What breed is a dog with a hooked nose? Fighting dogs. Fighting dogs with a muzzle of a rat, elongated, long nose

17.04.2019

a brief description of

Aggressiveness
Upbringing
Training
Intelligence
Moult
Behavior with children
watchman
Security guard
Difficulty in care
Endurance in the cold
Heat endurance

american pit bull terrier- a breed that has not yet been recognized by the International Cynological Federation, but this does not make it less interesting. Attitude towards dogs of this breed is ambiguous. In the countries of the European Union and Australia, the pit bull terrier is prohibited at the legislative level, and in the USA, on the contrary, at the end of the 19th century, the UKC club appeared, where representatives of the breed are registered. Another organization involved in breeding work, is ADBA. It has been registering pit bull terriers from all over the world since 1909.

Wariness towards the dog is connected with its past: pit bulls were participants in dog fights and were recognized as a killing machine. In fact, American Pit Bull Terriers are great with people, are not aggressive, and are renowned for their search and rescue abilities.

Interesting! American pit bull terriers are called "nanny dogs" because of their non-aggressive and patient attitude towards children..

The United States is recognized as the country of origin of the breed. Indeed, in America they have fully developed into a breed, with its inherent features of the exterior and behavior. But the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier began in England. The first pit bulls lived in Ireland, Spain, Holland. Their ancestors were English bulldogs and terriers. There is an opinion that the appearance of the breed was facilitated by English laws prohibiting peasants from keeping large dogs. Terriers, suitable for hunting small animals, and bulldogs for protection, did not fall under this ban. As a result of crossing, dogs were obtained that combined the dexterity, mobility of the former and insensitivity to wounds, fearlessness of the latter.

Interesting! The word "pit bull terrier" means "fighting bull terrier" from the English word pit - a pit for fighting. The dogs of the breed were called Pitdog, Bullend Terrier, and Yankee Terrier, but the name Pit Bull Terrier became official name – capacious, reflecting the purpose and origin of the breed: fighting bulldog terrier.

For the first time american pit bull terriers were imported to the New World around the middle of the 18th - 19th centuries from England and Ireland. They became very popular in America not without the help of the organizers of dog fights. Pit bulls were valued by them, as they were real fighting machines.

Pit bulls today are dogs that are prohibited from being imported into the EU countries, owners from Germany need to obtain a special permit to keep the breed, at the same time they are popular in Russia and the USA, they are often used as service dogs.

Characteristics, description, character

American Pit Bull Terrier, character which absorbed all the best from terriers and bulldogs, is distinguished by a harmoniously folded body. Representatives of the breed live up to 12 years. They are characterized by:

head, which is especially wide between the cheeks. There is an explanation for this: powerful jaws are located there;
muscular, well-defined neck;
deep, powerful and well developed chest;
muscular body;
stockiness. The growth of dogs of the breed is 40-42 cm at the withers for males, 38-40 cm for females. Despite external data, pit bull terriers are agile and mobile;
strong forelimbs, located perpendicular to the surface;
muscular hind limbs, widely spaced;
scissor bite;
slightly convex loin;
color can be any, but cynological organizations do not accept blue tint wool.

Funny, good-natured, affectionate, loyal to other people and animals - these characteristics apply to the American Pit Bull Terrier. Pit bulls are fighting dogs, their purpose leaves an imprint on his behavior. When they feel they need the protection of their master, they can fight to the death. But aggression towards a person is an unacceptable character trait, they were eradicated in them over the centuries, while the formation of the breed took place.

The formation of character occurs in childhood, and the owner of the dog is the main builder of the future behavior of his pet. If education goes in the right direction, traumatic factors are excluded, a pit bull terrier will grow up with a stable character and predictable behavior.

Pit bulls are inquisitive, they are always ready to learn and explore what surrounds them.
They are active and love to be played with. active games. They follow the owner everywhere and carry out all his commands.
In the family, they are tolerant, they can endure the pranks of children for a long time, if they are even a little rude.
Courage and selflessness are about pit bulls.

