3 Reasons You Should Adopt A Senior Pit Bull
If you love dogs and would like to become a pet parent, but dread the idea of house training a puppy, it is a good idea to consider adopting a senior pit bull. Unfortunately, pit bulls are often dropped off at an animal shelter when their owners find out that pit bulls are not allowed in a new living situation, and senior pit bulls will frequently be relinquished to shelters when they are no longer as energetic as they once were. If you love the idea of a loyal and trained dog who does not have the almost overwhelming energy level associated with most puppies, the following information about adopting senior pit bulls will be very helpful.
#1-Pit Bull Includes Many Different Breeds
One common misconception is that the pit bull is just one breed. Instead, it is a rather generic term that includes the American Staffordshire, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bully and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Although the breeds often have a similar appearance, they are different types of dogs. For instance, the American Staffordshire is often a bigger dog than an American Pit Bull Terrier, and the American Pit Bull Terrier is considered by many experts to be easier to train.
As a result, you are likely to find that choosing an older dog classified as a pit bull is a great fit for your home and lifestyle.
#2-Senior Dogs Have Usually Been House Trained And Have Doggy Manners
If you want a well-trained animal who knows to let you know when a potty break is needed and does not jump on your visitors, you should consider adopting a senior pit bull. Because they lack the energy levels of puppies and since they have often spent time around families, it is easy to find a senior dog who has already received adequate training. In addition, puppies have the unpopular habit of chewing on everything, from shoes to remote controls, until you can break them of that habit.
Except for a few rare dogs who may chew as a nervous habit, that would rarely be an issue for a senior pit bull. Since approximately three out of ten dogs at animal shelters are classified as a pit bull, there are many dogs to choose from.
#3-They Are A Lot Nicer Than You Might Think
It is important to point out that all of the dogs classified as a pit bull are strong, smart dogs. They are also stubborn, loyal to their owners and hard-working. As a result, in recent years, it has become more common to see them working as police or military dogs. You can even see them as service animals, and obviously, aggressive dogs who bite everyone would not be used in any of those capacities. Choosing a senior pit bull will give an often misunderstood animal a loving home.
It will also be useful to consider that it was recently reported that the Applied Animal Behavior Science journal documented that in a study about dog aggression, pit bulls were determined to be average to below average. Chihuahuas, Jack Russell Terriers, and Dachshunds were all considered to be more aggressive than pit bulls. That is thought to be due to the fact that it is not as common to need medical care for a bite from small dogs, so those bites often go unreported.
In conclusion, pit bulls have often gotten a bad reputation as the result of poor training and a lack of control by their owners. If you want a dog that will be very loyal to you and your family, but doesn't need the extensive training and reinforcement required by the majority of young dogs, you are likely to find that adopting a senior pit bull is an ideal choice.
For more information, contact Pilot Knob Animal Hospital or a similar location.
