American pit bull terrier, or abbreviated pit bull, is one of the most controversial breeds in the world. Few dogs cause such disputes about whether they have a right to exist or not. All the owners were divided into two camps - some are sure that the representatives of this breed are safe creatures, while others believe that pitbulls are real machines for killing and they have no place in the world of people. And what happens in reality, what are these dogs?
History of the pit bull breed
The history of this breed is truly unique. It dates back to 1888. Dog American Bull Terrier received by crossing a bulldog and a terrier. Initially, it all started with bulldogs. In Old England, bulldogs were dogs that were used to hunt animals. A little later, baiting was banned. People began to use bulldogs for dog fights. True, later interest in fighting with such dogs simply disappeared. The Bulldogs, despite their anger and aggression towards their rivals, were rather sluggish. The representatives of this breed could not skip and dodge from more skilful rivals. Therefore, the result of such battles was known.
Given these characteristics, bulldogs began to mate with representatives of those breeds that were more dexterous and mobile. The most successful was the view obtained by crossing the bulldog and the terrier. Thus, and there was a breed of dogs American Bull Terrier.
Dog breed Pitbull was considered one of the fighting dogs. The pit bull is indeed used for dog fights. But after the battles were banned, the breeding of dogs continued and battles began to be carried out in illegal ways to earn money on the stakes. Their bred on the principle of "kill dogs"i.e. from an early age they already taught them to fight. After the battles, the more the dog won in battles, the more expensive it was sold. At that time, this kind of gambling was quite a powerful and profitable tote. The dog American pitbull terrier, as it is impossible by the way approached for participation in such battles. She was aggressive, cruel, quick on reaction. In principle, it could not have been different. Since those who kept such dogs, from birth, cultivated and brought up in them these qualities.
Initially, the breed appeared in the United States of America. After the banning of battles and the identification of such aggressive qualities and dogs, at the initiative of the government of the mass media, public agitation was conducted for the complete destruction of this breed. To this end, the press was constantly told of the cruel cases of attacks of pit bull terriers on people, resulted in a terrible kind of photos and comments.
In fact, the characteristics of the breed are such that from pitbull terrier you can raise an excellent guard dog. In addition, the representatives of the breed, thanks to their sharp scent are irreplaceable when working in special services. They are mainly used to search for narcotic substances and explosives. Currently, in many European countries, the breeding and maintenance of American pitbulls is strictly forbidden. In Russia and the USA the breed is quite popular. But dog breeders have strict rules that must be followed.
Video about the dog breed American pitbull Terrier
Description of the pit bull breed, characteristics
Pitbull, or American pit bull terrier, is one of those breeds that are known for their bullying and intimidation. "Pitbull", in fact, is not a breed, but rather a term used to describe the American pit bull terrier, bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier.
Some believe that the American pit bull terrier is the same breed as the American Staffordshire terrier. But others consider the contrary, that they are completely different breeds. Be that as it may, the American Kennel Club recognized the American Staffordshire Terrier, but did not recognize the American pit bull terrier, although the latter is a much more common dog.
The sad and often undeserved reputation of a "bad" fighting dog led to the fact that pitbull became legally banned in some countries and cities around the world.
If you own a pit bull terrier, then you should know that you can meet people hostile to the dog who are misinformed about this wonderful dog.
With proper socialization and training, the pit bull becomes an excellent companion for children. He loves and respects his family members. American pitbull terriers are loyal and truly loyal to their owners and, if necessary, will protect them to death.
The nature of the pit bulls
Pitbull is a dog with the best character and the basis of it is strength, confidence and interest in life. Pitbulli are good dogs for the family, their love of children has always been noticeable.
For many years the nature of the breed has changed and today this dog has become very friendly and balanced in character, he is endowed with an amazing intellect and is always ready to help the owner. This breed still has a hunting instinct that can be used in animal hunting and serves excellently in shelter protection. This dog shows you full dedication and the highest intellect.
You should not listen to various stories about how to handle a pit bull roughly, and also torture him so that he is braver or more. Pitbull is characterized by courage and fearlessness, which requires attention and love, he always appreciates the love of his master.
Color of pit bulls
Color at the pitbull can be the most diverse, except for marble and albino.
Pit Bull Standard
Very often we have to see on the Internet such a nonsense as "the pit bull has no standard." This statement arose in connection with the fact that a man in the street often meets very diverse dogs, called their owners as pitbulls. This fact does take place.
Today, in connection with the division of breeding into working and show, you can meet a pit bull weighing 15-17 kg and a pit bull the size of an American bulldog or a cane corso, more than 65 cm tall and weighing more than 40 kg.
Nevertheless, the standard has a pit bull. For if there is a breed, then there are certain signs by which it can be identified.
The pit bull breed is not recognized by the FCI standard.
The ASTP Standard for UKC (American Breed Club - United Kennel Club):
- Country of breed appearance: USA
- Head of medium length, dry, rectangular, cheeks convex, skull wide and flat.
- Muzzle is deep and wide, square format.
- Jaws are powerful.
- Scissor bite.
- Ears cut (high set) or natural.
- The eyes are medium-set, almond-shaped.
- The color is different.
- Nose with wide nostrils (open) and different colors.
- The neck, muscular, dry, slightly convex, widens to the withers.
- The blades are obliquely set and wide, strong with well-traced muscles.
- Back strong, short.
- Chest not too wide, but deep
- The tail is short. A breeze is not allowed.
- Extremities with strong bones. Pastern strong, straight. The size of the paws is medium. Movements are springy, light. Pacing and walking are not allowed. The hips are muscular, of sufficient length.
- Wool is short, dense, rigid, without undercoat; area of the abdomen without a coat.
- Color any, white spots are permissible.
- Weight and growth does not matter.
- Description of APBT, ideally, per 100 points:
Video: Dog Breeds - Pitbull
Feeding the pit bulls
If we talk about feeding, then, first of all, the diet should be as balanced as possible. The food should include vitamins and minerals.
You can feed both dry food and natural products. But first of all pit bull terrier, however, like any other dog, requires a certain mode of the day.
It is also worth remembering:
- You can not force a dog to eat.
- Do not specifically give her food that she does not like.
- It is forbidden to starve, even so that the dog learns to eat everything.
In fact, do not give the dog there in order to increase her appetite in any case impossible! Your pet is a member of the family, he also has his own preferences, he likes something more, and for some reason he will always refuse categorically. With this you have to reckon.
Feeding the puppies
How many times a day do they feed puppies of the American pit bull terrier?
Puppies of the American pit bull are fed according to their age:
- In 1,5-2 months of age - 6 times a day,
- In 2.5-3 months - 5 times,
- In 4-5 months - 4 times,
- In 6-7 months - 3 times,
- In 8 and more months - 2 times.
- With age, portions increase, and the number of feedings decreases, gradually approaching the "adult" regime.
It is desirable to feed at the same time. Water should be changed twice a day. Feed the puppy should only the owners. Distract him during the absorption of food can not.
For pit bull puppies, it is recommended to use mixed feeding (dry food + natural food). The main dry food should be premium class, since only such feeds contain substances necessary for the health of the pit bull in the right proportion. As a rule, new owners feed the puppies with the same food as the breeder.
Dry food should be soaked in warm water before giving it to the puppy. Its quantity is determined by the manufacturer.
Of natural products per day, the pit bull puppy should receive 100 g of liver (boiled), 50 g of low-fat cottage cheese, 100 g of carrots or apples (wiped), 150 g of beef (boiled). Once a week, it is recommended to give 1 boiled yolk.
Feeding of adult pit bulls
Adult American pitbulls are recommended to feed twice a day (sometimes one): in the morning and in the evening after walking. Daily diet of dogs should include ready-made premium foods, as well as natural foods, in particular raw meat, low-fat (beef and others) and porridges with the addition of vegetables and fruits. Low-fat and unsweetened sour-milk products and crackers are also useful. Do not forget about vitamin complexes.
It is forbidden to give the remains of human food, sweet, fatty, spicy, salty, smoked food, as well as bones, flour products, legumes.
The average total weight of one serving for an adult American pit bull terrier is about 1 kg.
The pit bull there must always be clean, fresh water.
In no case should you allow strangers to feed the dog.
Also, no one should distract the pit bull from food and feed it out of time (to violate the regime).
Care for pit bulls and keeping dogs
Pitbull is an exclusively domestic dog that not suitable for street maintenance. Not having an undercoat, on the street the animal will simply perish. In the apartment, or the house, there are no special problems, the main thing is to exercise regularly and take care of the dog with physical loads so that he does not spoil the boredom.
