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.