Pitbull Rescue

So, you want to buy or adopt a Pitbull, huh? Great idea! Want to hear an even better idea? Pitbull rescue. No pooch is too old for puppy love and puppies are only puppies for a few months after all, right?

Oh, you have your heart set on a cute little Pit Bull puppy? Have you been looking at Pit Bull puppies for sale, check out Pit Bull puppy breeders? OK, here’s some food for thought if you have your heart set on a puppy, and a few reasons why adopting an adult might be your better option:

What It Takes to Housebreak a  Puppy.

Before you adopt a Pit Bull, consider how much time your new family member will spend alone. Remember, a puppy requires constant attention. The key to successful housebreaking is consistency; preventing “accidents” is key. Once a puppy soils the carpeting, it becomes much more difficult to train them out of that behavior.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to consider: a puppy can hold his bladder just one hour for every month they’ve been alive. For instance, a 3-month-old puppy will need to empty his bladder every three hours!

Before you adopt or buy a Pitbull puppy, ask yourself if you are available to walk your dog several times throughout the day, and if you have the patience and commitment to wake up and take him out first thing every morning at the same time, and stick to a strict schedule. Of course, before you can walk him at all, you will need to train him to walk on a leash, which is a project in itself.

On the other hand, an adult dog’s bladder is already fully developed. Shelter dogs are often already housetrained and Pitbull rescue groups can tell you if their adult dogs for adoption are housebroken before they go into your home. You also have the advantage of knowing that your dog is physically able to “hold it” for several hours at a stretch. In most cases, adult dogs are by far easier to housebreak than puppies. You can teach an old dog new tricks!

Puppy Behavior Sometimes Isn’t Pleasant.

Sure, Pit Bull puppies are super-cute, but simply put, puppies can be adorable, relentless machines of destruction. Even the most well-behaved puppy will destroy shoes, clothing, paper, remote controls, telephones, leashes, dog beds, carpeting anything and everything. More rambunctious pups have been known to obliterate sofas, car seats, Venetian blinds, electrical cords, door frames you name it, they can eat it or shred it. And when they’re teething, look out! Cute puppies have very sharp teeth, and they are happy to use your hands, feet, nose, hair, etc, as a chew toy. Ouch! Needless to say, a teething Pitbull puppy and a small child do NOT make good companions! To keep the puppy from hurting himself, and to prevent the destructive behavior from becoming a bad habit, you will need to spend every waking moment supervising his every move. Do you have that kind of time?

Many Pitbull dogs in shelters or after a pitbull rescue are already trained and ready to go! Adults have a much longer attention span than puppies, too, which means they’re easier and faster to teach. Adult dogs already have recognizable personality traits, so you’ll be able to select one who is great with children. Many Pit Bull rescue groups use foster homes to make sure each Pit Bull for adoption is trained to be well-behaved indoors. Although all dogs need attention and playtime, an adult dog’s needs are far less demanding than a puppy’s.

You Won’t Know a Puppy’s Personality for Some time.

With an adult Pit Bull, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you’ll be able to spot the characteristics you’re looking for much more easily than with a puppy Pit Bull. Shelters and rescue groups are able to assess the personality of each Pit Bull for adoption and carefully match you up with the right dog for your lifestyle. When you adopt a puppy, there is a lot more guesswork involved.

Adult Pitbull Adoption = An Instant Friend for Life. Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, and they’ll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a dog who needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life!

Dogs who have been uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers who they view as heroes. Pit Bulls who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue group because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new hero—YOU!

No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most Pit Bull dogs for adoption is exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. But first, you have to adopt one!

Adult Pitbull rescue = Truly Saving a Life.

When you adopt an adult dog, you are doing the ultimate good deed. Let’s face it: at first, a lot of people think they want to find Pitbull puppies for sale, but not everyone is lining up to adopt the great adults or a pitbull rescue! Some people might have the misconception that Pitbulls in shelters have something wrong with them.