- Regular combing Do not need, given that the bull terriers do not have thick and long wool.
- Required watch for claws on the paws. Usually they are sewn on their own, but it's best to periodically inspect your paws and trim your claws if you find that the tips of the claws are grown below the fingertips on the paw. If the claws are not trimmed in time, the dog may begin to limp when walking.
- Inspect ears and eyes in order to prevent. They must be clean and dry.
- Representatives of this breed - animals are very clean, so bathing and washing it is desirable to perform only as needed (approximately, every six months).
- Proper care of the American bull terrier is, above all, the right diet and mandatory nutrition control. The disadvantage of the breed can be called:
- Dog addiction to fullness. Therefore, if your pet does not receive the appropriate physical exertion, be sure that the dog does not gain excess weight. Excess body weight leads to the emergence of a wide variety of diseases in the dog's body.
- Sensitivity to all sorts of skin diseases. So from the wrong nutrition at the bull terriers can appear signs of allergy.
Proper care for the American pitbull Terrier should begin at a very early age, this allows the dog to learn to calmly react to the various procedures that it will be subjected to throughout life. And given the fighting characteristics of dogs, their it is necessary to regularly exercise. This species is quite active and can not vegetate in inactivity. Therefore, if you do not want to come home from work, find your apartment or house in a deplorable state, take care of a number of physical exercises for your pet. It can be active games during walks, running, various competitions. In general, anything, just to give the output of your pet's energy.
What should I buy to keep the American pit bull?
A sample list of products that will be needed for the content of the American pit bull terrier:
- Lounger or rug large (from 600 rubles),
- Two aluminum bowls 2.8 liters on a stable metal stand (from 600 rubles per set),
- Leash, 2.5 m (from 85 rubles per piece),
- Leather collar (from 80 rubles per piece),
- Muzzle (from 150 rubles per piece),
- Toys (from 30 per pcs),
- Means of care (from 675 rubles per "kit"),
- Medications,
- Treats,
- Feed.
- It will be useful to purchase an aviary for puppies and carry them.
Upbringing and training of the pit bull
From the first day of dating a person should let the dog know that he is the boss, otherwise the upbringing will not work. This does not mean cruelty in circulation, on the contrary, all commands are given in a firm, calm voice, without anger or anger.
When the puppy attempts to show aggression, he is turned over on his back, and they hold for a few seconds in this position. This will show the puppy that the main person, because in the pack such a pose is considered a recognition of a subordinate position.
Pitbull has a tenacious memory, so it can be taught to various teams, not limited to standard ones.
In the education of a puppy there should be a sequence: with having created one ban - it is always adhered to, not giving in to minute doubts. The same goes for the rest of the family, they must firmly understand that prohibitions can not be lifted to anyone.
Puppy is trained in the process of playing, but always until the team is fully executed. They praise in a cheerful voice, and on business. When the puppy attempts to bite the owner during the game, it is necessary to give a command "impossible" with a sharp ear and stop the occupation. Pitbull should realize that his behavior causes the termination of communication. You can continue the session in 20 minutes.
If there are problems with obedience, you should seek qualified help. Left unattended and educated dog poses a threat to others, as it has incredible physical strength. Training is conducted by one new team or trick a week. Each correctly executed movement is fixed with praise and delicacy. The training time is limited to 5 minutes.
Before the beginning of the exercise, the dog is actively walking around, so that later she can focus on the execution of the commands. Also the puppy should be allowed to run without a leash and muzzle, but only on a tightly fenced territory or in the forest. Before release, make sure that there are no other dogs there. This is especially important for puppies that have not reached the age of 4 months.
Video: American Pit Bull Terrier Training
Rules of conduct for the owner during training
A number of rules which the host must adhere to when training a pit bull:
- the owner must have the experience of training and training dogs;
- rules of conduct for the puppy are laid from the first day of acquisition, should not be careless about this process;
- treatment of the puppy should be calm, splash his irritation on him and anger is forbidden;
- all attempts to attack are stopped immediately, the pit bull must know his position;
- the dog can not be left unattended with small children: by careless behavior, they can provoke him to act of aggression in order to protect himself;
- if the dog refused to execute the team, it is necessary to return to the basics and begin the previous stage of training; The wrong decision will be shouting or punishment;
before buying should evaluate their strength and ability: is it really enough to raise a pit bull. Buying a pit bull, you need to remember that they have increased sensitivity, so quarrels and scandals with them can form an animal that is prone to neuroses and restlessness. Do not buy a puppy in a low-activity family. The breed requires intensive walks, moving games, running and jumping. The training of the animal must be based on the principles of subordination of the younger to the elder, where the main person in the pair is a man.
Walking
Pitbull Terriers are sporting and powerful dogs. And even being puppies, they can be much stronger and muscular than dogs of comparable sizes. A quick walk around the neighborhood for the pit bull will not be enough. Swimming, hiking and even biking will be more suitable for the dog to burn its energy.
Pitbull Terrier should walk 2 times a day. This is not only an opportunity to cope with the natural ones needed, but also a good way to warm up. Walking with a dog needs a little longer. Since she empties the bladder several times.
You can walk the pit bull terrier only in muzzles and on a short leash. Let go of running and playing with other dogs of your pet, start only after a special training course. But still do not leave it unattended. Transport in the transport pitbull terrier can also only be muzzled and leashed.
But do not worry too much about your dog being able to bite someone. Pitbull Terrier never attacks first on either man or another dog. In the street, try not to let your pet to large, aggressive dogs, so as not to provoke him to self-defense.
On a walk, make the animal run, jump, including in height. The dog should spend as much energy as possible. Intensive training is useful for building muscle mass.
Inoculations to the pit bulls
Vaccination is carried out from the following diseases:
- plague carnivore or plague;
- parvovirus enteritis - parvovirus pathogen;
- infectious hepatitis - a causative agent of hepadnavirus;
- paragripp;
- rabies;
- leptospirosis;
- coronavirus;
- trichophytosis.
When the puppy is 2.5-3 months old, he needs to have the first inoculation, since the effect of innate immunity, which he received from the mother through the placenta, by this time is weakening.
But before vaccination it is necessary to observe some conditions:
- One of the conditions, any vaccination is the preparation of the dog. 15 days before any vaccination, the puppy must be gelled. For this purpose, many preparations have been developed, both domestic and imported, which can be purchased at the veterinary clinic.
- Only healthy animals are vaccinated. If the puppy is sick or unwell, the vaccine should be postponed until the baby is fully recovered.
- The first vaccination of puppies is carried out at the age of 8 weeks. But as an exception, puppies can be vaccinated for the first time at 6 weeks, provided that the puppy's mother was not vaccinated before mating.
- The first vaccination of puppies takes place in two stages - this is a mandatory condition. First put the first injection, and after 7-14 days put a second injection.
- After the puppy has replaced all the milk teeth, the vaccination should be repeated. The period of the change of teeth falls on the age of four to six months.
- The next vaccination is given to the dog at 1 year.
- Then, the dog should be vaccinated every year.
- For bitches, there is a special condition - they must be vaccinated annually, but 1 month before the expected mating (or estrus).
Vaccination of dogs and puppies is done strictly according to the instructions of this vaccine and only by a qualified specialist - a veterinarian. Particular attention should be paid to where the injection should be placed. Some vaccines are placed only subcutaneously, some - intramuscularly, and others - it is allowed to put both intramuscularly and subcutaneously. Incorrectly made injection can lead to negative consequences in the body of the animal: vomiting, diarrhea, impotence in the legs, disability.
After the vaccination, the puppies are also, as before, prone to infectious diseases. Completely immunity from the disease is developed three weeks after the second vaccination. Therefore, in a risky period, you need to carefully guard the puppy from communicating with other dogs, from infection on a walk and from colds. To walk a month and a half a month is to expose a pet to an unjustified risk. Do not wear a dog at the exhibition, brag about the baby before the guests.
Diseases of the pit bulls, symptoms and treatment
This dog breed is considered relatively healthy.
