When I was thinking about getting a pit bull, I wondered what the pit bull pros and cons are.
So, I did my research before I invested my time into a new pet.
Life with a Pit Bull can be a great one, but before you jump in and decide to get one for yourself, there are a few things that you should take into consideration.
But what is it about pit bulls that make them so controversial?
And what is it about them that makes so many people fall in love?
Now:
I will tell you about my experience with a Pit Bull, and pretty much everything you need to know about Pit Bulls to help you decide if they are the right choice for you.
Let’s get started.
Benefits Of Owning A Pit Bull: The PROS
1. Pit Bulls Are Sweet and Loving.
They are always happy to curl into your lap and take a nap or cover your face with sloppy kisses.
My Pit Bull is one of the most affectionate and well-behaved dogs that I know.
Why? Because I trained her to be that way.
She’s pretty much a giant lap dog that loves human attention –
kisses and hugs are always welcome (as long as your okay getting a giant slobbery kiss back!).
2. Pit Bulls Love People.
When you own a Pit Bull (and again, I speak from experience), with the right training, your Pit Bull will become part of your family, will welcome your guests with giant kisses, and will be the center of attention at any get-together.
That’s not all! Your life becomes filled with kisses, cuddles, and playtime.
And don’t be shocked when you have all 50-60 pounds of them curling up on your lap (because mine thinks she’s a Chihuahua!).
Why are Pit Bulls so affectionate?
I don’t have an answer to this.
My best response would be that, despite their reputation, Pit Bulls are just like every other dog – all they know is love (unless taught otherwise)
3. They Are People Pleaser.
My Pit Bull was extremely easy to train.
Why? Because all she wants is my love and acceptance.
Your Pit Bull will be no different.
So if you give them that, they will behave well and even perform fancy tricks for you.
4. They Become Your Best Friend.
It is one of the biggest benefits of owning a Pit Bull.
These guys are tons of fun and can tag along with you pretty much anywhere that allows dogs.
My Pit Bull and I have tons of fun at the park playing Frisbee and fetch, and when I’m feeling up to it, we’ll even have a fun tussle match – which she always wins (obviously).
But the point here is that my Pit Bull is my best friend – who even needs human friends anymore?!
5. They Will Always Be Young At Heart.
Regardless of their age, living with a Pit Bull never gets dull or boring.
6. Pit Bulls Are Excellent Pets For Athletic Bodies.
Need to go for a jog? That’s no problem for the Pit Bull!
In fact, you might be the one trying to keep up with them!
7. They Are Beautiful.
There is no doubt about it. Pit Bulls are attractive dogs.
They are strong, muscular, and just overall gorgeous!
And when it comes to Pit Bull pros and cons, everyone wants a good-looking dog!
8. They Are Part Of The Family.
And they will accept nothing less.
So if you want a pet, don’t get a Pit Bull. But if you want a new family member, they will be the perfect fit.
In my mind, there are dozens of benefits of owning a Pit Bull, and it would be hard to convince me otherwise.
With that being said, I have owned Pit Bulls for many years, and I know the breed well.
While I assure you that, if appropriately trained, they are the most loving and affectionate of dogs, I also know that they are not for everyone.
You could probably say the same thing about any dog breed. French Bulldogs are not for everyone; Chihuahuas are not for everyone; Bernese Mountain Dogs are not for everyone, and so on.
I know what you’re thinking…
So is a Pit Bull right for you?
To help you decide,
You don’t want to miss this next part.
Should Pit Bulls Be Kept As Pets?- The CONS
9. Pit Bulls Bite Is Not Gentle.
When Pit Bulls do bite, they do a lot of damage.
Their jaws pack a lot of force, and when they bite down, they don’t let go easily.
But again, rarely, you will ever be bitten by a Pit Bull.
Pit Bulls generally only attack if they were trained to be aggressive or if they feel they or their family is in danger.
So how can you ensure that your Pit Bull is loving and affection, and not aggressive and mean?
It’s simple! Just don’t train them to be aggressive and mean.
10. Not All People Love Pit Bulls.
Just because Pit Bulls love people, doesn’t mean the feeling is mutual.
As I mentioned earlier, people have been conditioned to fear Pit Bulls.
Just ask around, and you will see that the question, “should Pit Bulls be banned?” is extremely controversial. In fact, you may get more people who say yes than no.
And while this makes me extremely sad, it’s a reality that Pit Bull owners have to face.
So when it comes to Pit Bull pros and cons, don’t be surprised if you’re guests don’t love your new family member as much as you do.
11. People Steal Pit Bulls All The Time.
In regards to Pit Bull pros and cons, this is one that I want people to take note of.
Given that Pit Bulls are the most feared of all dogs, I’m not sure why people have no fear of stealing them.
But as one of our saddest Pit Bull facts, Pit Bulls are among the top 10 most commonly stolen dog breeds
And even more tragic, unlike most other breeds, they often aren’t stolen for resale – most are stolen for illegal fighting purposes.
