Pit Bull Awareness

Pit Bull Training Tips

2008-01-17T08:28:00.000-05:00

PIT BULL TRAINING TIPS

The APBT is an extremely bright dog, and very trainable and the thing they want to do most in life is please their owners. The most important thing to do with a Pit Bull is to exercise them everyday. If this is something you can't do, this might not be the right breed for you. This breed has so much energy that they need to release it on a daily basis or it will build up inside of them. This can then lead to aggression. Also, it is good to exercise your dog before you walk them, as this will help make them calm and easier to teach on their walk. It is also very important to socialize them with other Dogs and People at an early age. Doing this can never come to early in their life. When socializing, always make sure that you are in control of your Dog and the situation you put them in. Remember to always stay CALM & ASSERTIVE! I strongly recommend that any Dog owner watch Cesar Millan's "Dog Whisperer". Read his book and watch his DVD's. You will learn so much about how a Dog's mind works, what makes them do certain things, what the dog's needs are, proper ways of correcting them without hurting them, and how you play such an important role in how your Dog lives their life. I’ve listed some of Cesar’s “Priority” training advice that will make a difference in your dog’s life and how they live day to day. Believe me, IT WORKS! Thanks Cesar.

• Walk your dog every day for at least 45 minutes to an hour. Walking with your dog twice a day for 30 minutes is the first step toward improving your relationship with your dog. The walk is the foundation of your relationship. It is a powerful tool that will help you connect with all aspects of your dog's mind.

• Set rules, boundaries and limitations every day. As a pack leader, you need to set the rules both inside and outside the house. What you allow and don't allow is up to you, but be consistent, use calm-assertive energy, and never, ever correct out of anger.

• Live in the moment. Start every day with a clean slate for you and your dog. Let go of the past. Don't worry about the future. With your dog and in your day-to-day life, you will find many benefits.

• Schedule playtime with your dog at least once a week. Play fetch. Go for a swim. Play Frisbee. Run an obstacle course. Just make sure your dog has had a long walk beforehand, and only play for the time you have decided in advance to allot.

• Share affection...at the right times only. After your dog has exercised or eaten. After your dog has changed an unwanted behavior into a behavior that you asked for. After your dog has responded to a rule or command. Share affection only when the dog is in a calm-submissive state!

• DON'T SCREAM AT YOUR DOG! Dogs often perceive loud vocalizing by humans in an excited, emotional state as a sign of instability. They will either be unaffected by your tantrum or confused and frightened by it. They will not relate this to your rules. Use a calm, assertive voice and you will have much better results.

PUPPY TIPS:

Teach your puppy to willingly give you food and toys when you ask for them.
Give them lots of positive experiences with people of all ages and gender. Keep interactions fun.
Once they have all their shots, take them to very public places. By putting a puppy in these situations, they will not be frightened by them later.

Socialize them with other dogs/animals often when they are young. But, make sure they are being supervised and being socialized with well-behaved, well-controlled dogs.
When a Pit Bull Puppy show aggression towards another animal or person: quickly snatch them off the ground, hold them eye to eye with you and give a firm "NO". Do not ever strike them, there is no reason for this, as your firm command will be enough to correct them.

Always monitor your puppy's behavior and correct it when necessary. The longer you let them get away with it, the harder it will be to correct them.
When your puppy does something right, always give them a "good boy/girl". Positive reinforcement will make them happy.
Crate Train. They will love it, and it becomes their own private house. Never use it as a punishment.
Teach them to walk without pulling. Only move forward when there is no pulling. This is a lot easier to teach when they are young.
Keep your puppy active and exercised. This will keep them from chewing and digging.
Take your puppy to puppy kindergarten classes. It helps and you two will have fun.
When it is apparent that the puppy understands a command, don't overdo it or they will become bored. Then they will stop paying attention and learning stops.
A puppy given the right exposure and reinforcement will be easier to handle as an adult.

If you have any additional questions on training advice, e-mail us and we will see if we can help.
email question

Update on Buster - He Is Finally Ready For A Home!

2008-01-07T13:46:00.000-05:00

If you remember, back in November of 2007 we did a post on this little guy to help raise money to pay for his life saving surgery. Thanks to all of you that were able to donate!

UPDATE ON BUSTER

Since Buster is feeling much better and so many people have asked about visiting with him, Buster will be at our adoption event this Saturday at Petsmart on the NE corner of Sunrise Blvd. and Flamingo Road from 10:00 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m. It will be good for him to get out of the vet's office for awhile and start to meet people and socialize with other dogs. Buster is a very brave dog and has made such fantastic progress!