There are only a few diseases to which pit bull terriers have a special predisposition:
- dogs often have different allergic reactions;
- problems with joints, in particular dysplasia. This disease affects most large breeds. The most common cause of its occurrence is malnutrition, sometimes heredity. As a result, it becomes difficult for a dog to get up off the ground, climb the stairs. To prevent such a problem, try to ensure that the pet does not overeat and overload it with excessive physical exercises, and at the first signs of the disease, you should immediately contact a veterinarian;
- hypothyroidism- violations in the thyroid gland, which can sometimes be extremely difficult to identify. His main symptoms are too high fatigue of the dog, weakness, decreased mental abilities. The development of the disease is rather slow. One of the main signs of hypothyroidism is fast pet weight gain, so in this case it is recommended to consult a specialist immediately;
- stenosis of the aorta. It is manifested by excessive fatigue, the appearance of shortness of breath, palpitations, sometimes there may be convulsions. Most often, surgical intervention is used for treatment.
Various other diseases in American pitbull terriers are extremely rare, and the average life expectancy of these dogs ranges from 12 to 15 years.
The estrus near the pit bulls
Usually, the first estrus occurs at the age of 6-9 months, somewhat less often in 10-12 months. It even happens that the first heat in a dog happens in 1.5 years! It's not scary, everything has its time.
Random knitting, especially at a young age, is a most unpleasant phenomenon. Therefore, you just need to be careful, and also learn to control the animal.
The duration of estrus is 20-23 days, and this natural process takes place 2 times a year, a little less often - once. From the 1st to the 8th day the bitch is not ready to mate, and the mare will only tease. But from the 9th to the 18th day she is ready for mating. If you are planning mating, then count on these days.
During the estrus, the behavior of a bitch can change a lot. She becomes playful, active, agile and listens to the team worse. During this period, training a dog is problematic enough, therefore, it makes sense to send it on a well-deserved vacation, after which, usually, it works even better.
Biting of pit bulls
Dogs can be knit in two ways: free and tame.
- Free mating is carried out when the dog has long been untied, and the bitch shows his interest in them. Nevertheless, binding by this method should be carried out in the presence and under the supervision of the owners.
- Manual knitting is carried out with the direct participation of the owners in the process. They help their pets from the very beginning. If for one of the partners this is the first mating, the presence of a specialist or veterinarian is necessary.
Before knitting you need to take care to protect dogs from any stressful situations, otherwise they will behave restlessly, which will negatively affect the process of crossing.
Dogs are ready to knit all the year round. In bitches, sexual activity is cyclical in character and confined to estrus.
- On the first mating, the bitch is usually led on the 11th to 13th day of estrus, but different bitches may have different days: some successfully knit on the 15th-17th day, while others are ready for the 5th-8th day. By this time, the discharge becomes almost colorless, and when you lightly press the groats the bitch pulls the tail aside and twitches the loop upward.
But sometimes sticking can last up to 1 hour. When the lock does not work, you need to keep the dog on the bitch until he himself goes away.
When, when the partner is much easier than the male, for his successful landing, the owner can support the bitch with his knee under his stomach, but as far as possible from the genitals.
- After the mating is over, you need to get wet with the bitch's loop with a dry cloth or cotton swab and let it rest in a secluded place. In the male, it is necessary to check that the member has completely retracted into the prepubes, and the edges of the latter have not wrapped up inside. After mating, you must water the dogs. If on the same day there is yet another mating, the dog must be given a good rest, and also take him out for a walk.
- If none of the several attempts of the male is successful, the dogs need to be dissolved. It is possible that the partners are hurt, since the bitch does not have enough lubricant. In this case, the bitch loop must be lubricated with petroleum jelly. But it may be that the bitch has an incorrect vaginal structure, which can be detected only when examined by a veterinarian.
A male can also refuse mating, if during the help the owner touches his penis with his hands.
The tied bitch must be protected from accidental mating with other males, since in this case, the appearance of puppies from different fathers is possible.
Pregnancy of pit bulls and childbirth
Pregnancy of the pit bull
A healthy dog has an average pregnancy within 60-66 days. However, it is possible that the pregnancy can end on the 57th day or, vice versa, take another week.
- In the first month of pregnancy, the appearance and behavior of the dog remain unchanged, but some individuals, a few days after mating, experience a heightened sense of thirst and excessive drowsiness.
- In the first 3 weeks of pregnancy, the weight gain of the fetus is insignificant, therefore during this period it is possible not to change the conditions of the dog's maintenance. Usually for her keep the regime of walks and nutrition, which was before pregnancy.
- It is known that at the beginning of pregnancy the dog needs at least 35 g of calcium and up to 25 g of phosphorus per 1 kg of body weight per day. In order to make up for the deficiency of these substances in the dog's body, calcium gluconate or calcium glycerophosphate can be used in tablets or powders.
- A pregnant bitch should receive vitamins A, D1, D3, trivit or tetravit at doses prescribed by a veterinarian.
- During the period from the 4th to the 6th week of pregnancy, it is necessary to show the dog to the veterinarian, since at that time he will be able to determine the number of puppies to be born.
- During this period, the number of feedings should be increased up to 3 times a day, and in the daytime portion it is necessary to include meat, fish and cottage cheese.
- Mineral top dressing increases first in 1.5, and by the 6th week - in 2 times. After the 6th week the dog should avoid sudden movements, we must exclude active games. You can make long walks, but if the dog quickly gets tired, their number must be reduced.
- The correct development of puppies is facilitated by the constant inclusion in the diet of the dog of liquid milk porridges and soups with the addition of a dry crimson leaf.
- As a mineral supplement during the period from the 31st to the 60th day of pregnancy, bone meal (2 tablespoons a day) can be recommended. It is also necessary to give the dog 5-6 drops of vitamin A.
- After 7-8 weeks, the daily diet is divided into 4 times. In order to prevent the development of constipation, the diet should exclude bones and tendons.
- In the second half of pregnancy, the appearance of the dog changes significantly as a result of the inguinal area being lowered.
- Can also change the behavior of the dog.
- Approximately 1 month before the birth of the dog increases the stomach.
- When the delivery is 3 weeks before delivery, the vaginal edema begins and the discharge appears. The mammary glands in the bitch swell 10-15 days before the birth.
- Lower body temperature is also a sign that the birth is close, so starting from the 57th day of pregnancy, you need to measure the dog's temperature in the morning and in the evening. Milk appears when there are 2-3 days left until delivery. At this time, it is necessary to exclude fish and meat products from the dog's diet and reduce the salt norm.
Just before birth, you need to lined the bottom of the drawer with an oilcloth, and on top put a litter of old cloth, which can then be discarded.
The place in the room where the delivery box is delivered must be dry and clean, protected from drafts and direct sunlight. It is recommended to keep the temperature at 28-30 ° C, so that newborn puppies do not catch cold.
In the cold season it is necessary to arrange additional heating of the maternity box. For this purpose, the infrared lamp with a height adjuster is best suited, which must be positioned so that at the level of the delivery site the hand feels warm.
During childbirth, there should not be any strangers or animals in the room that can irritate the bitch. In addition, sometimes dogs, having given birth to the first puppy, begin to protect him, showing aggression.
Signs of the approach of delivery
Childbirth at the pit bull
Childbirth in a dog can flow in different ways. If the bitch is experienced, she will do everything herself, and the person will only need to monitor the process.
In the normal course of delivery, the dog often needs help, especially the first time. If complications occur during labor, the veterinarian will need help.
It is advisable to show the dog in advance to the veterinarian if there is a suspicion of the possibility of problems during labor.
No matter how the birth of the dog passed, one must be prepared for any situation and know how to act in this or that case.
Before the onset of labor should be prepared and placed next to the maternity box a table with everything that can be required:
- disinfected gauze wipes and towels;
- large oilcloth;
- thermometer to check the temperature in the maternity box;
- disinfectant solution for hands;
- cuvette with disinfectant solution for tools;
- cotton wool;
- syringe;
- sterile petrolatum;
- oxytocin in ampoules;
- iodine or brilliant green;
- a box for puppies and a heating pad;
- scales for weighing puppies;
- scissors with rounded ends for cutting the umbilical cord;
- sterile stern string for tying the umbilical cord;
- woolen threads of different colors or bottles of varnished varnish in order to mark the puppies;
- the pen and table for fixing the data on the born puppies;
- veterinarian's telephone number;
- light meat broth or sweet tea with milk (to taste the dog);
- postpartum overalls, protecting the bitch's nipples from cold, dirt and dust, if it is required to be taken to the street.
Later this notebook will become a diary of observations of the development of babies.
The table should be divided into several columns:
- puppy's birth time;
- body mass;
- biotone;
- presence of afterbirth;
- the number and color of the thread to which the puppy is marked;
- dewty fingers;
- notes about individual characteristics.
