Well, I think it's about time to put all you've read together and decide if the American Pit Bull Terrier is the breed of dog for you. First, I believe you should start by asking yourself the question," What purpose should the dog I buy fulfill?" If you are looking for a lap dog, when maybe another breed of dog is better for you; not that some haven't become lap dogs, but we have to look at the overall picture. This breed excels in the conformation ring, he is the world's greatest puller, he is extremely loyal, he trains very well because of his remarkable intelligence, he is very active and athletic and he is very territorial. Now let's flip the coin. He will need daily exercise, not just a walk around the block type; he does not get along to well with other dogs; he has been given a bad public image by the media and most people will not understand why you chose him. People with little children will avoid you because they have been brain washed into believing all American Pit Bull Terriers will tear the arms and legs off all little children.
Now, if it seems that I am trying to discourage you, you're right. I don't believe you should go out and purchase an American Pit Bull Terrier until you are made aware of all the facts, both good and bad. If, at this point, you still feel that you would like to own one, get in touch with others that have them. Get their opinions, get to meet their dogs, and ask all the questions you can possibly think of. They won't mind if they are responsible owners, as they probably did the same thing. Next, read all you can about the breed, both good and bad. If you are still interested, then it's time to find a responsible breeder- not one who is just in it for the money, but rather one who spent years with the breed, culling out those animals that do not live up to his chosen standards. If you decide on a puppy, look at the parents. That will give you a good gauge on size, temperament, and activity level. And then you must ask the question: "Where will I keep the dog?" Even though some American Pit Bull Terriers are kept in apartments, this is not the ideal place for them. As a matter of fact, if this is the only place you have, then I would recommend that you consider a different breed. Do not consider buying an unregistered dog. So many times I have heard people say that they never thought they would want to show or pull them only to change their minds and then not be able to do so because they must be registered to enter any kind of sanctioned event.

Well I hope that this has helped you in your knowledge of the American Pit Bull Terrier and, if you are like me, you will learn to love this great breed of canine with its colorful background. And when one of these magnificent animals leaves this world, a tear will come to your eye, for he has given you some of the most wonderful memories you will ever have.

Basic dog Owner Responsibilities

Every owner of any breed or type of dog should be responsible, aware , and caring. The need for proper housing , medical care , food , training and socialization are just some of the basic requirements that should be understood before any person undertakes to own any dog.

Unless a potential dog owner is willing and able to give these essentials , dog ownership should be delayed or even avoided altogether. To own a pet and not to provide for itīs needs is certainly cruel, neglectful, and even illegal.

Additional APBT owner responsibilities

Because of controversy that surrounds dogs of the APBT and Am Staff terrier kind , potential owners of these dogs must be even more aware of there responsibilities than owners of many other breeds. The owner of an APBT/A.S will need:

- an aware , alert approach to APBT/A.S ownership , recognizing the need for the best quality dog from the best quality background.

- To care for the pet to be well socialized. Very important !!

- An understanding that not everyone will welcome the presence of an APBT/A.S in a neighborhood, a city park, or even on a public street accompanied with its owner !!

- Adequate housing, training , fencing and positive attitudes about the breeds APBT/A.S in general . We also have to see to that our dogs wont become lost, strayed or involved in something that could bring harm. So that our breed will have a place in the future to come and not be banned due to the minority of bad owners/ownership.

- Previous personal experience with other kinds of dogs combined with a high degree of acquired knowledge about APBTīs/ AM Staffs.

- An understanding and protective attitude by all members of an APBT/A.S household that the petīs control and safety should always be a prime consideration.

Should an APBT/A.S.T be your first dog ?

Maybe not ,these special dogs need special owners and not every first-time owner is special enough. The physical attributes of these breeds and the negative public attitude that sometimes follow them may be more than a novice dog owner will be able to handle. The well-bred , well- trained , and well-cared APBT/A.S in the hands of a well-prepared owner is the equal of any other breed , but the emphasis has to be on the well prepared owner.

