A dog, playful as a child, wise and balanced, devoted to its owner, and also having iron strength - this bouquet of characteristics belongs to the pit bull breed.
Despite their power, they never allow their superiority to be applied to humans. This breed of fighting dogs has established itself as an ideal guard for its owner.
A pit bull puppy (2 months old), whose photo you can see, looks like a cute pet, but very soon a real fighter will grow out of it.
Representatives of the breed once took part in dog fights. Dog breeding continued to be pursued even after the prohibition of such events, since fights were carried out further, only illegally. Animal holders earned a lot of money on bets. After the fight, the dog was put up for sale, the more she won during the fight, the higher the price.
The Pit Bull Terrier has not been recognized as a breed to date. The Federation of Cynologists does not give permission for the admission of such animals to participate in dog shows and other similar events. Although it is not considered a true independent breed, there are still places where it is recognized. For example, in the United States, some patrons of this species defend the rights of pit bulls, and even manage to register them. One such breed follower is Kennel Club, as well as the American Dog Breed Association.
American Pit Bull: breed description
Seeing the first time a pit bull, you can immediately understand that this is an unusually strong dog. Representatives of the breed are divided into two types - the bulldog type and terriers. Sometimes there are mixed ones.
The weight of the dogs is not strictly limited - it ranges from 12 to 36 kg, but most often individuals of this species are found weighing from 14 to 28 kg. Color according to the standard is allowed any, except the color "merle". The color of the puppies of the pit bull is also different. The color of the coat is allowed from pure black and white to brindle, with different marks.
The appearance of the dog is severe - an unusual shape of its head with rather wide cheekbones, a powerful jaw and a strong "bull" neck immediately catches your eye. The animal has well-developed muscles and a wide chest. Ears can be cropped, tail not cropped.
Character
Despite all its merits, this dog arouses mistrust of many people. If you take Sweden, it was strictly forbidden to breed pit bulls there. This has also been done in some states of America. In other countries, walking these animals is allowed only in muzzles.
The character of the pit bull dog has been forming for a long period. To date, this dog has a friendly and balanced temperament. But the hunting instinct has been preserved, thanks to which the dogs do an excellent job with the role of guard of the premises, and are also great helpers during the hunt.
The following character traits are inherent in pit bull:
- The desire to constantly be useful to the owner is childishly playful, the pit bull at the same time notices all the needs of its owner. Even if he is unwell, the dog will do everything in his power to become useful and earn gratitude.
- Confidence in his merits - such a noble feeling of a dog manifests itself in the fact that even knowing his superiority, he will never make an attempt to show it to members of the family in which he lives.
- Attentiveness and extraordinary judiciousness - even pit bull puppies have these character traits. Even in childhood, they want to seem adults and wise.
- Manifestation of children - a dog of this breed is distinguished by a strong devotion to its "pack", whether it be dogs or people around it. She behaves with them very carefully, never bites a child, no matter what he does to her.
Pit bulls are good dogs for keeping in the family, they can perform a wide range of different services.
Those individuals for whom mental disorders were noticed were not allowed to breed. Indeed, puppies of a pit bull, photos of which can be carefully considered here, if improperly raised, can turn into dangerous animals. Therefore, animals that could not control themselves and did not distinguish a person from a dog were subjected to destruction. According to this principle, a gradual formation of the rock took place.
Pit bull puppies: preparation for acquisition
After long weighing all the pros and cons, or spontaneously, a person decides to buy a dog as a pet. But before going to the nursery, to the breeder, he needs to settle some questions and buy some things for the future four-legged friend:
- Before you get a puppy, you need to prepare for such an event. If it is a pit bull, you need to learn all about this breed - what kind of temperament dogs have, how to care for them, how to feed them and how to raise them.
- Consider all the pros and cons of such an acquisition.
- Decide what gender the puppy should be.
- To think where to buy a dog is better if it will be a well-known kennel.
- Before purchasing a puppy from a breeder, you need to find out all the information about the latter. Check if he got into unpleasant stories when selling his dogs with genetic diseases.
- Buy special toys in advance that the little puppy can nibble, thereby preserving your furniture intact.
How to choose a puppy?
When buying a pit bull, you need to make the right choice. Rumors that the puppy should have a big head are a lie. First of all, attention should be paid to ensuring that the dog does not notice the following defects: weak joints, improperly placed back and poor foot condition.
Pit bull puppies should have a medium-sized head, neck is stronger than legs, legs are thick, on a beautiful bend of the back there is a small hump. The back of the puppy is allowed just above the front. It is recommended to choose an animal with straight, strong and elastic limbs. If the tail is set low - you can be sure that the dog is distinguished by courage and good fighting qualities.
