscular appearance. They’re medium-sized dogs with strong legs, a strong torso, and even a strong-looking face. Their faces tend to be more rounded than labradors, retrievers, and German shepherds, but they have a similar snout length and rounded forehead. For the eyes and ears, expect eyes that match their coat and floppy ears; some mixed pit bulls might have pointy ears, but this isn’t a purebred trait.

When it comes to their coat, it’s a short coat that hugs their body. It comes in a wide range of colors, from white to black, with everything in between. Many mixes of these colors are also possible, and many American pit bull terriers will have a white patch on their chest.

What Size Is an American Pit Bull Terrier?

The American pit bull terrier is a medium-sized dog. They weigh 30-60 pounds and stand at about 20 inches at the shoulder. You may notice some subtle differences between male and female American pit bull terriers, but not by much.

What Is an American Pit Bull Terrier’s Coat Type and Length?

The American pit bull terrier has a short coat that hugs their muscular body. It’s a coarse coat that can be rough to the touch. While it’s coarse, it is fairly thin, and there’s only one layer of the coat, so there’s no top coat and undercoat like some other breeds.

What Is an American Pit Bull Terrier’s Temperament? 

American pit bull terriers have a loving and caring temperament. There’s nothing they love more than spending time with the family, playing, and being a productive member of said family. They’re also loyal to their human companions and will protect their families at all costs. While they may have been used as fighting dogs in the past, it’s important to note that most American pit bull terriers, and other pit bull breeds for that matter, are not violent or aggressive.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good With Kids?

American pit bull terriers are great with children of all ages. They’re sturdy enough to play and don’t have long hair that can be tugged or pulled. American pit bull terriers are also gentle and love to play, so you don’t have to worry about them being bored, aggressive, or disinterested. 

That said, we do recommend keeping an eye on your child as they play with an American pit bull terrier just in case you notice any problems or rough play. Plus, they’re on the larger side, so you don’t want them jumping on toddlers or smaller children due to the injury risk. 

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good With Other Animals?

American pit bull terriers are good with other animals, but only if they’re socialized from a young age. If they’re not socialized, they may get territorial or even hostile with other dogs. American pit bull terriers may also have a prey drive, which means they can chase around smaller animals like cats, guinea pigs, or mice. While this can be great for pest control, it’s not ideal for homes with small pets. Fortunately, socialization can help here as well.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Aggressive?

American pit bull terriers are not aggressive by nature. While many people used to fear pit bulls due to their powerful bite and history of dog fighting, they’re not initially aggressive and have to be trained to behave in that way. 

In fact, studies published in the Journal of Popular Culture found that news and media outlets exaggerated the amount of bites and injuries associated with American pit bull terriers. Furthermore, similar reports suggest that police and animal control would mistake any dog with a pit-bull-like appearance as a pit bull and label them as such in their reports. This would further inflate the amount of aggressive and harmful reports of American pitbull terriers.

The only time these dogs will get aggressive is if they’re trained to be watchdogs or if they feel threatened.

Do American Pit Bull Terriers Bark?

American pit bull terriers aren’t known for excessive barking, but this does depend on the individual dog. Without training, it’s possible for them to bark at just about anything that passes their home. Thankfully, this tends to be on the rare side because most American pit bull terriers are more reserved. Focus on positive reinforcement training for excessive barking to reduce their barking. It’s also important to note that their bark can be on the loud and scary side, so landlords and other tenants might not be fans of their bark.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Affectionate?

American pit bull terriers are affectionate dogs. There’s nothing they love more than being near their companions. It’s important to have someone home or around often because they do like attention. Also, don’t be surprised if your American pit bull terrier decides to act like a giant lapdog. American pit bull terriers are also excitable, so they might prance around when they’re happy or jump on people they like. You’ll have to focus on positive reinforcement training to correct these behaviors.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Intelligent?

American pit bull terriers are intelligent dogs. They have enough mental capacity to learn most types of complex commands, and they love to solve puzzles. Aside from their cognitive intelligence, American pit bull terriers are known for their emotional intelligence. This makes them great emotional support animals because they know when someone is feeling sad. American pit bull terriers are also easy to train and responsive to most types of training, so you don’t have to worry about any limitations due to intelligence with the American pit bull terrier. 

While they’re known for being above-average in intelligence, they may be less intelligent than some of the smartest breeds, such as poodles and German shepherds, so keep this in mind.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Energetic?

American pit bull terriers are moderately active dogs. They love to play, run around, and have fun with their companions. However, they also don’t mind a lazy day hanging around the house or backyard. While American pit bull terriers only have a moderate amount of energy, that doesn’t mean they should be allowed to lounge around whenever they feel like it. 

Make sure your dog gets at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. In fact, failing to help them get enough exercise will result in them getting bored. Mental stimulation is also a good idea, which you can accomplish through training, hiking, and other activities that require some degree of thought for your American pit bull terrier.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Easy to Train?

