Feeding Your Pit Bull
I often receive emails asking for recommendations for the best food for Pit Bulls. There are so many foods on the market and people out there telling you what you should and shouldn't feed your dog that this aspect of ownership can sometimes be overwhelming to owners. I can only recommend what I feed and have had success with; you can try it for yourself and if it works, great! If not, there are at least a gazillion other foods on the market that you can try, all promising complete nutrition and an amazingly healthy dog. Whether or not these claims hold water is up to you to decide.
I feed my dogs a brand called Wellness, by the Old Mother Hubbard dog food company. It is an all natural, baked-not-extruded dog food with human-grade ingredients. I have tried many, many dry foods and this is by far the best I have found. This company also sells a canned food which I have not yet tried. I am not a fan of canned foods, as even the best are highly processed and not the greatest thing for dog teeth. I feed the Wellness dry as a base food, soaked in spring water until soft, immediately prior to feeding.
In addition to the dry, my dogs get fresh, raw beef, as well as raw beef kidneys, livers, hearts, and tripe. RAW marrow bones (the thick, marrow-stuffed kind used for making broths) are given as teeth cleaning aids (plus they keep the dogs busy and tire them out!). The occasional egg also gets plopped into the diet. Raw veggies and fruits such as carrots, apples and cucumbers are ground fresh and then added to the raw beef, topped with one of the glands mentioned above and a marrow bone for dessert on days that the dogs don't get kibble (I do not mix raw and dry together), about 2-3 times a week. A general, health-enhancing herbal supplement can be added to the dry or the beef/veggie mix. I use Noah's Kingdom Whole Life Cycle.
I'm an advocate of a natural diet for dogs. I prefer the food I feed my animals (as well as myself) to promote health, well-being and longevity rather than just provide enough sustenance to keep an organism alive. This kind of diet works as a disease preventative by boosting immunity and strengthening the entire body and it's systems. More and more people are realizing that the average supermarket brand dog food just doesn't offer all a dog needs. There is qute a movement going on. For instance, BARF--Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods--is an increasingly popular all natural, all raw diet that dog people are using thanks to Dr. Ian Billinghurst who has promoted it. It is the diet on every dog person's lips and many owners swear by it. In addition to Billinghurst, authors Dr. Richard Pitcairn and Juliette de Bairacli-Levy
have promoted variations on natural rearing in their pre-BARF, informative, helpful books. And there are other authorities promoting this kind of feeding as well.
In addition to the above authors, one will find many helpful suggestions and good information on feeding dogs a raw or semi-raw diet on the internet. The following links may be of help:
Truth About Feeding Your Dog
BARF Faq
BARF For Beginners
Disclaimer: Please check with your vet before undertaking any diet planning for your dog. Do your research--as always--and remember that what works for one dog may not work for another dog.
Mary Harwelik
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Ownership
Pit Bulls are great dogs in the right hands. If an owner is willing
to do their homework and research the breed thoroughly before
acquiring a dog and devote proper time to care and training, the
rewards reaped will be many. In the wrong hands, however, Pit
Bulls can be quite troublesome. This is why education on
responsible ownership is so important. People need to be
aware of what they are getting into before they take that first big
step into ownership, and then continue to educate themselves once they bring a dog home. Breed information as well as resources on
where to get a dog need to be utilized.
There are many resources available. This site is a good place to
start, but hardly complete. It is hoped that The REAL Pit Bull site
will be simply another step taken in the quest for knowledge
about the breed. Please see the Resources section for
recommended reading, organizations, and links to other Pit Bull
and related sites on the Web.
This page offers information that would be useful to prospective owners and current owners alike, such as: where to get a Pit Bull, what age to get, housing requirements, care, and more.
| There is no such thing as "too much research" if you are thinking of adding a Pit Bull to your family.
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"I think I want a Pit Bull. What should I know?"
Be prepared to do extensive research prior to actually bringing a Pit Bull into your home. It's the only way to avoid surprises and problems in the future. Many a person has brought home a puppy without knowing what they are getting in to, regretting it deeply later on. Research will: A) prepare you for life with a Pit Bull by giving you an understanding of the breed's nature; and B) help you choose a good dog from a breeder or rescue since you will have a better idea of what to look for.