A Male or a Female ?

This is probably  purely a matter of personal preference.

A female of any breed is generally a little less challenging for pet owners. Male dogs of most breeds tend to be more aggressive , not that females canīt be. Unneutered males will arduously pursue females in heat and that might be quite tough and test your nerves. A male will mark his area with urine  when walking him , and some people will see that as a "problem"......  :-)

the best thing to do is to talk to several owners and get there point of view , tell them your current situation and discuss your needs with the breeder too ....

A puppy or an older dog ?

There may very well be some very nice excellent adults available to you. If you have the dog owner experience and capacity to help an older APBT/A.S.T  to adjust to a new home and family , you perhaps could consider this option....but most people suggest that if you  never have owned a APBT/A.S.T  before  ,  a puppy is the better choice.

The puppy will give you ample opportunity to mold it and shape it  into the best pet itīs genetic makeup will allow it to be. Unlike an adult  , this youngster will not have a lengthy past history (positive or negative) to forget. You can concentrate on initial training and socialization  rather then on RE-training and RE-socialation.

When a puppy is brought to a WELL-prepared home in addition for the puppy, the youngster can easily become an integral part of everyday activity.

When a puppy is brought to a ILL-prepared home the chances for a less than satisfactory outcome are greatly increased.

Buy from a breeder that has both parents available for you to inspect.  Spend as much time checking out the parents as you do the puppy.  Observing the parents is your most accurate way to gauge what the puppy will be like as an adult

Is the APBT/Am Staff right for you ?

There are some key points to consider about owning an APBT/A.S.T.

- These breeds have been shrouded by a lot of controversy and misinformation.

-Some communities have placed breed-specific  restrictions against dogs like APBTīs and Am Staffs.

-Some insurance companies will not issue homeowner policies for the owners of dogs of certain breeds , like APBTīs and Am Staffs.

- These dogs tend to be smart, alert dogs that need early, consistent training.

-These dogs have been exploited for generations by people whose idea of dog ownership differs radically from most pet owners. They have unfortunately become popular with street toughs and with some unsavory elements in society.

- Because these breeds steam from dogs of pit fighting infameny , even a slight scratch from a dogīs toenail , can result in legal action and /or consequences that probably wouldenīt happen if the nipper or scratcher were some other breed.

-These dogs cannot be tied to a tree or simply be left in a kennel or the backyard. They are true lovers of people and will suffer if deprived of lots of human contact.

- If you are looking for a guard dog I would suggest that u get another breed , these dogs tend to love all people to much , but could be trained to be guard dogs if u are willing to give it the time..    I would suggest u get a Doberman ,  German Shepperd , or a Rotweiler instead..(many breeds to choose from)

Are you right for the APBT or the Am Staff ?

Answer this honestly before buying a dog:

-Do you want an APBT/Am Staff just to have the reputation for owning "the meanest dog in the block ?" .....This question should result in a big NO !!!

-Have you owned other kind of dogs that will give you some reference point and some experience for owning an APBT or Am Staff ?

-Are you willing to invest time and money to search and get the right pet for you and your family ?

-Do you have the resources and the incliation to help a young puppy get the socalization , care and training it will need to grow into the best possible pet ?

- do you have the time and space to share with a dog that will need a lot of affection , direction and attention ?

-Are you prepared for the public and what they think of this breed ?

- Are you willing to walk the extra dog mile that this breed will need ?

-Will you do everything within your power to keep any dog you own  from becoming a public nuisance , a threat to it self  or others , or to be one of the many animal shelter dogs that are euthanized each year ?

Health

On the whole, the APBT are a very healthy, robust breed. They usually do well at the vets, because they are not threatened too easily and have a high threshold for pain.. A vetrinarian technician that has handled thousands of dogs, said that the easiest breeds to work with/on are the Labrador Retreiver and the Pit Bull. The only health problem that I am aware of in certain lines is demotectic mange. This can be treated with baths and/or topical ointment.

