Step 9

What age of Pit Bull do I want?

Keep in mind some insurance companies do not like specific breeds such as Pit Bulls. Some municipalities have special ordinances for specific breeds.

You might rent now and are planning on buying a house. Wait till you get the house before you get a Pit Bull.   

By this point you should know the level of your commitment. Now is the time to decide what temperament best fits your needs.

What about a puppy?

Many people want to get a cute cuddly puppy but they are a huge time commitment.  Puppies need to be let out every one to three hours.  They also have had no behavioral training so that is up to you.  Puppies tend to chew on almost everything.  If you are considering a puppy you will need to either have someone home most of the day, have flexibility to return home several times a day to let the puppy out or hire a dog walker.  You will also need to put in the time and energy to train your puppy.  Remember that behaviors that seem cute and funny in a five-week-old puppy may be annoying or even dangerous in a full-grown dog.  If you have never had a dog before you may also want to consider training classes.

What about an older Pit Bull? 

There are many things to consider with an older Pit Bull as well.  It is important to listen to the strengths and struggles with the dog you are considering and be honest about your limitations.  Do not get caught so caught up in the process that you ignore warning signs.  Older Pit Bulls may come with their own baggage from their previous homes and bad experiences.  The plus side to adopting an older Pit Bull is that they are out of the hyper stage and the chewing stage so they are calmer and better companions. Many adult Pit Bulls are also potty trained which can allow you to be gone up to eight hours a day with work depending on the Pit Bulls temperament.

What temperament?

Breed is an important factor but not as important as the individual dog’s temperament.  For example if you are a low energy person a puppy Pit Bull is probably not a good fit but a older Pit Bull may be.  If you like to run you should find a young Pit Bull.  Keep in mind that there all always exceptions to the rules though.  Not all Pit Bulls love kids for example, so not only research the breed you are considering but also find out the quirks of the Pit Bull dog.

This is where a foster home setting can be very helpful. 

If you adopt a Pit Bull right out of a shelter it is hard for the staff to really know how a Pit Bull will behave in a home.  Shelters tend to be very loud and full of all kinds of stimulus The Pit Bull may become highly agitated there but be very relaxed at home or the Pit Bull may become withdrawn in the shelter but could prove to be quite playful in a calmer setting.  Foster homes offer the closest representation to how the Pit Bull will behave in your home. What is their energy level, are they potty trained, do they like cats, dogs, kids??? Etc.

It is so important to really get as much information about the breed and the specific Pit Bull you adopt to know if it will fit into your household.

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