How big is an American Pit bull? How much does he weigh? to answer these questions this blog will talk about the physical and behavioral characteristics of the American Pitbull breed.
How much does an American Pit Bull weigh?
The weight of an adult male in good condition ranges between 35 and 60 pounds. The weight for a mature female, in good condition, ranges between 30 and 50 pounds.
About the American Pit Bull breed
The American Pit Bull originates from the cross of Bulldogs and Terriers. The result was a dog that brought together all the virtues of the great warriors: resistance, indomitable courage and kindness to those he loves.
Due to their physical and behavioral characteristics, the American Pit Bull were used for protection, in the capture of semi-wild cattle and pigs, as an assistant in hunting, sheepdogs and as a companion for their families.
Currently, it continues to demonstrate its versatility, successfully participating in obedience, lightning, agility, protection and traction, as well as conformation championships.
Physical characteristics
The American Pit Bull is a medium-sized, solidly built dog with well-defined musculature. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. In some cases, because of his strong musculature, he can have a disproportionately greater weight in relation to his height.
The head is of medium length, with a flat skull and a broad, deep muzzle. The ears are small to medium in size, set high. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapering towards the tip.
He is also a very short-coated dog and can be found with many coat shades, except merle. Pitbull truffles can also be found in two versions: red and black.
Behavior/temperament
The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull are strength, self-confidence, generosity, loyalty and an excellent companion full of joy for living.
The breed’s intelligence and adaptability are the most outstanding points regarding its temperament. The breed is full of enthusiasm and loves to please. It is a dog that likes children, making it an excellent companion dog.
As for aggression, American Pit Bull Terriers dogs show a certain level of aggression against other dogs, but the same should not be shown for humans. As due to its powerful physique, the breed needs tutors who carefully socialize them and who train obedience to their dogs from puppies.
Health care
Pitbull dogs tend to be very healthy. Due to the stature of this breed, dogs can have hip dysplasia. Also, these dogs can feed in large amounts, which can result in obese dogs.
Obesity can influence hip problems. Therefore, the practice of physical exercises should be constant, as well as monitoring the pet’s diet.
Animals with hip dysplasia should not breed. And tutors who want to buy an animal of the breed, must buy from kennels that seek genetic improvement.
As for reproduction, few reproductive problems are reported. Before having an animal of the breed, it is essential to consult the veterinarian and regularly accompany the animal with exams and consultations.
American Pit bull general care
Due to the short coat, the pit bull only needs to be brushed once a week. Baths in this breed are indicated with specific shampoos for dogs.
Bathing should be done very carefully, especially to avoid water getting into the dog’s ears that have cropped ears. The animal must always be very dry after bathing to avoid the growth of microorganisms that can lead to dermatitis.
As for nail clipping, it is recommended to cut the dog’s nail once or twice a month. Dogs that live in backyards, or walk constantly, sometimes don’t need a nail clipping. Because the friction of the paw with the floor causes the nails to naturally reduce in size.
Pit bulls should brush their teeth every 48 hours with a dog-specific toothpaste. Constant brushing of your dog’s teeth helps prevent tartar buildup and the resulting problems.
How to Avoid Excessive Weight Gain by Pitbulls
Pitbull dogs have a great tendency to gain weight, which leads to obese dogs, generating several health problems. Below we will talk about some tips to prevent dogs from gaining weight.
- Environmental enrichment;
- Physical activities;
- Use of balanced and breed-specific foods;
- Contact with other dogs.
Environmental enrichment is essential for mental stimulation in dogs. The use of toys and special feeders can encourage the consumption of food without exaggeration. In addition to improving the dog’s behavior.
The stimulation of physical activities is essential for this energetic breed. Frequent walks and runs should be done with these dogs, always wearing a muzzle, avoiding aggression to other animals.
As much as it is an aggressive dog with other dogs, this behavior can be avoided with training from the puppy stage. Dogs live in packs and social stimulation is very important. Dogs that live with other dogs tend to spend more energy on play in addition to being less stressed and anxious.
The use of a balanced diet for the Pit bull breed suppresses all of the dog’s caloric needs when it is fed in the right amount. Excess food can lead to obesity and the use of unbalanced foods can lead to a series of health diseases due to the absence or excess of some minerals and vitamins.
Conclusion
In this blog post we were able to find out more about the American Pit Bull breed. Themes such as the physical characteristics of the American Pit Bull, in addition to its loyal, courageous, and intelligent manner, which makes it an excellent companion dog. We saw that they are not aggressive dogs, but they need obedience training from the puppy stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): American Pitbull dog weight
Are American Pit Bulls aggressive?
American Pit Bull Terriers dogs show a certain level of aggression against other dogs, but the same should not be shown for humans. as Due to its powerful physique, the breed needs tutors who carefully socialize them and who train obedience to their dogs from puppies.
Are American Pit Bulls good family pets?
Yes, they are smart, agile, faithful and companions and are great to consider if you have young children. They are famous for being cheerful, healthy and love to please.
Why are American Pit Bulls considered nannies?
In the early 1900’s, pit bulls were given the title “Nanny Dog” for being a great animal with children, who protected and watched over them.
Pit bulls are known to be faithful, loving and loyal, especially when it comes to children. A child’s safety was practically guaranteed.
References
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Cynophilic Confederation, 2018 Official Breed Standard: American Pit Bull Terriers. https://www.portalvidapet.com.br/pdf/padrao-raca_pit_bull.pdf Accessed 11th Jan 2022.
Picture from pixabay.com
