American Pit Bull Terrier Complete Profile

Key Facts:

Size: Medium
Height: 46 - 56 cm (18 - 22 inches)
Weight: 14 - 36 kg (30 - 80 lb)
Life Span: 12 years
Grooming: Easy
Exercise: Demanding
Feeding: Medium
Temperament: Confident & exuberant
Country of Origin: United States
AKC Group: Not registered
Other Names: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull

Temperament:
The American Pit Bull Terrier is confident, eager, enthusiastic, loyal, courageous, gentle and loving. American Pit Bull Terriers usually display some level of aggression toward other dogs and have tremendous strength. Therefore these dogs need a firm owner who can provide proper training and socialization. American Pit Bull Terriers are known for their love of children and it is uncharacteristic for them to show any aggression towards humans. They are not good guard dogs as they are generally friendly with strangers. If American Pit Bull Terriers have early contact with household pets they should get along without any problems. American Pit Bull Terriers can make excellent, loving and protective companions with early obedience training and socialization.

Grooming:
Periodic grooming with a firm bristle brush (particularly when the coat is shedding) is sufficient for the American Pit Bull Terrier. Rubbing the coat with a piece of toweling or chamois will bring out the natural shine.

Exercise:
American Pit Bull Terriers need a considerable amount of daily exercise. These dogs should be kept on a leash unless within a controlled environment to prevent any aggessive interactions with other dogs. American Pit Bull Terriers enjoy running alongside a bike, which is a good activity for them to burn energy.

History:
The American Pit Bull Terrier evolved from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and other fighting dogs including the extinct fighting Bulldog. Their ancestors were brought to the Unites States in the mid - 1800's by Boston-Irish immigrants. They were originally bred to be fighting dogs until bull baiting was banned in England in 1835. There are differences in the classification of this breed between different countries. The American Kennel Club considers the American Staffordshire Terrier as a separate and distinct breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier, yet the United Kennel Club registers both breeds as American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs).

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Solid, powerful and athletic.
Colour: Any colour, colour pattern, or combination of colours is accepted, except for merle.
Coat: Smooth, glossy, close, and moderately stiff to touch.
Tail: Tapering and naturally extending from the topline. Carried low when at rest and carried level with the back when active.
Ears: Set high and may be natural or cropped. If the ears are natural, semi-prick or rose are preferred.
Body: The body is slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in the body than dogs. The chest is deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs extending well back. The back is firm and strong and the topline inclines slightly downwards. The loin is muscular and short and the croup slopes downwards.

Additional Comments:

American Pit Bull Terriers do not have a good reputation with their name, after being banned in some countries and having strict regulations in Great Britain and America. The American Pit Bull Terrier is as much a victim of the press as it is of it's historic breeding to fight other dogs. Some unscrupulous owners continue to abuse the natural strength and loyalty of these dogs by using abusive training techniques to produce fighting Pit Bulls. If this breed is trained properly from an early age they generally make highly companionable dogs.

Related Information of Interest:

7 Simple ways to safe Guard your dog this summer!
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how it must feel under a fur coat! here are some simple tips to help your dog beat the heat.

1) Bob The Hair:
If you have a shaggy dog like a pomeranian, Pekinese or any such variation then listen up. Your dog needs a hair cut. The hair should be cut with scissors and not shaved. Do not cut around the whiskers but you can carefully trim around the eyes.The less hair on your dog the cooler he will keep. If you have a short haired dog no need for a trim.

2) Play it cool: Food can be lighter and given before it gets hot in the morning and after it cools down in the evening.Depending on the dogs normal diet, reduce or entirely eliminate meat. Replace with soya, mashed or cooked with meat flavour. When a dog is panting give ice to lick.

3) walk on the mild side:
Walks should be taken early and then again after sundown. Don't encourage chasing, fetching games too much.

4) Cool it: If you enjoy airconditioning so does your dog.If you have a cooled space share it with your pooch.

5) No closed encounters: Never leave dogs in a completely closed space. If your dog is home, Leave on the fan. In a car, leave the window partially open.