Near the maternity box of the dog there should always be a bowl of water.
The bitch must be prepared before the onset of labor: wash the croup, perineum and external genitals with warm water and soap, and then treat with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (1: 1000) or furacilin (1: 5000).
In the event that the owner intends to help the dog during childbirth, before the start of fights, he should shave his fingernails, wash them with soap and wipe with a 0.1% solution of iodinated alcohol.
The condition of the dog at the time of delivery
- Immediately before the birth, the dog looks for solitude, scratches and digs the litter, trying to make a nest. She often and hardly breathes, she does not get up, refuses food, is nervous, her muscles tremble tremorously and the wiggling of the fruits shows up.
- The temperature in the bitch drops in the last days before birth and rises in the course of childbirth, which can last from 3 to 12 hours. The dog reaches the maximum temperature at the moment of the birth of the last puppy.
- The temperature should be measured every 12 hours during the week: 4 days before the birth and 3 days after.
Miscellaneous questions about the pit bull breed
How do pitbulls treat children?
American pit bull terriers love children, and certainly not for breakfast. Strong, energetic, tolerant, they will be perfect friends for the game. However, not a single dog of any size should be left unattended with children.
Do not allow children to pinch the ears and tail of the pit bull. Teach them respect for any dog, and do not approach the animal when it is sleeping or eating.
Adjacent rocks
Tosa-inu
- an unshakable and fearless samurai dog, created primarily for work, and the owner must always remember this. Experts of the breed claim that these dogs can be excellent watchmen and bodyguards. The breed standard describes it as a "patient, confident, courageous and courageous dog". Their puppies may well be gullible and friendly, but these traits quickly fade as they grow older. There are individuals with a very tough nature. An adult dog may seem like a phlegmatic "sofa-search dog", but if necessary, it can be mobilized in just a few seconds.
Characteristics of the breed describes the Tosa-inu as a faithful and calm dog, but the gaffes committed in the process of education can turn into serious difficulties.
This is one of the few breeds that do not start if there are small children in the house.
If the family replenishment is planned at the moment when the dog already lives in the house - it is not necessary to worry, the adult and brought up dog does not represent for the child even the slightest threat.
Do not buy puppy tosa-inu, if:
In relation to strangers, the Tosa-inu show disbelief. In normal surroundings, the dog will prefer to stay at a distance and observe. Do not close the ward, if guests come to you, it is important for the pet to see and fly around you. Socialization with respect to outsiders is a rather tedious process. In the first months of cohabitation, do not invite noisy and emotional people. Among your friends there will be dog lovers who understand the psychology of protected breeds - give preference to them. Realizing that not all strangers are dangerous, the dog will be more reserved in adulthood.
Clothes for pit bulls
Buy clothes for the pit bull is now easy. A lot of shops selling clothes for animals have in their assortment stylish and beautiful things for dogs of all breeds.
Nicknames for dogs: names for pit bulls
Most people prefer to choose a short, sonorous name for their dog.
You will have to pronounce the nickname of the dog many times a day, and if it is too long, it will be tedious.
When choosing how to name the pit bull, you can follow two methods.
- The first and simplest: to open a list of the most suitable names for this breed and choose the one that you like best.
- Second: choose an unusual name from other sources, for example, from mythology or literature, to name a dog in honor of your favorite celebrity or invent your own exclusive name.
For pitbull girls there are many suitable names:
- Arlet,
- Aura,
- Barbie,
- Brandy,
- Bel,
- Waida,
- Wendy,
- Grassy,
- Grace,
- Dana,
- Gina,
- Dixie,
- Elana,
- Jador,
- Jeannine,
- Dawn,
- Star,
- Idel,
- Kira,
- Krista,
- Weasel,
- Naida,
- Nicole,
- Ruby,
- Rozzie,
- Samba,
- Sati,
- Tequila,
- Trixie,
- Ursula,
- Fiesta,
- Frieda,
- Hannah,
- Hilda,
- Chayra,
- Cheruti,
- Shanti,
- Sharon,
- Shirley,
- Abby,
- Jurmala,
- Jasper.
For a pit bull boy are well suited to such names:
- Diamond,
- Berg,
- Boris,
- Versus,
- Vincent,
- Homer,
- Gustav,
- Dager,
- Jaco,
- Sunset,
- Zenith,
- Raisins,
- Irhan,
- Indigo,
- Cortes,
- Krepysh,
- Lestor,
- Luciano,
- Alarm,
- Nathan,
- Opal,
- Papay,
- Rahat,
- Sarmat,
- Scythian,
- Tango,
- Thaler,
- Javier,
- An eccentric,
- Chance,
- Charles,
- Emil,
- Humor.
History of the breed American pitbull terrier is interesting because it originated not in America, but in the Old World, but it seemed especially useful to the Americans, who began to develop and improve it purposefully. In England and Ireland in the era of modern times, dog fights were popular, which were held between bulldogs.
Also, these dogs were used to protect housing and to hunt for large animals. Already in the 16th century there were dogs that looked like modern pit bull terriers.
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The emergence of the breed was also promoted by English laws. In particular, poor people were not allowed to establish large hunting dogs, as only large animals could hunt for large animals. Therefore, less wealthy citizens had to keep small terriers for hunting and bulldogs for property protection. In order not to violate the prohibition on the possession of large dogs, the poor left the smallest puppies from the litter and used them for further breeding. So there were the first bull terriers, in which the fearlessness and numbness of the bulldogs were combined with the dexterity and mobility of the terriers. The prefix "pit" appeared later, it denoted that the bull terrier is used for battles, since the pit in English is a pit for the fight, where the dogs were being pitched.
The exact date when the first pitbull terrier swam across the ocean and got to America, is unknown, it is clear only that it happened before 1774. The dogs arrived with emigrants from European countries, especially a lot of them arrived from Ireland in the middle of the 19th century. It should be noted that in Europe public opinion was negative about dog fights, as a result of which they were officially banned. For example, in England such a law was adopted in 1835. In America, on the contrary, such entertainments were welcomed and for a long time were in a legal position.
Therefore, it was in America that there were people who appreciated the prospects of this breed and began a difficult journey by officially recognizing its identity. At that time, the breed did not even have a specific name: such dogs were called pit bulls, pitteries, pitdogs. Especially in the price was a thoroughbred line of "red-nosed", who was called the "old family". The mistake of lovers of this line was that they zealously guarded its thoroughbredness, not allowing crossbreeding with pitbull terriers of other lines. Sooner or later, this would lead to undesirable consequences in breeding.
Photo: American Pit Bull Terrier (Pitbull) A huge role in the development of the breed was played by the Irishman John Colby, who in 1900 brought excellent representatives of thoroughbred pitbulls. He also called his dogs an "old family", but believed that they should be used as much as possible in breeding work with other lines. Many contemporaries did not understand and even criticized Colby, adhering to other views, in particular, they believed that it was necessary to breed only the line of "red" dogs, not mixing it with other representatives of the breed.
However, time showed that Colby was on the right track: he managed to get and grow many legends of the dog ring. Until 1900 it is difficult to trace the specific statistics and history of the breed: it is not known how many dogs were brought from different European countries. Characteristically, they all had the most diverse color, in general, a single breed standard is very difficult to work out, since the exterior has always been of secondary importance to pitbull terriers in comparison with their character and the qualities of the fighter. After 1900 systematic documentary confirmations of the development of the breed already appear.
Many American breeders followed Kolby's example, and began to breed this interesting breed. So for the pit bull terrier, the name was American, although, as can be seen from the history of the breed, many European countries could claim it. The first pit bull terriers lived in England, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Spain, but it was the American breeders who did the basic work on the formation of the breed.
FCI did not recognize this breed, but amateurs of American pit bull terriers never stopped it. Back in 1898, the UKC club appeared especially for fans of this fighting breed. However, later this club ceased to be monobreed and officially stopped supporting the dog fights.
Another organization in which the breeding work is carried out is ADBA, which appeared in 1909. Now it is an international organization in which pitbulls from around the world are registered. US law does not allow dogfights, so the goal of this organization is the official maintenance of tribal books that help preserve the breed, as well as conducting popular pitta competitions. This is a conformational show on which the exterior is judged, and veyt-pulling is a weight-pulling competition.
