When Do Pit Bull Heads Split? And When Do They Reach Full Growth?
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Pit Bulls are known to have a distinctive head shape that is wide and slightly squared. As they grow older, the Pit Bull’s head shape will start to split or crack.
This change might not always be noticeable to the Pit Bull’s owner, but it’s still important when it happens.
So, when do Pit Bull heads split? Pit Bull heads split or crack when they’re at the age of 6 months. This means that the dog’s head will start to expand until it reaches its full size at the age of 2. Keep in mind that this change will not always be noticeable to owners because it happens gradually and slowly.
Keep on reading to find out more about what it means for a Pit Bull’s head to split or crack and when Pit Bulls reach full growth.
What Does Head Splitting Mean for Pit Bulls?
The term “head split” in Pit Bulls simply indicates the process by which the dog develops into an adult and reaches full growth. This process is also known by other names, such as spreading, splitting, and cracking.
The dog’s head doesn’t physically split apart, as some misguided owners may imagine. However, the shape of the dogs will change slightly.
As the dog gets older, there will be an increase in facial muscle growth, with the cheek and top of the head muscles growing bigger and more pronounced.
This change might not always be noticeable to the dog’s owners as it happens slowly and gradually.
When Do Pit Bull Heads Split?
Pit Bull heads will start to “split” at some point when they reach the age of about 6 months, and the process will continue until they’re at least 1 or 2 years of age.
As the muscles in your Pit Bull completely mature, their face will enlarge, and they will start to acquire a split in the center of their head.
This isn’t often noticeable to owners as some Pit Bulls may still have smaller heads, so they may not fully develop and expand until they are approximately two years old or older.
By the time Pit Bulls are at least 1 year old, they should start to reach a mature height and weight, although it is not unusual for some puppies to take longer than that to do so, sometimes taking up to 2 years.
I have another guide that also explains how the same process happens to Bullies and how it differs from what happens with Pit Bulls; check out my guide to when American Bullies’ heads split here.
When Do Pit Bulls Reach Adulthood?
The majority of Pit Bull Terriers continue to grow until they are about 2 or 3 years old.
When Pit Bulls reach adulthood, they will begin to gain weight and fill out, developing the muscle that they are known for. You will also observe that their head shape will change as their muscles mature.
The growth and development of your puppy’s muscles can take a surprisingly long period, and it varies from one dog to another depending on factors like the dog’s genetics, gender, health, diet, and exercise.
When they reach growth, male Pit Bulls will weigh from 35 to 60 pounds, and their height will be 18 to 21 inches. Meanwhile, female Pit Bulls tend to be smaller in size, so they will weigh from 30 to 50 pounds, and their height will be 17 to 20 inches.
If you feel like you’re dog is not growing as much as it should when it reaches 2 or 3 of age, it’s recommended to take it to a vet so you can determine if there are any problems hindering the dog’s growth.
Do all Pit Bulls Have Big Heads?
Pitbulls are well-known for having a strong, athletic build. Some of them might be taller and slimmer than others, while others are shorter and fatter.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Pit Bulls is their relatively big heads. Pit Bulls have wide, square-shaped heads with fleshy square noses and huge almond-shaped eyes.
It’s possible for some of them to have a normal-sized head, but if they shed a huge amount of weight or become severely underweight, they will appear to have a bigger head than normal.
In the end, the Pit Bull’s big head is solely a result of breeding and its physical structure.
The jaw muscles of Pit Bulls are connected to the top of their heads, giving them a larger look as well as exceptional biting skills and outstanding gripping ability.
Another reason they have big heads is selective breeding, as people actively focus on inbreeding dogs to get certain desirable features.
In contrast to modern Pit Bulls, the original pit bulls in the past had significantly smaller skulls.
Unfortunately, owing to dogfighting, many breeders aimed to make puppies with blockier heads, as a dog with a huge head is typically considered significantly more frightening and scary.
Related Questions
Why Do Pit Bulls Have Wrinkles on Their Foreheads?
Pit Bulls have wrinkles on their foreheads because they have some excess skin around their faces, which they are naturally born with. As the Pit Bull reaches the age of maturity, its head will grow bigger, and the wrinkled skin on its forehead will spread out and become tighter.
Can Pit Bulls Run Normally While Having Large Heads?
Pit Bulls can normally run while having large heads. That is because the size of their head is proportionate to the rest of their body, which means they will not have any problems with staying balanced. Most Pits can usually run as fast as 30 miles per hour.
Which Dog Breeds Have Blockheads?
The dog breeds that have blockheads are English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, certain lineages of Pit Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, some Labrador breeds, and Boxers. If these dogs get overly thin, their heads will seem larger than the rest of their bodies.
How to Strengthen Your Pit Bull’s Jaw?
To strengthen your Pit Bull, you need to exercise the dog’s muscles in its jaw regularly. The best way to exercise the muscles in the dog’s jaws is to play a game of tug of war with the dog using a strong rope. You can also give your dog some high-quality chew toys.
Helpful Resources
Top 7 Dog Breeds with Big Heads
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