In fact, most Pit Bulls for adoption end up in shelters, not because of any problem with pet behavior or health issues, but because they were dropped off by someone who simply didn’t have the time or money to care for the animals. In some cases, pets are lost and never found by their owners. These animals are healthy and very eager to please.

Did you know that every year, approximately 4 million adoptable animals are killed? A staggering 25% of those animals are purebreds, so you can bet there is a Pit Bull in need of adoption.

With such a huge overpopulation problem, looking for a Pitbull dog for sale, or Pitbull puppies breeders, sadly contributes to this tragedy. Rescue groups that specialize in adoption work very, very hard to help adult dogs find good homes. Rescues are almost always made up of a group of volunteers. They often keep Pit Bulls for adoption in their own homes while they assess their health and personalities. If a dog needs basic training, often the rescuer will provide it. If a dog needs medical treatment, many dedicated dog rescuers pay for it out of their own pocket.

These people are incredibly passionate about pit bull rescue, and they work tirelessly to make sure every dog finds a home. Nothing is as rewarding to these heroes as a successful adoption!

Pitbull rescue and adoption is possible as your Pet Shelters have dogs of all breeds, including purebred Pitbulls.

Finally, remember that irrational as it is, people are afraid of Pitbulls. For the good of your dog and the breed in general, it’s important to be an exceptionally responsible owner and to be sensitive to others’ fears, while at the same time trying to change their minds.

American Red Nose pitbulls

The American red nose pit bulls are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States of America. They are also probably the most controversial breeds as well due to the fact they have a track record of aggressive behavior, however, you can’t always judge a book by its cover. This article will explain everything there is to know about American red nose Pitbulls and by the end of it, I’m sure you will have changed your view of them.

original & Pure American Pitbull Red Nose

So where did this breed of dog come from? Well in case you don’t know, the American red nose pitbull comes from a long line of mastiff’s that date way back to 4000 BC when they were used by the Greeks as both working dogs and for war purposes. Over time they were selectively bred to become the current dog we see today.

Their Temperament

It’s an interesting question. What is the temperament of the American red nose pitbull really like? Well, you can’t deny the fact they are built for attack purposes as they have extremely strong jaws capable of breaking bones. You have to remember that they were bred for the purpose of killing and therefore they naturally have attack-like bodies, however, this is not the case for their temperament.

It’s important to note that American red nose Pitbulls are not naturally aggressive animals, instead, they are very obedient creatures that will do anything their owners tell them too. This is what they were trained for all those years ago when the Greeks taught them to be loyal and to protect them from enemy hands no matter what.

Now the reason why they have this bad reputation as an aggressive fighting dog is that a lot of people that own American red nose Pitbulls use them for illegal fighting competitions. Therefore they are trained to be as aggressive as possible. If you teach a pitbull to be aggressive, they will naturally do what you say and become the dog you tell it to become. This is the reason for their bad reputation.

The Facts

Remember how I told that American red nose Pitbulls are loyal companions and will do whatever you teach it to do? Well, this means that if you teach your dog to be kind and social, it will become a kind and social dog. The only time your dog may become aggressive is if it feels you as the owner is in some way being threatened.

Facts & Myths About the American Pit bull

The American Pit Bull as a breed, they are not savage, attack dogs. Quite the opposite, they can be very gentle, intelligent companions.

It is true that some dogs have caused insurmountable terror, suffering and loss, but when put into perspective Pit Bulls that have maimed and killed people and companion animals are those that represent a small percentage of the millions of good dogs that belong to this breed. Keep in mind that other breeds hurt people and animals too. However, they are not publicized as the Pit Bull is. The stereotype of this particular breed feeds the shock and awe sensationalism of the media.

It is important to note that statistics can be manipulated to represent whatever view a person wishes to portray.

