Are you interested in adopting or buying a Pitbull dog? Are you familiar with these dogs and their characteristics? In spite of their reputation, Pitbull dogs are still highly popular dogs. Many people love these dogs, while others fear them.
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In this article, we’ll share with you the details of Pitbull dogs and then take a look at how much does a Pitbull cost.
What is considered a Pitbull?
Interestingly, many people believe that the Pitbull is an official breed. However, that’s not the case. The Pitbull includes these different dog breeds:
- American Pitbull Terrier: this is one of the taller Pitbull breeds.
- American Bulldog
- Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- American Staffordshire Terrier
These beautiful dogs originally come from England, where they were used for bull baiting and other horribly aggressive sports. Eventually, the dogs were taken to the U.S. by English immigrants, where the dogs were used to guard the farms from animals and strangers, work to drive cattle and more. These days, though the dogs are used in dog fights, many places have now made this an illegal activity. While these dogs have a bad reputation for being aggressive, they’re actually one of the most relaxed and loving dogs around. Many people are coming find that these dogs make wonderful family companions and guardians. It depends on how the dog was raised, if he comes from an abusive background or not, etc.
Pitbull Dog Price
Another option is to get a Pitbull from a breeder. You may choose to go this route if you’re interested in competing the dog in agility and other types of competitions. A breeder will have all the right documentation of their dogs, as well as pedigree information. Expect a Pitbull price to start at $800. Don’t choose to go with a breeder who charges less, as the dog may be coming from a puppy mill, where they’re raised by unethical breeders in horrible conditions.
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You’ll need to ensure the breeder you choose is reputable and avoid backyard breeders, as well as puppy mills. The problem is because in those types of breeding situations, the dogs are usually inbred. This can lead to many types of genetic defects and disease, as well as temperament issues. It’s a good idea to personally see where the puppies are raised, meet the parents and inspect the premises in order to check the breeding environment before buying a puppy.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow Much are Pitbull Puppies?
A Pitbull puppy price from a reputable breeder can average from $2100 to $21,000. These are puppies that come from prestigious lines. However, it is possible to find Pitbull puppies that cost from $810 to $1,100.
These guard dogs when purebred can be very costly. They make formidable family dogs according to AKC, your future best friend comes in a large price range with American bully being among the most expensive type. If you are wondering what would be the best dog for you between a Rottweiler or a Pitbull think about visiting an animal shelter and spending some time with some of the dogs there. The American Kennel Club recognizes a number of coat colors for dog owners to choose from when thinking about adopting a Pitbull.
Puppies cost typically depend on the rarity of the specific breed you are after for example red nose Pitbull tend to be particularly expensive. The type of dog and if you find a good breeder will define how much a bull cost.
What Goes into Factoring the Cost of a Pitbull?
You’ll find there are several considerations when it comes to the cost of a Pitbull. Let’s take a look.
1). Gender: female dogs usually are pricier. The reason is that if you breed the dog, then you’ll also have puppies. So, in effect, you’re getting a mother dog and any potential puppies she may have. On the other hand, with a male dog, you’ll only have him and no puppies.
Also keep in mind that if you’re looking for a stud dog, then you’ll be paying a very high price, no matter the dog’s gender.
2). Physical characteristics: genes also may determine the cost of a Pitbull. For example, if you want a dog with excellent physical characteristics, this makes the dog cost more. Keep in mind the more you pay for the dog, the better your dog’s pedigree.
If you choose to buy a Rednose or a Bluenose Pitbull, expect to pay higher prices, too. These dogs are rare and unusual, which makes them more expensive.
In addition, breeders may charge more for dogs that are built stronger or that stand taller.
3) Puppy vs adult: puppies are typically less expensive than adult dogs. If you prefer a big dog, then it will cost you more.
4). Papers: there are some papers you’ll want from the breeder, to which you’re entitled as the dog’s pet parent. These papers include:
5). Vaccinations: including a rabies shot. This is an essential document. Your vet will also ask you for a copy of the dog’s vaccine record.
6). License: no matter if you buy your Pitbull from a breeder or adopt him from a rescue shelter, your fur baby should come with a license. In addition, if your pup is of a high pedigree, the breeder should give you the dog’s papers. The papers will include the dog’s bloodlines going back at least a couple of generations.
What Other Costs are Involved with a Pitbull?