The color of the pet is a matter of the owner’s taste. No color is preferred, the main thing is the standard. For example, a white pit bull puppy is very beautiful. One can be proud of such a dog!
No less beautiful and solid black pit bull looks. Puppies having a non-standard color are inexpensive, because they are not subject to further breeding.
Having discovered that the puppy is showing cowardice or undue aggression, it is not recommended to purchase it. Excessive sensitivity also does not belong to the list of good qualities of a dog’s temperament, because it is a sign of lack of self-confidence.
First days of a puppy in a permanent place of residence
First, the baby should get comfortable in the house in which he will live. He will definitely have a desire to explore everything around, and he needs to be allowed to do it. After such a detour of the territory, you can gradually begin to teach the puppy and show attention and care to it, for its part:
- The owner and all family members must constantly show affection for the pet, stroking it on the head, back and tummy.
- Gradually teach the rules of behavior in the house, do not allow him to those places that are forbidden for him to visit.
- Train the dog where his toilet is.
- Begin to accustom to the very first necessary commands: “sit” and “place”.
- A puppy after 10 weeks can be introduced to other animals. Such lessons are best done in a small area near the house or in the walls of your own home.
- At every opportunity, take the dog out to the street, where she will gradually get acquainted with cars, other houses and parks. The more experience she gains from her young age, the easier it will be for you in the future.
The beginning of socialization
Look, this cute creature is a pit bull puppy (2 months). The photo, as you see, confirms that he is not yet able to protect himself or his master, since he must undergo socialization during this period of his life. This will allow him to learn to compose his own idea of other animals and what is happening in the world around him.
The first step in socialization is the communication of the puppy with his mother, her care and training in discipline. Next comes communication with other brothers, in the company of which small animals learn to obey or, conversely, dominate.
The next step belongs to the dog breeder, as he is the first person to be in contact with the puppy. At this time, he should be affectionate and at the same time maintain discipline, begin to accustom the baby to behavior in the walls of the house.
Only after that the obligation to accustom a small pet to the environment will fall on the owner - the person who bought it. A 2-month-old puppy of a pit bull needs socialization more than other breeds. The holder must introduce him to strangers, teach him to communicate with different people. You should always have a treat with you to reward your pet for a good attitude to outsiders. The most susceptible to this type of association are puppies aged 14–16 weeks.
Do not let your pet worry during an unexpected noisy environment or while a cyclist is passing by. To distract attention, the dog can be presented with a treat. It is best to show with your own example that everything around is calm and beautiful.
This point of socialization is critical; it has a serious effect on all the remaining years of the dog’s life. It is necessary to accustom the animal to frightening factors from afar, repeating the attempt until the pet stops showing its excitement.
The dog’s acquaintance with the world around it lasts throughout its life, and the more new things appear to a young animal, the much less susceptible and cowardly the dog will show itself in the future.
Pit bull puppy care
From a young age, pit bull puppies need hair and eye care. Ears should also not be forgotten. Babies begin to see on the 9-11th day from birth. The blue color of the iris remains unchanged for 1.5–3 months. You need to examine your eyes daily, in the presence of purulent discharge, it is necessary, without delay, to consult a veterinarian.
It is recommended to wash the dog twice a year, the puppy of the pit bull is exposed to bathing for the first time at 2 months. It is recommended to use shampoos only if the pet is heavily contaminated; the Lugovoi school is suitable.
The claws of the dog should be cut as they grow. Pit bull puppies under the age of 6 months need this procedure once every 7 days, up to one year - once every two weeks. If it happens that the pulp is damaged, you need to stop the blood with a green leaf or several crystals of manganese.
How to feed a pit bull puppy ?
The first weeks after birth, the puppies feed the mother with their milk. Colostrum, which is obtained immediately after birth, is especially useful. After a month of age, the feeding of pit bull puppies gradually changes - their menu becomes more expanded. They learn to consume cow's milk, milk porridge, raw and boiled meat, as well as vegetable soup. Be sure to add vitamins and minerals to their food.
The amount of necessary food that a dog should consume directly depends on its age and physical data, as well as on lifestyle and stress:
- immediately after weaning, pit bull puppies should receive food several times during the day;
- start giving food with five small meals a day;
- at the age of 3 months, they gradually switch to four meals a day;
- at the age of eight months, feed the puppy 3 times a day.
Before deciding what to feed a pit bull puppy , it is important to know that the nutrition should ideally suit young dogs and puppies, thanks to him, the animal receives everything necessary for growth.
