•What is a "pit bull"?

•Pit bull myths and facts

•The pit bull (over)population problem

•Obtaining a pit bull

•Ownership issues

•Photo album

•Aggression

•Breed-specific legislation

•Dog bites / Dog safety

•Friends and enemies

•How you can help

•Positive pit bull stories

•FAQs

•Bookstore

•Merchandise for pit bull lovers

•Toys

•Links

•About the author

•Felanie and Dozer

When it comes to pit bulls, finding the right owner is the most important step in protecting this breed type. Bad ownership, or even just stupid ownership, while undesirable for any dog, is the worst possible scenario for the pit bull. Their already tarnished reputation only gets worse with every bad decision made by an ignorant owner.

You will find that the guidelines for owning a pit bull are similar to those of almost any other breed, but due to the pit bull's soiled reputation, some requirements are essential due to the vital necessity of owning a well-behaved pit bull. If you are considering getting a pit bull, think about the following:

Pit bulls should not be kept outdoors twenty-four hours a day. They will become bored and destructive, and have a reputation for being escape artists. Pit bulls should spend as much time as possible with their owner for their own mental well-being. Pit bulls have very short coats and should not be left outside in cold weather.

Pit bulls are very strong dogs and the owner should be able to maintain sufficient control over the dog even when it is excited. On walks, pit bulls can be strong leash pullers, and can pull a person down if they get a good running start. For this reason, owners must constantly be on the alert when walking their dog.

As with many other breeds, pit bulls depend on a strong leader. Pit bull owners must be fair and firm. They must be able to put their foot down! Owners should also understand dog communication and how dogs interact.

A pit bull owner should put their dog into obedience and socialization classes as early as possible, and keep the dog in classes for as long as necessary to ensure an obedient, well-behaved representative of the breed.

Pit bull owners must be educated about the origins of the breed type and the current controversies surrounding the breed. They must be able to tolerate discrimination and prejudice due to their choice of breed. Pit bull owners must be prepared for breed-specific legislation in their area which may place restrictions on their ability to own a pit bull, or may ban the breed entirely. They should also be prepared to fight such legislation should it appear in their area. Homeowner's insurance is similarly difficult to obtain when one owns a pit bull.

Owners should be prepared for the possibility that their pit bull will be dog-aggressive, destructive, hyperactive, or otherwise difficult to manage. While this is a possibility with any dog of any breed, a destructive or aggressive pit bull only contributes to the stereotype. Such dogs must be owned and handled by responsible, knowledgeable owners who don't allow their dogs' problems to become anyone else's problem.

And above all, pit bull owners must be responsible dog owners! Pit bulls should not be allowed to run loose. They need to be spayed or neutered. They should be expected to follow house rules. They should not be punished with physical force. They must be loved and cared for, not ignored. Owners should be very involved in their dog's life. They must be prepared for the financial and time expenses related to owning a dog.

These points are all applicable to any dog owner. You should never get a dog if you are unprepared for it in any way. But pit bulls are a little more of everything you can expect from a dog. They are smarter, more loving, more loyal, more persistent, and stronger than most other dogs. They are also more feared, more hated, more restricted, more mythologized, and more abused than almost any other dog. So you will have to be a little more prepared for a pit bull than any other type of dog.

A lot of pit bull experts warn against pit bulls for a first-time dog owner. The reasoning behind this caution is that first-time dog owners generally don't have a clue about the responsibilities of caring for a dog, and pit bulls must have responsible, experienced owners. This can be true. However, I think that even a first time dog owner, if they are committed enough and responsible enough, can make a fine pit bull owner. To me, what makes the difference between a good owner and a bad owner is not so much experience as it is responsibility. A responsible owner will learn, research, take classes, talk to experienced dog people, train their dog, and spend a lot of time making sure their dog is being cared for in the best possible way.