Pit Bulls are misunderstood, feared, and over crowding shelters all over the place. The sad reality is that all the negative traits about Pit Bulls are common knowledge, while few may have an understanding of their unique and special characteristics that surely make them lovable and adoptable. Media outlets tend to portray the negative, reporting that Pit Bull attacks are on the rise, and have made the debate over Pit Bulls’ nature particularly heated. Pit Bull breed bans have have spread the ugly stereotype that all Pit Bulls are innately aggressive, jaw-locking, and unsocial. All of which are absolute pit bull misconceptions. While the American Pit Bull Terrier was originally bred with selective traits for fighting, the breed has several remarkable, positive traits. There are great reasons why in the early 1900s, pit bulls were given the title of “Nanny Dog.” They were known to be faithful, loving, and loyal, especially when it came to babies and children. A child’s safety was practically guaranteed.
Pit Bulls Love People
In their “Pit Bull Facts,” The Villalobos Rescue center cites a 1999 article by Dunbar that shines a light on the sweet nature of properly bred Pibbles.
“Today, a properly bred Pit Bull is so exuberantly happy upon meeting her owner’s friends (or even friendly strangers) that new owners sometimes worry that their dog is too sweet and fun-loving to protect their home and family. A multitalented companion, the well-trained Pit Bull is suited for a variety of exciting activities. He excels at obedience, agility and weight pulling competitions, events, which showcase intelligence, training ability and strength. In addition, the Pit Bull’s pleasant nature makes him an ideal candidate for therapy work with people.”
They make excellent companions for their humans with their loving and loyal attitudes, an ideal pit bull trait. Like all dogs, their personality and behavior will depend greatly on their upbringing. If raised to show dominance and rewarded for protecting through aggression, that is the type of dog that will develop.
You may ask yourself, if they’re so trainable, why do Pit Bulls attack? While there is no perfect dog, Pit Bulls that are taught respectful boundaries and positive commands, will be eager to please and satisfy their human with love, snuggle, and those wet Pitty kisses.
Pit Bulls Are Very Receptive to Training
Because their main goal is to make their master happy, they strive to follow their commands and get approval from their owner. Lots of positive reinforcement and love shows a Pit Bull they are doing a good job, and makes them even more eager to please. An excellent pit bull trait is that they can be trained to do all sorts of commands and tricks. Understanding a dog’s behavior early on and being proactive in socialization is key to reduce likelihood of aggressiveness towards other dogs or humans. As per Dogtime, “their tenacity, gameness, and courage make them popular competitors in the sports of weight pulling, agility, and obedience competition. They rank the Pit Bull as 4/5 in their easiness to train, wanderlust tendencies, and intelligence.
Pit Bulls Are Excellent Role Models
While dogs are our best friends and family members, not only do they have a special place in our hearts, but they have ideal traits to mimic in our human lives. Owning Pit Bulls teaches us to be curious and engaged, to stay active and playful, to remain loyal. Pit Bull owners may face a lot of criticism and judgement by those who fear and believe various Pit Bull myths. Remaining mindful and present, like stoic Pit Bull is a trait that would benefit us all.
While great strides have been and continue to be made, Pit Bull advocacy continues to be necessary around the world. Sponsor a Pit Bull today and help another sweet Pibble become a part of the movement to break the stigmas and bring joy to a family’s hearts.
I adopted my first pit bull a few months ago . My kids are grown and I found myself longing to serve another purpose in my life . I came across a pit bull puppy getting ready to go to a shelter due to neglect . I was kind of hesitant at first due to all I have heard about how dangerous a pit bull can be . My pitty is named Roxy and I love her so very much ! I have had her 5 months now and she is the most loving gentle smart full of life little dog I’ve ever had . I’m so grateful to have her . She loves to snuggle and she loves my kitty cats as well …
She loves long walks , rides in the car and she doesn’t like to be away from me . I wish someone would read my story and give a pit bull a chance of a good life that deserve
Dawn,
Thank you so much for your comments and for sharing your story. We had never had a pit bull before Rocky came into our lives and now we will never own another breed. They are the most loving, loyal, and personable dogs you could ever hope for. Thank you for giving Roxy a chance, we are confident she will make you fall in love with the breed!