The main part of the diet of a small dog is meat, it should be at least 100 g of the total portion. Best if it is beef. Once every six days you can give veal or chicken hearts, the liver is also useful. Once a week, meat can be replaced with fish. Although an adult American pit bull loves fish very much, a puppy cannot eat such foods in large volumes - in some cases a fish day can be arranged twice a week, but not more often.
Every day, the pet should receive low-fat cottage cheese, milk, mashed apples and carrots. You can cook porridge in milk. It is recommended to include one boiled egg in the menu.
If you have problems with the appearance of wen, you should, without delay, change the diet of the dog, because pit bulls are more prone to their formation due to improper nutrition. It is necessary to exclude completely flour products and sweets, to limit the consumption of animal fats.
Dry feed
It is better to start feeding a small pit bull with dry food from two months of age. Feed must be of high quality. At first it is given as a treat.
If there are no signs of allergy, you can bring the daily rate of this product for a puppy to 120 g, dividing into several portions. It is imperative that the pet has free access to drinking water.
Raising a puppy
In order to have a dog next to him with an undisturbed psyche, one cannot do without proper education, he should devote a lot of time. A pit bull can become truly loyal to its owner only if the owner has the skills in keeping animals and a lot of patience.
Rumors that harsh measures and tortures of all kinds are effective in raising a dog are just myths. Nothing good will bring such a pit bull education. A puppy of this breed, like other living creatures, needs to be loved, try to draw his attention to yourself. The appeal to him should be on an equal basis with all members of the family in which the pet is located. Fear can not achieve a positive result.
Aggression of a pit bull puppy begins to manifest itself when it has been in a small enclosed space for a long time. He needs a lot of physical activity, you need to walk with him as much as you need, about two hours a day. Only then will the pet be happy and calm. It is impossible to reduce the time for walks and active games.
The American pit bull is a dog with a great mind, she is happy to learn new things and is ready to obey her mentor. Today, the methods of raising puppies remain simple and at the same time effective. Here are some tips on how to successfully raise your pet:
- One rule to remember is that the dog’s life is the present. Each time a puppy receives encouragement or punishment, he takes it for action in these minutes. For example, if he did something bad an hour or two ago, to punish him already to no avail, he will not understand why such an attitude towards him.
- You must adhere to the rules of upbringing, which sets the puppy holder. If you just do not allow him to climb onto a bed or sofa, then this prohibition should take place constantly. You can not give in to his plaintive requests, yielding once, you have to do it always, it will be difficult to change this behavior of your pet.
- The pet should receive a reward only for such actions that will be useful in the future.
- Based on the fact that the puppy is trying by all means to please the owner, you can tell him how to achieve this. Coercion will only delay the learning process.
- If you repeat the command again and again in a demanding tone, accompanying the order with screams, you can only achieve one thing - scare the dog, but not bring the pit bull closer to understanding what they want from him. In this case, it is better to start from the beginning and return to the basics of teaching.
- Training does not always go as you want, but this is not the reason for the inability to train your dog. You should try to be confident in your actions, become a consistent realist. The main thing is not to lose a good mood while raising your pet.
The formation of the psyche and character of the dog lasts until the second year of life, after the third - reaches its maximum. You should not strive to conduct training in fighting contacts as early as possible, even though puppies sometimes require this at 10 months. But there are times when such a desire is not manifested at all.
It is recommended to start fighting training from the 15-month-old age of the pit bull, not before. This should be done gradually, with great care and patience. The partner in fighting contact should be an old and experienced “fighter” who can give a good lesson to a beginner in this matter, but does not bite much.
If the puppy likes the first permitted contact, then the next one can be provided to him no earlier than in a month. The first contacts are the development of self-confidence.
How to keep puppy healthy?
Pit bull puppies, photos of which you can see in the article, seem at first glance calm and calm.
And over time, they can turn into healthy beautiful pets, but only with proper care and upbringing. It is necessary to constantly pay attention to the health of your little pet, watching not only the physical condition, but also the psychological one.
Immediately after the acquisition, a monthly pit bull puppy needs to be examined by a veterinarian, then it is recommended to conduct scheduled examinations with him in the clinic. If there is no desire for reproduction and breeding, the animal can be neutered or sterilized. You can not miss the time of vaccinations, the doctor should warn about this:
- The first vaccination of the baby should be done in 2.5-3 months. Before this, you need to make sure that the puppy's health is normal, his condition is excellent.
- Three weeks later, a second vaccination is necessary.
- When the puppy is 5-6 months old and milk teeth change, the third vaccination is done.
- A fourth vaccination is given to the puppy per year, and then vaccination is repeated annually.