Are Pitbulls Good for First-Time Owners? 5 Things First-Time Owners Must Know Before Getting a Pit Bull

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Taking care of pets, especially dogs, is a big responsibility that often requires a lot of time and energy.

For first-time owners, the experience can be especially challenging, especially with breeds such as Pit Bulls, that have a reputation for being demanding.

So, are Pitbulls good for first-time owners?

Pitbulls may not be good for first-time owners as they can be demanding and require a certain kind of care. If you’re a first-time dog owner, you need to do enough research to learn more about Pit Bulls including what they need when it comes to their grooming, diet, health, exercise, and training.

Keep reading to learn more about what kind of owner Pit Bulls need and how to take care of a Pit Bull if you’re a first-time owner.

Do Pit Bulls Need a Certain kind of Owner?

Pit Bulls do need a certain kind of owner because of their nature and reputation for being aggressive.

Their owners need to have enough time and patience to be consistent with the dog’s maintenance and training. They should also be prepared to deal with the stereotypes that come with owning this kind of breed.

It’s generally unadvised for first-time dog owners to have Pit Bulls as they might not have enough skill or experience to keep up with what this breed needs.

Are Pitbulls Naturally Aggressive?

Pit Bulls have a reputation for being aggressive because they were bred and trained to fight with other animals in the past, however, this doesn’t mean that Pit Bulls are naturally aggressive.

Despite their intimidating physical appearance and muscular build, these dogs have friendly personalities as they are highly energetic, playful, and loyal. Surprisingly to some, Pit Bulls are also really affectionate dogs that love to cuddle with their owners and shower them with love.

Their temperament and behavior will mainly depend on their living conditions and their training. So, provided with proper care, they will grow up to be the best companions to all kinds of families and they will not become aggressive unless they were provoked.

Are Pit Bulls High-Maintenance?

Pit Bulls can be high-maintenance, especially for first-time owners. That is because they require a certain kind of care when it comes to their grooming, diet, exercise, and training.

They also require constant attention and hate being left alone. If they were left alone for extended periods of time, they might develop separation anxiety, which causes them to display some destructive behaviors that might even escalate to aggression.

Are Pit Bulls Easy to Train?

Pit Bulls are relatively easy to train and are usually quite obedient with excellent recall for their commands.

Pitties are considered to be highly intelligent, so they can quickly learn new commands as well as remember old commands with little practice.

However, to make the training process easier and more effective, you need to start training the dog from a very young age. You also need to be consistent and patient throughout the training process.

Are Pit Bulls Safe to Have Around Children or Other Pets?

Pit Bulls are safe to have around children or other pets as long as they were properly socialized and trained from a young age.

These dogs can be very affectionate with children and were even raised as nanny dogs. They can also get along with other pets as they are very social and often crave companionship.

However, keep in mind that can be territorial and might react negatively if they were around any humans or pets that they’re unfamiliar with.

If you are going to have your Pit Bull around children or other pets, it’s recommended to supervise all interactions between them and watch for any signs that the dog is uncomfortable or becoming aggressive.

What First-Time Owners Need to Know Before Getting a Pit Bull

If you’re a first-time owner, there are certain things you need to know before getting a Pit Bull.

So, let’s break down all the things you need to know about taking care of Pit Bulls:

Grooming Requirements

It’s easy to groom Pit Bulls as they have single-layered coats with very short hair and they do not shed a lot. Their coats also produce natural oils that help keep them in a good condition.

You need to establish a grooming routine that involves regular bathing and brushing. You also need to use the proper grooming tools and dog-friendly shampoos to avoid irritating the dog’s skin.

It’s recommended to bathe Pit Bulls once or twice a month to prevent dirt and grease from accumulating on their coats. It’s also recommended to brush them at least once a week to remove any loose hair from their coats and help distribute the natural oils.