BUSTER'S STORY:

Tuesday, November 27th, we found Buster, a 5 month old pit bull puppy in Fort Lauderdale that was left for dead after being used as fighting bait and then had his throat cut. We got Buster to the vet's office while literally holding his neck together. What we think is that he did not make a good fighting dog and his neck was slit to kill him. He was left laying in a lot of blood so whoever did this must have thought he was dead. Fortunately one of our volunteers found him gasping and raced him to our vet. Buster had surgery immediately which took over 20 staples to close the slit to his neck. He will have to have several additional surgeries to repair his throat and help to correct damage that was done. This is only a 5 month old puppy and this happened to Buster because he would not fight back. We really need your help with donations and especially prayers for this little guy. Once he is healed, Buster will be up for adoption and will need a loving home. Story on channel 7 news: http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI68987/

If you live in Florida, or will be in the area this Saturday, January 12th and want to adopt Buster here is where you can do so:

Organization: Allen Babcock Dog & Cat Rescue, Inc.
Event Type: Adoption Event
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Sawgrass Petsmart 12051 W. Sunrise Blvd. Sunrise, FL
Contact: babcock_rescue@yahoo.

2008 Is Great Year to Become More Aware

2008-01-07T13:36:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year and welcome to 2008 to all of our readers! Pit Bull Awarness was born in late 2007 and we hope to help make 2008 even better for our beloved Pit Bulls. As always, we need you, our fellow readers and Pit Bull owners to help us along in our journey.

SHARE comments, atricles, photos anything we can to help spread knowledge.

To kick off the new year here is a great passage from PBRC (Pit Bull Rescue Central). Definitely worth reading, something to really think about.

Pit bull owners must be aware of the remarkable fighting abilities these dogs posses and always keep in mind that pit bulls have the potential to inflict serious injury to other animals. A pit bull may not even be the one starting a conflict, but he has the genetics to finish it. Remember that pit bulls are almost always blamed no matter who initiated the hostilities, and often end up paying the price...as does the owner!
That said, some pit bulls get along great with other pets and may live happily with other dogs without incident. We just can't assume that this is true for all of them, or take for granted that pit bulls getting along with other pets today will do so tomorrow. Pit bull owners must have common sense and make sure they don't set their dogs up for failure by putting them in inappropriate situations.
Every negative incident involving a pit bull adds to their reputation and jeopardizes our right to own these great dogs. Keep your pit bull out of trouble!
Please remember that animal-aggression and people-aggression are two distinct traits and should never be confused. Unless they have been very poorly bred and/or specifically "trained" to attack humans (often by undesirable individuals through abusive methods), pit bulls are, by nature, very good with people. They are, in fact, one of the most loving, loyal, friendly and dedicated companions one can have.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-27T21:30:00.000-05:00

Wishing all of our readers and their families a very Merry Christmas!

Pit Bull Lovers - Please Help!

2007-12-20T14:06:00.000-05:00

Please read this story and watch the video. I came across it on craigslist and was so upset by what I saw I had to share it, and in turn ask all of you to help as well.

Tuesday, November 27th, The Allen Babcock Dog & Cat Rescue found a 5 month old pit bull puppy in Fort Lauderdale that was left for dead after being used as fighting bait and then had his throat cut. They got him to the vet's office while literally holding his neck together. What they think is that he didn't make a good fighting dog and his neck was slit to kill him. Fortunately one of their volunteers found him gasping and raced him to the vet. He had surgery immediately which took over 20 staples to close the slit to his neck (which was about 20 inches wide). He will need to have several additional surgeries to repair his throat and help to correct damage that was done. This is only a 5 month old puppy and this happened to him because he would not fight back! We really need your help with donations and especially prayers for this little guy. Once he is healed, he will be up for adoption and will need a loving home. Story on channel 7 news: CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO (Warning: the video is very graphic)

If you can't donate, perhaps you can pass on to someone that might be able to.