Diseases

Like any breed pit bull terrier disease are genetically determined or caused improper care and nutrition. He most often has:

Heart disease, which can be suspected by wheezing and coughing of a dog.
Dirofilariasis is an infection with heartworms.
Demodicosis - infection with ticks that cause severe discomfort.
Dysplasia of the hip joint.
Hypothyroidism.
Allergy to grass, food, chemicals.

Care

American Pit Bull Terrier, grooming behind which is uncomplicated - the dog is unpretentious. Important condition- provide from childhood proper nutrition to provide the animal with a strong physique and health. The diet should consist of foods with a high energy value. The frequency of feeding for puppies is 6 times a day, in small portions. As they grow older, the portions are increased, the number of feedings is reduced to 1 time per day, preferably at the same time and from the same dishes. Availability pure water freely available for sure.

Daily and weekly hygiene procedures should be familiar to the dog. Pit bulls have short hair, so frequent and thorough combing is not required. The breed itself is very clean, so they rarely get dirty during walks. If there is no pollution, then you should bathe the pit bull once every six months, and after walking, wash your paws and limbs.

Checking the condition of the ears is a regular procedure, in order to avoid inflammation, they must be dry and clean. The nails are trimmed if the dog does not have the opportunity to walk on a hard surface on which the claws grind down naturally.

If the owners decide to keep the pit bull in the apartment, the existence in a limited space should be compensated by a sufficient level of physical activity during walks.

Raising an American Pit Bull Terrier

The breed is characterized by a lively mind and curiosity, therefore pit bull terrier training is an easy undertaking. The dog easily learns new things, learns commands quickly and willingly executes them. Experts advise you to first go through a general training course in order to raise an obedient animal. Practice shows that the basics of protective guard duty are also easy for a pit bull. Even if there is no goal to make him service dog, the ZKS course will allow the dog to learn to control his own aggression, and the owner to learn to control and understand his pet.

It is necessary from childhood to suppress the slightest manifestations of aggression towards a person, otherwise your dog will pose a direct threat to others. If something happens, the pit bull will not just bite, but choose a vital important places, fighting qualities will make themselves felt.

Breed bans are associated with the devastating and sometimes irreversible consequences of pit bull terrier attacks. But statistics show that of all attacks, only about 10% are attacks on a person, but this is enough for pit bulls to instill fear in people.

Puppies

Pit bull terrier puppies require activity, responsibility and experience from the owner, therefore, when deciding to get these energetic dogs in your home, think about whether you have enough perseverance for their proper upbringing.

Purpose of acquiring a puppy is also important. If you need affection home pet, then pet-class puppies will do. They will not become champions at exhibitions, they are not suitable for further breeding, but they will become reliable and devoted companions that can decorate leisure time.

Breed class and show class puppies can compete for prizes and victories. When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to the playfulness and activity of the puppy, and if he shows aggression, then this is not the best indicator.

The origin of the puppy is 50% success. If the puppy's parents are dogs with adequate behavior, excellent health, then this is a guarantee of acquiring a quality puppy. Do not buy puppies from unverified individuals, only kennels and reputable breeders can provide documents for puppies.

Prices

In the dog market american pit bull terrier, price which does not exceed 20 thousand rubles, is sold mainly without documents. This is due to the fact that the breed is not recognized by the Russian Cynological Federation. Most puppies are sold from 5 to 10 thousand rubles.

If you are offered elite puppies, then this should alert you, since their status is most likely not true. Only dogs that are already prize-winners and winners of exhibitions and competitions can be elite.

Puppies with a pedigree that is registered with American cynological organizations cost at least 20 thousand rubles.

The bull terrier breed special status- it is called "dog with rat face". With its appearance, it caused conflicting opinions of the world community. She was prescribed the characteristics of a killer dog and at the same time she was considered reliable friend and a security guard.

The founder of the breed is the Englishman James Hinks. Thanks to him, experimental puppies of a fighting dog with an elongated rat muzzle were born. The exterior of the bull terriers was formed as a result of a 10-year crossing of an extinct breed of white terrier and an English bulldog, with admixtures of Dalmatian blood.

The main goal - to get a fearless dog with a high pain threshold, was achieved. The beauty and aesthetics of the external appearance of the animal were not considered.

At the end of the 19th century, the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was allowed to breed. Keeping a bull terrier has become prestigious, emphasizing social status occupation.