Myths

Pit Bulls have locking jaws

Pit Bulls do not have locking jaws. The fact is they have powerful jaws in comparison to other dogs which make them more powerful; they are stronger than many other breeds. A Pit Bull’s body composition is comparable to a bodybuilder and an average person. Just because one person enjoys bodybuilding and is, therefore, stronger than another person, it does not mean that that person is any less gentle or friendly

Pit bulls are inherently mean and vicious

Pit Bulls by nature are not vicious-they is very sweet and loving. They are easily trainable and respond well to commands which can change their happy go lucky personality into something monstrous. Their desire to please, paired with their strength, high prey drive and malleability make them a great candidate for use as guard and attack dogs and in fighting rings.

Facts

People cause Pit Bulls to be vicious

In most cases, Pit Bulls are cruel and dangerous because they were trained to be. The training methods used by dogfighters cause the dog to be indiscriminate about what it attacks. Trainers will starve, beat, and harass these dogs to make them aggressive. A dog does not understand that it may only attack other dogs when it is in the ring. The saying ‘Guns do not kill people; people kill people’ can be applied to these dogs: Pit Bulls do not attack people, people attack people. Pit Bulls are used as a weapon. Furthermore, these dogs are most often grossly abused themselves.

Some Pit Bulls (not all) tend to have a high prey drive

A high prey drive means that an animal has a natural inclination to chase and possibly attack other animals that they see as food. Though we would like to think that domestic dogs are civilized, they are still animals and instinctive behaviors are difficult if not impossible to eliminate. This fact means that responsibility, vigilance, and knowledge are imperative on the part of the owner of a Pit Bull as with any dog.

Dogfighting has been around for centuries

When most people think of dogfighting, they envision thugs in rough inner-city neighborhoods with drugs, guns and seething, drooling Pit Bulls. In the 1800s Pit Bulls that were used for fighting were trusted with children and seen as their nannies. Dogs that fought by night would be left alone with children by day to guard and protect them.

Pit bulls are not the right breed for everyone

Although Pit Bulls do not deserve the reputation they have gained, they are not suitable for everyone. These dogs can be challenging to handle due to their intelligence, energy, and power. People who are considering owning a Pit Bull should research the breed to ensure an appropriate life for the dog as well as a duty to public safety.

Responsibility and education are vital in destroying the undue prejudice and stereotypes associated with this beautiful breed.

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier breed is a type of dog that is very muscular. This gives the dog a lot of power for its relatively average size. This type of dog is 17 to 19 inches high and can weigh up to 50 pounds. This breed shares its ancestry with the Staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier.

Origins of the American Staffordshire Terrier

The Staffordshire bull terrier and the Blue Paul terrier, which no longer exists, were the first dogs to arrive in the United States with immigrants. Blue Paul terriers were bigger than the Staffordshire bull terrier breed and were also used in dogfighting. Paddy and Pilot were two dogs that were imported from England and were used in forming the Americanized breed. Breeding was begun in order to create dogs of a bigger weight and height. This breeding also made the head and chest larger. Cropped ears made the head appear larger and they also made it less of a possibility that the ears would rip during dogfighting.

In 1900, dog fighting became illegal, so a group of people who admired the breed got together in order to promote other characteristics besides those desirable for fighting. The American Staffordshire was used in World War II and one of the dogs became the most decorated war dog. The American Kennel Club recognized these dogs as a separate breed in 1936, but they were called the Staffordshire terrier. The term American was added to the breed name in 1972 in order to prevent confusion with the similarly-named Staffordshire bull terrier. After its popularity increased, the breed spread all over.

Today’s American Staffordshire terrier is differentiated from the pit bull, but it was registered in 1898 as the American pit bull terrier. At the time of registration, common names such as the Yankee terrier, pit bulldog, and blue paul were abandoned.