Now this breed is still popular, especially in the US and Russia, although it survived a series of persecutions, which were reflected in the fact that in some countries it was banned. So, in some EU countries import of pit bull terriers is prohibited, and the representatives of the breed on the territory of the countries must undergo a sterilization procedure. In Germany, the state maintains strict control over the owners of pitbull terriers, for example, it requires special permission from the police in order to get this dog, an increased tax on their maintenance was introduced.
Outlaw
Pitbull Terrier in many countries of the European Union and in Australia is under official prohibition.
Breed Standard
Although the most important cynological organization, the APBT breed is not recognized, but standards have been developed for it by two organizations involved in the registration of pitbulls: ADBA and UKC. These 2 standards reflect different views of the management of organizations on the breed. In the first case, it is the fighting destiny of dogs that is considered to be the main one, and their exterior is subject to this goal. The standard from UKC is closer to the show-fellow pit bull - American Staffordshire terrier.
Standard from ADBA
Appearance pitbulya gives the impression of confident strength and good health. Brilliant wool, attentive look, reflecting the strength of the spirit, athletic fit - this is the face of this pit bull. The relief musculature does not admit obesity, adult pitbulls are even slightly lean with slightly protruding ribs.
The type of head allows for various options. If you look at the dog from above or from the side, then the head has a wedge-shaped shape, somewhat tapering to the nose. When viewed from the front, the head looks round. The bridge of the nose is well developed, the line under the eyes is wider than the line of the ears. The bite is preferable to the scissor, the teeth are closed, the lips are snug against the jaws. The eyes have the shape of an ellipse. The ears may be docked.
The neck is muscular and long.
The skin is elastic, thick, snug against the body, there are wrinkles on the neck and chest.
The chest is deep and moderately wide. The thorax tapers to the bottom and should not have a round or cylindrical shape.
The length of the waist is important, which should not be too short or too long, which affects the dexterity of the dog.
The forelimbs have muscular shoulders, whose length is somewhat wider than the thorax.
Hind legs have beveled hips, which are at an angle of 30 ° to the horizontal. The thigh is well muscled and full. The bones of the hind limbs are thinner, which affects the flexibility of the dog, and the muscles are longer, which allows you to make vigorous movements.
The feet are small and well assembled with elastic pads.
The tail is low set, thicker at the base, slightly shorter than the hock joint.
Short and stiff coat should shine.
Color is acceptable for almost any, except for the following: albinism and merle.
UKC Standard
APPT - a powerful dog of athletic build. Strong skeleton, relief musculature combined with graceful mobility, the dog should not look heavy and fat. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The dog is energetic, shows an interest in life, has a strong power and should not show aggression towards a person.
The head is large, but does not cause a sense of disproportion in relation to the body. The head has a clear outline, in shape resembles a blunt wedge, the superciliary arches are well developed. The length of the muzzle and skull are correlated as 2: 3.
Well developed lower jaw. The bite is desirable scissor.
A nose with open nostrils, the nose can have a different pigmentation.
Eyes are low set and widely spaced. The blue color of the eyes is inadmissible.
The ears are highly planted, can be cropped or uncropped.
The neck is muscular, without suspension.
The back is strong and sturdy with a slightly inclined top line. A strong and short loin, slightly sloping croup.
The forelimbs are strong, perpendicular to the surface. The distance between them is moderately wide. The shoulder blade and shoulder are approximately the same length.
Hind legs strong and muscular, widely spaced. Hock joints have well-defined angles.
The tail naturally continues the line of the top, tapering to the tip.
The wool is shiny, smooth, dense. Color of the coat is varied.
The weight of males is 15.9-27.2, the weight of females is 13.6-22.7
The height at the withers of males is 40-42 cm, the bitches are 2-3 cm smaller.
The painting by Rubens, dating back to the 16th century, depicts scenes of wild boar hunting with dogs very similar to modern American pitbull terriers.
The nature of the American pit bull terrier
Modern public opinion is not very favorable to the fighting dogs, of which the American pit bull terriers are personified. Everyone can make a conclusion about the nature of this breed only when he gets acquainted with her, taking a small puppy and raising him. For many years the breeders considered the ability and readiness for battles, the so-called "game", to be the main breed characteristic. But at the same time aggression to the person was unacceptable and was the reason of disqualification of a dog.
Therefore, the character of the APBT does not include aggression towards people, although on the other hand, malice in this breed develops rather quickly with purposeful upbringing. If the owner of the pit bull has a goal to get a reliable companion for active life, then this breed will perfectly cope with this role. Natural strength and energy makes pit bulls very inquisitive, they are ready to learn and explore the world every second. These are very active dogs that love when they are played with active games, they are ready to follow their owner everywhere and perform his commands.
We can say that the character of pit bulls is created by its owner, that's why so often there are opposite opinions about the nature of these dogs. From pitbull terrier it is possible to grow up as the spiteful dog representing danger for surrounding people, and the peace and inquisitive companion which will perfectly get along with everyone. Especially important is the age of children for the future character, at this time it is impossible to tolerate traumatic factors of the psyche.
The nature of adult dogs is stable. They realize their power, are confident in themselves, but do not strive for superiority over the master, on the contrary, they show their willingness to constantly benefit him. These are funny dogs, in which children's spontaneity and playfulness are combined with the care and discretion of a wise dog. Of course, the best qualities of the character of the pitbull show only if properly trained and trained.
The true champion
The champion in wetpulling American pit bull terrier is included in the Guinness book of records for the fact that he hauled the cargo 100 times more than its weight - 1, 7 tons.
Peculiarities of training and education of the pit bull
According to the observations of dog handlers and instructors on training, the American pit bull terrier easily learns various commands and performs complex tasks. This is facilitated by natural curiosity and liveliness.
For the beginning it is recommended to pass OKD (general training course) in order to accustom the dog to obedience. After that, for the owner of the pit bull opens a lot of opportunities for the development of the abilities of his pet. As practice shows, the representatives of this breed successfully cope with the teams from the course of ZKS (protective guard duty). In the process of mastering this course, a very important skill for pit bull is developed: the ability to control one's aggression, and the owner learns to control his dog.
Rightfully considered American pitbull terrier. American pit bull terrier is truly an exceedingly outstanding dog.
She has steel muscles, an iron grip. It is distinguished by incredible dexterity and courage, which borders on fearlessness. But at the same time he has a very kind heart. In fact - this is a beautiful and very affectionate animal. In relation to a person, the pit bull terrier behaves like a small house dog.
Today, when dogfights are already incompatible with public morality, these dogs are beginning to be used for other purposes more remote from violence, in particular as dogs of bodyguards. And you know what, this is not a very simple task, because many pitbull terriers stubbornly refuse to bite a person. To force a dog to cling to a mitten, it is necessary to awaken in it the instinct of a predator, to convince her that it is a fascinating game that will not harm anyone.
Only in this case, from the pit bull, you can achieve the functions of a bodyguard, and it is very reliable, because no dog in the world has such a grasp as a pit bull. To bite, as much as possible, pit bull terriers have the mouth of a decent shark.
It's like saying "Let's ban football to stop the riots in the stadiums" or "We'll destroy the knives, because from time to time, some men kill their wives instead of cutting bread"
Pitbull can not just bite. He has an iron grip and if he decides not to unclench his jaw, then they can only be unclipped by sticking a stick between his teeth. There are pitbulls that open their mouth, but they must be taught patiently and persistently, resorting to games and encouragement, as well as with dogs of another breed.
Pitbull Terrier likes to play and has even a certain sense of humor. He understands jokes, understands when to represent a circus dog, although this does not correspond to his natural self-esteem. Well, what if the hostess wants to ride with a friend on the carousel.
His extraordinary dexterity allows him to perform such spectacular stunts as jumping on a tree. A rare dog is able to do such tricks. But this does not mean that the American pit bull makes such tricks under compulsion. Even those who do not understand dogs well will understand that they play and have fun all the time. Jumping, exercising, or grabbing a stick, the pit bull is just having fun and showing his courage as well as a child who develops while riding a bike or skateboard.
The parents' task is not to let the child expose themselves or others to undue risk. Similarly, the owner's task is to keep the pit bull in certain limits, although sometimes it is even difficult to imagine what this dog is capable of.
From the point of view of morphology, the pit bull terrier should remain a fighting dog, not because it must be prepared for battle, but because of respect for its origin and the work on breeding that has been done to this day. If in the past it was a fighting dog, it must preserve the physical characteristics of the fighting dog, even if it is now used as a room dog, to guard or participate in agility competitions.
