American Pit Bull Terrier. F. Favorito
its homeland, only a few years before. An example of such legislation, this from the Nation of Singapore, appears as follows:
Category A Dogs
Category A dogs are:
• Pit Bull (includes American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog).
• Akita.
• Neapolitan Mastiff.
• Tosa.
• Crosses of Pit Bull, Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff or Tosa.
• Category A dogs cannot be imported into Singapore as of August 1991.
Owners of Category A dogs already residing in Singapore must comply with the following conditions:
• The dog must be sterilized.
• The dog must be permanently identified with a microchip implant.
• The owner must take out a third-party insurance policy of $100,000 on the dog.
• The owner must put up a $5,000 cash bond that will be returned when the dog passes away or is no longer residing in Singapore. The bond will be forfeited if the owner allows the dog in a public place without a leash and muzzle.
Responsible people who get to know the Plt Bull value the breed for its many wonderful personality traits and abilities.
American Pit Bull Terriers can be lovable and loving family pets in the hands of the right owners.
Characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier
Given all that has been said, and all that one may have heard about the breed, there is no doubt that a question should have arisen in the mind of the average reader of this book. Why the Pit Bull? Why would any normal clear-thinking person want to own a Pit Bull? After all, we’ve admitted that this breed is essentially a fighting dog, haven’t we? We’ve admitted that the breed is often dog-aggressive and that many Pit Bulls can be “people-aggressive.” We’ve seen that many countries of the world do not allow ownership of Pit Bulls by their citizens. In some areas of the world where the Pit Bull may be legally owned, an insurance policy must be carried by the dog’s owner to protect him in the event that his neighbor is mauled!
The original purpose of the American Pit Bull Terrier, as a fighting dog, has given many the wrong impression that it is unsuitable as a pet.
HYPED UP
There are actually many sound reasons to own a little Pit Bull dog. In fact, when we remember that this breed lived among Americans for more than 100 years without anyone fearing it, we should begin to realize that the breed’s currently bad reputation is more a matter of “media hype” than it is a matter of bad dogs.
Any breed can become the subject of the kind of breed discrimination that the Pit Bull faces today. At one time it was the Doberman Pinscher that had this reputation in the US. For a while it was the poor Saint Bernard! After all, even the Bulldog of England is a dog of pure fighting origin, but nowhere in the world is it being proposed that we outlaw Bulldogs. In time, the hysteria surrounding the Pit Bull will pass and another breed will become the focus of the media’s attention. Irresponsible owners in search of an impressionable breed will turn their attention to whatever breed that will be and we will all wonder why we once thought that the little Pit Bull was an inherently dangerous dog. Until that time, however, we should discuss a few of the very positive qualities of this breed.
EASY-CARE DOG
One of the first characteristics of the Pit Bull breed that many of us will find desirable is its low-maintenance body style. The Pit Bull is a short-coated dog that does not shed excessively. An occasional brushing will keep the falling hair under control and keep the carpet clean. The Pit Bull is an energetic dog when out of the home, and the breed’s desire to take walks with its owner will keep its nails short and its owner, who will hopefully be on the other end of the leash, fit. Unlike the Bulldog, the Pit Bull is not a wrinkled dog and so there will be no need for regular cleaning of facial crevices.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Pit Bull is not an especially large dog. In fact, in its working form, the Pit Bull is a rather small dog. This enables owners to keep a Pit Bull in a small home or apartment quite comfortably. While it is an energetic dog when given the chance to exercise, it is a breed that prefers to relax when at home. As such, it will not be in the way at all times and will not make itself more conspicuous than many owners prefer their dogs to be.
The Pit Bull also tends to be a hardy dog. It can play hard and live long without costing its owner a fortune in veterinary bills. The closer a line of Pit Bulls is to its original working stock, the hardier the dogs from that line will be. It is not the least bit unusual to own a Pit Bull for 12, 13 or 14 years, or even more. When such dogs finally succumb to old age, they tend to do it without suffering long, protracted, painful and expensive illnesses.
PERSONALITY
Above all, the Pit Bull is an incredibly devoted dog. The breed becomes highly attached to its human family and will accept no others as long as it feels welcome at home as part of that family. As an extension of this attribute, it can also be a protective dog, and a powerful and protective, yet small and convenient, dog can be very useful in the right hands with responsible ownership. However, unlike many very devoted dogs, the Pit Bull can accept change. Should the unfortunate situation arise when a family must give up its pet Pit Bull, the dog will become dedicated to its new owner with time. Therefore, a “second-hand” Pit Bull may be a sound option for you to consider, particularly if you are familiar with the dog’s previous owners and their living situation.
Most of all, the Pit Bull is a fine companion dog. Those who know the breed will often tell you that, in their opinion, there can be no finer companion dog than the Pit Bull. It is a dog that will bond to its entire human family, but one that will always hold a special place in its heart for the person it decides is its closest friend. It is a dog that will always be there for its owner. It is a forgiving breed, an exceedingly loyal breed, a fun-loving breed and a lifelong friend.
Who says American Pit Bull Terriers aren’t lovable, gentle pets?
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL
The behavior and personality of your Pit Bull will reflect your care and training more than any breed charac-teristics or indications. Remember that these dogs require a purposeful existence and plan your relationship around activities that serve this most basic and important need. All of the good potential of the breed will naturally follow.