One of the most misunderstood dog breeds is the American Pit Bull Terrier. People tend to love or hate the animal; in some cases this is based on experience, in others only on hearsay.

During the 19th century, Bulldogs were crossed with Terriers in hopes of creating a dog with the bravery of the Terrier and the toughness of the Bulldog. This combination created a versatile dog that became a favorite with farmers and ranchers in Europe and the United States. Uses of the animal included hunting, moving livestock, protection, and family companionship.

The Pit Bull is a medium-sized dog with adult adults weighing from twenty-two pounds to potentially one hundred pounds, and they are eighteen to twenty-two inches tall. The dog is of very solid constitution and has a very defined musculature.

The Pit Bull Terrier’s coat has a glossy sheen, is short but very thick, and is smooth but stiff to the touch. To remove the layer of loose hair, brush occasionally with a stiff bristle brush. Also regularly rub the coat with a suede cloth to clean the coat and buff the shine. The breed’s coat colors can be as simple as white or black or a variety of color combinations.

Despite the reputation, the Pit Bull breed is one of the most loyal, devoted, caring, and affectionate dogs available. The animal is extremely funny and intelligent with energy and enthusiasm for frisbee and ball games. They are also great lovers of people and it takes early socialization to teach good manners. With older children, the dog does very well, but younger children do not mix well with them. With other animals in the home, they do very well with those they were raised with, but they will show aggression to other dogs and smaller animals. Although they are very protective of their family, the breed does not make a good watchdog due to its social propensity with people.

Pit bulls are very active dogs that must exercise vigorously every day. Playtime to chase a ball, walk, catch a Frisbee, or run with a mountain bike are some of the activities the dog thrives on. If he exercises enough, the dog can live in an apartment without problems. Otherwise, a yard will be needed for more exercise time.

However, Pit Bull ownership is not for everyone. The breed has a reputation for being overly aggressive and in some cities ownership is regulated and even not allowed. This reputation is not necessarily deserved, as the dog is not as much to blame as the owner. Dogs tend to be aggressive towards strange dogs and possess a great prey drive. You need a responsible owner who can care for them, train them and exercise them properly to have an excellent dog / owner relationship. Vigilance is needed to ensure the dog does not roam unsupervised and remains on a leash when in public places. If aggression towards a human is ever displayed, which is actually uncharacteristic, the dog should be evaluated by a professional to determine the problem that needs to be corrected.