Why the pit bull terrier, and not the American Staffordshire terrier, nor doberman , neither the Great Dane, nor the Rottweiler? In fact, there is no answer to this question and at the same time there are hundreds of them in the sense that each person should choose the dog most appropriate to his lifestyle, requirements and aesthetic principles. Pitbull Terrier is not like a terrier, for example. But he does not have saliva. It is smaller in size than the other fighting dogs.
This is the perfect indoor dog. And also because the pit bull perfectly coexists with dogs of other breeds. Pitbull even allows another dog to pile his paws on his head, although in battle pit bull calmly would have it. He also gets along with cats, very kind to children. And all this for one simple reason - he rushes only at the enemy. With someone who is not his enemy, he does not fight and it's the end. Whether it's a bipedal or four-footed creature, the pit bull will not pay attention to it if it does not get angry.
I often witnessed when taxes , yorkshire terriers , chihuahua or other breeds of dogs very much angered the pit bull terrier with his rash behavior. Why did he not tear them apart? Everything is very simple. The owner asked the pit bull not to touch these dogs. We have already talked about this, but we will repeat it again - for a well-educated and well-trained bull terrier who always got along with a man, the owner's word is the law.
Therefore, the former killer dog today turned into a balanced working dog, which can safely work in a group and perfectly perform all the teams. Therefore, in the so-called pet therapy, there was a project on the use of pit bulls in the rehabilitation of children with problems. In conclusion, we recall that the pit bull terrier is a born athlete. He should always be in great shape. It is not always easy for him to have a flexible way of life. Therefore, you can use a variety of simulators, such as a treadmill, which is so like pit bull.
One thing to remember is that there are no murder dogs, only murderers. The dog's fault is that she loves the wrong person. But if he finds a good biped friend who can establish friendly, trusting relationships with the pit bull, the pit bull will only be dangerous for criminals. For the rest - big or small - it will be a gentle dog, able to give you his friendship and love. And the one who lives with the pit bull will be able to understand the phrase I once heard from one dog breeder. This phrase first causes a smile, and then it seems to be a pure truth - "In the world there are only two breeds of dogs - pit bull terrier and those that would like to become it."
A breed banned in many countries of the European Union, a dog regarded as a cold steel, a pet for whom the future owner residing in countries with "working laws", must undergo psychological tests - this is the American pit bull terrier. Stately dogs with a cold expression of the eyes are considered dangerous, in fact, the Pitbull Terrier is an easily trained universal service and fighting dog that can become a threat only in the hands of a stupid person.
Historical reference
The withdrawal of all fighting breeds is associated with animal whims and perverted interests of people to bloody sports with dogs. Long before the appearance of dog fights in its pure form, the crown of nature enjoyed watching the show, in which four-legged gladiators attacked wild animals - bears, bulls, boars or monkeys. The first universal fighters were dogs of the genus Mastiff and Dogov, however, the animals were not particularly agile. The next legendary "gladiator" is Bull Dog or Old English Bulldog - a powerful, muscular dog with a square head, wide-set eyes and an "iron grip".
It is interesting! The painting by the famous artist Rubens, written in the 16th century, depicts hunting with dogs for a wild boar. Impressed dogs, similar in structure and appearance to the modern Pitbull Terrier.
After the official ban on bullying bulls in England, the Old English bulldogs and their heirs Amuli became unclaimed. Some of the dogs just died on the streets, many representatives fell into the hands of enterprising breeders and were mixed with other breeds and only a small number of dogs remained untouched.
Note! The common name of Pitbull is not correct, because it is translated as a "battle bull".
From the tying of heavy and hardy Bulldogs with terriers of different types, dogs of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed were received - universal fighters with a lightning reaction and natural endurance, a strongly developed guard instinct, hunting abilities, grazing, search and draft work. As for the presence of the gene pool of Old English bulldogs, there is no doubt that baiting was considered a big event and was reflected in the visual arts, and the silhouettes of gladiator dogs more closely resemble the Pitbull Terriers than Ambula, whose muzzles were shortened by crossing small representatives with Pugs. What kind of terriers gave away some of their genes could not be ascertained. First, at that time the majority of hunting breeds were in the making, and secondly, almost all kinds of modern terriers resided on the territory of Europe.
American pit bull terrier is not the "brainchild" of the United States. It is established that the fighting dogs were brought to the New World in 1750-1770. The main number of animals accompanied the settlers from Holland, England and Spain. The official prohibition of all types of bloody sport, which was proclaimed by the British government in 1835, despite the fact that the battles were illegal, the demand for fighting dogs and Pitbull Terriers fell sharply in society, literally on the verge of extinction. The US government was not in a hurry to stop the "shadow drive" until the beginning of the 20th century, and in the 1840s, full-fledged and proven dogs, children and "heirs" of the best "gladiators" were brought into the territory of America. From the already existing "gene pool" base, US breeders formed a breed called American Pit Bull Terrier. Under the rules of the FCI (International Cynological Federation), the owner of the breed is the country in which the line originated, however, the "homeland" of the Pitbull Terrier is not officially established.
After imposing a veto on the American bloody sport, in the United States it was forbidden to breed all the fighting dogs, however, the Pitbull Terriers and Staffordshire terriers honored with "special honor". In the media regularly appeared news about the attack of four-legged adults and children. In fairness, we note that any dog is prone to biting (according to unspoken data, only 10% of incidents in the US are associated with fighters' breeds), but such "anti-agitation activity" quickly formed clichés about pit bull terriers-killers.
Full-fledged work on the socialization of the breed began in the 1870s. In the register of the Cynological Union of America (ACS or American Kennel Club), two breeds of dogs were immediately introduced: the American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) and the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). Breeders did not like the similarity of the names of the breed and the fact that the dogs were associatively put on one bar.
In 1989, the breeder and fan of battles SB Bennet, enlisted the support of true lovers of bloody entertainment, created the United Kennel Club (UKC), which dealt exclusively with fighting American Pitbull Terriers. Due to the "fuzziness" of the rock standard, AST and APPT were divided into several lines, similar to each other. Enterprising owners registered dogs in both clubs, which led to constant incest, in fact, to legitimate interbreeding. Only by 1970 the UKC officially denied participation in the dog fights. A sharp outflow of pitmen led to the fact that the club became multi-breed.
The work of American breeders was aimed at preserving masculinity and reducing the general aggression primarily to people. It is impossible to describe or convey in words how laborious the work is to suppress one of the basic working instincts of a dog, it suffices to say that work has been carried out from 1870 to today. Thanks to the efforts that have been made by American clubs, humanity has had the honor of meeting the brave, strong-willed, strong, faithful and balanced American pit bull terrier. Perhaps the success of the breeders could have reached a more serious scale, had it not been for the deliberate obstruction of the breed's improvement from unscrupulous pitmen - admirers of modern dog fights without rules.
Unfortunately, the ban on dog fighting in the US did not stop the bloody business that exists to this day. Owners-animators earn on pains of the wards more, than possible penalty for carrying out of a duel. In addition, as practice showed, zoosecretists are powerless before the court, to prove that the dog died in the ring is almost impossible. Owners kill mutilated dogs by piercing the heart, which when examined, looks like death from a cardiovascular system. The need of bloodthirsty people, pushes dishonest breeders to damage the breed.
Back in 1976, there was an official organization in America supporting the breeding of fighting Pitbull Terriers for illegal fights - the American Association of Dog Breeders (ADBA). Only after the death of the founder of Guy MacCordor and the transfer of the brittle government of Keith Greenwood (the daughter of the pitman), the association directed its efforts to the socialization of the breed in society. Representatives of the organization conducted educational work and literally on their fingers explained to America and the whole world that with proper education, Pitbull Terriers do not become murderers, but act as faithful reliable companions. To implement the gambling of the hosts, the ADBA established competitions in which American pitbull terriers could fight in the transport of goods or flaunt the exterior.
Note! Contract matches (competitions with elements of combat) are held between American pitbull Terriers and today, however, this is not a bloody spectacle, but a sport with very strict limits and rules.
Appearance
As stated above, the breed of dogs American pitbull Terrier has always been fighting and only some lines have been deliberately socialized to exclusively companion level and show class. Breeding Pitbull Terriers is an extremely difficult task with a constant risk factor. The fact is that the quality of the puppy can be determined only after the end of psychological maturation, tentatively at the age of 2 years. The mating of "standard" but not matching parents can give poor-quality offspring. In order to preserve working qualities, breeders resort to related knits. To reduce the risk of degeneration, fresh blood should be "poured into the line" and this is the main risk - one unsuccessful breeding can "bring to nothing" long-term work. Related matings led to the appearance of hundreds of lines that have a common, but "blurred" characterization of the breed.
