American Staffordshire Terrier puppy (3 months)

The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different from his smaller relatives. The product of an historical cross between the Bulldog and Terrier carried out in the UK in the mid-1800s they are a bit of both. The combination, though, is a unique dog.

They typically weigh between 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg) and stand 20-24 inches (45-54cm) tall at the shoulder. The coat is usually short, dense, and beige or gray, though white is far from unknown. Their lifespan is about 10-12 years on average, given good care. They’re muscular and seek exercise to keep them not only fit but calm. The eyes are somewhat triangular.

These fighting dogs were bred for ferocity, strength and fearlessness – qualities highly valued in hunting and illegal sports, such as bull-baiting and dog fights. Because of their fierce reputation, not always justified, they’re illegal to sell or breed in the UK and Canada. Many areas of the U.S. and Australia allow ownership but place restrictions on use, such as requiring a muzzle when the dog is out in public.

But the breed is a mixture in ways other than its ancestry. Selective breeding practices aimed to eliminate aggressive behavior toward people, while retaining it toward other animals. Yet, as a watchdog, the opposite attitude is preferred. As a result, training an American Pit Bull Terrier requires care and consistency.

While their reputation as being dangerous to people is often overstated, attacking strangers is not unknown. In the case of this breed, the training regime plays a large role in outcome. That’s somewhat unlike many other terrier breeds where the training shapes behavior but the dog retains much of its instinctive behavior regardless.

Fortunately, like any dog, American Pit Bull Terriers can definitely be trained and trained well. They’re extremely athletic, intelligent and have tremendous endurance. They’re outstanding on the obstacle course and perform well as Border Patrol or Police dogs where they’re often used for drug or explosive sniffing duties.

Because of their strength and intelligence, they may also get ‘jobs’ providing services to the deaf, where they help keep their companion out of harm’s way. Today, their usual role is often much more mainstream. They are frequently used as watchdogs, a job they do extremely well.

While they can be aggressive, many owners know that their personal pet is loving, loyal and even friendly. American Pit Bull Terriers can enjoy play and will chase a ball or Frisbee until long after the human is worn out. This again is evidence of a flexible nature, highly influenced by training and early experiences in the dog’s life.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Staffordshire bull terrier is similar in appearance and temperament to his close relative, the American pit pull terrier. In fact, these two breeds are so much alike that some do not make the distinction between the two. The Staffordshire bull terrier originated in Staffordshire, England in the nineteenth century. The breed was the result of a cross between bulldogs and a variety of terriers, and was created for the then popular sport of bull baiting.

When interest in this sport diminished a number of years later, the popularity of the breed diminished as well. However, the Staffie returned to popularity once again a century later when the United States took and interest in the breed as well, and by 1935 it had made its return to the show ring. Today, the Staffordshire bull terrier can make a great family pet for an owner who is experienced with dogs and can lead the Staffie with a strong hand.

Appearance
The Staffordshire bull terrier is a medium-sized dog, weighing in at 25-38 pounds for the male and 23-35 pounds for the female. The coat of this breed is short and smooth, and can come in a variety of colors including black, blue, fawn or red. The body of this dog is short but muscular, making this animal as strong as he is agile. The ears of the Staffordshire bull terrier are generally rose or half-prick, and they are not terribly large or heavy in relation to the rest of the animal.

Temperament
Contrary to what many think of this breed and his close cousin the American pit bull terrier, this dog is exceeding friendly and highly intelligent. His eagerness to please results in an obedient creature that can be fairly easy to train, and his willingness to play makes the Staffordshire bull terrier the perfect choice for many families. This dog can become protective of his family, and may become confrontational with other dogs he meets, especially those that are a similar breed to him. The Staffordshire bull terrier has a tendency to be stubborn as well as intelligent, so a firm hand and consistent training is the most effective path to an obedient, well-trained dog.

The Staffordshire bull terrier can make a wonderful family pet, but it is not the right choice for everyone. This breed tends to do best with an owner that is experienced in dog training and will be able to give the dog the firm leadership that he needs. If you are thinking about adding a Staffordshire bull terrier to your family, it is important that you talk to breeders and your veterinarian about whether this breed will be a good fit for your family. With the proper training and plenty of attention, the Staffordshire bull terrier can bring your family years of enjoyment and companionship. Enjoy your Staffie!

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

You should never just run out and get a dog without doing some research first, no matter what breed it is. This is especially true of the pit bull terrier. There are definitely some considerations that are unique to this breed. Below we will look at some things you should be aware of before you decide on this type of dog.

Characteristics

The first thing to think about when considering a pit bull terrier is the type of lifestyle that you lead. These dogs have an abundance of energy and require plenty of exercise. If you do not have the time, or the desire to make sure your dog gets enough activity, you should look elsewhere. If you are already an active person who loves to get out and exercise, this may not be a good fit for you. There are other things to think about as well.