6) Let it all hang out: Dogs sweat from their tongues so never tie or muzzle the mouth in the summer. Whilst giving medical treatment see if you can hold the head rather than tying the mouth. If you have to tie the mouth be sure to release as quickly as possible.

7) Do not bathe your dog more than once a month. Soap/ Cleansers strip their skin of natural oils and lead to skin irritation. when dirty you can simply towel dry with a damp towel.

About the Author

Venkata Ramana is a Dog Lover since childhood. Visit his www.dogs-now.com/go/Boxer Dog website and discover how you can make boxer dog the happiest, loving dog alive, Running healthily with you.

A Good Tip For Dogs With Itchy Skin
Now that summer is in full swing, many dogs are experiencing dry skin and excessive itchiness. I know that my dog, "Forbes," certainly has been! Of course, the first thing you'll want to rule out is fleas. But barring fleas, I've found that the best way to alleviate itching is to:

Splash approximately 2 Tablespoons of either vegetable oil or canola oil in your dog's food.
The additional fat will give your dog's coat a soft, shiny look and will help alleviate dry skin and itching.
You can also try an over-the-counter product you can get at most pet stores called, "Lipiderm," which works pretty much the same, but costs a bit more.
Something else you might try: One of my newsletter subscribers writes, "Best thing for itchy skin is lemons. Slice a couple of lemons in a litre of water and boil it. Let it cool down for a day then you can spray it on. Works wonders and is cheap."

About the Author

Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
tinyurl.com/4efaq

Body Language Before Dog Bites
Dear Adam:

After catching up on doggy email, I've noticed your reference to submissive posture. Your book helped more than a professional trainer I hired for my adopted Golden. We went through biting and dominance issues. The problem I am having now is I still do not trust him 100%. When he bit there really wasn't any sign it was coming (that I noticed). Even now, the only sign that he doesn't like something is a lowered head and sometimes a low growl (the groomer told me this). This dog growls sometimes when he is happy. It is almost like someone taught him not to make any other noise in doors. Outside he will bark. I guess the big question is how do you read a dog's face, body, etc.?

Thanks,
Mark.

Dear Mark:

It's a tough situation you've got. You've really got to just pay close attention to the dog at any time you suspect she may display the aggression. The most common indicators that I used when working with clients who had aggressive dogs was to watch:

1. The mouth. A dog will always pull has mouth closed tight just before he bites.

2. Body language. The dog's body language will get stiff and still just before he bites. Especially watch the stillness. It's very subtle, but at the same time very noticeable once you train your eye to look for it.

There are other things that you could look for depending on the dog and the type of aggression. However, you need to recognize that there are ALWAYS cues... it's just a matter of whether we are quick enough (or aware enough) to catch them.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): tinyurl.com/4efaq
Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!

About the Author

Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
tinyurl.com/4efaq

Boxer's and Heartworms
It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects that a heartworm can have on
your Boxer.

First lets look at what heartworms are and how your dog can become infected.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes into the dog’s blood stream. The immature heartworms called microfilaria
travel through the blood stream.

The microfilaria settle into the heart chambers and major pulmonary blood vessels. This causes a blockage of the
blood flow and pathological changes to the surrounding tissues.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen
inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which is transmitted into a mosquito when it bites an
infected dog, and subsequently injected into the next dog that that mosquito dines on.

What Are The Signs That A Dog May Have Heartworms?

Usually the first system is weight loss. The dogs’ hair may become dull and brittle.

The infected dog also may tier easily.

A persistent coughs and or labored breathing.

In more progressed cases victims may vomit blood from ruptured lungs.

If the disease is not prevented or caught in time the result will be a slow painful death from congestive heart
failure.

What Do I Do If My Boxer Is Infected?

Treatment is available but it can cost hundreds of dollars, and may be ineffective depending on the degree of
infestation.

The best defense against heartworms is routine checkups with your vet. Giving your dog heartworm medication once
a month easily prevents heartworms.

Warning: You Must Have Your Dog Tested For Heartworms Before Starting Heartworm Medication!

About the Author

je Dunn has published several books on dogs and has free information all about dog training, health, and care at: www.boxerdogs-1.com/Boxer_Dogs.html Boxer Health Tips