Nicole D'Amico V.P. Allen Babcock Rescue Allen Babcock Dog & Cat Rescue, Inc. 9715 W. Broward Blvd., #173 Plantation, FL 33324 www.babcockrescue.petfinder.com

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

2007-12-18T05:56:00.000-05:00

As always, comments from our readers are always appreciated. Whether they are for the cause or against it. Back in November we did a post on Breed Specific Legislation, I would like to take a moment to share a comment with all of you that I received last night regarding this particular post. I invite you to share your comments and responses to this comment as well.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breed Specific Legislation - BSL":

FYI, Pasco, WA has an important exemption you should know about. You can either secure a bond OR you can have your dog pass the AKC "Canine Good Citizen" program.Where we had a serious pit bull OWNER problem in the city...we didn't have the resources to drag the hundreds of people that had them for the wrong reason through courts. (a lot of punks looking for status symbols and a cultural thing) The public at large wouldn't accept raising taxes for increased resources, so with the CGC program we did place a small burden on about 30 owners to do the 2 hour class. The few that didn't pass.....were by owners that probably shouldn't have them.Meanwhile, over 200 dogs were turned over by borderline to bad owners, moved, or otherwise went away. We now have a firm handle one what was a time bomb. Although I loathed to adopt BSL the pragmatic hybrid has actually worked very well for our community and should be a model for compromise.

Pit Bull Awareness' Take On This:

Although I do agree that there are plenty of bad dog owners out there I must point out that not all bad owners have Pit Bulls, they own dogs from every breed. I also found it very interesting that in your comment you mentioned that the AKC has this Canine Good Citizen program. I only find this interesting since the AKC doesn't accept the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed, they are however recognized by the UKC. This is my biggest problem, how can the AKC offer a program for a breed that it doesn't even consider a breed? Sounds like a math teacher teaching a history class to me. As an owner of 3 Pit Bulls, none of which are problematic I have a very hard time swallowing this comment. Not only do I feel that BSL is a invasion of American people's rights, I also feel that by creating BSL we as Americans are condoning prejudice, because that it exactly what it is. What goes for one breed should go for all breeds as Pit Bulls are not by any means the only dog that bites, all dogs, all breeds have reported cases of biting. A personal story that I love to share in discussions like this one, when my brother-in-law was around 5 years old he was viciously attacked by a dog and partially lost his ear as a result of this attack. What breed of dog you ask? A Lab. Surprised? I'm not, statistics show that Lab's account for a large amount of annual reported attacks on humans. My point is simple, how can you ban one breed and not another for a past history of committing the same acts?

Ok readers, what do you think? How do you feel? Add your comment! All views are always accepted and appreciated.

*Please remember, comments are not personal attacks on the writer. Keep your posting strictly as a comment to a comment, as some topics can be very touchy.

Pit Bull Awareness Needs You!

2007-12-12T15:21:00.000-05:00

As fellow APBT owners and lovers, this blog unites us all for the same cause; making a better name for our Pit Bulls by making others more aware. By simply reading this blog you have already made yourself more aware and that is a very good thing.

I invite you and truly encourage you to contribute to the cause through this blog.

You can contribute in many ways:

Post comments

E-Mail Photos, Stories, Interesting Articles

The more you contribute, the closer we are to making a better name for our APBT's

As always, submissions can be sent to: PitBullAwareness@gmail.com

Do You Have a APBT? - Poll Results

2007-12-07T11:19:00.000-05:00

The poll results are in:

Poll Question: Do You Have a APBT?

Results:

Yes 0%

Not Yet 0%

I Have In The Past 0%

Yes More Than One 100%

Thanks to all who particiapted in the poll!

Have an idea for a new poll? E-mail us: PitBullAwareness@gmail.com to get your question posted.

The Top Reasons Why You Can't Trust Vicious Pit Bulls

2007-12-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

10. They will steal your spot on the couch while you are up getting a soda.

9. They will take the treat you give them and bury in the back yard like a paranoid crack head hiding their stash.

8. They will jump on your bed with muddy feet. Making you do laundry...again

7. They will lick visitors with an uncontrolled passion only they understand.

6. They will cause children to smile.

5. They will make you feel horrible for not walking them by looking at you with deep sad eyes.

4. They will look at you like you committed a crime against them if you don't let them lick your ice cream bowl.

3. They will cause wide spread happiness in large group settings.

2. They will crack you up by shaking their butts so hard you think they are going to snap in half.

And the number one reason why you can't trust vicious Pit Bulls...

1. They will steal your heart like a thief in the night, showing you complete and pure love that only a Pit Bull can show.

I found this while browsing through the usual so-called "vicious Pit Bull" information, I was pleasantly surprised to find such and enlightening page. I just had to share it with you.

