are pitbull terriers suitable pets?

Answer 1

Yes very suitable if u have plenty of time on your hands and u dont have children

Answer 2

Not for novice owners, like jack russell terriers and rottweillers thay can be great dogs or a disaster.
All these breeds need careful socialising during the first 16 weeks of life to get them used to other friendly dogs, kids, cats etc. The usual 20 minutes three times a week just isn't adequate. Puppy training classes are a must.
They need to be raised in a calm and friendly household where the owner is clear about being top dog without being an ogre. Unfortunately many people use 'show 'em who's Boss' and imagine that its training.
The owner needs to be very clear about their responsibility when owning one of these breeds. The dog must continue with obediance classes and be able to walk to heel and under control, to come back when it is called no matter what; even interrupting chasing a ball to come to you.
The owner and their vet must be able to safely handle the dog all over without it feeling resentment so regular visits to a friendly vet for a quick inspection are essential.
There's a lot more to it than this but bottom line is if you have to ask you're too inexperienced for this breed.

Answer 3

That really depends. Here are the characteristics you must have to own a pitbull safely:

- Must have experience owning aggressive, dominating dog breeds before
- Must be very confident in your abilities to train the dog
- Must plan on attending obedience training
- Must have full understanding of the alpha character in dogs and how to be the 'alpha' of your household

Here are some sure signs you should not get a pitbull:

- You have kids (BAD combination)
- You are a first time dog owner
- You are looking for something like a golden retriever personality
- You have never owned a dog that required you to assert your dominance and be the clear alpha of the family

Be very careful with this breed, odds are if you're not sure whether you want one you probably don't! There are so many great dogs out there that DON'T have the dominating, dangerous genetics of the pit bull, so why not get one of those instead.

Answer 4

Pitbulls and a few other dog types are killers and should be banned from any civilized country, which the USA is not. No, a million times no, they're not suitable pets.

Answer 5

I have never heard such ignorant, unintelligent, sheepish replies. The american pit bull terrier is a wonderful breed. Yes they were originally bred for fighting, but if you are a responsible owner, you will dedicate the time needed to properly socialize the dog. You should not leave a child alone with ANY breed of dog. Accidents happen, yes, but as reported in earlier posts, they are most likely from poorly raised or bred dogs. I would feel safer leaving my child with my pit bull than with a collie. They just need attention and training. That will make them one of the most loving dogs you will ever own. But obviously they are not for everyone..some people just aren't smart enough to handle them, or any dog for that matter.

Answer 6

pitbulls can make excellent pets in the right hands. They need an experianced dog owner. They need to go to puppy school and be properly socialized with people and other dogs. The biggest problem with pitbulls is they end up in the hands of people that dont properly train the dogs, and often tech the dogs to be vicious. these dogs can make wonderful pets in the right hands.

Answer 7

Not if you do not know the dogs entire lineage and not if you have any small children.

If your prospective pit bull is a fully registered and AKC papered dog that can be proved to have never had even one drop of fighting blood in its lineage, you will have a beautiful animal that may very well be the best dog you have ever known. However, history may still teach us to be wary with these dogs around small children.
If there is any other circumstance, even one dog in its lineage that was bred to fight or abused can create a dog with an inability to control its predisposition to violence. It is NOT the animal's fault, but it is the animal that suffers. I would personally like to put the owners that abuse these dogs down instead of the dogs, but since we can't, all you can do is be careful when you get a pit bull and keep in mind that you don't know what your getting. I personally do not recommend these dogs to people with kids in their lives. They are a great match for mature responsible adults who need protection or good companions. I believe all pit bulls should be spay or neutered unless they are AKC registered and specifically being bred to pre-purchased buyers too. So my verdict is...buyer, beware and be smart!

Answer 8

Yes, they are. You have to buy from a reputable breeder, preferably one who shows or has shown them. Show dogs are bred for temperment as well as conformation. Show breeders often have 'pet quality' puppies that are healthy & sound, but have small cosmetic flaws that would keep them from being a champion, like a floppy ear or uneven markings.

Pis can be very sweet when raised properly in a loving home, without being staked out or encouraged to be vicious. 98% of Pit Bulls never attacked anyone, which goes to show it's bad owners or breeders, not bad dogs, that cause vicious dogs.

Answer 9

A pitbull has a powerful jaw that can lock around a neck for a quick kill. They are usually high strung and easily excited into fights that end in death. I definitely wouldn't throw one in a backyard with a bunch of little kids.

Answer 10

Any dog can be a suitable pet as long as you train and treat them correctly. I have owned pittbulls for 14 years and have 2 children, I have never had a problem with my dogs because they have been trained to be loving dogs not fighters!!!

Answer 11

I agree they can be good pets if you get them from a good breeder that breeds for temperment. Paying more for the dog will pay off in the long run. I also agree that I wouldnt get one if I had kids. I just had to put my pit down for temperment. He was 5 years old. I loved him so much and tried everything in my power to make things ok. You have to be a very responsible dog owner to be able to raise a pit correctly. I raised him right, I just definately think it is in the dog to be mean or not. Its not all about how you raise them. He didnt "turn" on me, but he did get agressive toward me and my husband (including biting) and thats when we had to make that terrible hard decision to put him down. On the plus side, he was SUPER smart and would have given his life for me. I will never be able to get one again.