Bull Terrier - description

for baiting wild animals and dog fights. Since the ban on bloody spectacles, the breed has passed long haul socialization and managed to adapt to the requirements of modern man.

Bull Terrier today is true friend, a cheerful companion and an active sportsman. Myths about its mortal danger are dispelled. He is the embodiment of intelligence, endurance, strength and skill. Outstanding appearance makes it look like a giant rat. A photo of a dog with a rat face confirms this.

Bull Terrier - a dog with a rat face

breed standard

Bull Terrier has international standard breeds, deviations from which are a defect:

The body is athletic, muscular, strong.
The head is oval, egg-shaped.
The muzzle is elongated, arched.
The neck is strong.
The jaws are powerful, the compression force is 25 atmospheres.
The mouth is big.
The bite of the teeth is cruciform.
The ears are erect, V-shaped, close-set.
The nose is pronounced, large.
The eyes are small, triangular, slanted, wide and deep set.
The tail is short, not docked.
Average weight 30 kg, not limited by the standard.
Height at the withers is from 40 to 55 cm. Males are larger than females.
Life expectancy is 12-14 years.

Wool and colors

The coat is hard to the touch, short, smooth, uniform. The color of a fighting dog with a rat face is varied. White color is considered the most prestigious. Acceptable colors are brindle, tan, black and tricolor. The shape and location of white and other spots is not regulated by the standard.

Character and upbringing

By the nature of the "boules" are specific. They have an extraordinary mind and can read people's minds. From the first days, the centers of their aggression should be extinguished and the strength and energy of the dogs should be directed in the right direction. With proper upbringing of a puppy and its early socialization, good friend and protector.

Bull Terriers are hyperactive, requiring prolonged physical and mental training. They are wayward and stubborn. They are not characterized by cowardice and betrayal. Ready to protect the owner at the cost of life. Affectionate in the family, loyal to children and powerful in the world around them. Any representatives of the fauna are treated as prey. Walking without a leash is prohibited.

Training

Bull Terrier training requires a lot of time and effort. Strict and humane methods are needed to achieve the result. Physical punishment is forbidden, "bull" remembers insults. These dogs need the strong hand of a competent breeder. Otherwise, you can get an uncontrollable and dangerous animal.

Care and maintenance

In terms of care, the Bull Terrier is not complicated, it is clean:

Comb the coat with a rubber mitt 2-3 times a week, daily during the shedding period.
Ears should be cleaned once a week.
Wash your eyes daily.
After walking, wipe with a damp towel.
Bathe with shampoo as needed.
Trim nails.

Nutrition

The composition of natural nutrition:

meat 60%;
cereals 20%;
vegetables 20%.

Allowed: sea fish fillet, dairy products, offal. Industrial feed is better to choose luxury, premium, holistic.

Diseases

Qualitative representatives of the breed have strong immunity. Hereditary diseases include:

partial or complete deafness;
vision loss;
kidney disease.

Other diseases are caused by bad care and content (dermatitis, heart failure, pancreatitis).

Pros and cons of the breed

Like all dogs, the English Bull Terrier has its own pros and cons.


Has intelligence	Difficult to train
Suitable for keeping in an apartment	Does not tolerate frost and heat
The molt is not pronounced	Presence of genetic diseases
Easy care	Suitable for experienced dog owners only
Playful and active	Difficult, difficult character
Acts as a companion	prone to aggression
Has protective and protective qualities	Doesn't get along with other pets
Strong and agile	Jealous, capricious, vindictive
Fearless	Free range is prohibited

Price

You can buy a puppy of the Bull Terrier breed in the nurseries of the Russian Federation. The price varies depending on the color, exterior and pedigree regalia. A SHOW-class puppy is estimated at 40-50 thousand rubles, a PET-class puppy from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. You can not buy a puppy from breeders of dubious reputation.

The Pit Bull Terrier is an American breed of dog, the breed is simply called Pit Bull for short. The dog is considered a fighting dog, so many people consider this breed to be aggressive, angry, they believe that the dog is only meant to kill.

In fact, the dog looks quite intimidating in appearance, protruding jaws, sharp fangs, a special body structure with muscular paws, do not allow one to think of a dog as the cutest creature on earth.