You need a lot of time to spend with your Pit Bull. They can be very destuctive if they don't receive proper exercise and attention. Pit Bulls love to chew! Some of them enjoy digging. If they are bored, they will find a way to entertain themselves. Moreover, an underexercised dog will have a large amount of excess energy that will need to be gotten rid of in some way, be it running around the house, jumping on people and play-biting, pacing, and so on.
Early socialization and training--and lots of it--are a MUST with this breed. Pit Bulls are very powerful, strong-willed animals who must be taught their proper place in the home, and how to act around both people and other animals. Waiting until a problem develops before taking any sort of action is not the way to do things. Once ingrained, problem behaviors can be extremely difficult to break. Prevention is easier than treatment. Plan on attending an obedience class with your dog.
| Pit Bulls aren't a "hands-off" breed. Plan on obedience training, lots of exercise, and plenty of socialization for your dog.
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Do not get a Pit Bull if you are not prepared to deal with animal-related aggression. Pit Bulls are normally very aggressive towards other dogs and small animals. Early training and socialization helps to curb this tendency, but there is no "fix" for a dog that is predisposed to aggression towards other animals. If you are of the type who likes to have a dog that will mingle peacefully with other dogs, visit the off-leash dog park, etc., the Pit Bull is not for you. Also consider the ramifications of bringing home an animal aggressive breed if you already have pets. At the very least you should be prepared to keep the Pit Bull seperated from the other animals when you are not around to supervise. For more information on the aggression and the Pit Bull, please click here.
| Pit Bulls are generally fairly aggressive towards other animals, particular dogs of the same sex and/or dogs they don't know and small animals like cats and squirrles. If you have other pets at home, supervision between them and the Pit Bull is a MUST. Never leave a Pit Bull unattended with other animals.
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Pit Bulls are escape artists! They will casually remove themselves from enclosures that would safely harbor just about any other breed. It is advisable to have two-fold protection: a topped kennel run or a proper chain set-up in a yard surrounded by a privacy fence, for instance.
In some areas, Pit Bull ownership is subject to special rules and regulations, such as walking on a leash under a certain length, muzzling, insurance, and special housing/kenneling requirments. Other areas ban Pit Bulls completely. Many insurance companies will deny home owner's coverage if there is a Pit Bull on the property. It is very important to carefully consider the ramifications of owning a breed that could be illegal to own or deny you of important insurance protection. Check the laws in your area before bringing a dog home, make sure your insurance company won't drop you, and learn more about breed specific legislation by clicking here
| In some locations, Pit Bull ownership is subjected to stringent laws, or may even be illegal. Know the laws in your town and state!
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"I still want a Pit Bull. Now what?"
Assuming you've done all the proper research, know what constitutes a good American Pit Bull Terrier, and have come to the conclusion that you are indeed up for the responsibilty of owning one of these great dogs, it is now time to start looking for one of your very own. But what sex should you consider? Should you bring home a pup or an adult? And where should you get your Pit Bull? Read on!
Does sex matter? Yes and no. If your Pit Bull will be an only-dog, sex is merely a personal choice. There are no great behavioral differences in this breed between the sexes. Intact males may be a bit more territorial, prone to dog-aggression, and dominant. Neutering at an early age will diminish or outright eliminate the differences. Male or female, the choice depends more upon personal preferences and sentimentality. If you do have another dog at home, however, it is wise to bring home a Pit Bull of the opposite sex. Although dogs of differnt sexes can and do get into fights, dogs of the same sex are more likely to fight, fight more often, and fight more seriously.
| Dogs of the same sex are more likely to fight. If you already have a dog at home, seriously consider a Pit Bull of the opposite sex.
