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10 Pitbull Pros & Cons: What to Know Before Adopting

Rachel Giordano

By Rachel Giordano

Pitbull on the beach

Pitbulls are considered the most misunderstood dog breed. Some people believe Pitbulls should be banned from society, while others feel these dogs are not the bloodthirsty killers some have made them out to be. In fact, a dog’s breed does not determine its personality. Yes, Pitbulls have attacked humans, but the cause of these attacks is often due to backyard breeders and those who breed these muscular dogs for fighting, which leads to aggressive behavior.

Like any dog breed, there are pros and cons to owning one of these loyal companions. Read on to learn the 10 pros and cons to help you determine if owning a Pitbull is suitable for you and your family.

Click below to jump forward:

Divider 7The 6 Pitbull Pros

1. They Are Loyal

Pitties are known for building strong bonds with their owners and are eager to please. The more time you spend with your Pitbull, the stronger the bond will be. They are fun-loving and enjoy spending time with their human families, and they will easily become part of the family. They will also protect you to the ends of the earth, which is comforting if someone tries to harm you and your Pitbull is by your side.


2. They Love People

Even though Pitbulls are one of the most feared dog breeds in the world, they generally love people and will greet your guests with excitement and kisses with proper training and socialization. Aggressive Pitbulls have been trained to be aggressive, which is a sad fact that the general public may not realize. When properly trained, Pitbulls are extremely affectionate, just like in any dog breed.

sad woman and pitbull
Image Credit: Sjale, Shutterstock

3. They Have a Sweet and Loving Temperament

Contrary to belief, these dogs have a sweet and loving temperament. In fact, Pitbulls embody all things that make up a great dog and loving companion. They love their owners and will not hesitate to show you how much they love you. When owning a Pitty, be prepared for slobbery kisses!


4. They Love to Cuddle

Most Pitbulls are not small; the average size can be anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds. These dogs are strong and muscular but don’t think they won’t hop up in your lap. Pitbulls may think of themselves as little Rat Terriers when it comes to cuddling, and they don’t realize their enormous size. They will also take up residence in your bed, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it!

american pitbull terrier
Image Credit: Voltgroup, Shutterstock

5. They Make Excellent Family Pets

Despite their unfair and tarnished reputation, Pitbulls are excellent choices if you’re looking for a family pet. As we’ve mentioned, they are loyal and eager to please, and they will become part of the family with no problem. Like any dog, the Pitbull should be properly trained and socialized to prevent unwanted and aggressive behaviors, especially toward children. Also, children should be taught how to treat the Pitbull respectfully, and any interactions should be supervised with small children.


6. They Love Activities

Pitbulls are perfect companions for those who love being outdoors and participating in physical activities, such as walking, running, or hiking. Pitbulls are quite the athletes and will participate in agility courses, flyball, and other fun sports. Pitbulls have a ton of energy and are fun pets for playing any type of sport; plus, these activities will keep them in shape.

american pitbull terrier puppy
Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock

divider 9The 4 Pitbull Cons

7. Dog Parks May Give You Grief

While Pitbulls are not banned in most dog parks, many owners who are not fans of the breed may look down on you for bringing your Pitty to the park. Pitbulls can be aggressive with other dogs if the other dog provokes or attacks, and if your Pitty fights back, your Pitty will likely win. In return, you may get into trouble since your dog is a Pitbull. Truth is, any dog may show aggression toward other dogs, especially if another dog starts a fight, but due to Pitbull breed discrimination, your Pit will be blamed regardless of who started the fight.


8. They Are Banned in Many Places

Pitbulls are not welcomed everywhere. Many cities and states ban the breed altogether, meaning you cannot legally own a Pitbull if there is a ban in your city or state. However, if your Pitbull is a service dog, the dog will be allowed anywhere regardless of a ban, even regarding rental properties that ban the breed. A service dog can be any dog breed, Pitbulls included. Nonetheless, you should be aware of the cities and states that have a ban in place before you run out and get a Pitbull, especially if you often travel to an area that may have a ban in place, making travel difficult.

Even if your location has no ban in place, be aware that your homeowner’s insurance may skyrocket if they catch wind that you have a Pitbull because it is labeled an “aggressive breed.”

american-pitbull-terrier
Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock

9. They Need Lots of Exercise

Pitbulls have tons of energy, and they need lots of daily exercise. Pitties can also become destructive if they haven’t had exercise and are prone to destructive behavior if they become bored. If you’re considering a Pitbull, ensure you have the time to exercise him at least a couple of times a day, or at least 30 to 45 minutes of vigorous activity, such as a walk, run, or playing fetch outside.


10. They Can Be Aggressive Without Proper Training

We can’t drive this home enough—Pitbulls can be aggressive with a lack of early socialization and proper training; however, this is true with any breed. Given their bad rap and strong, muscular physique, it’s extremely important with this breed to ensure you are socializing and training your Pitbull appropriately. According to the ASPCA, Pitbulls that are well-socialized and well-trained are the most gentle and intelligent dogs imaginable. Due to their intelligence, they are relatively easy to train but can have a stubborn streak. If you run into training issues, enlist the help of a professional trainer.

Beach dog pitbull
Image Credit: 825545, Pixabay

Divider 7Conclusion

Much debate surrounds whether Pitbulls are naturally aggressive dogs or just taught aggressive behavior. We believe these dogs are not born to kill, but sadly, people who train them as fighting dogs train them to be aggressive, which can potentially result in a very bad outcome.

The breed is not right for everyone, and you must be willing to train and socialize a Pitbull properly to prevent unwanted behaviors. Also, do your research to ensure these dogs are not banned in your area. Pitbulls can make excellent family companions with the proper training and early socialization, but you must be willing to put in the work.


Featured Image Credit: Lunja, Shutterstock

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