American Pit Bull Terrier

also known as Pit, APBT, Pit Bull, Pitbull, Pitty

Pros Summary


The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed of dog that originated in the United States. It is a medium-sized breed that is known for its strength, intelligence, and loyalty. The breed has a strong work ethic and was originally developed for use in various working tasks, such as hunting, guarding, and bull-baiting. However, it is now primarily kept as a companion pet and is known for its affectionate and loyal personality. The American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized by major kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.

Breed Information


Type

Is American Pit Bull Terrier a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were American Pit Bull Terriers originally used for?

Fighting, Farming

Lifespan

How Long Do American Pit Bull Terriers Live? What is average life expectancy for an American Pit Bull Terrier? How long can American Pit Bull Terriers live?

10-14 years

The average American Pit Bull Terrier lifespan is somewhere between 10-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

American Pit Bull Terrier Height & Weight


How big is a full grown American Pit Bull Terrier?

What is the average height of an American Pit Bull Terrier? How big is an Purebred American Pit Bull Terrier height? American Pit Bull Terrier dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 17-22 inches (43.2 - 55.9 cm) 17.0 inches (43.2 cm) 18.5 inches (47 cm) 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)
Female 17-22 inches (43.2 - 55.9 cm) 17.0 inches (43.2 cm) 18.5 inches (47 cm) 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)
What is the average weight of an American Pit Bull Terrier? How much should American Pit Bull Terriers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 35-65 pounds (16 - 29 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg)
Female 30-60 pounds (14 - 27 kg) 30.0 pounds (14 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do American Pit Bull Terriers get fat easily?

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are American Pit Bull Terriers Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the American Pit Bull Terrier is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is an American Pit Bull Terrier personality? What are American Pit Bull Terrier dogs best known for?

Affectionate
Clownish
Friendly
Loyal
Strong
Willed
Aggressive
Courageous
Intelligent
Obedient
Stubborn

Shedding Level

Are American Pit Bull Terriers heavy shedders? How Much Does an American Pit Bull Terrier Shed?

American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your American Pit Bull Terrier. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an American Pit Bull Terrier dog?

The American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do American Pit Bull Terriers come from?

United States

Ancestry

What are American Pit Bull Terriers descended from?

Bull and Terrier Mix Dogs

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the American Pit Bull Terrier breed?

American Canine Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Backwoods Bulldog Club

Date of Birth

When were American Pit Bull Terriers first bred? How old is the American Pit Bull Terrier breed?

1898

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an American Pit Bull Terrier?

Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are American Pit Bull Terrier eyes?

Hazel
Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can American Pit Bull Terrier nose be naturally?

Blue
Black
Brown
Isabella

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can American Pit Bull Terrier coat be naturally?

Brindle
Sable
Pied
White
Silver
Blue
Brown
Cream
Isabella
Fawn
Black
Gray
Red

Coat Length

How long is an American Pit Bull Terriers coat?

The coat of an American Pit Bull Terrier dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The American Pit Bull Terrier Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an American Pit Bull Terrier?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an American Pit Bull Terrier have in a litter? How many puppies can an American Pit Bull Terrier have in her first litter?

10-14 puppies per pregnancy

An American Pit Bull Terrier can have a litter of 10-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

American Pit Bull Terrier dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

American Pit Bull Terrier Health Issues


Health Issues

Do American Pit Bull Terriers have a lot of health problems?

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an American Pit Bull Terrier?

Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Cerebellar Abiotrophy (Ataxia)

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to American Pit Bull Terriers?

Patellar Luxation
Elbow Dysplasia
Demodicosis
Cleft Lip or Palate
Zinc Responsive Dermatosis
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Atopy

Occasional Diagnoses

Hypothyroidism
Allergies
Ichthyosis
Heart Disease

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for American Pit Bull Terrier breed?

Skin Evaluation
Neurologic Exam
Thyroid Testing
X-rays or other radiographic imaging

American Pit Bull Terrier Needs and Activities


Energy

Do American Pit Bull Terriers have a lot of energy?

American Pit Bull Terriers are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do American Pit Bull Terriers need socialization? How social are American Pit Bull Terriers?

American Pit Bull Terrier have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should American Pit Bull Terriers get?

The American Pit Bull Terrier dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an American Pit Bull Terrier have? Do American Pit Bull Terriers sleep a lot?

American Pit Bull Terriers dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does an American Pit Bull Terrier drool a lot?

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

American Pit Bull Terriers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do American Pit Bull Terriers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are American Pit Bull Terriers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an American Pit Bull Terrier running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do American Pit Bull Terrier dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do American Pit Bull Terriers enjoy doing? How do I keep my American Pit Bull Terrier busy?

Walking, Fetch, Catch treats, Tug-of-war, Run, Road trip, Cuddling, Sleeping, Swimming, Go to Beach, Go to Park, Shopping, Walk, Going on drives, Swim, Wrestle, Hike, Socializing, Dog Parks, Chase

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an American Pit Bull Terrier? How much energy does an American Pit Bull Terrier have?

Medium

American Pit Bull Terriers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an American Pit Bull Terrier walk each week? How many miles should an American Pit Bull Terrier walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For American Pit Bull Terrier, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an American Pit Bull Terrier should exercise a day? How much activity does an American Pit Bull Terrier need?

60 minutes

In general most American Pit Bull Terriers usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an American Pit Bull Terrier?

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an American Pit Bull Terrier?

Weekly

American Pit Bull Terrier should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for American Pit Bull Terriers?

Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an American Pit Bull Terrier eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 35-65 pound (16 - 29 kg) American Pit Bull Terrier feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an American Pit Bull Terrier Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of an American Pit Bull Terrier is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an American Pit Bull Terrier Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of an American Pit Bull Terrier is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

American Pit Bull Terrier Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an American Pit Bull Terrier?

American Pit Bull Terriers has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an American Pit Bull Terrier dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are American Pit Bull Terrier dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do American Pit Bull Terrier do well in apartments? Are American Pit Bull Terriers good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the American Pit Bull Terrier in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. American Pit Bull Terriers living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are American Pit Bull Terriers good with kids? Are American Pit Bull Terriers good around children?

American Pit Bull Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are American Pit Bull Terriers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are American Pit Bull Terriers good with cats? How friendly American Pit Bull Terriers are toward cats?

American Pit Bull Terriers are not cat friendly dogs.

Dog Friendly

Do American Pit Bull Terrier dogs get along with other dogs? Are American Pit Bull Terriers OK with other dogs?

American Pit Bull Terriers are not dog friendly dogs.

Pet friendly

How do American Pit Bull Terrier dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are American Pit Bull Terriers friendly with strangers?

American Pit Bull Terriers are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do American Pit Bull Terriers like to play? Are American Pit Bull Terriers playful?

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your American Pit Bull Terrier is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are American Pit Bull Terrier easily trained?

American Pit Bull Terrier dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.