American pit bull terriers are easy dogs to train. You shouldn’t have to worry about any stubbornness or an unwillingness to learn. They love to bond with their human companions, and they’re people-pleasers, so you shouldn’t have any issues with basic obedience training. Puppy training is also possible, and you can start once they’re around 6 months old. That said, take it slow when they’re puppies and don’t expect them to handle everything you throw at them right away.

American pit bull terriers are also easy to train as adults, and you shouldn’t run into too many limitations. They can learn complex commands, work as service dogs, and even work alongside militaries and law enforcement. Therefore, once you get started, the sky’s the limit with American pit bull terriers.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good Watchdogs?

American pit bull terriers are great watchdogs. They’re alert, loyal, and protective, so they’ll even charge in head-first if they feel like you’re in danger. American pit bull terriers also have an imposing presence and a loud bark, so their presence alone might scare people away from your property. 

Additionally, the reputation of a pit bull might do an even better job of keeping people away. You can also train them for watchdog work, which shouldn’t be too challenging once you get started.

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Good Service Dogs?

American pit bull terriers make great service dogs. You can train them to handle complex tasks that people with physical disabilities can benefit from. They’re strong enough to open doors, push wheelchairs, and even have people lean on them. Plus, they can get people through big crowds and even learn complex therapies like deep pressure therapy. This makes them suitable for physical and service dog work. Additionally, American pit bull terriers don’t have big energy requirements or stubbornness, so training them isn’t challenging.

American pit bull terriers also make good therapy dogs and emotional support animals due to their emotional intelligence. They can bond with their companions and even detect when people are sad or upset. This makes them ideal companions for people who may have loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

How to Care for an American Pit Bull Terrier?

American pit bull terriers aren’t hard to care for if you spend time with them, help them exercise, and feed them a nutritious diet. They don’t have increased health risks for many conditions, but there are some that you should keep an eye on, like hip dysplasia and some types of mange. Grooming is low maintenance, and you can get by on one trip to the vet each year.

Do You Need to Groom an American Pit Bull Terrier?

All dogs need to be groomed, but American pit bull terriers don’t need to be groomed too often. You should bathe them every three to six months and take them to professionals for checking their ears, skin, and anal glands. If they happen to get excessively dirty, you should give them a bath with shampoo that doesn’t irritate their skin. 

Their nails should wear down during playing or walking, but if they’re not active, you can trim them every four to six months. Brushing their hair a few times a week is also good for their health and can help with bonding. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to brush their teeth a few times per week and feed them dental treats that support teeth and gum health.

Do American Pit Bull Terriers Shed?

American pit bull terriers will shed throughout the year but more in the fall and spring months. They only have a single-layer coat, and a short one, so you shouldn’t have to worry about their hair too much. If you do notice excessive shedding, it can be a sign of mange or other skin conditions. Furthermore, you can mitigate shedding using a bristle brush.

What Health Problems Do American Pit Bull Terriers Have?

American pit bull terriers tend to be a healthy dog breed, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to health problems. However, these breeds have a higher-than-average risk of developing bone diseases like hip dysplasia and canine degenerative myelopathy. Joint issues and dislocation are also common health concerns, especially as they grow older.

Another health problem that may impact a pit bull is Demodex mange. This is a genetic condition that came from breeding them for performance. Symptoms include missing patches of hair and skin infections. The good news is that this condition often goes away as the dog gets older and stronger.

Obesity, heart conditions, and thyroid problems are also health conditions that may impact an American pit bull terrier. These conditions tend to develop later in life, so annual trips to the vet are essential to catch them early and keep them healthy.

How Long Do American Pit Bull Terriers Live?

American pit bull terriers can live a long and healthy life if you care for them properly. Expect them to live for 8-15 years, but don’t be shocked if they stick around longer with plenty of exercise, medical care, and a healthy diet.

What Should an American Pit Bull Terrier Eat?

American pit bull terriers should eat a diet that consists of high-quality dog food, which can be in the form of kibble or wet food. We recommend a mix of kibble and wet food because it can help them meet their hydration needs. Also, keep some water around at all times for them, especially if they’re outside in warm weather. 

Aside from dog food, you can also feed them a raw diet or a home-cooked diet; consult with your vet if you’re unsure about what to feed them. If you do go the home-cooked route, ensure your dog’s meals are fully nutritionally balanced.

Is an American Pit Bull Terrier the Right Dog for Me?

American pit bull terriers make great canine companions for most families. As long as you have the space for a medium-sized dog and someone will be around throughout the day, you don’t have to worry about too much maintenance. Be sure to spend around an hour or two with them daily to ensure that they get enough exercise, and you shouldn’t have much else to worry about.

The only time we recommend against adopting American pit bull terriers is if you don’t have the space or time to spend with them. They can also be jumpy around other animals, little kids, and trainers, so if you don’t have time to socialize with them, it might not be the best idea to adopt one.