A special thanks to PitBullLovers.com for providing this wonderful list!

Dog Age Test - Calculate Your Dogs Real Age

2007-12-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

No more multiplying by 7 years to learn your dog's age in people years. The DogAge Test measures your dog's biological age, based on your dog's health, breed, risk of disease, and behavior.

I tested my oldest, Dutches who is 11 months old. See my results! :

Dutches's DogAge is 6.9!

That's 2.7 years younger than the average DogAge for Dutches's breed. DogAge is the biological age of your dog, measured in people years. Your dog is lucky to have such a good caretaker.

To Take The Test Click The DogAge Logo

CLICK HERE

A Special Thank You To Our Readers

2007-12-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

Awarded by: Next Day Pets

Dogs, Pet Supplies, Dog Breeders

Pet Store, Pet Meds, Dog Collar

Thank you to our readers who nominated us for this award. This is our very first award and we will proudly display it on our blog!

Famous Pit Bull Owners - Past & Present

2007-12-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

Jessica Alba

Rachael Ray has 2 Pit Bulls

Jessica Biel has 3 pit Bulls

Chili from TLC

Big Boi from Outkast Owns Pitfall Kennels in GA.

Helen Keller

Adam Brody & Rachel Bilson

Other Notable Pit Bull Owners

Roy Jones Jr.

Serena Williams

Justin Miller

Cozy Coleman

Veron Haynes

Hugh Douglas

Kamal

Jermaine Dupri
Richard "Rip" Hamilton
50 Cent

Young Buck

Lloyd Banks

Jordan Babineaux

Jonathan Babineaux

Maurice White

Andrew Vachss
Ira Glass

Jesse G. James

Anthony Robbins

Molly Price

General George Patton

Fred Astaire

Stephany Kramer

President Woodrow Wilson

Jan Michael Vincent

Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter

Alicia Silverstone

Humphrey Bogart

John Steinbeck

Fatty Arbuckle

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Mo Vaughn

James Ellroy

Amy Jo Johnson

Barbra Eden

Rosie Perez

Kelli Williams

James Caan

Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal

Judd Nelson

Michael J. Fox President

Theodore Roosevelt

Walter Scott

Ken Howard, whose life was saved by his pit bull

Usher

Thomas Edison

Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft

Julian Schnabel

Stephan Jenkins

Madonna

Jack Dempsey

Bernadette Peters

Jon Stewart

Stephan Jenkins

Tamika Dixon

Earl Holliman

David Spade

Robert Ferguson

Shannon Elizabeth

Pit Bull Tolerance Levels

2007-12-04T07:38:00.000-05:00

1. Dog Social: A dog that truly enjoys the company of other dogs, including housemate dogs. Very easy going; Forgives even the rudest dog manners. Dog-social dogs include most puppies and a percentage of socially mature (14 months and older) pit bulls. Some call these dogs 'cold' pit bulls.

2. Dog Tolerant: Typically non-reactive on leash and either indifferent or friendly to other dogs. Is well socialized and shows relaxed, easy body language in the presence of new dogs. May not ‘love’ dogs that he doesn’t know, but has decent tolerance for rude behavior; a long fuse. Enjoys known dog friends and, in general, succeeds with housemate dogs.

3. Dog Selective: Has dog friends but is more selective. May dislike certain ‘types’ of dogs and/or is easily offended by rude dog manners. Can be described as 'bitchy.' Likes to dictate the rules during dog-play. Can succeed with housemate dogs with supervision.

4. Dog Aggressive: Has a very limited number of dog friends; sometimes, no dog friends. May be opportunistically leash reactive with a weak handler and/or no training. May have a short fuse during play, even with dogs that it knows. Needs heavy supervision during play and a good leader when out on leash. Many live successfully with housemate dogs (usually opposite sex) with proper supervision and safe management protocol.

The Bell Curve of Properly Socialized Pit Bulls

2007-12-04T07:34:00.000-05:00

Dog tolerance levels are flexible and are determined by environmental factors (handler influence, training and socializing efforts) as much as they are determined by genetics. Dog Social dogs can become less social as they come into their maturity, and Dog Aggressive dogs can become much more tolerant with good direction and proper socialization. In our experience, with the combined factors of maturity, socialization, good leadership and training, most pit bulls fall comfortably in the middle spectrum of this bell curve.