As far as life span in concerned, 12-13 years is probably about average, although a 15-16 year old APBT is not unheard of.

Having no contract. Does the breeder offer a written contract/gaurantee? No? Run, don't walk away. Contracts or warranties vary widely depending on such things as breed, area or country, even pet vs show. But there should be something in writing, and a breeder should give at least a short 'gaurantee' period that allows you to take your puppy to a vet for examination.

Money talks. Do they ask for cash only, or take your check or credit card and that's the ONLY criteria for selling you a puppy?

Not screening buyers. Do they ask a bunch of nosy questions? NO? They're probably not too interested in that puppy's welfare...or yours.

Health claims that aren't true. Is their idea of "health clearances" the fact that the sire and dam "don't have any problems?" Can they provide written documentation on health screenings?

Always having puppies and/or adults for sale. No reputable breeder breeds so many that they ALWAYS have puppies on the ground. This is a puppy mill.

Claiming "membership" in the AKC. Guess what...AKC is a registry..NOT a membership club. And the AKC is NOT a guarantee of quality...they do not check on or approve puppies or breedings.

Registering solely with open registries. The Continental Kennel Club is popular with puppy mills, because of their "open registry (meaning they register ANY dog, regardless of breed, parentage, etc)" and no questions asked policies. If you are looking into a breed recognized by the AKC, you will find almost all reputable breeders register with them. Some choose the UKC. (Some may dual register with the AKC and other positive registries) Rare breeds may be recognized by the UKC or ARBA.

Breeding females too often/too young. How often to they breed they're females? Every heat cycle? Or do they breed very young (immature for tha breed) dogs? No female should be bred on her first heat cycle (an average of 6 - 9 months old). Larger breeds should wait even longer.

Having many breeds. You will find there are breeders whose family has 2 breeds, even 3 (his/hers/theirs, or perhaps related-type breeds). But do they have 6 or 7 or even 20? THAT's a bad sign! Multiple breed families are not unusual...ask them how they got into each breed and listen. Are they equally committed? Participate in each breed? Understand or take the time to learn? If the answer to those questions is yes than chances are your on the right track to a good breeder... If the answer is "they sell for lots of money" run away!

Letting puppies go too early. Do they routinely let their puppies go at 5 or 6 week? No good breeder will usually let a puppy go before 8 weeks, many waiting until 10 or even 12 weeks.

Q. On my dogs pedigree it looks like he is inbred. Does that make him dangerous?

A. Not at all, inbreeding is very common with the American Pit Bull Terrier. Inbreeding done correctly sets desirable traits and discards undesirable ones. Indiscriminate inbreeding without direction or purpose is not advisable.

Q. I've never owned an American Pit Bull Terrier before, should I rush out and get one?

A. Absolutely not! The American Pit Bull Terrier is not for everyone! Read, read, read about them. Call breeders and owners and discover as much as you possibly can about them. Ideally, get to know someone who owns one and will allow you to see their dogs in every day life.

Q. Should I get a dog with a real big head and broad shoulders and a thick neck?

A. If you are looking for a show dog, and that appeals to you, yes, by all means get that type of dog. There are breeders who specialize in providing dogs to the public who have been bred exclusively for looks. A word of caution here! An APBT who has been bredfor looks and looks alone often has had other very important traits overlooked by the breeder that produced him. The dog may be extremely handsome, but dumber than a rock. The dog may be overly aggressive, or so lazy that eating his dinner is a chore. Make sure you are getting a total dog instead of "fragments" of one. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a working class dog and excells in virtually every challenge put before him, but only if he has been bred by a responsible breederand trained by a responsible owner.

Q. I want a dog to protect and guard my family and my possessions, will the American Pit Bull Terrier fit the bill?

A. Yes, a properly bred APBT is a wonderful family companion, ally, and friend. Their intelligence coupled with their desire to please their master compels them to excell as protectors of your family.