The dog treats his master faithfully, guards him, but as soon as strangers approach him, the dog will immediately attack.

Where did the pit bull come from?

Although the breed is called American, the dogs originally inhabited England, Holland, Spain, and Ireland. After some time, the American breeders became interested in the pit bull, they artificially improved such a breed for their own purposes.

The scientists thought that the dog lacked aggression, resulting in a species with a broad chest, small pointed ears and an attacking frame.

The breed was created for dog fighting, after which the pit bulls were perfect as guard dogs in herds of cows, sheep, and they also perfectly guarded private houses.

People watched how fearlessly and ruthlessly the pit bull tore apart the body of other weaker dogs, and now such a breed looks intimidating in the minds of people, many people are afraid of them, they are afraid. After some time there was a ban on dog fights with this breed.

The dogs that participated in the battles were exterminated, as they posed a serious danger to those around them. There have been accidents where the pit bull has killed people and even small children.

Residents of America did not allow the breed to spread, they went out on the streets of cities with protests, rallies. After some time, breeders began to re-breed the breed, the new kind had to be, above all, friendly to the person.

Not all countries accepted these dogs, where they even became banned for breeding, as well as for existence.

What does the breed look like?

At first glance, the Pit Bull Terrier is a strong-willed dog, distinguished by a strong body and health. Experts worked on the body specifically to make it massive and muscular.

The difference between a pit bull and other breeds can be identified using a special body structure.

The general features of the breed are:

The coat color of such dogs can be absolutely anything except white. The most common coat color is all shades of brown, most often with light patches. The coat itself is short, smooth, in some individuals it casts healthy shine, glossy.

The head of a pit bull is large, wedge-shaped, with wide jaws.

The body of the dog is massive, dense, muscular, the chest area has a wide structure. The paws are large, as wide as the hips. The tail is not long, wide at the base, tapering towards the end.

Adults can weigh up to 38 kg - males, females weigh up to 23 kg. The height of pit bulls varies from 36-42 cm.

Character of pit bull terriers

Many consider such dogs to be angry, aggressive, especially given the history of their origin. Let's figure it out, shall we?

The thing is that all the aggression and anger of this breed is directed at animals. The pit bull breed gets along quite well with people, and with strangers, while the owner is nearby, he is friendly.

Despite their aggression, the breed is affectionate, the dog loves to be stroked in the withers area, on the back, they feel an attitude towards themselves from the inside and are also able to give affection to the owner.

You can also instill hatred in a dog, for this you need appropriate education, which the breed is provided at special training grounds, security companies. in a special way Anger can be instilled in absolutely any breed.

Pit bull terriers are quite smart, courageous, they feel the attitude towards themselves, they are even able to predict human behavior.

Pit bulls often saved people in fires, they are hardy, strong, and individual dogs can also long time play on the court, as they have a large supply of energy.

Pit bulls respond well to training, they cope with any physical stress.

The dog should be trained early childhood, adults should not be taken for themselves, as they are able to remember the attitude of previous owners towards themselves.

The pit bull must immediately understand who is the boss in the house, so that later they can respect all family members. If the breed is raised incorrectly, the dog can become dangerous to humans.

The dog should be exercised, walked, they also like to swim in ponds.

How to care for a dog?

Pit bull staff is domestic dog she needs an affectionate owner and extra care. Keep the dog only in the house in winter time, since such a breed does not have an undercoat, and in winter it will die.

The pet does not tolerate heat well, you should put a booth on the street in summer time in the shadow. Dogs of this breed are not kept on a leash; they need a spacious aviary made of thick wire.

The coat needs to be combed twice a week with a special brush for dogs.

Below are photos of a pit bull dog. Look at the special camp, the gracefulness of this breed.

Pit bull puppies are not cheap, also when buying, you should carefully look at the dog's documents, all vaccinations should be indicated in the passport.

Those who intend to acquire an American Pit Bull Terrier should be clearly aware that the breed was bred for deadly dog fights and only later adapted for other purposes: hunting, grazing, as well as searching, rescuing and protecting people.

The history of the origin of the breed

Before dog fighting, the ancestors of pit bull terriers were used in impromptu fights against bulls, boars and bears. In 1835, Great Britain banned bull-baiting by law, and dogs were out of work.