I have falling in love whit the breed I hade one that was mine and he is called buddy it’s was to be said like this my buddy my friend my everything and more and I loved hem so much we bonded to togerther we both fell in so much that he hade to hide the thing that I could not CHANCE and it’s not fair that it went that way because I hade my man and now her all I got because my buddy we hafe to put hem down last July and that month was 3years goin from me and and NoW buddy is whit My mom they are togetheir that I DoD know knowledge that they are just that because they both of them. Next month both of them WENT in this next month that they both passed away in the same month my mom well be goin for 4 year’s and my beautiful spicual buddy well be 1 year. And for both its hardest THING I hade to dealing whit it hurts me in the month but my mom her brithday is in this month on the 15 of this month so it hurts me a lot and I don’t know what to do but sad as its been. For me I have hade chance to fall again in love whit a pit bull and she is in riverside va and I am trying to get her HEIR to help me out and I know and knowledge that thid pitbull red nose can be the best for me and I don’t know if I got her or not but I wanted her so bade it’s all I can think of I just can’t do a thing and I want to go get her my self but I have no money and I don’t know what to do to get heir. The dog but I have to get my heir to me and I need her heir my back if mt legs are swelling upand don’t know what. To do my family don’t want me at all but I think they are just not good at all so I put all my time in a that is far away but t want her heir whit me and her heir my life would be the last pice to compel so much
Thank you sorry that this story is so sad
Our pitbulls name is also Rocky. They are the most misunderstood breed and until u have owned one u will never know what an amazing dog u have.
I own a Pit Bull, her name is Bailey. I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old and she just turned 3 years old in June. She is literally the most gentle dog I’ve ever owned. She helped me through my anxiety. My mom is epileptic and has health issues, whenever my mom doesn’t feel good she doesn’t leave her side same thing goes for me. She won’t leave my side and always wants to he with me, I take her anywhere I can. She is amazing with kids, great with other dogs and even cats. She just wants to play all the time. She very loving and just wants everyone’s love, as long as they are not threatening to me. When I take her to the dog park she greets all the people there then plays with the other dogs, but will still seek the attention of a person. My cat will play bite Bailey and she just sits there and takes it and never gets aggressive. I love pit bulls and I wouldn’t give her up no matter what. It’s always who owns them, not the breed.
My pit is Bella, she is a loving, loyal, lap dog that has rescued me. I have never lived alone and now that I do she has been a joy to have around. She is about a year old and came from a home where she was an outside dog on a chain. She still has a lot to learn but for sure a loving dog
I’ve also adopted a pitbull from a close friend whiles it was still a puppy his name is Drake . At first I was so not sure about adopting pitbull due to their history but I gave it a try. Now I can’t imagine a day passing by without playing with him. He’s a loving dog and he’s loyal to the family. He loves my kids so much, and also like attention. The love I and my family get from Drake it’s priceless. He’s over protective over my 3 year old child he doesn’t like hearing him cry he bucks a lot whenever my boy cry until he keeps quiet. My son loves sitting next to Drake every time he’s sad. I love my pitbull
I’ve also adopted a pitbull from a close friend whiles it was still a puppy his name is Drake . At first I was so not sure about adopting pitbull due to their history but I gave it a try. Now I can’t imagine a day passing by without playing with him. He’s a loving dog and he’s loyal to the family. He loves my kids so much, and also like attention. The love I and my family get from Drake it’s priceless. He’s over protective over my 3 year old child he doesn’t like hearing him cry he bucks a lot whenever my boy cry until he keeps quiet. My son loves sitting next to Drake every time he’s sad. I love my pitbull
We totally agree! We adopted our first, she is a American Pitbull Terrier and she fits your description exactly, except she doesn’t like other dogs…… but she is so very loving and smart! Couldn’t Love her more!
We are an older couple ( 77 & 74) we just lost our dog to seizures and it was very lonely. We visited our Humane society and rescued 2 pitties. Luca the oldest now 3 and Maxwell now 2 yrs old. They are the goofiest loving and wonderful babies we have ever had. Loves everyone. Wonderful & smart.
I adopted Coco approximately 5 years ago I was told she was 3 years old she was curled up in a corner she was actually the last dog I had seen at the shelter I adopted her she had some minor issues as far as the house within a month she’s exactly what I thought she would be unfortunately 3 years later she got sick on Christmas Eve reported to the vet they ran tests they told me she was anywhere from 11 to 12 years old we lost her the day after Christmas about five months later we adopted another dog knowing she was only a year-and-a-half-old for sure now at 4 years old she has very little time left she has cancer to with the second dog we have about two years now I’ve spent over $10,000 in vet bills and I would do it all again if I had to
I inherited my first Pit Bull named Diesel. He was about 4 yrs and had lots of energy. I was afraid of him but he turned out to be my greatest comfort when i needed him. The biggest cry baby ever! After 5 yrs I lost him to liver failure. I was devastated. My home felt so empty without him. Almost a month later I adopted Pea Bea, very different personalities but just as loyal, loving as Diesel. I believe that both these dogs were sent to me by an angel.