A Must See Video - Please Watch

2007-12-03T14:25:00.000-05:00

I came across this video put together by the UKCPitbull.com and I had to share it. This video should be shown to every human being in the world as it truly gives insight in to the life of a Pit Bull. If watching this video doesn't bring a tear to you eye, then you just aren't human.

I was unable to resize this clip to fit here live on the blog.

CLICK HERE

To see an amazing and truly powerful video.

Michael Vick Update

2007-12-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

Vick to pay big for dog care

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Michael Vick has reportedly agreed to pay almost $1 million for the care of 54 pit bull dogs found on his property during investigations into dogfighting. CNN.com reported on Wednesday that Vick's lawyer, William R. Martin, has filed court documents which state that Vick will pay $928,073.04 into an escrow fund by Friday. The money is "to be used to pay whatever restitution money is ultimately ordered in this case," the document, a consent order, states. Vick had been ordered by federal prosecutors to prepare money for the care of the dogs. When Vick pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges earlier this year, he agreed to pay "restitution for the full amount of the costs associated with the disposition of all dogs" in the case. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback, 27, is due to be sentenced next month. On Tuesday, a court in Surry County, Virginia set a date of April 2 next year for a state trial to begin. The CNN report added that prosecutors have highlighted Vick's mounting financial problems. Since his guilty plea, the Falcons have sought to recoup around $20 million in bonus money from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004. Court documents also show that Vick is facing an alleged default on a $1.3 million bank, a default on a line of credit worth $2.5 million and a default on $2 million worth of loans relating to a car rental business. Vick is currently being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, after surrendering to authorities on November 19.

Top U.K.C Breeds Registered

2007-12-01T08:29:00.000-05:00

# 2: American Pit Bull Terrier (Terrier Group)

As of March 28, 2007

With over 12,000 licensed events annually, the United Kennel Club is the world’s largest performance dog registry and second oldest all-breed registry in the United States.Founded in 1898, the UKC has supported the "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. As a departure from registries that place emphasis solely on a dog’s looks, UKC events are designed for dogs who look and perform equally well. Our mission is to be the world's best registry of purebred dogs, to offer our customers the most efficient and creative services possible, to use our data to help our customers breed the best dogs in the world and to create a wide spectrum of performance and conformation events in which those dogs can prove their instincts and heritage.With that said, the United Kennel Club is pleased to announce its list of top dog breeds for 2006. This list, based on UKC registration figures, reflects the Performance Dog philosophy that is the backbone of United Kennel Club. Truly – “Our Dogs Do Stuff!”

To see the rest of the UKC Top 20 List

CLICK HERE

Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

2007-12-01T08:15:00.001-05:00

History

Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland, and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terrier's many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs for protection, as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Protection, and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation. The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. U.K.C. founder C. Z. Bennett assigned U.K.C. registration number 1 to his own APBT, Bennett's Ring in 1898. General

Appearance

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly built, short-coated dog with smooth, well-defined musculature. This breed is both powerful and athletic. The body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head is of medium length, with a broad, flat skull, and a wide, deep muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be natural or cropped. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in all colors and color patterns. This breed combines strength and athleticism with grace and agility and should never appear bulky or muscle-bound or fine-boned and rangy.

Characteristics

The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed. The APBT is not the best choice for a guard dog since they are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work. The American Pit Bull Terrier has always been capable of doing a wide variety of jobs so exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's versatility.

Head

The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power, but it is not disproportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well defined, moderately deep stop. Supraorbital arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced. The head is well chiseled, blending strength, elegance, and character.

Skull

The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique expression.

Muzzle

The muzzle is broad and deep with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of approximately 2:3. The topline of the muzzle is straight. The lower jaw is well developed, wide and deep. Lips are clean and tight. Faults: Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw.

Teeth

The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Fault: Level bite. Serious Faults: Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth; missing teeth (this does not apply to teeth that have been lost or removed by a veterinarian).

Nose

The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The nose may be any color. EYES - Eyes are medium size, round to almond-shaped, and set well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be visible. Serious Faults: Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in color; blue eyes.

Ears

Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped without preference. If natural, semi-prick or rose are preferred. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired.

Neck

The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap. Faults: Neck too short and thick; thin or weak neck; ewe neck; dewlap.

Forequarters

The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular, and well laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle. The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows are set close to the body. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns are nearly erect. Faults: Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.

Body

The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a broad, muscular, level back. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping downward. Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and moderately broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs are well developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another. Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.