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A puppy may seem the right choice when decided what age Pit Bull you should acquire. But an adult dog may be the wisest choice for your first Pit Bull, unless you have a lot of prior experience raising large, working and/or terrier breed puppies. There are a few good reasons for this. First, raising any puppy is hard work. Housebreaking takes a lot of time in the first few months, and if you work fulltime, a puppy of any breed is not something you should consider. Puppies chew, and soil the house, and need a lot of early socialization and training. If the early socialization and training is put off, even for the first few months, you could end up with an adolescent dog that is quite a handful, a dog who is completely unaware of human etiquette. (Anybody with blissful, trouble-free thoughts of a puppy they once owned have probably repressed the memories of the trying adolescent phase! Remember, most dogs get surrendered to shelters and rescues around the 6-12 month mark.) Because of the breed's tendency towards dog aggression, early socialization around other animals is important. A Pit Bull needs to learn to mind his owner in the presence of other animals. Remedial socialization and training is never easy and will never bring the dog to the point he'd have reached had these things started during the formative months (under 12 weeks).
| Puppies are hard work, especially Pit Bulls. Unless you have sufficient time to devote to a pup, an adult may be a wiser decision.
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Many prospective owners look to a puppy because they feel "safer" with one, believing that they can train and mold it into whatever type of adult dog they desire, and won't have to worry about the dog turning "vicious". If they "raise it with the kids and cats", that means it will be a perfect adult, unaggressive and a friend to all. This is one of those urban myth type things that has an element of truth to it but has gotten a bit distorted and exaggerated the more it's been passed around. The subject has been hotly bebated by behaviorists for decades, but most are now in agreement that both environment (how and where an organism is raised) and genetics play an important role in adult temperament and behavior. Environment "acts upon" genetics, and genetics help determine how an organism responds to environmental stimuli. That is partly why two organisms raised in the same environment can turn out so different. What does that mean for you? Well, raising a pup with your other pets and/or children, training him "right" and so on, can all have a very positive effect on the pup's behavior as an adult. However, in the end, your dog is only as good as his genetic makeup. A dog with good genetic makeup will end up safe, sound and stable with healthy environmental help, and sometimes despite a bad environment (which many an abused/neglected rescue dog has shown). A dog with bad genetic makeup will always have bad genetic makeup, and despite the best efforts to raise and train him properly, an owner will always be fighting an uphill battle. In some cases, all the training and love in the world cannot overcome a dog's genetic behaviorial influences. This is important to remember when we're talking about Pit Bulls since, as a whole, the breed is genetically animal aggressive (this sort of aggression is considered very normal in the breed).
| Although proper raising and training are important in teaching a dog how to be a well-mannered family member, all the training in the world won't "cure" a dog who is genetically unsound or prone to certain behavior like severe animal aggression.
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An adult, fully-matured Pit Bull ( 3 years of age or older), is a wise choice for your first Pit Bull. A dog of this age is manifesting, for the most part, his true temperament and personality. He's done growing and past the rowdy puppy stage. He's very much "what you see is what you get". An adult dog adopted from a reputable Pit Bull rescue will have been temperament tested and shown to be healthy and sound. If you have other animals at home or are worried about ending up with a highly dog-aggressive dog, an adult is an excellent idea. Animal aggression in Pit Bulls may not show itself to full extent until the animal reaches maturity (usually after 2). With puppies, you never quite know how animal aggressive they'll be as adults. Adopting an adult Pit Bull affords you the luxury of being able to be matched with the dog that will best fit into your unique situation. Worried about bonding? You need not. Pit Bulls rehome exceptionally well and bond fully to new owners, even as older adults. And if you are searching for variety, you'll find plenty in the kennels of rescues throughout the country.
| With adult (3 years and older) dogs, what you see is what you get. Adopting an adult dog will allow you to choose the kind of dog best suited to your home. No guess work, no worries that a pup might not mature into the dog of your dreams.