They were useful to the organizers of the blood sport in the United States, who did not want to part with their profitable occupation. The American Pit Bull Terrier was the result of a mating of Old English Bulldogs (hardy and powerful) and swift, with good flair, terriers.

This is interesting! American breeders managed to create a new breed, called the American Pit Bull Terrier. The word "pit" is translated as a pit for fighting, and "pit bull terrier" as a fighting bull terrier. The abbreviation "pit bull" in translation from English is interpreted as "fighting bull" and is fundamentally wrong.

The breed is not recognized by the International Cynological Federation (FCI), however, the United States is considered to be the country of origin of pit bull terriers.

Description, appearance of the pit bull terrier

There is a difference between the dogs of the worker and. Pit bull terriers are also divided into three types: bulldog, terrier and mixed.

They usually do not find fault with the size of dogs, evaluating the harmony of the physique. Growth depends on the skeleton and mass, from which they are repelled when assessing dog dimensions. Weight varies in the range of 12-36 kg. Males are traditionally larger than females.

breed standards

The Pit Bull Terrier is officially banned in Australia and the European Union, but there are two structures that recognize the breed - ADBA and UKC.

The second organization describes the American Pit Bull Terrier breed standard as follows:

Dry rectangular head has average length, flat (but wide between the ears) skull. The square muzzle shows prominent cheeks and strong jaws with a scissor bite.
The ears are set high and may be natural or cropped. For eyes that have almond shape, any color is allowed. The nostrils of the nose are wide open.
A slightly arched muscular neck widens towards the withers. The shoulder blades (broad and muscular) are set obliquely, the back is slightly sloping, the stomach (without woolen cover) is retracted, the loin is slightly convex.
Deep chest cannot be called too broad. True ribs - elastic, moderately convex, closely adjacent to each other; false ribs are long.
The limbs are strong round bones, metacarpus - strong and straight, hips - muscular and long enough, paws - medium.
The step is springy and light. Amble and waddle are not allowed. The short, low-set tail is carried up to the line of the back when moving/excited.
The coat is dense, short, hard and shiny, devoid of undercoat. All colors (except merle) and white spots are allowed.

The character of the dog breed pit bull terrier

A well-trained American Pit Bull Terrier is peaceful, devoted to his family and owner, gets along well with children and patiently withstands their onslaught.

If the dog is acquired not for participation in fights, it is provided with increased physical exercise giving vent to her hyperactive temperament and stamina. The more intensively the pet gives all the best in training, the less chance face his unmotivated aggression.

This is interesting! The pit bull terrier does not need physical education (running, jumping, playing fetch), but sports such as weight pulling, agility, bike and skijoring. Periodically weight the dog's ammunition: this way the training will be more effective, and the dog's muscles will acquire a beautiful relief.

It is believed that the breed is easy to train, as it receives from serving the owner positive emotions . In training, the dog is motivated and encouraged without using physical punishment, which usually leads to the exclusion of the dog (slaughtered or embittered) from breeding.

The pit bull terrier has won the confidence of American and Russian law enforcement officers: dogs with an excellent sense of smell are used in the search for explosives and drugs.

Lifespan

Representatives of the breed live on average from 8 to 15 years. If you come across a puppy without characteristic genetic abnormalities, it is quite possible that he will live up to 20 years or a little more.

Keeping a pit bull terrier in an apartment is not difficult, but responsible. The most important thing is to give your energetic pet the opportunity to discharge, for which the walk is supplemented with elements of weightlifting.

Care, hygiene

Grooming is the same as for all smooth-haired breeds. Short hair does not need frequent combing and washing. The Pit Bull Terrier is clean and rarely gets dirty even on walks. After being outside, the dog's paws are washed, and they are completely bathed once every six months.

If the animal runs a lot on a hard surface, its claws wear down on their own. Otherwise, the owner will shorten them. Check back periodically auricles- They must be clean and dry.

Diet - what to feed a pit bull terrier

Your pupil must look lean, not loose, so exclude all cereals (from them the pit bull terrier spreads). For the same reasons, the dog is not given bread and crackers. The main focus is on animal proteins.

chicken, beef or turkey offal;
chicken eggs (1 pc. 3-4 r per week);
dairy products;
vegetables - to the taste of a dog (white and cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, broccoli, pumpkin, beets and tomatoes).

