Pit bulls are wonderful dogs in the proper hands. If you are prepared to research on the breed and spend some time to take care of it, your dog will be a wonderful pet. But in the wrong hands, pit bulls can be troublesome, and even dangerous. This is why owners need to be educated about these dogs. People should understand the breed of dog that they purchase, and take an active interest in learning more about it.
These dogs are often portrayed in the media as vicious and cruel. It is true that pits are bred for aggressive behavior towards other dogs, in some circumstances. However, the notion that they do not make suitable pets is false.
The statistics prove this point. In 2002-2004, the pit bull outperformed the golden retriever in terms of temperament. This isn't something you will read in most newspapers.
This dog has immense strength and stamina. One of the increasingly popular activities with pits is weight pulling. The pit bull will compete with other dogs of the same size in pulling a weighted cart.
The Pit Bull is not a dog to buy if you are looking for a very casual owner-pet routine. That is, you only want to take the dog for a customary walk every few days, feed it, and take no further interest. Many pit bulls will behave like the more docile breeds, but you should not expect every dog of this breed to behave in that exact same manner. This dog is tough and intelligent, and has been bred to test its strength against other dogs. It is not unusual for a pit bull to fight with other dogs. However, it is perfectly natural for a Pit Bull to be friendly towards humans. To expect a dog to go against the nature it was bred for is not fair to the animal, so be aware of what you are getting into with a pit bull.
One common misconception about these dogs is that the dog's temperament is only influenced by how the dog is raised. Aggression between species and within a species of dog is very common, including Atikas, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and terriers. These dogs will show little tolerance for other dogs. But dog agression is something that can be handled by a responsible owner. It does require you to be aware and responsible. If you do not want to spend the time and effort required to deal with Pit Bull, it is best to get another breed of dog.
Many famous people have owned this breed of dog. Some of these celebrities include Helen Keller, Michael J. Fox, Fred Astaire, and Teddy Roosevelt. Pete, the dog on Little Rascals was a pit bull.