I have always had a pit since I was a child.. I have had a White German Shepard, Rottweiler but always went back to the pit..my Rottweiler was unpredictable and the German Shepard would needlessly bite a stranger.. but all my pits were loving and affectionate to not only me but also my friends.. I had 3 pits at once recently, I would call them my package of T.N.T not because they were trouble but because of their names Tiny-Niner-Thor.. I had to put Niner the mother down on 1/19/20.. I got her on 1/19/10 ..10 years to the day..but she got cancer and I had to put her down..that killed me inside and I’m not ashamed to say that I cried in front of the vet when it happened.. I still have Tiny who’s now 10 and Thor who’s about to turn 3..Her son’s.. I know that I will be crying again for each of them one day,but I’ll say this.. they’re all full of love and I wouldn’t give up them or memories of them up for anything..as I always say “Love Your Pit”
I like how the pit bulls have a really good feeling about sleeping and that it will protect you from danger and it will also be your best friend.
3 yr old pittie here. She is super gentle with the kids, loves everybody, and even teaches the pups we foster how to be good dogs themselves. If you want a guard dog, get a German shepherd. I would just as soon see her making a robber a cup of coffee than even barking at them.
I own a Pit Bull, her name is Bailey. I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old and she just turned 3 years old in June. She is literally the most gentle dog I’ve ever owned. She helped me through my anxiety. My mom is epileptic and has health issues, whenever my mom doesn’t feel good she doesn’t leave her side same thing goes for me. She won’t leave my side and always wants to he with me, I take her anywhere I can. She is amazing with kids, great with other dogs and even cats. She just wants to play all the time. She very loving and just wants everyone’s love, as long as they are not threatening to me. When I take her to the dog park she greets all the people there then plays with the other dogs, but will still seek the attention of a person. My cat will play bite Bailey and she just sits there and takes it and never gets aggressive. I love pit bulls and I wouldn’t give her up no matter what. It’s always who owns them, not the breed.
That was my Diesel! We’d walk into the house and he’d be snoring away on the sofa! Wouldn’t even budge… If someone rang the doorbell, he’d run to go find his bone then run to the door.
Best dog i ever had ..i had maybe 12-15 in my life…hands down my blue nose was the best..sadly.passed away recently..heartbroken
I have 3 pitbulls owned 4 different breeds my pits are the beast ones
My wife and I were in rescue for many years. We handled a lot of pitties, including some that were fought. We NEVER had a bad pitty. We had one Amstaff that had been fought. After adoption, the parents sent us a picture of Lazarus on the floor with two little kittens. These dogs have an amazing capacity to forget the bad things they have experienced and live in the happy present. Our cure t dog was tortured and neglected to the point he actually died at the vet. The vet brought him around and today he is a big sweet 120 pound love muffin.
I’ve had my pitbull riskey since the day he was born he seven years old now and he’s a registered service dog is a Staffordshire terrier and he is very loving and gentle and very obedient very intelligent he is the trend in what is a real gentleman and The treasure of my life I wouldn’t trade him for the world. Donna walker
We have a 3 year old Put and she is just so sweet and very loving. This is not our first Pit but now that isa all we want. She was a premy so still only 30 pou d’s but thinks she is 140 pounds. Lol. But still very playful and Love snuggles.
I have been around friends pitbulls my entire life. I have never seen any of them overly aggressive. 2 and half years ago a 5 month old red nose male was being severely neglected. A third party took him out of that bad situation but couldn’t keep him permanently. B4 she took him to a shelter I decided to take him. What a great decision. He loves other people, loves to play with other dogs, is protective of my mom and especially protective of my 86 year old grandma. He is smart as hell as well. Pit Bulls when raised correctly make a wonderfull addition to any family. Only people who have never been around them talk shit about pitties.
10 year old pit mix. Sweetest girl ever!
I’ve always had pitbull’s ever since i was 16 im 46 now and have 2 clyde and trixie, and im here to tell you there the best dog’s in my opinion. There beautiful loving animals and get my mother had 2 pitbulls in her life she has a vicious chihuahua lol ooh but my 2 pit’s love her and there crazy about my mom. Pitbulls are the best
I bought my grandson a 2 month old pittie 18 months ago (staffordshire terrier). He is a college senior and she lives with him and the rest of his basketball team. I puppysit frequently. In fact she is slerping peacefully on my bed as I sit writing this. She is THE most lovable dog I have ever had the joy of knowing and Ive had Golden retievers, Labs, and Springer Spaniels. SHE is by far more snuggly, lovable, protective and gentle than all my others.
I’ve owned 2 Pitt babies named Diesel & Daena. They were brother and sister that I adopted. They were the most loving dogs ever! I am a military vet with PTSD. My pits were always there for me. They alerted me when I was about to have an anxiety attack or when I was sad. I’ve lived alone and its always been just me and my babies. They were my family and my friends. We all enjoyed life together. I sadly lost Daena in 2019 to cancer and then Diesel this year due to spinal vertebrae issues. I miss them everyday. The best dogs ever. I prayed to them to guide me to a new pity love and they led me to Cooper a lab/pit I rescued. He has a bit more energy from the lab but is so loving like my Pitts. Please consider a pit bull if you are looking at a dog, you will not be disappointed. 🙂