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Where do you get a dog? There really are only three choices: A) from an ethical breeder; B) from a reputable rescue organization that specializes in Pit Bulls; or C) a shelter/all-breed rescue. If you are new to Pit Bulls, it is highly recommended that you choose either option A or B. Dogs in shelters and all-breed rescues many times are not properly evaluated for temperment and since they come from questionable backgrounds, it is quite possible you may stumble across a dog with poor temperment. These organizations probably do not have the breed-specific knowledge to really guide you in your decision to adopt a Pit Bull, either. Good dogs can and do come from shelters and all-breed rescues. But unless you are skilled at evaluating temperment in dogs, it is best to avoid this method of obtaining a Pit Bull.
Let's first look at option A. There are numerous breeders of
American Pit Bull Terriers. Some are very selective, dedicated,
ethical people who only produce the most sound, stable puppies
and place their dogs in carefully screened homes, and keep in
contact with purchasers throughout the dogs' lives--this is the
type of breeder you should purchase from. Sadly, too many
breeders producing Pit Bulls are unknowledgeable about proper
breed temperment, health and dog care. They sell their dogs to
anybody who flashes money in front of their face. This type of
breeder cares little for the dogs, and is only out to make a buck.
Avoid this type of breeder like the plague! Also beware the
well-intentioned, but unknowledgeable "backyard breeder", and
pet shops should be avoided at all costs.
So where do you find an ethical breeder? Breed magazines, dog
publications, national breed clubs, and the Internet are all helpful
resources. You WON'T find ethical breeders in want-ads or ads
tacked up on your local supermarket's bulletin board. Also
beware the breeder that casually advertises "Pit Bull Puppies For
Sale" over the Internet, sites that offer "mail order" puppies, or
those that advertise more than one breed of dog.
For more information on what constitutes an ethical breeder, why
you should buy from one, and where to find one, please visit
Breeding page.
Now for option B. Rescues obtain their dogs a variety of ways
and from various places: shelters, owner turn-ins, abusive
situations, breeder rejects, strays, etc. Many of the dogs turned in
have been severely abused, have not been properly socialized
and trained, or are from bad breeding stock. Each of these
variations on a theme can present problems. It is
therefore extremely necessary that you seek a rescue who does
thorough temperment testing and evaluation of each dog that
comes into their possession. Choosing a rescue is something
that takes time and consideration, the same as if you were
selecting a breeder to purchase from. Walk away from any
rescue that tries to force a dog on you or one that hands over an
animal without asking you a million and one questions. Ask the
rescue what their policy on adopting out human-aggressive
dogs is. Rescues that attempt to rehome dogs that have been
knowingly aggressive towards humans should be scratched off
your list.
Rescues are a valuable resource, both for the dogs they help
and the people looking for that special companion. Nothing feels
quite so good as knowing you saved a life, and adopted dogs
can make some of the most wonderful pets imaginable. There
are many homeless Pit Bulls that need caring owners, and by
obtaining a dog from a rescue, you are helping to put a dent in
the overpopulation problem. For more information on rescues
and rescued dogs, please see the Rescue page.
Golden Rules of Pit Bull Ownership
*Thou shalt properly confine your Pit Bull in a safely fenced yard
or kennel, protected from teasing children, stray animals, and
potential dognappers
*Thou shalt obedience train your Pit Bull--a trained Pit Bull is a
happy Pit Bull (and easier to live with, too!)
*Thou shalt provide adequate daily exercise opportunities for
your Pit Bull
*Thou shalt properly socialize your Pit Bull to a wide variety of
people, places and animals
*Thou shalt keep your Pit Bull under control at all times, whether
on leash or in an escape-proof enclosure.
*Thou shalt accept the fact that Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive
towards other animals and adopt the saying, "Never trust your Pit
Bull not to fight"
Best Reasons to NOT Get a Pit Bull
* You don't have the time to devote to extensive socialization of a puppy
* You are looking for a "bad-ass" dog to boost your ego
* Just watching a dog with a high-energy level makes you tired
* You want Poochie to be best friends with all the other little puppies in town
* You don't want a dog that gets along with people better than you do
* Erecting a six-foot stockade fence, or building a sturdy, large kennel with a top to keep your dog safe when he is outside is out of the question
* Obedience training? What's that?
* You want an outside dog
* You are looking for an "attack" or "guard" dog
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