Another thing that makes pit bull terriers stand out is their ability to escape and run away. This breed is very well known for being able to get out of spaces that were supposedly secure. You’ll want to have at least a 6 foot security fence around the dog’s area. It should also be hot wired at the top and bottom. Even then, they will probably find a way to get out. The best thing to do is not leave your pit bull terrier outside unsupervised.

Another thing you should be aware of is the way your friends and neighbors will react when you bring home one of these dogs. The media has painted a picture of this breed that isn’t very pretty and many people are afraid of them. This is another reason to watch your dog at all times when it is outside.

Training

The training of pit bull terriers is another thing to consider before you purchase one. To properly train your pit bull terrier, you need to be willing to spend some time every day teaching and socializing your dog. Most people think of training as something you do for a period of time and then stop. Real training is constant, and lasts forever.

Finally, make sure you are getting the dog for the right reasons. Don’t just get a pit bull terrier because you think it’s cool or because you want to impress people. Get a dog because you love them and truly want a loving companion, not just a conversation piece.

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Today, bull terriers are known for their playful temperament and protective tendencies.  Yet, the history behind the creation and purpose of these dogs does not indicate that these dogs would even bee seen as a common household pet.  A breed created purposefully for the cruel intentions of human beings, the bull terrier is known today for being energetic and a great companion.  It is interesting to compare yesterday’s history of bull terriers to the realty of today.

A Twisted History

The bull terrier resulted from a cross between bulldogs and different types of terriers.  The purpose of such a cross was to breed dogs for dog fighting.  In 1835, traditional dog fighting was outlawed in England.  Thus, to keep the sport under wraps, a smaller breed was needed so as to be more discreet.  Thus, the bulldogs used in traditional dogfights were mixed with terriers to create a much lighter and agile dog.

Historically, the bull terrier is known for being even more aggressive and deadly than the bulldog alone.  It became known as the “canine gladiator” that would fight to its death.  It wasn’t until James Hinks bred the bull terrier with the White Terrier that the breed became standardized.  Hinks did this to eliminate a few unattractive features in the dog and to achieve an all white dog.  Today, this particular breed is known as the white bull terrier.

Ted Lyon was the first to introduce color into the breed in the early 20th century.  He did so because genetic problems were occurring with the pure white ones, such as albinism.  Now, any bull terrier that is not pure white is known as a colored bull terrier.

A Different Sort Of Dog

Over the years, many different dogs have been crossed with the bull terrier to achieve the look that we associated with the dogs today.  It is thought that at some point throughout history, the Dalmatian, Spanish Pointer, Greyhound, Foxhound, Borzoi, and Collie were crossed to achieve the modern appearance.

Not only is the modern look of the bull terrier different than it once was, but the temperament of the dog is much more easy-going and playful.  They are known for their athleticism and their clowning antics.  Today, there is no trace of the fighting machine that these dogs once were.

A Positive Change

Bull terriers are just one example of something that can change drastically over a period of time.  Given several centuries, it is easy to see how something can go from one exchange to the other.

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Over the last decade or so the Blue Pit Bull has become a much more popular dog breed and the new interest in this breed is also not showing any signs of waning, and part of the reason behind this rise in popularity is the media coverage given to the Pit Bull, though unfortunately for the wrong reasons such as when it attacks people. Still, it is not really a dog that will attack people too often and the episodes of attacks are rather few and far between, but which, when they occur, are sure to make media headlines.

Product Of Interbreeding

In any case the Blue Pit Bull is the product of interbreeding among different species of Pit Bulls and the aim of such inter-breeding is to produce Blue Pit Bulls that are sure to have certain desired characteristics. However, hundreds of years ago, this practice was prohibited in Ireland since the pedigrees were a secret not to be let out to everyone and thus it was essentially a protected dog breed. However, when this kind of inter-breeding takes place, recessive traits are found including the Blue Pit Bull which is essentially a diluted Black Pit Bull.

Also, it is necessary to realize that when Pit Bulls are bred for several, and some would say, too many generations, the Blue Pit Bull produced may actually suffer from several problems, some of which are known while others may be unknown, which can explain why these types of Pit Bulls are so overly aggressive.

Obtaining a Blue Pit Bull is often quite difficult because such a breed is not easy to find and it is also often in high demand and thus one cannot easily find a Blue Pit Bull whenever one wants one. Nevertheless, Pit Bull breeders are constantly trying to breed the blue pedigree in order to produce more of them, though there is no guaranteed equation that will result in a Blue Pit Bull. Thus, if you are on the lookout for a Blue Pit Bull, you should expect a lengthy wait before one becomes available and your best bet would be to join the list of others waiting to obtain one.

However, even when the Blue Pit Bull becomes available for sale, he is sure to be very expensive and high priced and if you opt for the first choice from a litter, the price can become prohibitively expensive, and so, you may need to settle for one that is a low choice. In any case, the Blue Pit Bull could cost anywhere from two thousand dollars upwards and you may also be asked to make a down payment, much like as you do when purchasing a home.

