13 Reasons Pitbulls Are So Popular 

why are pitbulls so popular

Head to the dog park or take a walk around town, and you’ll most likely notice plenty of Pitbulls! Pitbulls have increasingly become the dog of choice for thousands of families across America in recent years. 

So why the sudden boom? Why are Pitbulls so popular? 

Pitbulls are outgoing and up for anything, easy to train, and extremely loyal. They’re certainly not small dogs, but they’re also not so big that they can’t easily adapt to urban environments. Pitbulls are also easy to groom and relatively healthy! All this makes them a great choice for many families!

Let’s explore a little more about Pitbulls and their awesome personalities in order to understand just why this breed has become one of our favorites. 

1. Pitbulls are Friendly!

Pitbulls are very friendly and affectionate dogs. Unfortunately, sometimes their reputation says otherwise.

But what do the facts say?

According to tests from the American Temperament Society, pitbulls are less likely to show aggression compared to Golden Retrievers! In other words, the data doesn’t support the pitbull’s reputation as an aggressive dog.

Unfortunately, Pitbulls have a history of cruelly being used as fighting dogs, and some owners purposely try to encourage aggressive behaviors. This has caused nearly severe damage to the breed’s reputation. While most Pitbulls aren’t naturally aggressive, socialization is always a good idea- just as it is for any dog breed. 

Proper socialization will bring out their lovable, friendly nature. Part of proper socialization will include teaching your pit bull not to be overbearing. Sometimes Pitbulls can be so overly friendly that they may come off a little strong as they greet other humans or dogs. Your pitbull will need to learn some manners on how to calmly greet everyone they might meet. 

Check out some of the well-socialized (and very silly) Pitbulls for some great examples of just how friendly this breed can be:

2. They’re Very Loyal

Pitbulls are loyal dogs. Once they find their people, they’ll love you forever. Pitbulls form deep attachments to the humans they see as family, and you can rest assured your pitbull will never leave your side. Pitbulls have an intense desire to please, which they’ll show you by cuddling, wanting to play, and picking up on new tricks quickly. 

Pit bulls have proven their loyalty throughout history. During the Civil War, one pit bull named Sallie proved her loyalty by serving with a Union regiment for over two years. Sallie’s job was to take care of injured soldiers on the field until help could arrive. She’s just one example of the many ways pit bulls exhibit their loyalty to their humans! 

3. Pitbulls Have a Fun Personality

Own a pit bull? We promise you’ll never be bored. 

Pit bulls are fun and outgoing dogs with a great personality, which makes them very popular as pets. While all dogs have unique character traits, pit bulls just seem to have the quirky personality that’s sure to constantly entertain their owners. 

Pit bulls love to please, and they are constantly seeking attention. They’re always up for playtime, cuddle time, or anything in between. Because pit bulls have such strong personalities, especially as puppies, they definitely need adequate exercise to keep them engaged and out of trouble.

Most Pitties need 45 minutes to an hour of exercise daily but even when they aren’t running around these big personalities still need something to do! A crowd favorite is the bouncy and almost indestructible KONG toy which you can see on Amazon. Fill this thing up with food, bounce it around and your pit bull will have plenty to do! 

4. Pitbulls Love to Cuddle! 

If you own a pit bull, you know they are big love bugs. They love to cuddle, snuggle, and be close to their humans. They’ll take a good pet at any and all times of the day. As you can see from this video, they can get quite upset if they’re not getting enough attention:

Because they love to cuddle, Pitbulls will constantly want to be close to you. You’ll find them trying to crawl in your lap while you’re sitting on the couch or hopping up into bed while you’re sleeping. They hate being too far away from you. 

As Pitbulls can weigh anywhere from 40 to 70 pounds, be prepared for your hunk of a pup to crash on your lap whenever they can. 

5. They Have a Great Temperament

While pit bulls are adventurous and active dogs, they know when it’s time to chill. They love to relax and are very good at calming down when you need some down time.

Pit bulls are also the perfect mix of submissive and brave. While they will absolutely submit and be obedient to you because of their desire to please, they also won’t back down from protecting you if they sense you might be in danger. 

Pitbulls actually have such a great temperament, they were actually nicknamed “nanny dogs” in the early 20th century because they were so good with children. They are calm, loving, and absolutely able to protect your family.

6. Their Looks are Striking 

It’s no secret that pit bulls are beautiful, unique-looking dogs. Owners love to show off their handsome pit bulls at the park, on walks, or even on social media

Pit bulls have a huge variety of looks. They’re typically recognizable by their boxy face and muscular body, but they can be virtually any color and vary quite a bit by size and shape. 