Diet Requirements

Pit Bulls are not picky about the kind of food they eat, so you just need to provide them with a nutritious, balanced diet with enough calories to help them maintain their energy levels and grow at a healthy rate.

On average, Pit Bulls need to consume about 922 to 1,740 calories in a day, depending on their age, size, and energy levels.

Nutritionists generally advise preparing the dog’s meals using fresh ingredients and avoiding canned food with high levels of preservatives and byproducts. You can check out my recommendations for the best foods for Pit Bulls here.

It’s also advisable to give the dog two meals a day with snacks in between and to match the timing of its meals with your own to help the dog maintain a routine.

Some people recommend that Pit Bulls eat a raw diet only, which is not something I advise, and you can learn more about the raw meat diet for Pit Bulls here where I discuss the pros and cons and why I am not a big fan of it (and none of my dogs are on it currently).

Health Requirements

Pit Bulls are susceptible to developing some health problems including hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, parvovirus, cerebellar abiotrophy, gastric ulcers, eye diseases, cardiac diseases, as well as various skin conditions, and allergies.

You need to test your dog for any hereditary diseases and to give it all the required vaccinations. You also need to take your dog to the vet for regular health check-ups or if you notice any unusual symptoms

Exercise Requirements

Pit Bulls have high energy levels and they enjoy being active. They need to be exercised regularly to burn off any excesses and remain in good shape.

If they don’t get enough exercise, they will become hyperactive or bored which can cause them to display dome destructive behaviors that might even escalate to aggression.

On average, Pit Bull puppies need at least 30 minutes of exercise in a day, while adult Pit Bulls need at least 60 minutes. You can learn more about how much exercise Pit Bull need here.

Some of the exercises you can do with your dog include going on daily walks, climbing stairs, or playing any game that involves lots of movement such as fetch.

Their exercise requirements is one of the reasons that many people don’t believe that Pit Bulls are good for apartments, but this is not usually true. You can learn why Pit Bulls actually make good apartment dogs here where I also explain everything you need to know to keep your Pit Bull in an apartment including the laws you must know and the tips to talk to your landlord.

Training Requirements

As mentioned before, it’s easy to train Pit Bulls if you start when they’re at a young age. It’s also important to remain consistent and patient throughout the training process.

A big part of any dog’s training is the socialization process which involves exposing the dog to different scents, sounds, animals, and people. This will help the dog feel comfortable in new environments and will prevent it from becoming aggressive.

Another part of the dog’s training is disciplining and teaching it to follow different commands. To do that, you need to use proper techniques to encourage or punish its behavior.

It’s best to use positive reinforcement to motivate the dog and encourage desirable behavior. This technique involves praising the dog and giving it treats when it successfully follows a command or does something good.

When it comes to punishing the dog or discouraging undesirable behavior, on the other hand, it’s best to avoid using aggressive techniques like beating or yelling as this will provoke the dog, leading it to misbehave more or become aggressive in return.

You will notice that we have not really discussed the financial burden of owning a Pit Bull in this post, and that’s because it’s quite a topic on its own and we can’t reasonably fit that here. However, I have made a complete guide to the costs of getting and raising a Pit Bull puppy here that has literally everything you need to know before getting a Pittie, so you should definitely check it out.

What Are the Best Dog Breeds for First Time Owners?

The best dog breeds for first-time owners include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and Greyhounds. These dogs are known to be highly intelligent which makes them easy to train. They are also energetic, playful, and affectionate which make great companions to any family.

However, with that being said, if you are determined, you can get any dog even as a first dog. With enough time and effort dedicated to learning, training, and handling the dog, you really can live with any dog breed, but keep in mind that most people think they are ready to put in the time and effort and this quickly changes when the time actually comes.

If you are looking to get a bully breed as a first-time dog owner, or as a dog owner with not so much experience under your belt, I highly recommend you check out my guide on getting an American Bully as a first-time dog owner here before making the decision to make sure you really are ready and have what it takes.

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