questions for pit bull owners?

Question

Everyone is telling me not to get one, but I absolutely love pit bulls..
They only turn out to be mean if you train them poorly, right??
How do they get along with cats or other dogs?
are they ok left alone for 6-8 hrs a day 5 days a week(i'd come home for an hour in between, so no longer than 4 hrs at a time..)?
I have a 1000sq ft condo, would that be too small??
What kind of health problems do they have? Approx how much should I expect to spend on vet bills per month?

Any advice would be so helpful.. I really want to do a lot of research before I make a decision like this! Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

The "it's all how you raise them" motto sounds good but it's not true. There are dogs of all breeds that have just plain bad temperments due to poor breeding. This unfortunately includes some pit bulls. Some dogs are just born unstable with an ill temperment.
Most pits get along just fine with cats. But they were bred for dogfighting so you always have to be careful around other dogs. Some pits are more dog aggressive then others, it all depends on the individual. This means no dog parks, no leaving it alone with other dogs, and never letting it off leash. You can't love, train, or socialize this out of them. It is just part of the breed and you have to be a responsible owner an never set your pit up to fail. DO NOT confuse dog aggression with human aggression! They are two entirely seprate things. Dogfighters had to handle their dogs while fighting and could not risk being bitten. So any pit bull that bit a human was killed. Thus they are one of the few breeds bred to be specifically non-aggressive to people. The very rare pit that does bite is the result of terrible breeding and bad raising.
The time alone sounds fine! Just give him something to do (fill a kong toy up with peanut butter). Pits are fine in apartments as long as they still get exercise and walks.
They don't have many health problems. Just don't buy one from a backyard breeder. And definately don't buy one of those 90 lb blue hippos.
Some of the best pitty sites on the web:
http://www.pbrc.net/home.html
http://pitbullforum.com/ (awesome community of pitty lovers!!)
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/index.cfm
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/index.htm
http://www.hugabull.com/
The Bully Breed magazines published by Bowtie are excellent sources as well! I know you can find them at Petco.
Good books are "The Ultimate Pit Bull", "The Working Pit Bull", and "Training Your Pit Bull".
And please feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail] or if you join the Pit Bull Forum I'll see you there (I'm Emily_D).

Answer 2

I agree to first check the laws on Pits in your community. As well as your landlord. I have 2 full bred Pits. Honey is 17 mos and Bugsy is 2 1/2. They are legal in the city but apparently not with my landlord. So until I move they are staying with the woman we adopted them from. Honey is a typical female. She's sketchy around other dogs as most females are. She and the cat we have Freedom grew up together. Honey is only about 6 mos older than Freedom. It took a few days of keeping Freedom in the other room, then gradually letting her out. After about a week or so they were fine. They play and everything. Its cute.
Bugsy is an Alpha male. He knows this is HIS home and we are HIS mommy and daddy. He doesnt like being around other dominant males but is fine with females. He had to have hip surgery but is doing great!! Its been over a year now. We also have 3 children at home. They are 4, 5, and 6 years old. My 4 year old daughter can give them commands and they listen to her. Honey will take a biscuit out of your mouth with hers. Without even nipping your lip. I say get one that is a pup. Then you know YOU are the one training it. And dont have to worry about how it was treated before. You will have to be understanding and patient about the potty thing for awhile though. Also VERY IMPORTANT...make sure its a PURE bred Pit. The mixed breeds have more problems. AND make sure sure that the parents werent fight dogs. Usually they will have papers saying they are registered. Remember...A Pitbull can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. It all depends how you treat them.

Answer 3

A pit bull is a very nice pet, until the day it isn't.
Some will be naturally good natured, and some will be mean. Training is necessary for socializing them with people and other dogs. Look into getting your dog professionally trained.
As for cats, keep your dog on a leash when you go out, and you won't have to worry. Never let your dog run loose -- your dog will chase any cat it encounters, and kill any cat it catches. Your dog might chase children too, even if socialized, if you're not around.

Answer 4

Good for you asking questions before you get a pet. Wish more folks were like you.
If you get one from a shelter. They temperment test, and test dogs reactions to cats and kids, so you can be sure you are getting a good one. Train and socialize him right I think you will be very pleased.
Getting an adult might be the best solution for you. No younger than 6 months, they can "hold it" better when they are older.
Usually they are very healthy. Go to Petsmart. They have a health plan that is wonderful. You pay like $12 a month and get everything. Lots of services for the money. I have my dog on it and I'm very pleased. Even when she gets sick, a lot of the care is covered.

Answer 5

Yes, the wisest thing is to do research and more research. Big mistakes are made when people think an APBT is just another dog and they treat it as such. They will try and take over your household if you let them. Exercise is very important especially for an APBT. I trust you will obtain a pedigreed dog so you can have some knowledge of it`s background ? Their skull being to small for their growing brain is pure nonsense just as the "locking jaw" myth . You`ll hear all kinds of bull from people that know nothing so be prepared. Good luck.

Answer 6

pit bulls aren't mean unless you train them to be that way, i think they get along w/ cats and dogs really well, i would maybe put him the bathroom or crate when your away, your condo shouldn't be that small they have problems with there heads becase there head is to small for there growing brain, the vet bills will be a little high when you first get him but then after that it isn't that bad good luck w/ your decision

Answer 7

your first bit of reseach should be on whether or not they are againest the law in your city. Second, you should research what goes along with training one. Third pits are on any vicious dog list. Forth are you willing to get the extra insurance?

Answer 8

DONT BUY A REAL PIT BULL OFF OF GAME LINES OR YOU WILL HAVE A PROBLEM SOME DAY,BUY A PET BULL LIKE THOSE BLUE DOGS AND THEY WILL BE BIG SLOW AND A CUR SO YOU WONT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THEM THOSE PET BULL BLUES AND DONT PAY EXTRA FOR THE BLUE AS THERE REALY JUST A MUT ANYWAY

Answer 9

OMG! enable me ask you a question, did your mum and dad beat you at 10 weeks previous because you pooped your diaper or cried at night for a bottle! are you able to think of in the event that they did beat you at that age. do no longer you think of you're able to have hid decrease than their mattress! purely with the aid of fact there are human beings obtainable who combat their pits, does that mean you ought to! Come on, that's no longer Rocket technology, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that that's Animal Abuse and should be stopped. yet i think of you already know that or you're able to have not requested this question. in case you're smart adequate to come again directly to YA dogs area and ask this question, i understand you're smart adequate to A.) prepare this domestic dog devoid of violence, B.) Surf the internet for the right elevating and coaching of a Pit Bull, C.) Take the advice of enrolling the dogs in obedience instructions or hire a private coach. once you have performed your training and your dogs is a success, tutor him off to your brother and acquaintances what a properly behaved pit ought to act like and how your dogs is an envoy for the breed. Then enlighten them on the right care and therapy of Pit Bull. in the event that they nonetheless do no longer comprehend, deliver them over to my residing house and we are able to have a flow at him! stable success to your dogs! *;*

Answer 10

they are only mean if you hit them or abuse tthem ...the usually dont get along with cats unless brought up when a puppy around cats.....they would be fine left alone....your condo would be big enough....normally none ...depends on if they get sick ...you need to bring it in for check ups every six months and they only cost like 50 bucks