When they’re in good shape, pit bulls have a great height and weight proportion. They are also very athletic, with the ability to run fast and jump high. 

Overall, pit bulls are well-built and just generally attractive dogs.

7. Pitbulls Can Be Good Watch Dogs

While pit bulls are not necessarily great guard dogs because they’re so friendly (they may want to love on would-be intruders), they can be good watchdogs. Since they’re so loyal, they’ll want to protect and communicate with their family. It’s easy to teach your pit bull to bark and alert you when someone is at your door. They can be better than any alarm system!

Because pit bulls bond so well with their families, they’ll naturally want to protect you. One man learned this when four men intent on robbery broke into his house. This man’s newly-rescued pit bulls, Ellabelle and Ladybug, chased the intruders out and stood guard over their human! They made the perfect watchdogs to protect their owner and their home.

8. Pitbulls Can Be Great Family Dogs 

If you’ve been around Pitbulls, you’ve probably noticed the excessive tail-wagging and attempted kisses as they greet you. 

Well-socialized Pitbulls love getting attention from any and all humans. The plus side of this is that they’ll bond with the entire family, instead of just one person. They adapt to their environments and new situations very well. 

With a few precautions, Pitbulls can be great with kids. Make sure you introduce them to young children slowly and safely, and also make sure those young kids know how to act and treat a dog. While Pitbulls are solidly built and can handle a few rough pats or tail tugs, they shouldn’t have to endure this all the time. 

Your pit bull will be just as loyal to your kids as he is to you, and probably even more protective. This strong sense of attachment makes Pitbulls great family dogs. 

9. They’re Adventurous!

Pitbulls are very athletic and bold, and they’ll be up for just about any adventure you want to take them on, whether that be walking, running, swimming, or hiking. They’re good-natured, and they want to please you. 

On the flip side, if you aren’t a super active person, your pit bull will be just fine with that too. On average, Pitbulls need between 30 and 40 minutes of exercise per day–that’s on the low side for dogs their size. 

10. Pitbulls Are Very Smart and Easy to Train

Pit bulls are known for their intelligence, and they are very easy to train. They’ll pick up easy commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come” very easily before you can move on to more complicated tricks. 

As with any dog, make sure your training is consistent and positively reinforced. Because pit bulls have such an intense desire to please, they’ll be easy to train, and they’ll be obedient after they’re trained. 

Between their intelligence and good temperament, some pit bulls have even gone on to more intense training and certifications. 

One pit bull named Blueberry, who was formerly rescued from NFL player Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring in 2007, went on to become a certified therapy dog. Blueberry has visited numerous schools, hospitals, and nursing centers, and she even provided comfort to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. 

Pit bulls are also becoming more commonly used by police forces. One rescued pit bull named Popsicle served in Texas as a drug dog and was involved in one of the biggest cocaine busts in history. Popsicle is now happily retired. 

Dogs like Blueberry and Popsicle are proof of pit bulls’ incredible intelligence and ability to serve.

11. Pitbulls Are Low-Maintenance

Pit bulls are pretty low-maintenance dogs. They are flexible on schedules and they’re able to adjust easily to new situations, making your life a lot easier when it comes to caring for your pup. 

Pit bulls also have very few grooming needs, compared to other breeds like German shepherds or poodles. That’s because pit bulls have short hair. While they will still shed, it will be minimal, and other than a good bath once in a while, you won’t really need to ever take them to a groomer, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Pit bulls also do not require any special sort of diet or food. As long as the dog food you choose is healthy and nutritious, your pit bull should thrive. 

12. They’re Good with Other Animals. 

Have other pets? No need to worry with a pit bull. They are fairly tolerant dogs. As long as you introduce your pets slowly and safely, giving them plenty of time and space to get acclimated, they should get along just fine. Properly socialized pit bulls are calm and peaceful, and they won’t start any trouble with other pets. 

13. Pitbulls are Healthy. 

Pitbulls actually have a very long life expectancy, usually between 12 and 15 years. Unlike many other medium and large breed dogs, Pitbulls suffer from comparatively few common health problems like hip dysplasia, heart problems, or various cancers.

 Even as your pit bull gets older, with proper care, they will most likely stay healthy for the duration of their lives. Part of this reason is because Pitbulls are not purebred dogs. They are a grouping of breeds relating to terriers and bulldogs. Dogs with this kind of mixed heritage often suffer fewer health problems than do purebreds. 

While Pitbulls of course require regular vet checkups like any dog, they’ll most likely be fairly easy when it comes to keeping them happy and healthy.

Conclusion 

If you’re searching for a new pet who is smart, loyal, adventurous, and low-maintenance, look no further! A pit bull might be the perfect match for you. 

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