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The American pit bull terrier has received a bad rap over the years as a vicious beast that attacks other animals and humans alike. While this breed is protective of his family and territory by nature, the truth is that the American pit bull terrier can be a gentle companion that makes a wonderful pet for the right family. In fact, you might be surprised at just how friendly and playful this dog can be, unless you do your homework into the temperament of the breed and find out for yourself. Unfortunately the strength of the dog, coupled with his desire to please his master, have made the American pit bull terrier the focus of dog fighting competitions for more than a century. Because of the reputation for fighting, many still purchase pits for this exclusive purpose, resulting in many pit bulls that have not been socialized properly and are highly aggressive.

The Truth about the Pit Bull
Most of us have probably heard news reports or stories from friends about a pit bull who attacked an animal or a person, injuring and even killing him. In many of these instances, the dog in question wasn’t a purebred American pit bull terrier at all, but a mix of a variety of breeds. It is also possible that the dog was bred and raised specifically to behave aggressively, giving all dogs in this breed a bad and undeserved name. Unfortunately, these are the stories that many people think of when they see a pit bull in action, and the fear that has developed as a result of the stories has led to pits becoming illegal in many communities and closely monitored in others.

However, the American pit bull terrier is known by breeders and owners alike for its undying loyalty, intelligence and eagerness to please. These characteristics combine to create a pet that is easy to train and fun for the entire family. The American pit bull terrier is known as a working dog that excels in many competitions including herding, hunting and guarding. This breed has been owned by famous people like Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Laura Ingalls Wilder. The American pit bull terrier has represented companies like RCA and Buster Brown and was used to represent the United States in WWI propaganda. This dog has been around for generations, and continues to be a popular choice for dog owners that are well versed in the specifics of this breed.

If you are considering an American pit bull terrier for your own family, the first step will be to determine whether you are legally able to keep a pit bull where you live. If so, you should hunt for a reputable breeder who raises dogs as pets and not as fighting animals. With care in selecting your dog and plenty of time training it properly, your American pit bull terrier can be the perfect family pet for you.

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Bull Terrier is a good dog that has developed a bad reputation. This dog was created to fight and when a Bull Terrier is mistreated, it can be made into a dog that is quite aggressive, even vicious. With proper care and training, a Bull Terrier puppy can grow up to be a sweet and loving dog. In fact, at times this breed is even slightly silly. However, an older dog who has been mistreated may never be truly trustworthy and should not be placed in a home where it has access to children.

The Bull Terrier is a member of the American Kennel Club’s terrier group and most commonly comes in pure white or brindle. Brindle dogs can have white markings, but they cannot be predominantly white. Don’t confuse this dog with its relative, the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Bull Terrier is a solidly built, muscular animal, weighing in at fifty five to seventy pounds. The dog’s broad chest and bullet shaped head are distinctive identifying characteristics for the breed. 

The Bull Terrier is content living in an apartment as long as it receives plenty of exercise. However, these dogs prefer living in a home with a roomy, securely fenced yard. No matter where or how you exercise your dog, be sure he cannot escape, as some Bull Terriers and cats or small dogs can be a deadly combination.  

The Bull Terrier loves family life and often is quite good with children. These dogs love to play and will spend hours playing frisbee. However, if you do not have children of your own, and your Bull Terrier isn’t used to small children, never leave your Bull Terrier with visiting children unattended, as infants and toddlers are sometimes mistaken for other animals instead of people.  
 
If you’ve never owned a dog before, then the Bull Terrier is definitely not for you. These dogs are not a good match with inexperienced dog owners. In addition, if you are a shrinking violet instead of an assertive person, your Bull Terrier will sense this. He will quickly dominate you and rule your household.

Since Bull Terriers are such powerful animals, you will need to be sure your dog is thoroughly trained before he gets too big for you to control easily. It is a good idea to enroll your dog in puppy obedience classes, so you can be sure he is correctly trained while he is small. In addition, obedience classes are an important step in socializing your puppy.  

Bull Terriers can put away quite a bit of dog chow. While they don’t eat as much as a Great Dane, these dogs can make a noticeable difference in the grocery budget. You may want to ask your veterinarian about feeding your Bull Terrier a dog chow that alleviates kidney problems. Besides being prone to kidney disease, the Bull Terrier can develop heart disease or deafness.

Your Bull Terrier needs very little grooming. You may want to brush him weekly to remove loose hair and dirt to keep his coat looking smooth and healthy. You may also want to brush his teeth and trim his nails. 

If you are an experienced dog owner and are willing to work with your dog to turn him into a good citizen, then you may want to take a look at the Bull Terrier.

Photo by Will Lo

Related posts:

1. American Pit Bull Terrier The American Pit Bull terrier is quite a bit different...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.