Appearance

The American Staffordshire terrier differs from the pit bull dog in several areas. In terms of color, there is no priority, but the brindle color is the most popular. Black and tan are not popular because they show heredity of the black and tan terrier. Liver and white are also not desirable in this breed. The bone structure in the American Staffordshire terrier is important, while the pit bull’s agility is what is considered most important.

Temperament

The American Staffordshire terrier has a bad reputation, but it’s actually a very sweet and friendly dog around children. Even when dogfighting was popular, the hostility of this breed was towards other dogs and not directed at humans. This breed was bred specifically because it could be aggressive to other dogs and still be easily handle by owners. These dogs were also bred in order to achieve the goals set by their masters.

This breed is loyal and intelligent and makes a great companion. The tolerance displayed during dog fighting times is now displayed into patience with family members. These dogs are also very courageous and make excellent guard dogs due to their strength and agility. These characteristics can be enhanced with proper training and love.

General Choices of American Pitbulls

American pitbulls are usually between 1.5-2 feet tall and they weigh between 20 to just over 100 lbs. It has a strong jaw and broad chest. The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) do not recognize dogs whose tails are docked. The American pitbull comes in a variety of colors. All colors are allowed. The life expectancy of this breed is about 12 years. This breed is extremely loyal to its owner and his/her property and will fight to its death to defend those things or individuals to which/whom it is loyal.
One common misconception is that the American pitbull is a large dog; however, this breed is commonly between 35-55 lbs. Those who are near or above 100 lbs have probably been bred with another breed. The American pitbull does better in warmer climates. The breed is general is healthy, but sometimes suffers from hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts and allergies. Initially trained to fight, the American pitbull will go for a dog’s neck; therefore, it is important to socialize them from an early age.

Always keep these pitbulls on a leash when around unknown dogs (especially if your pitbull has not been socialized properly). These dogs usually have a high tolerance for pain so they regularly tolerate when you play rough with them. Although the American pitbull has aggressive tendencies, dogbreedinfo.com notes that many incidents associated with this breed really have nothing to do with the breed. In some cases, news stations will report that a pitbull was involved, but the dog was a mixed breed or some other kind of bull dog. These stories have given the pitbull a negative reputation although many people who own these dogs have had favorable experiences.

The American pitbull serves many functions aside from being a guardian and companion; they are also known for herding, guarding, hunting, policing, and cart pulling. The pitbull is intelligent and seeks to please its owner(s). Its willful spirit requires a strong and firm trainer. They should never be left alone with children. Dogbreedinfo.com has pitbull shirts for about $14. Purchased in bulk, some sites will cover shipping costs. Remember that bigger dogs will require more expensive products, from bigger leashes to collars to food. They often require more exercise and bigger space as well.

If you would need to keep them in an apartment and cannot take them out for exercise, you might consider a smaller dog that could run around inside and do its own exercise. If you’d like more information on the American pitbull, one option would be to look on amazon.com. It has various books on this breed and pitbulls in general; some were available at just under $2. There are also American pitbull sweat-/t-shirts available from about $13 to about $25. Tote bags, wall clocks, and calendars are other American pitbull-related products that are or will be available on amazon.com.

Your Pit Bull Essentials – Buyer’s Guide

When you first get your pit bull, consider purchasing some of the following essentials: a collar, leash, food, bed/crate and proper protection against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes (for heartworm prevention).

Some states have high levels of fleas and ticks. Some people who buy less expensive tick/flea solutions (i.e. from Petsmart or Petco) do not experience good results. The other and more recommended alternative is to obtain these from your dog’s veterinarian. One can get their dog’s grooming done at any Petsmart or Petco. If you have experience, you could do it yourself. The actual grooming table sells for about $90-100 at Petsmart. Shampoos are about $10 and brushes are about $7. The trimmers can start at about $25. One can sometimes find less expensive dog supplies, such as bedding, food, and toys at Walmart. If you take your pit bull for grooming, they will bathe and brush it, clean the ears, and clip its nails. At Petco, your dog can be bathed and brushed for just under $30. Because its hair remains short, there is no additional grooming that would add to the cost.