Important! Meat and dairy products are given in different feedings. Since there are not very many benefits from pure meat, it must be mixed with raw grated vegetables, seasoning with a tablespoon vegetable oil(preferably olive).

You can include fish in the menu, but it is not enough nutrients, and not every pit bull terrier is able to digest it. Fish mixed with vegetables is recommended for weight loss.

The number of feedings depends on the time of year: in the heat, one feeding (per day) is enough, in the cold they switch to two meals a day.

Diseases, breed defects

Like other breeds, the Pit Bull Terrier is prone to genetically determined illnesses or ailments, which are caused by poor-quality food or poor care.

Typical diseases include:

Heart disease, often accompanied by wheezing and coughing.
Work failures thyroid gland(including hypothyroidism), leading to obesity and other, more serious, pathologies.
Dysplasia of the hip joint.
Allergic reactions to different types irritants.
Dirofilariasis is a helminth infection that is chronic and has severe consequences.
Demodicosis.

The so-called working puppy will be needed by those rare owners who plan to exhibit the dog for contract matches. Before such people is really difficult task, since the fighting qualities of the dog are revealed no earlier than he is 2 years old.

Some guarantee of inheritance of the will to win (game) will be the championship titles of the puppy's parents, if they participated in such fights. But, regardless of the fearlessness of the next of kin, your pet will need to pass a personal game test.

This is interesting! In a duel between two dogs with the same weight, the one who retreats first is the loser.

The behavior of the dog in the ring gives reason to attribute it to one of the types:

deadly - the dog fights to the last drop of blood;
reinforced - the dog fights with the last of its strength, on trembling paws;
standard - the dog fights until he feels very tired.

Most buyers are looking for a dog for home content, less often - for breeding. Such animals will not pass game tests: compliance with the standard, the absence of breed defects and a peaceful disposition are important for them.

Where to buy, what to look for

In the US, it is not uncommon to buy teenage puppies who are already six months old.. At this age, it is clear what class your purchase belongs to - show (for exhibitions and breeding), breed (for mating) or pet (for home games).

Proponents of buying younger puppies remind that at 6-8 months the pit bull terrier has not only a character, but also habits that will not be easy to change (especially since the breed itself does not have a superficial attitude).

Important! Before you go to a breeder, gather information about him. Talk to someone who took puppies from him, find out what problems they faced in raising them.

As with buying other dogs, it is important to analyze the behavior of the parents and the puppy itself. Dogs should not show aggression or, conversely, be overly shy.

american pit bull terrier price

On the sites of free ads there are offers with a ridiculous cost of APBT puppies - 10 thousand rubles. Sellers declare purebred, availability required documents and vaccinations, praising the parents of living goods. It is clear that such a dog can be taken as a companion without dreaming of exhibitions and contract fights.

The real price for a pit bull terrier starts from 20-25 thousand rubles. The Russian Cynological Federation does not recognize the breed, and all official papers, including the pedigree, are issued to dogs in US cynological organizations.

Puppies from a titled father / mother do not cost less than 30 thousand rubles, but more often they ask for 40-45 thousand rubles for them. In Russia, there are not very many breeding kennels focused on breeding pit bull terriers: in addition to Moscow and St. Petersburg, kennels can be found in Tambov, Volgograd and Pavlovsk.

Stranglehold and intimidating appearance hide behind a quite adequate and hardy dog. The American Pit Bull Terrier turns into a terrible weapon only in inept hands. An experienced dog handler will make a well-mannered and obedient friend out of a pit bull terrier.

Origin of the Pit Bull Terrier

The breed was obtained in America by crossing and a bulldog. The breed was bred for fighting, but due to its aggressive nature, American pit bull terriers are prohibited in a number of countries of the European Union. At one time, the breed was prosecuted in the United States by law, and breeders were severely punished for breeding these "killers". The persecution was spurred on by terrible pictures of torn to pieces, which were published in periodicals.