As with any dog breed, you’ll find being a parent to a canine fur baby comes with additional costs. In fact, these will last the lifetime of your canine companion.
Health issues: Pitbulls are known to suffer from some health issues such as heart problems, allergies, and hyperthyroidism. While they may be relatively healthy as puppies and into adulthood, these health issues can come out at any time. You’ll need to be prepared to take care of your fur baby, which means taking care of all veterinary costs, etc.
Allergies: Pitbulls are known to suffer from various allergies. This can include inhalant allergies, sensitivities to food or chemicals, dermatitis and fleas. If your fur baby has a food allergy, you’ll need to change his diet, which can be expensive. With a flea allergy, your fur baby may need specialized shampoo and flea treatments. In fact, some Pitbull dogs don’t tolerate flea products. These can cause contact allergies and lead to skin issues such as itchiness, dryness or even skin infections. Some Pitbulls also suffer from allergies to pollen, mold, mites and dust. These allergens can bring on ear infections, eye infections (such as Cherry Eye), and more. This is a condition that will last your fur baby’s lifetime. He may need to take antihistamines for the rest of his life.
Hip issues: hip dysplasia is a common health issue in Pitbulls. And sadly, it can occur when the dog is about 2 years old. If your dog has this condition, he’ll need x-rays a couple of times a year, to see how the joint’s holding up. In some cases, a dog may even require surgery and pain medication.
Hypothyroidism: this health issue can lead to diabetes, weight gain, and other health problems. It’s easy to test for this condition; your fur baby may need lifelong treatment and monitoring, too.
Diet: this is another long-term cost you’ll need to consider with your Pitbull. Pitbull puppies requires more protein than adult dogs. Their food should be from natural sources and contain no fillers, artificial colors and preservatives. You may also want to steer clear of puppy foods that contain grains such as wheat, as this is a common allergen in many dogs. Puppy food for Pitbull pups needs to have enough fat, carbs and calcium, and contain at least 40% protein, 17% fat, 30% carbs and 1.5-2% calcium. The amount to feed your puppy will depend on his weight and weaning. If he’s about 4 weeks old when he begins the weaning process, he’ll need more puppy food. When a puppy reaches 12 weeks of age, he may need to eat up to 6 meals a day. But he should only be fed a small amount each time. Your vet or the breeder will be the best guide as to how much your puppy needs to eat. An adult Pitbull will need high quality dry dog food each day. They may eat as often as three times a day, depending on their size, age, metabolism, etc.
Grooming: your fur baby will need regular grooming to keep his coat healthy. Without grooming, your dog could develop dandruff, bacterial infections and bad shedding. Regular grooming can keep this in check, leaving your canine companion with a beautiful, healthy coat.
Exercise: Pitbulls are highly energetic dogs. They need to have activity throughout the day. In fact, Pitbulls who are bored at home alone have been known to either become aggressive or tear up the furniture. If you work away from home most of the day, you may want to consider hiring a dog walker. They should ideally be experienced and knowledgeable about how to deal with Pitbulls. They can take your fur baby for walks, play with him in the yard and more.
Obedience training: while Pitbull dogs are known for being loving and loyal, they will still need to be trained. Whether you teach him yourself, hire a dog trainer or attend obedience school, your fur baby will benefit from obedience training and proper socialization. Experts recommend that Pitbulls start out in basic obedience training when they become about 6 months old. This is because socialization needs to start early. As they progress through the classes, they’ll learn how to behave properly and how to listen to you. You may even want to consider more advanced obedience classes for your fur baby. The more reinforcement the better, plus your Pitbull will love the attention and the activity!
With obedience training, you’ll be able to keep your dog’s natural tendencies in check. These dogs are known for their defensiveness, so training can help them curb this tendency. They can be protective, without attacking or showing aggression.
Where to Find Pitbull Dogs for Adoption?
If you’d rather not buy a Pitbull, then you can find them available from several rescue groups including:
- Pit Bull Project
- Pit Bull Rescue Central
- Bad Rap
- Animal Farm Foundation
- And others
Adoption fees will vary but can run up to $200. In fact, Pitbull adult dogs and puppies are fairly common in shelters, so you can easily find one to adopt.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful as a guide to learning more about Pitbull dogs and how much they cost. Remember, these beautiful dogs need and deserve fur-ever homes like all other dogs. You’ll need to be an experienced dog pet parent who has a lot of confidence to care for one of these amazing dogs.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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