Q. I want the "baddest" dog in town and I want to train him to be vicious to humans, do you recommend the APBT for this?

A. NO! The American Pit Bull Terrier pound for pound is the strongest dog in the world. He has very little natural aggression toward humans. However, because of their intelligence and their desire to please their masters they can, in the wrong hands, become lethal weapons. An APBT should never be used for such purposes. If you have a ligitimate reason to produce a dog such as that, then use one of the working breeds who have been bred for human work, i.e., German Shepards, Dobermans, Rottweilers, etc.

Q. I just got my new APBT and I want to put him in the back yard. It has a four foot high chain link fence, will this be adequate to contain my APBT?

A. No, the APBT is the Olympic athlete of the dog world. I would not consider it to be responsible ownership to believe a four foot high chain link fence would contain an APBT. Socialization plays a big role in a dog knowing his territory; however, if an outside stimilus (a strange dog or a female in estrus) were to appear on the other side of the fence, your dog could jump it flat-footed!

What should I pay for a dog ?

These dogs come in alot of different "lines" sizes and colors , find out what the lines all stand for , so u get the "right" dog for your self and your household . There are several books to read about this...

Some examples of lines is :

Tonka , Red Boy , Yellow  , Gator , Colby , Chinaman , Eli , Frisco...

An Apbt /Am Staff will come in the range of  $ 100 - $ 1500 and up..

At some animal shelters u can get dogs for free , if u know enough about dogs to choose this option it may be an excellent choice...can be more demanding tho...!!

Prices vary depending on the dogs background and lines , game breed or not , kennel or house breed dog.. (for Am Staffs mostly..show / pet quality) Dual registered dogs or not ,    and so on . In general the prices vary (in Sweden mostly between $400-$1000)...so I don't think you will need to pay more than that..

Always see to that u get a paper with your dogs background , a pedigree , and a vaccination card so u know that your pup is cared for in his first couple of weeks of life ..

 I guarantee that when u have had a APBT / Am Staff once in your life , u never will choose an other breed again other then the APBT / Am Staff....

GOOD LUCK

Before the pup gets home

First you need to get all the things that may harm the pup away from it . Get down on your knees and take a look from the pups point of view .....

I mean electrical cords that the pup may chew on , and other sharp things that may hurt the pup like needles and stuff...that it may get stuck in its throat..

The other aspect of this is to keep the dog from eating things you might want to keep him/her away  from eating , like your shoes and things like that.....

Keep poison ( ex : rat poison) and other chemicals stored away from the puppy at a safe place...

Reposition of any heavy items that could be pulled over onto a pup.

Block off balconies , stairwells and porches where a puppy could fall and be injured or killed.

Keep good fencing so it wont run out on the street and get hurt by cars or other pets..

REMEMBER THAT THE PUP IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE SAFE WARM PLACE OF ITīS MOTHER AND LITTERMATES .  IT HAS TO COUNT ON ITīS NEW FAMILY TO KEEP IT FROM HARM....

Toyīs

You will find a lot of good toys for your pup in animal shops.....so the pup can bite something that ain't expensive to repair , his/ her teeth will grow and itch during his first months , so it is natural for him / her to bite things to ease the itch /pain when they grow..

Just remember that the APBT / A.S have powerful jaws , and all dog toys is not as good for them as they may be for other breeds. i mean the will break easier so buy strong toys..

Were should the pup sleep ?

Maybe you can get a cloth from the breeder to put at the place were it will sleep . This to give the pup some kind of   "comfort"  at itīs new home.

Find a place that will keep the pup away from draft and cold that isīnt noisy , a place were it will feel safe , and were he / she can go away to have some privacy.  This is very  important for the pup!!

Make him a box of his own , or look in animal shops / zooīs , they often have nice "dog beds" at a fair prices . Just remember that the pup will grow and get bigger , so you don't go and buy a to small one...

If you let the pup stay in your bed / furniture , remember that he / she will grow bigger and may not understand why you later on , not will allow it to be there.... it will grow from 8-10 kilos to be a bigger pet weighting maybe 25-40 kilos....(just a tip)

be consistent with the pup !!

