Whether you’re asking yourself, “Should I adopt a pit bull?” or you’ve just adopted your first pittie, we couldn’t be more excited for you! Adopting one of these adorable blockheads does come with some special considerations. Here’s are five things to know before you bring home your pibble:
1. All dogs are individuals.
Every pittie is different. They all have unique personalities, and you have to find the one who is your perfect match. Since there are so many available for adoption, you can take your time finding a pawfect dog because you are guaranteed to find a great one if you do your research. Whether you’re after a pocket pup, big bruiser, snuggle bug, running partner, lazy bum, food hog, agility dog, Canine Good Citizen, therapy dog, baddie, drooler, dry-jowler, or anything in between, she’s definitely out there. There’s no need to rush; keep looking and you’ll definitely find “the one.”
2. You have to know your stuff.
Of course, pit bulls are just dogs with nothing special about them other than being extra good looking, but not everyone has caught on yet. The stigma bullies face is still very real, and you’re gonna have to be ready to advocate and educate. There are numerous ways pit bull owners can be discriminated against, including statewide bans (luckily there are none in the U.S., but bans do exist in some provinces in Canada and even whole countries elsewhere), local laws that ban or require extra precautions like muzzling or fencing in your yard, ordinances requiring extra dog insurance, landlords being jerks, and insurance companies dropping you or raising your rates. While there’s a ton of information online, your local rescue has seen it all and will know the laws in your area, so be sure to ask tons of questions and they’ll point you to necessary resources.
3. You need to have most well-behaved dog on the block.
A lot of people will have misconceptions about your dog, and sometimes that means that they’ll wrongfully interpret normal dogs-being-dogs stuff as dangerous or aggressive. Since you and your dog will now be full-time breed advocates, you’re gonna want to invest time and energy into helping your dog become the very best she can be. Weird looks (and people crossing the street to avoid you) will still happen, but you’ll take comfort in knowing you have done everything you can to prepare your dog to feel comfortable and confident navigating life. And when she does get the chance to meet skeptics, she’ll win their hearts right away.
4. When you rescue, you’re not just adopting a dog; you’re getting a whole new family.
Saving a dog makes you a hero, and if we learned anything from the Super Friends, it’s that heroes hang out together. You’ll always have opportunities to get involved in rescue, from volunteering to help homeless dogs and assisting in event planning to donating your birthday as a Facebook fundraiser and running 5Ks to support your fave doggo nonprofits. You’ll love spending time with other volunteers who care deeply about your dog and dogs just like him, and you’ll meet countless other rescue pittie pawrents who can’t wait to welcome you into the community.
5. You’re about to adopt the most loving dog on the planet.
Despite frequently difficult pasts, rescue pitties seem to have a remarkable ability to love their people and are eternally thankful. They’re known to be cuddly and affectionate, and they often possess innate sensitivity. They can read your emotions and will celebrate with you on happy days and hermit with you on sad days, and many of them will even go out of their way to cheer you up on rough days. They love to lean on you with their entire body, lay with their giant heads in your lap, and spend all their time trying to make you happy as a token of their endless gratitude. On behalf of dogs everywhere, we can’t thank you enough for rescuing!
What else do you think people should know before adopting a pit bull breed? Tell us in the comments!
(Top photo by KME Photography)
La misión de Sidewalk Dog es ayudar a los padres de perros a pasar más tiempo con sus cachorros descubriendo y compartiendo actividades que pueden hacer y lugares a los que pueden ir, ¡juntos! Eche un vistazo a nuestro galardonado boletín y Instagramy visítenos en Facebook y Twitter.