Breed Standard
In a global sense, workers' dogs and class shows are also distinguished. Pitbull Terriers are usually divided into bulldogs, terriers (with a narrow muzzle), and a mixed type. When assessing the dimensions, it is customary to focus on weight, which ranges from 12 to 36 kilograms (females are smaller than males). Growth depends on the weight and proportions of the backbone of the dog. Note that the size of the dog does not have much significance, much more important is the harmony of the build.
- Head - square shape with a flat and broad forehead. Cheeks wide, cheeks dense, tightened or slightly saggy, without folds. The transition from forehead to nose with a pronounced bend, but without a sharp angle. The nose is smooth. A furrow between the eyes and prominent eye sockets is allowed.
- Teeth and bite - The jaw is deep, strong. Closed jaws create a rectangular muzzle format. Teeth large, densely standing, are closed in a tight lock - a scissors bite.
- Ears - set high and wide. In working dogs born in countries where cupping is not prohibited by law, the ears are pruned. The natural, semi-permanent appearance of the ears, is not a defect or a minus in the evaluation.
- Eyes - almond-shaped, oval or round. Planted widely, with respect to the forehead - low.
- Nose - dense, not upturned with open and large nostrils.
- Body - The format is rectangular. Neck of medium length, broad and muscular, slightly curved in a calm state. The shoulders are wide, the shoulder blades are elevated, inclined forward. The chest is as deep as possible, but not wide, its edges are round, deep, elongated. The back is wide and even, the line of the scapula is higher than the croup. Line of groin taut. The entire body of the dog is covered with tightly fitting skin without wrinkles.
- Limbs - medium length, set wide. Visually, the dog looks very stable. The forelegs are even, the bones are wide and round, the elbows are strictly parallel to the thorax. The hips are elongated, lean and muscular. The hind legs are equal in length to the forelegs, but in the column they are extended back. The brush is proportional to the paws, the fingers are "cat's" or elongated, collected.
- Tail - Proportionately short, low set, lowered in a calm state, in an excited state - tense and continues the line of the spine or raised. Kicking the tail is strictly prohibited.
Type of coat and color
American pit bull terriers refer to short-haired dogs. The ostevoy hair is hard, elastic, close fitting, undercoat, of course, absent. The abdomen area is devoid of wool. On the muzzle, paws and ears, the wool is "velor" (shorter than the main coarse hair).
Pigmentation of the irises, nose, lips and eyeliner - any, however, in assessing, the harmony of the dog's color is taken into account. The palette of pigmentation of wool is also unlimited, white spots are allowed. By the localization of pigmentation a solid, brindle and spotty type is allowed. Tiger color, usually consists of a palette of red-brown primary color and black stripes.
The only exception that culls a dog from breeding is the color merle. The fuzzy color that the Australian shepherds with blue wool are known for, is the consequence of having a gene responsible for incomplete staining of the hair. This color is forbidden for many breeds, due to possible pathologies of sight and hearing, however, this does not mean that Pitbull Terriers with pigmentation do not exist.
Character and training
Quality and thoroughbred Pitbull Terrier is a versatile and faithful dog with a friendly character. Dog owners strongly do not recommend using the breed as a bodyguard. Yes, the American pit bull terrier has an impressive, sometimes frightening appearance, but the breed must be friendlier to people. To develop anger towards a person is rather difficult, provided that the dog has a stable psyche, but note that such experiments will lead to uncontrolled behavior of the pet and, as a consequence, to the tragedy.
Important! American pitbull terriers are prohibited from participating in training programs related to the development of aggression towards a person - this kind of ignorance on the part of the owner leads the dog's consciousness to an imbalance.
Dogs are distinguished by an active temperament and phenomenal endurance, so physical exertion is a pledge of the mental health of the ward. Usually, Pitbull Terrier is unrealistic to tire out with playing with an aport, jogging or similar entertainments. The owners are recommended to teach the dog the chosen sport (agility, wyetpulling, bike and skijoring) and if necessary, weight the ammunition of the dog - this not only exhausts the ward, but also makes his body inflated.
Despite the wandering myths, the Pitbull Terrier refers to the easily trained breeds. The dog quickly and easily gives in to training and feels pleasure from serving the master. Against the background of anti-propaganda, another myth is spread that Pitbull Terrier should be beaten, otherwise he will not respect the owner - this is at least ignorance in its pure form. American pitbull Terrier is trained exclusively motivationally-incentive method, physical punishment can lead to anger or shyness, which unconditionally disqualifies the dog from breeding work.
Correctly brought up American pit bull terrier is a loyal companion, companion and guard for the whole family. The breed is particularly fond of young children. Be very attentive to the education of the dog, if your family lives with a nonsentary carapace, the pet will try to please the little bully and for the sake of the brisk laughter of his "beloved master", easily tear pillows, smash the wardrobe or tear the curtain.
Pitbull Terrier clean blood can distinguish evil from good, he will gladly meet guests with a cake and without warning will rush into the fray, for the protection of the host from ill-wishers. Be careful, if the wards have already entered a fight, you should not panic, feeling your fear, the dog will lose its temper and become more assertive in the attack.
Choosing a working class puppy. Game test
Let's go back a bit and stop at the difficulty of acquiring a working-class pet. If you reject the prejudices and conventions, all American Pit Bull Terrier purebred puppies are the same - friendly, curious, active and charismatic. If you plan a career of a dog in contract matches, you need to choose a quality working puppy.
The main problem is that the ability to work is determined by the presence of a game (the will to win). This quality can not be seen in the photo or live, the presence of a game does not depend on the pedigree of the parents or the nature of the puppy at an early age. Naturally, if you buy a puppy whose relatives have shown excellent results in contractual battles, the chances of obtaining a quality dog are increasing.
Upon reaching 2 years of age or later, depending on the stage of the moral maturity of the dog, the wards will have to go through a game test. Many modern pitmen call the game-test punishment, because the pet has to enter the battle, which will last until one of the opponents falls to the ground exhausted. You have already shouted: "Why?", Then do not rush to conclusions.
Important! Game test is conducted only with opposite-sex Pitbull Terriers in one weight category.
A contract match is a duel of two dogs with the same weight. The purpose of the competition is not bloodshed (although this happens quite often), dogs compete in endurance. The opponents who appear in the ring must exhaust each other and not retreat despite the fatigue. After the dogs are exhausted, handlers raise opponents in the corners and alternately send to the attack, the first retreated is recognized as defeated.
Depending on the tactics and behavior of the dog during the test, the handler can make an assumption whether the dog has developed a game and what type he aspires to:
- Standard - The dog is fighting until it is exhausted.
- Reinforced - the dog is fighting, despite the pods paws, the pitmen characterize this type with a catch phrase "creeps into the attack."
- Fatal - Pitbull Terrier is ready to fight until the heart stops. The rarest type, for obvious reasons, such dogs perish from overloads at a young age.
Important! Holding of contract matches and game tests is allowed only between dogs of the same breed that are in the same weight category.
A short-haired dog of medium size does not require special care, can be kept in an apartment or a house with a private plot. Short hair is worth combing with a massage brush once a week. Claws are cut once every two weeks. Cleaning of the ears and bathing is carried out as needed.
The most important aspect of Pitbull Terrier content is quality and balanced feeding, especially during active growth. Do not forget about the needs of the dog in micronutrients and vitamins
Brief description of the breed
Pitbulls can be divided into two main types: the bulldog type and the terriers. Sometimes there are mixed types. For the breed there are no strict weight restrictions: approximately 12-26 kg, usually from 14 to 20. Color can also be almost any, except for a variety of color merle. These can be variants of solid, brindle or color with marks. The ears can also be as docked or not stopped. The tail does not stop. The head is allowed either as a bulldog - short and wide, or as a terrier - "shilomordaya."
Character pitbull terriers are strong-willed and venturesome, they live morale. They feel great in city apartments, but they need constant sports walks and communication with their relatives.
A bit of history
These breeds have always been popular in America. As a rule, they were used in dogfights along with other fighting breeds. Terriers and bulldogs participated in the creation of the breed. From the former, they retained the speed of reaction, and from the latter, strength and perseverance.