In spite of negative attitude society, in many countries the breed is used in the police. The dog has a quick reaction and a subtle scent, easily finds drugs or explosives. The Pit Bull is an excellent bodyguard and a dog devoted to death.

Description of the breed

The Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized as a breed in international organization FCI. This is due to the difficulty to give an accurate assessment of the exterior and character of the animal. There are two lines of pit bulls:

terrier;
bulldog.

American Pit Bull Terriers can vary dramatically in size and behavior. The dog is distinguished by perseverance, strong-willed spirit and strong jaw. The breed will do only to an experienced cynologist, with experience working with fighting dogs. Breeders characterize the animal as kind and extremely clean. But kindness and devotion concerns only the owner and his family. American Pit Bull Terriers are very wary of those around them.

Breed standard (appearance)

The pit bull dog has a rather vague description. But the exterior of the animal should not go beyond the following limits:

Head. medium size and rectangular shape, flat on top, expanding towards the forehead.
Cheeks. Fleshy, convex, without drooping wings.
Muzzle. Massive, has approximately equal length and width, can be with a clear and smooth transition from forehead to nose.
Bite. Standard scissor, jaws developed, powerful.
Ears. Docked or left intact, carried high. Uncropped have hanging ends.
Eyes. slightly elongated, oval shape, shallowly planted. The eyes can be any color from light blue to dark brown.
Nose. With a wide lobe, round, color from black to light pink, nostrils open.
Shoulder blades. Well muscled, set wide apart.
Neck. Powerful, dry with developed muscles.
Tail. Shortened, set low, tapering towards the end, not twisted.
Stomach. Tight, skin of any color, almost bald.
Breast. Medium size, well muscled.
Hips. Powerful, with dry muscles.
Paws. Medium, with wide top, elbows straight.
Wool. Short, ostevaya, fits snugly to the skin of the dog.
Color. Variable from marble, brindle to white with black spots. The standard does not provide for any deviations, only merle is prohibited.
Weight. Depends on the line to which the pit bull terrier belongs, from 11 to 36 kg. Standard male up to 28 kg, female up to 19 kg.
Growth at the withers. The male is from 46 to 53 cm, the females are more graceful and reach from 43 to 50 cm.

The nature of the fighting breed

A fighting dog requires firmness and perseverance from the owner. American Pit Bull Terriers are distinguished by pronounced character traits:

Stubbornness in everything. If the dog decides to do something, despite all the persuasion and commands of the owner, it will certainly translate it into action.
Playfulness. The breed loves different sport games outdoors and at home. With desire, he runs after a stick, drags a ball and heavy tires from a car.
The psyche after a year and a half becomes unstable. It is not recommended to leave small children and the elderly with a dog.
He does not tolerate loneliness and constantly needs the company of the owner and his own kind.
Not good with other pets. Unfamiliar cats or small dogs may be torn apart or strangled, for the sake of gambling.
Socialization is required from an early age.
Treat strangers with suspicion and aggression. If a stranger insists on communication, the pit bull may show anger and even bite.
Difficult to train, therefore not suitable for people with weak character and children.
Attached to the owner and proper upbringing will be a reliable bodyguard and partner during long walks.

The dog lives well in city apartments, can be kept in a private house, but not on the street.

Pit bull care

Like any smooth-haired and urban breed The American Pit Bull Terrier is easy to keep. From puppyhood, it is recommended to accustom the dog to your place, which is equipped with a special bed or rug.

For the proper maintenance of the dog, the owner should follow the recommendations:

Once a year, the animal is washed with special shampoo or baby soap. The rest of the time after the walk, paws and belly are wiped. It is not recommended to wash the animal more than once a year, as soap formulations wash off protective layer from the skin.
It is not necessary to comb every day, once every few days combing with a soft comb with bristles made of natural material is allowed.
The ears and eyes of the dog are wiped every three days. For the eyes, steep tea leaves or a warm infusion of chamomile are used. Ears are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or a special antiseptic.
The dog has a cocky character, so during a walk it can damage its paws, skin, ears. The animal is examined for damage, wounds are treated with an antiseptic composition.
In the spring from May to early June, after each walk, the dog is checked for ticks. Once a year, a piroplasmosis vaccination is given.

The dog loves long and active walks, lasting at least 3 hours.