Leaving your pup alone ?

Don't get a pup to your home if you cant spend the time with it as a pup , it will need all the caring and attention it can get as a pup. As an adult u shall never let the dog be alone for more then 6-7 hours , as a pup this time is not to be longer then maybe 1 hour..!!

Walking your pup !!

Take many short walks a day , instead of 2-3 long ones . The pup is growing and may hurt if walked to long. Also never let the pup walk stairs as a pup , carry it instead .Never    take your dog with you if u plan to cycle , to prevent injuries..!!

Dog food

Never change the food that the breeder used for the pup , ask what he kept and get the same brand.  You may change it later on , but give it some time first..so the pup will have as little changes as possible in the beginning.

As i said earlier , it is a big thing to be separated from littermates and itīs mum..

Always keep fresh bowls with cold water and fresh dog food (buy strong ones), clean them often .

In the beginning it is a good tip to give him food 4-5 times a day and serve the food mixed with water at the same time every day. This to keep him from eating to much , with the stomach swallowing when he drinks water after ..

gradually move to give him dry food (lots of different brands to choose from) but there is special Pup-food that you can give him/ her the first 3-8 months....then slowly move to give him adult food ( i did it at the age of 8 months) ..at the age of one year i gave my dogs food twice a day. And   at age 1-1/2 years , only once a day....

What i think is important is , to give the dogs food with as little "Seeds" (like whete) in it as possible. Get food with Chicken , Corn , Rice and Meat as the prime ingredients for a healthy pet. These dog foods tend to cost a bit more then food with "seeds" in it , but what the heck , you want your dog to get the best , right ?

If giving pup-food to much or rather to long , it can result in a fast growing pup with bone and skeleton problems. The food i keep for my dogs (adult food) is of a kind that have this mix of nutritians :

Protein  24% , Fat 12% , C-hydrates46%, Water 10%  , Ashes 8% , Minerals 6% (calcium 2% / phosphor 1.5%) Grain thread (fibers) 2% = 1540 KJ / 100 Gram.

Pup-food often has higher percentage in all , to care fore the pupīs needs when growing...If you don't know what brand to buy , ask the breeder what he kept. or a veterinary what he would suggest !!

Houseclean

When the pup is to get "houseclean" (doing his needs outdoors) you will need to take him for a walk often , short walks often . always when u wake up in the morning , this should be first the thing you do before having your breakfast or reading the paper.

always walk him after hhe has  eaten his food . And  if he makes his need inside the house, NEVER push his nose in the POO , just say NO , lift him outdoor fast and give him encurragement ,  say -"good dog" and pet him / her ,    when the pup does it outdoors. In a couple of weeks this will give result , and u get there much faster being nice, and with many daily short walks , then if u will try to "punish" it to get house clean...don't try that !!!

As i said earlier "be consistent" and nice , so u don't get the pup confused....!!

Early training

(and socilalization will mold your dog to how he will be as an adult dog)

You can start to train your pup early , like understanding YES & NO . Learning him to walk in a leash to sit and stay.....The key words here is also to be consistent but not hard on it, and if you have many family members all should have the same rules for the dog.

When training Him / Her , DON'T over-work the pup , maybe just for10-15 min at the time in the beginning , but many times instead . In that way the pup wont get bored and will always think that it is fun to train and do as u say !!

When u get a result and the dog does as u say - encourage him / her , maybe have some candy in your pocket....The dog will always try to please you , so be firm and gentle and consistent !!

Take a look at how the Mother of the pupīs ("the bitch") . Teaches her pups what rules they have to go by !!

A fun thing to do for the dog is when u hide candy , and let him / her find it by smelling for it . Outdoors you can hide from the pup and let it find you as training ( not to far away though).....fun i promise !!

There are a lot of good books to read about this too....

Take some PUP-training- lessons at a kennel club....!!!  like an SBK- Club in Sweden or AKC / UKC/ ADBA-club in the US..