And if you are anything like me, which I’m sure you are, this would be the last thing you would want for your Pit.
So if you let your Pit Bull out on its own, always make sure to keep an eye.
12. Pit Bulls Muѕt Bе Wеll Suреrvіѕеd Arоund Othеr Anіmаlѕ.
In most cases, Pit Bulls are fine around other dogs and animals.
My note of caution would be if another animal becomes aggressive towards them, your Pit Bull could strike back.
And if this happens, your Pit Bull will win – and that’s not necessarily a good thing.
To be safe, I always keep my Pit Bull a safe distance from other pets.
This is crazy:
13. They Have Magical Qualities.
Okay, not really.
But my Pit Bull has mastered the escape better than Houdini.
Baby gates? He can escape. Fences? He can climb.
My elaborate attempts to keep her in one space? Yep, he can outdo me too.
I don’t know how she does it, but my Pit Bull is a master escape artist.
So to keep them safe, you always need to be alert and attentive.
14. A Bored Pit Bull Is A Mischievous Pit Bull.
Enough said.
But wait, there’s more…
15. They Will Push Your Buttons As Puppies.
I mentioned before that Pit Bulls are easy to train because all they want is your affection. This is true.
But like any other dog, training takes time and commitment on your part.
So yes, when it comes to Pit Bull pros and cons, this is a big con – but it remains true for all puppy breeds.
As a puppy, my Pit Bull was a handful.
And I can’t say I was thrilled to find my newly bought pair of shoes chewed up when I walked in the door from work.
But then again, it wasn’t my fault for leaving the shoes on the floor?
If you get a Pit Bull as a puppy, you need to have a sense of humor.
They are no different than any other puppy and will require a great deal of attention and commitment to training.
But I promise, once you have persisted through the worst of it, you will have a dog that is excited and willing to meet your every need.
16. Pit Bulls Are Strong-willed Dogs!
Because of their dog-fighting ancestry, they are always ready to take the challenge of other dogs.
If you want to win the battle, you will need to toughen up!
17. They Need A Lot Of Exercises.
If you live in an apartment, a Pit Bull probably isn’t the best dog for you.
Unlike some other breeds that don’t require a great deal of exercise, like French Bulldogs, Pit Bulls need room to run.
A backyard is a must. Also, your family needs to be active enough to keep up with such a high-energy dog.
If you are more laid-back, you may want to think about alternative options.
The Truth About Pit Bulls Today
The sad news is that Pit Bulls get a bad rap.
In fact, they are one of the most feared dog breeds in the world.
One of the main reasons for this is that they are often trained to fight in dog pits (which is both sad and very upsetting).
They’re also a top choice of dog among gang members.
So when you put these two concepts together, the name “Pit Bull” starts to take on tough and mean qualities.
So given that they are so “mean,” should Pit Bulls be banned?
Absolutely not!
Pit Bulls have a rough and tough image only because people name them that way.
There are a variety of Pit Bull pros and cons, but the reality is, in my opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons.
And nowhere in my mention of “cons” will you ever see me say that Pit Bulls are aggressive in nature – they are not.
They only become aggressive when people train them to be so.
The truth is, and I speak from experience, that Pit Bulls are some of the most loving and affectionate dogs that you can meet.
Conclusion:
There are dozens of benefits of owning a Pit Bull, and unless you are going to train them to be aggressive, your Pit Bull will be your best friend and a loving and affectionate pal.
My biggest warning, however, is that these are not house dogs.
They take a lot of time, commitment, and attention.
Because they are so big, walking them can be a chore – so they need to be well trained.
And because your Pit Bull is so strong-willed, they require a lot of attention – so they need a family that will love and welcome them as one of their own, a fаmіlу that has thе rеѕоlvе, ѕеlf-dіѕсірlіnе, аnd fоrtіtudе to train their реt thoroughly.
And remember, there is no such thing as a bad dog — only uneducated owners.
I live alone, i am a loner. I have friends and family, but not at home. Im looking for a companion.
Pitbulls are good companion dogs.
Got my 1st Pittie 2nd of august. She was a chewer but learned in 2 days not to. Took 2 weeks to build trust then training exploded. Fast learner. Just wants to make me happy. So glad I stopped listening to the misinformed haters. Incredible dog.
Yeah, they are awesome dogs! Glad you have one.
Nice! Good Training Sanchmo!
Hi Pablo – I would love to own an older rescue pit bull as I am a senior. My beloved poodle Winston is very sick – love of my life – and when he finally goes to his happy hunting ground I would love a pit bull. What would be a red flag in your opinion to owning one – not a puppy- when you have cats, a hen (chicken) and a parrot? Thank you for your advice in advance.
Yvonne Murray
Hi Yvonne,
Pitbull terriers can get along with cats/chicken/parrots if they’re introduced to them in puppyhood.
Pablo.
How do you train a puppy pit bull?
I would like to have a video. to see how it trained