Feet

The feet are round, proportionate to the size of the dog, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed. Fault: Splayed feet.

Tail

The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and tapers to a point. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. When the dog is moving, the tail is carried level with the backline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position (challenge tail), but never curled over the back (gay tail). Fault: Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock). Serious faults: Gay tail (not to be confused with challenge tail); kinked tail. Disqualification: Bobbed tail.

Coat

The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch. Faults: Curly, wavy, or sparse coat. Disqualification: Long coat. Color
Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle.Disqualification: Merle

Height and Weight

The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.

Gait

The American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance. Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.

Disqualifications

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Bobbed tail. Albinism. Merle. Long coat.

Note: Although some level of dog aggression is characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to comply with U.K.C. policy regarding dog temperament at U.K.C. events.

Happy Holidays

2007-12-01T08:09:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Would you like to see your APBT holiday photo posted here?

Send them to: PitBullAwareness@gmail.com

YouTube: Pit Bull Viciously Attacks Baby

2007-11-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

This was a video taken from YouTube. I particularly like this video because it is nothing like you expect it to be. It's videos like this that help us in our fight.

Many thanks to VICKYSPIN for sharing this video with us. Follow the link to be take directly to her page. She is in the process of writing a book about BSL and has a lot of valuable information.

Adopt A Pit Bull

2007-11-28T13:15:00.000-05:00

Adopt A Pit Bull, Save A Life

Many Pit Bulls in shelters or with rescue groups are already trained and ready to go! Adults have a much longer attention span than puppies, too, which means they're easier and faster to teach. Adult dogs already have recognizable personality traits, so you'll be able to select one who is great with children. Many rescue groups use foster homes to make sure each dog for adoption is trained to be well-behaved indoors. Although all dogs need attention and playtime, an adult dog's needs are far less demanding than a puppy's. With an adult dog, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you'll be able to spot the characteristics you're looking for much more easily than with a puppy. Shelters and rescue groups are able to assess the personality of each dog for adoption, and carefully match you up with the right dog for your lifestyle. When you adopt a puppy, there is a lot more guesswork involved. Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, and they'll swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your heart and your home to a dog who needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! Dogs who have been uprooted from their homes, or have had difficult beginnings are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new human caretakers who they view as heroes. Dogs who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue group because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new hero---YOU! No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most dogs for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. But first you have to adopt one! When you adopt an adult dog, you are doing the ultimate good deed. Let's face it: a lot of people think they want a puppy, but not everyone is lining up to adopt the great adults! Did you know that every year, 7 million adoptable animals are killed? A staggering 25% of those animals are purebreds, so you can be sure there are a LOT of dogs for adoption out there. With such a huge overpopulation problem, buying a puppy from a breeder or pet store sadly contributes to this tragedy. Rescue groups that specialize in Pit Bull adoption work very, very hard to help adult dogs find good homes. Rescues are almost always made up of a group of volunteers. They often keep their dogs for adoption in their own homes while they assess their health and personalities. If a dog needs basic training, often the rescuer will provide it. If a dog needs medical treatment, many dedicated dog rescuers pay for it out of their own pocket. These people are incredibly passionate about rescue, and they work tirelessly to make sure every dog finds a home. Nothing is as rewarding to these heroes as a successful adoption!

If you are truly serious about adpoting a APBT I highly reccomend visiting Pit Bull Rescue Central. The have tons or resources and help you locate a APBT in your area.

Visit Pit Bull Rescue Central Today!

Breed Specific Legislation - BSL

2007-11-28T07:28:00.000-05:00

How it effects American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) Owners

Breed specific legislation (BSL), is on the rise around the world. BSL targets specific canine breeds and either (A) restricts them severely or (B) completely bans them from areas. Countries like Germany, Australia, England, and France have bans on the APBT. BSL is very much alive in the United States and the APBT is the number one target for such laws. Expensive insurance is also required in many of the cities were BSL as been accepted. Hundreds of cities, towns, and states are implementing BSL. As time goes by supporter's for this band-aid approach are getting the laws passed with ease. The number one restricted breed in the world is the APBT or any cross thereof. Meaning, even if your dog is suspected of having APBT in it's blood it can fall under the power of these laws.BSL is nothing more than breed profiling and as of yet it has not worked to curb the amount of serious dog attacks it was put in place to stop.Matter of fact, the only thing it has done is make life hell for ordinary law abiding dog lover's.

Top 10 Places in The U.S.