If you’re interested in treating your pit bull to a good snack, but also want to keep its teeth healthy, you may consider a treat with no by-products, preservatives, or artificial colors. For pit bulls up to about 50 lbs., you can purchase some “Greenies” from pawgear.com for about $15. Doghealth.com also has all-natural treats for about $6. Poochtoys.com mainly sells toys and treats for your dog, including healthy alternatives. These range from about $2-8.

Pawgear.com has leashes and collars on sale as well. For medium and large pit bulls, one can purchase a collar for $25 and $26 respectively. This site currently has just under 10 different designs to choose from. On dogshealth.com, you can purchase an illuminated collar if you are used to taking your dog on walks at night. These collars are not reflectors and their battery life is about 4 months with normal use. There’s one standard leash length of 9 feet for $29. If you’re searching for a more tough-guy collar, Petsmart has a wider assortment of collars and leashes. Retractable leashes are more expensive (about $30 for a medium-sized dog), but allow you to control your pit bull’s lead and offer you the luxury of not having to run around with your dog wherever it wants to go.

Petsmart.com also has pinch or choke chains for your pit bull for training purposes only. These collars are used to apply pressure when the trainer is correcting the dog. These collars are not for everyday use or to be left on your pit bull when it’s outside. If it gets caught on something, it could choke or strangle your dog. This is why it is important for the collar to be used by someone who is experienced and only during training.
Because pit bulls tend to be quite strong and willful, purchasing a harness may prevent your dog from choking when it is being walked. If it tends to pull when you are walking it, the pressure of the harness is placed on the chest and ribcage instead of the neck, which could make for a more pleasant experience for you and your dog. There are also harnesses that put some pressure on your dog to discourage from pulling on walks. These are about $14 at Petsmart.com if you have a medium-sized pit bull.

If you keep your pit bull outside, you may also consider purchasing a “tie-out” with a chain attached. These allow the dog to run around, but limit the space to the length of the chain. This can be beneficial if your dog has not been socialized or trained properly or if you are concerned about it being around children or guests. Remember, pit bulls are very loyal to their owners and feel the need to protect.

Red nose pitbulls

Red nose pitbulls are selectively bred for their pinkish red noses. They can vary in color as is the case for all pit bull terriers. They do not differ in any way other then the color of their noses to other pit bulls. Blue pit bulls are also an example of selective breeding for a physical trait (in that case for the blue-gray coat).

Grooming supplies for the short haired pit bulls is readily available by shopping at www.petsmart.com as well as at www.amazon.com. Several breeders as well as pit bull rescue organizations have red nose pit bulls available for purchase or adoption. www.bulldogbreeds.com is a good source for finding various types of pit bulls. www.puppyfind.com also lists numerous puppies for sale as well as the breeders that have placed them for sale.

Like all pit bulls, the most important consideration that the owner must make is to properly train and socialize the pit bull. Recently, state laws have changed as many have implemented legislation, restricting pit bull ownership in some way. Whether it is an outright banning of the breed or making it a requirement to muzzle the dog when in public, owners must be aware of the limitations, if any, on owning pit bulls. A potentially dangerous situation can occur when an adult pit bull is combined with other household pets. It is important to take necessary precautions such as a complete evaluation of the dog’s temperament.

Something to Think About for Blue pit bull kennels

There are several kennels that sell a variety of American Pit Bull Terriers including Blue Pit Bulls. Their name is indicative of their blue-grey coat. They have the same characteristics as any other pit bull except for the color of their coats.

Often, the breeder(s) will give information on the bloodlines of the offspring to allow the potential buyer to be assured of the purity of the breed and specifically of the potential pet. Certification of registration into a kennel club such as the American Kennel Club is very useful. The purpose of the dog is also an important consideration when looking to purchase a Blue Pit Bull. Many times the breeders will have both show and pet quality animals.