Since the dogfights were declared illegal, the pit bull terriers are under strict control, and their reproduction has been forbidden for a long time. The media often referred to cases of attacks of these dogs on people.
Being an ancestor of the American Staffordshire Terrier, the pit bull is still considered an unrecognized breed. It is registered in the ICS and in most EU countries is prohibited.
Nevertheless, the breed is still popular both in the States and in the CIS countries. After all, with proper education and training, which should balance on the brink of rigor, but without violence, this breed is not at all dangerous, but it can perfectly carry a police service. Such dogs, as a rule, specialize in the search for explosives and drugs.
The origin of the name of the breed is interesting: the pit bull terrier (from the English pit - pit for fighting) is translated as a combat bull terrier. Originally it was called "pitdog" (Russian fighting dog) and some other names. Over time, the official "pitbull terrier" (Russian fighting bulldog-terrier) was formed. It was the people who were reduced to "pitbull", but this reduction is considered an incorrect name, because in translation means "fighting bull".
The breed standard for the UKC
- Head: dry, rectangular, length medium, skull flat and broad between ears, protruding cheeks.
- Muzzle: wide, deep, format "square".
- Jaws: strong and powerful, with a scissor bite.
- Ears: high set, cupping is optional.
- Eyes: almond-shaped, planting medium.
- Color: not limited, white spots allowed.
- Weight: not limited.
- Nose: the nostrils are wide open, the color of the nose is any.
- Neck: Muscular, slightly convex, widens toward the withers.
- Back: short and strong, slightly sloping from the withers to the base of the tail, with broad, muscular, obliquely set shoulder blades.
- Loin: slightly convex with a tucked up stomach.
- Thorax: deep, but not very wide. The true ribs are slightly convex, closely adjacent to each other, elastic, while the false ribs are long.
- Tail: fairly short, low, tapering towards the end. When excited, it can rise up to the line of the back. The bugtail is inadmissible.
- Paws: medium in size, with long, rounded and strong bones; no coarse or busy elements. Pasterns are straight, strong, sheer. Movements should be light and springy. Walking in a skidder or amble is unacceptable. Thighs long, muscular. Hock joints are low, the metatarsus are steep, short.
- Wool: short, glossy, tightly fitting, firm to the touch, undercoat absent; there is no hair on the abdomen.
How to Choose a Pit Bull Puppy
Before buying a puppy, you need to determine which breed you need. If the choice has stopped on a pit bull, it is necessary to understand, with what the content of a fighting dog is connected and what responsibility lies on the owner.
After that, the pedigree of the purchased puppy for six generations is checked. It is very important to pay attention to the first four generations, as well as their offspring. If everything is in order and with the nursery, and with a pedigree - you can choose a puppy.
The main mistake in choosing a puppy is a big head preference. A large head is not a guarantee of the power of a bite in a battle with a dog that is larger. Also, attention should be paid to the joints (not to be weak), bad posture or wrong back.
The position of the tail or the shape of the ears, as well as the timing of their arrest, are unimportant and do not affect the basic characteristics of the puppy.
So, a good puppy should have an average head, a neck stronger than legs, thick and firm front legs, a beautiful curve of the back (a small hump), a rear section slightly higher than the front, hind legs strong and elastic, the feet well developed. But it is better to avoid curved legs if the puppy is not started for personal pleasure, but for participation in exhibitions and tournaments. The tail, which is planted low, is a guarantee of courage and good fighting qualities.
The next thing you need to pay attention to is character and temperament. It is necessary to exclude cowardly puppies, as well as overly aggressive (aggression is often a manifestation of fear). Excessive sensitivity is also not a virtue of this breed, because it means lack of self-confidence.
Pitbull Terrier Education
As with any other dog, it is true here that wanting to get a faithful and stable dog, you need to devote a lot of time to it and give a lot of love. There is no need to listen to stories about the need for ill-treatment and torture. Being a brave and fearless breed, like any other creature, a pit bull needs love and attention. If you look at the Grand Champions of the breed, you can see that in the nurseries they were treated like family members. This dog should strive for achievements out of love, not out of fear.
How to feed
Puppy should be fed at least four, and sometimes six times a day. Ration: high-calorie, with all the vitamins, but in small portions. Suitable feed, which greatly facilitates the upbringing.
Feed the puppy at the same time from the same dishes (aluminum or plastic), do not forget to leave fresh water constantly. The diet should contain 120 grams of pellets of pre-prepared food, previously soaked in water or milk, 100 grams of veal liver or heart (as an option - chicken), 50 grams of sardines and the same low-fat cottage cheese, 1 boiled egg and 1 time a week fresh yolk, 3 liter of milk, 3 liters of water, 100 g of worn apples or carrots.
All this is divided into several meals (not less than 4, you can 6). When puppies grow up (after 3 months), you can gradually increase the amount of feed per reception and reduce the number of servings.
In this type of dog, the desire for fighting contacts can manifest itself at different ages. Sometimes puppies aspire to it, sometimes already for 10 months or more, and sometimes even older than two years. It happens that such a desire is completely absent.
Therefore, puppies require attention, caution and patience. It is not necessary to wish the dog-fighter as early as possible and by all means get it from him. This is a very common mistake, a frequent precondition for further failures.
The formation of the dog occurs before the second year of life, and the maximum strength is achieved after the third year. Therefore, training should not start before 15 months. It should be carried out gradually and carefully. Let us repeat that the guarantee of success is love and patience.
If the dog has matured to the battle contact, it is necessary to pick up an old and experienced fighter, who will teach the junior a little, but he will not inflict strong bites.
Within a few days they will have to keep an eye on each other without contact until the junior starts to squat. The first allowed contact should be no more than five minutes.
If the puppy liked it, then the next, another dog should be given about a month later. This will help to borrow a different style and accustom to different styles of combat. This - the education of self-confidence, but the contact still should not be more than five minutes.
If the dog continues to show no bad signs, you can start thinking about checking the internal readiness for the fight, the so-called "game". The owner should evaluate the fighting intelligence, fighting abilities and the pet's bite. According to these criteria a decision is made with which dog the junior should be put in contact. This dog must have experience, weight, average bite and exceptional aggressiveness, including "game".
This check lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, and the pet must withstand at least three rounds, provided that the hardest will be the last.
Testing a young dog, you need to pay special attention to the correct modeling of test conditions. When checking the "game" should always go through the examination - check the lungs and the heart, make a blood test, because only an ideally healthy dog can be tested. The test itself must take place in the ring, the opponent must be a pit bull.
If during the very first contact the dog whined and stopped resistance, it is necessary to immediately stop contact and repeat it no earlier than three months later. Dogs that are less than 15 months old do not pass the tests. Pitbull is older than three years, who during the test dodged the fight, is not allowed to continue the fight.
In addition, dogs that do not have a fighting spirit of intelligence or a bad style of fighting are not allowed to fight, regardless of bravery.
About the cases of biting
Bite, unfortunately, almost all dogs, not just fighters. And although in the press it is the cases of bites pit bulls and bull terriers that are savored most often, in a percentage ratio it can not be said that these breeds have more bites than others, including cocci and collies. Interesting is the fact that according to statistics even in cats, cases of biting are 7%, while in pit bulls - only 1%.
People who communicate with pitbulls see that they are actually sociable, have a cheerful and playful temper and are friendly to people. They rarely have an innate distrust and alertness. Aggressive individuals, of course, also occur - but not more often than other breeds. And the roots of aggression are in uncertainty. A real fighter who is confident in his abilities can repel an attack and defeat an enemy, so he does not show aggression as an advance of someone's attack, for the most part imaginary.
A big error is the barbaric methods of educating these dogs supposedly to develop fighting qualities. Neither feeding of other puppies, nor kittens will not help to achieve morale - "game". Combat spirit can be hardened in fights with worthy opponents, but you can not bring up, beating a puppy who can not resist.
And a few words about dog fights. Real dog fights are not cruel and bloody entertainment, as many believe. They should not at all end in the death of one of the fighters.
Matches are not fights, they are sports competitions necessary for this breed. They are conducted according to the rules, in weight classes, in the presence of judges. Here an enemy is revealed who is stronger in spirit, which is the main one.
However, you can not even engage in combat sports. Pitbull Terrier is quite capable of becoming a cheerful, athletic dog, a pet and an excellent companion. This is quite possible, the main thing is to make efforts and achieve constant obedience. Develop the malice of the pit bull is quite simple, and balance it with obedience, which would be unquestionable, can only a very experienced trainer.
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