Least dog friendly places in the United States all having broadly worded breed specific dog laws allowing for confiscation, and destruction of dogs by breed.
10. Bracken County, Kentucky
9. Muskegon, Michigan
8. Providence, Rhode Island
7. Boston, Massachusetts
6. Prince Georges County, Maryland
5. Denver, Colorado
4. Miami-Dade County, Florida
3. WASHINGTON-Pasco, Yakima, Enumclaw, Buckley, Toppenish, Winslow, Oak Harbor, Cathlamet, Everett, Kennewick, Kirkland, Moxee City, Neah Bay, Sea-Tac, Pullman (where WSU College of Veterinary Medicine is located) plus these counties; Spokane, Snohomish, & Whatcom
2. Iowa - The Entire State
1. Ohio - The Entire State

States to watch would be Georgia, Massachusetts, New Mexico, West Virginia. Counties to watch Sumner and Tennessee.

Safer States

The following States currently have State level laws prohibiting local municipalities from passing BSL.

California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois , Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia

We need to fight for our APBT and the right to own them. To find out more and how to help fight BSL

CLICK HERE

Photo Contest

2007-11-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

Join us on the quest for the best looking Pit Bull! We recently set up a contest through yahoo featuring Pit Bulls.

CLICK HERE

To enter the contest and begin voting!

Pit Bull Myths

2007-11-21T18:34:00.000-05:00

With so many Pit Bull myths out there, most of which us fellow Pit Bull owners will have a good laugh at, I thought it would be a good idea to clear up a common few:

Myth 1: Pit Bulls have locking jaws. True or False?

FALSE

Pit Bulls do not have locking jaws, however, Pit Bulls are very athletic and strong and they do tend to bite and hold. While getting them to release an object may be difficult, their jaws do not lock.

Myth 2: Pit Bulls do not make good family pets. True or False?

FALSE

Pit bulls make wonderful family pets. They have traditionally been very tolerant with children (although young children should not be left unsupervised with any dog). Early and continued socialization makes them a joy to be around. They are not, however, a dog for every household. They take a higher degree of commitment than most other breeds as some can indeed be animal aggressive. The Pit Bull should never be human aggressive. They also tend to be highly energetic and intelligent dogs which need adequate exercise and proper training. A good group obedience class which involves the whole family is strongly recommended.

Myth 3: Pit Bulls are born to be fighters so there is no point in trying to socialize them with other animals. True or False?

FALSE

Especially if socialized as puppies, pit bulls can get along well with other dogs and a wide variety of other animals. Socialization as adults with other animals can be difficult but with many dogs can be accomplished with patience and training.

Myth 4: Pit Bulls can never be kept in a household with cats. True or False?

FALSE

Pit bulls (or any other dogfor that matter) and cats are not necessarily mortal enemies. If socialized with cats at an early age, they can become quite good friends.

Myth 5: Breed specific bans in areas around the country have been successful in reducing the number of dog bite fatalities. True or False?

FALSE

It is generally considered that breed specific bans are not effective in reducing fatal attacks or severe dog bites.

Notice anything about these common myths pertaining to Pit Bulls? I sure did; the fact that they are all false! In fact, there are too many things false said, read or thought about Pit Bulls in today's society. The every day ignorance of those who don't know or don't care to know absolutely boggles my mind.

This is my mission, it will be a long journey.

Welcome

2007-11-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

Thank you for visiting the Pit Bull Awareness blog. As an active Pit Bull owner you play a big part in getting the word out about the Pit Bull breed. It is time for Pit Bulls to have the good name that they deserve.

"Contrary to the media's portrayal of them, American Pit bull Terriers are not an inherently aggressive breed. According to the American Canine Temperament Testing Association, American Pit Bull Terriers, when temperament tested, had a 84.1% passing rate, compared to a 77% passing rate for all breeds on average. Pit Bulls are loyal, loving companions that make wonderful family dogs. Their extreme loyalty is their downfall, as they will do whatever their owner tells them, even fight."

- Pit Bulls For Dummies

I invite you, my fellow Pit Bull owners and lovers to join me in freeing the breed from the deed.

I am always available to you, keep my e-mail address handy!

PitBullAwareness@gmail.com

Send me via e-mail: photos and stories about your Pit Bull(s), Post comments, Send articles, Dates & Times of Pit Bull Awareness events, or anything that you think will help the cause and would like to see posted here on the blog.

The more information we share, the more aware we will all be.