Are you interested in adopting a Pit Bull puppy? Also called the American Pit Bull Terrier, these are the 2nd most popular breed in the US. So, how do you go about finding a Pit Bull puppy? What do you look for?
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We’ve done the research for you. This article contains information you need to know about the breed, what to look for in Pit Bull puppies and more. Let’s get started!
Information about the Pitbull Breeds
Pit Bull dogs are a favorite in many American households, where these dogs are beloved family members. There are many myths about the breed, one being that they can be extremely aggressive and don’t make good family dogs. However, these beloved dogs have consistently achieve very high temperament scores, meaning they are not aggressive dogs.
There is no one specific breed of “pit bull” dog, there are four dogs that are recognized as “pit bull type” dogs. These are the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.
These dogs can trace their ancestry back to England, Scotland and Ireland where they were bred to fight large animals. Eventually this practice was banned. Pit Bulls were also once used as rat hunters, as they do have some terrier heritage.
The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Pit Bull as a breed; however, the United Kennel Club and the American Breeders Association do recognize these dogs officially.
Over the years, Pit bulls became working dogs. They have worked for as therapy dogs, family pets, and K9 police dogs.
Are Pitbulls Aggressive?
Any dog or dog breed can be aggressive, including a Pit Bull. These dogs have been used for dog fighting, which is a horrible tragedy and agonizing abuse of the dogs. However, most Pit Bulls are loving dogs who want nothing more than to be very near their pet parents and families.
While they have been known to be aggressive towards other dogs, Pit Bulls are loving family dogs.
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Ask a Vet Live NowPitbulls for Sale: What You Need to Know
When you begin to search for a Pit Bull puppy, you’ll find there are many people who sell these beautiful dogs. However, you need to avoid buying your puppy from a puppy mill. Puppies from puppy mills usually have many health issues from lack of care and inbreeding and haven’t been properly socialized. Sometimes they may not even have enough to eat, and living in cramped, dirty cages or kennels. Puppy mill breeders are only in it for the money, and they don’t really care for the welfare of the animals in their care.
Instead, you need to find a reputable breeder. These breeders take the wellbeing of their dogs and puppies very seriously. In fact, as much as you’ll be checking out the breeder, any breeder worth their salt will also be checking you out, to make sure you’re able to provide a good home for one of their puppies.
You’ll also want to avoid backyard breeders. These are people who may have accidentally allowed their dogs to breed, or they breed dogs only as a hobby. The puppies produced may not have good, healthy parents, which means the Pit Bull puppies could develop serious health and behavioral issues as they grow up. It’s very hard to tell, so it’s best to avoid backyard breeders, too, and only go with a reputable breeder.
How to Find the Best Breeder
If you’re not sure where to start, you might think about asking your vet. They may know of a reputable Pit Bull breeder nearby. You can also do a Google search for “Pitbull puppies for sale near me,” which will pull up a list of breeders in your area.
Another place to check is with a reputable breeder register, such as you can find on the UKC or the American Dog Breeders’ Association sites. Both of these organizations ensure the breeders on their lists are truly reputable and ethical dog breeders.
You’ll know a good breeder, as these are the ones that produce high quality dogs. Their focus is on quality, not quantity. They also belong to national and local American Pit Bull Terriers and tend to network with other Pit Bull breeders.
Reputable breeders will also register their dogs with the UKC or the American Dog Breeders’ Association. You’ll know the puppies are good, because both of these organizations have standards that breeders must meet to make it onto the registries.
Another thing to note in a reputable breeder is that they will take great care of their dogs and puppies. They will also be happy to share referrals to past customers and include their contact information. This way you can contact them and see how their puppies turned out, how their dealings have been with the breeder and more.
A good breeder may also share the contact information of their veterinarian, so you can talk with them, too. If the breeder readily shares information like, then chances are he is a good breeder who truly cares about his dogs.
And remember, don’t be put off if the breeder asks you a number of questions. A reputable breeder will want to make sure his dog is going to the best home possible.
Pitbull Dog for Sale: How to Pick a Puppy
So, what do you look for when choosing a Pit Bull puppy? Here are some tips to help you find just the right little pup for you and your family:
Area where puppies are kept: you’ll want to see the area where the puppies are kept for most of the day. The breeder may let the puppies stay out to play, but they should take the puppies indoors to sleep, especially at night. This way, the puppies can socialize with the breeder and their family. They also have a great chance to become used to a household—the noises, the schedule, etc. Puppies should be clean and stay in a clean area, with access to plenty of fresh water and toys.
See all the puppies in the litter: once puppies are about 5-6 weeks old, they’re pretty lively. They like to play and have lots of energy. Make sure the puppy you want, and his litter mates, are all active and playing with one another. Look to see if any of the puppies seem weak or lethargic. These could be signs of illness or malnutrition.
Eagerness and confidence: look for a puppy who is confident and eager to come to you. Puppies who hang back and seem fearful or shy could be sick or not very confident. Puppies who are scared may become adults who are fearful and nervous. These are the dogs that can grow up to have socialization problems. They will require a lot of socialization and training. Also avoid those puppies that are aggressive, bossy, etc. Look for puppies who are friendly and come to you readily is a well-balanced little being. They’ll still need socializing and training but will be easier to work with.
Eating, healthy skin and more: look to see if the puppies are happy and eager to eat. This shows they have a good, healthy appetite. Pups that don’t eat may be sick. In addition, be sure to check the puppy’s skin. Make sure the skin has no wounds, bumps, or sores. And it’s also a good idea to see the puppies when their eyes have opened. Look for eyes that are clear and have no redness, swelling or discharge.
Other health signs to check: in addition to those above, you’ll want to check to see if the puppies have any physical signs of illness. This could include vomiting, coughing or other signs. While this is gross, it’s also good to look at the puppy’s poop, which should be firm, with no blood and not watery. Lastly, check how the puppies walk. They should run and walk without limping or stumbling.
American Pitbull Terrier Puppies for Sale
Would you like a grey Pitbull puppy? Then you’ll want to look for “blue” Pit Bull puppies for sale. These are American Pit Bull Terriers that have a blue coat and blue noses! Although you may find them with coat colors that vary from blue, silver to grey or even charcoal. They’re adorable!
One thing to know about Blue Pit Bull puppies is that the “blue” color is a recessive genetic trait. For this reason, breeders must take extra precautions not to overbreed these dogs. The concern is that the gene pool for these dogs is small, and it’s easy to adopt a dog that’s overbred. This can result in some health and behavioral issues.
Adopting a Pitbull Puppy
If you’re not looking to buy a puppy from a breeder, there are lots of Pit Bull puppies that are in need of a good home. You can often find them in shelters and rescues in most areas. Keep in mind that when you adopt a puppy from a rescue or shelter, there may not be much information (if any) about his parents or history. You may not know if the puppy comes from a puppy mill or was neglected or abused.
Puppies with an unknown background may be OK, or they may have issues when they become older. It’s very hard to tell, so be sure to keep this in mind when searching for your fur baby.
Pit Bull puppies are as cute and sweet as any other type of dog. If you’re going to buy a puppy, be sure to only get one from a reputable breeder. And remember, if you adopt a puppy from a rescue or shelter, there may not be much information about his past. These dogs may be just fine, but they could also develop health and behavioral issues as they grow. You just never know.
We’d like to wish you all the best in finding your sweet Pit Bull fur baby! And we hope you have many years of happiness and companionship together!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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