Finding a pet that is suitable for the owner is key, as a show quality pit bull may not display the qualities most important in a family setting for example, such as good temperament and kindness towards children. The purchaser must be made aware or request information on the status of vaccinations or health concerns of the dogs. Many kennels provide a health guarantee, which provides peace of mind to the owner.

Following the purchase of any pit bull or any other breed, the most important precautions to take to prevent possibly dangerous tendencies such as aggression towards other dogs, are to properly socialize and train at an early age. Although it may seem that one breeder has far greater success in producing a desirable line of pit bulls than another breeder, one must remember that every breeder produces both good and bad dogs despite their best efforts to produce good dogs.

A bad initial sign that a potential buyer should look for is if the breeder/kennel is in fact a puppy mill. A puppy mill describes a breeder that produces many litters without taking into account the demand. This then results in a surplus of puppies. When buying an American Pit Bull terrier for a specific purpose such as a show dog, or for protection, the best bet is to buy from a breeder who actively uses his dogs for that reason as well.

It is fairly easy to make the mistake of looking to very well known breeders when purchasing any breed of dog. However, these well known kennels or breeders are often well known because they produce many litters. Looking at the parents of a litter is usually a very good sign or indicator for how the litter will behave or look. Health checks, at the very least preliminary in nature, should be done by the breeder prior to the purchase of a dog from that breeder. Hip dysplasia is very important to rule out or deal with when purchasing or adopting pit bulls. A guarantee of health from the kennel is often available and can be a good sign of a respectable breeder.

Are Pit Bulls a Man’s Best Friend?

It is commonly believed that the pit bull got its name from fighting dogs in a pit. Although pit bulls would fight other dogs, this breed was placed in pits to kill rats in an event called “ratting” long before it was ever seen fighting other dogs. The dog that killed the most rats would win.

Because of such conditioning, the pit bull does have aggressive tendencies. One tendency, for example, is that the pit bull tends to go for another dog’s neck. As a result, pit bulls should always be kept on a leash, especially around unknown dogs. This is precisely why it is imperative to socialize and train your dog from when it’s still a puppy. It should never be left around children. However, many pit bull lovers argue that the pit bull’s bad reputation is unfair and sometimes untrue. Sometimes news stories report that a pit bull was responsible for an injury or death, when it may not have been a pit bull or it may have been a mixed breed.

There are various types of pit bulls, but the one that usually comes to mind is the American pit bull. They’re usually just under 2 feet and weigh anywhere from 20 to over 100 lbs. The have a broad chest and strong jaw. The ADBA and UKC do not recognize those pit bulls whose tails are docked. However, any color is permitted. A common misconception is that the American pit bull is a large dog; however, they usually only range between 35-55 lbs. They are intelligent, eager to please their owner, and very loyal. They protect their territory and their owner and are willing to fight to their death to protect. Aside from being a guardian and companion, this breed is also known for herding, guarding, hunting, policing, and cart pulling. This breed is healthy in general, but sometimes suffers from hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts and allergies. The pit bull prefers warmer climates and its life expectancy is about 12 years.

If you are on a tight budget and prefer to train your own dog, there are used instructional books/guides available starting at just a couple of dollars. If you decide to train your pit bull on your own, remember that pit bulls are willful and need to be trained by a firm trainer. Petsmart.com has accessories to train, clothe, feed, and groom your pit bull. Keep in mind when considering a pit bull that larger dogs will require a larger investment in food, accessories, and grooming supplies.

If you have limited time and money, consider purchasing a smaller dog.
Additionally, dogbreedinfo.com, sitstay.com and amazon.com have clothing for you and your pet. You can pick a shirt that has a picture of your favorite breed or you can get one that simply expresses your love for dogs in general. Tote bags, wall clocks, and calendars are other American pit bull-related products that are or will be available on amazon.com.