Do you have a pit bull, or are you thinking about getting a pit bull? You have made a great choice when it comes to getting a new member for your family, as pit bulls are known for their loyalty, protection and compassion. One of the first questions you might have is how long do pit bulls live? After all, we want our new fur babies to be with us for as long as possible.
With proper care, training and keeping up with vaccinations, pit bulls, depending on which type, live 10-15 years. The following is average lifespan by type of pit bull terrier:
- American Pit Bull Terrier: 12 to 14 years
- American Staffordshire Terrier: 12 to 14 years
- English Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 12 to 14 years
- American Bulldog: 10 to 15 years
- English Bull Terrier: 10 to 14 years
The American Pit Bull Terrier
The pit bull is one of the most misunderstood dog breeds. Many view them as dangerous attack dogs or fighters, but any dog that is taught to do those things will be dangerous. When cared for properly and trained the right ways, pit bulls are some of the most loyal, confident and protective dogs that one can have.
These dogs are also large and need plenty of exercise, and people should consider this before deciding to get a pit bull breed. They are one of the most substantial breeds of dogs, and you will need to put time and energy into training them as well.
If you’re looking for ways to do this, you can check out this article on how to train your puppy.
In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know before you get a pit bull and beyond.
Let’s dive in.
Where Do Pit Bulls Originate From?
Pit bulls are the result of mixing breeds of dogs with ancestry going back to Europe. Though now a prevalent breed in the US, pit bulls can originally be traced back to England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Several bulldogs and terrier breeds have been mixed over time to bring today’s pit bull breeds to life. Dog breeders originally bred Pit bulls to fight. Because of their strength, pain tolerance, and courage, these dogs were used for bull-baiting.
When bull-baiting became outlawed in 1835, pit bull owners started fitting the dogs against each other. Eventually, that sport would be banned as well.
Because of so many bloodlines used for fighting, pit bulls are actually not a single breed. The American Kennel Club does not recognize it as its own separate breed. However, there are several breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bully.
Do Pit Bulls Have Any Health Problems?
Every dog breed comes with hereditary issues that have been passed down through many years. Pit bulls are no exception. When wondering how long do pit bulls live, it is important to take into account potential health concerns. Here are some health issues to be aware of:
Skin infections: As mentioned earlier, pit bulls have short coats. While this is a plus for their grooming needs, it leaves their skin open to infections like allergies and itchy rashes.
Joints: Pit bulls are highly active, which means that they tend to hop and jump around a lot. They also have a very muscular build. These two factors put together mean that they can get problems in their joints over time.
The problems mostly appear in the knees of these dogs. Hip dysplasia is another example, which is a genetic issue with Staffordshire Terriers. The common symptoms of this issue are arthritis and pain in the affected area.
Thyroid diseases: Pit bulls are prone to get thyroid issues, which means that their thyroid gland will not produce enough hormones. This will lead to your pitbull gaining excessive weight.
Though these problems sound severe, a trip to the vet will ensure that you can take all the precautions you need to prevent them.
How Long Do Pit Bulls Live For?
Depending on the breed, a pit bull’s life expectancy can be anywhere between 9 years to 17 years. However, on average, they live for 12-14 years of age.
Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs. The different life expectancies of pit bulls based on their types are mentioned below.
American Pit Bull Terrier: 12 to 14 years
American Staffordshire Terrier: 12 to 14 years
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: 12 to 14 years
American Bulldog: 10 to 15 years
English Bull Terrier: 10 to 14 years
How Do I Help My Pit Bull Live Longer?
If you get a puppy, you would, of course, consider it a part of your family and want it to live longer. You need to ensure that you keep all genetic problems and general lifestyle issues in mind to increase your dog’s lifespan.
First of all, your pit bull needs to be vaccinated appropriately based on the area that you live in. Regular checkups at the vet will also ensure that they can be noticed early and treated well if there is a health issue with your dog.
We discussed how your dog might be predisposed to develop a few health problems. You need to ensure that you take the proper steps to prevent these issues as much as possible.
For example, use repellent and shampoos to prevent bug-related infections on its skin. You can also let your dog play on the grass instead of concrete, making it easier on your dog’s joints.
The overall diet and lifestyle of your dog will also have an impact on its lifespan. Please stay away from cheap dog foods and make sure that your pitbull gets plenty of exercises to ensure that it leads a long, healthy, and happy life with you.
What Are the Different Types of Pit Bulls?
While there are many bully breeds, they’re are four leading breeds of pit bulls. It is important to consider the specific type when asking how long do pit bulls live?
American Bully: One of the most recognizable types of pit bulls. The American Bully is a short and wide dog that has a very muscular frame. These animals are gentle with humans, children, and other animals and will make a great addition to your home.
The Bully has a broader head and is shorter than other kinds of pit bulls. They are also quite strong and agile and can be tamed with the proper training. They can grow up to 20 inches in height and weigh up to 85 pounds.
American Pit Bull Terrier: These dogs have ancestry in the United Kingdom but first originated in America in the late 19th century. Because of their size, people used them for dog fighting before it became illegal.
The Pit Bull Terrier is not as friendly as the Bully when it comes to other animals. For example, you might not want to get this animal if you already have another dog at home.
However, they get along with humans and are known for their loyalty. Pit Bull Terriers can grow up to 20 inches in height and weigh up to 65 pounds.
American Staffordshire Terrier: The Staffordshire Terrier is a shorter dog than the American Bully and the Pit Bull Terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier has a similar background to most terriers. They are known for being more friendly and calm compared to their other pitbull comrades.
These dogs are loyal and playful and need regular exercise to keep them happy. They can grow up to 19 inches in height and up to 80 pounds in weight.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier: This is the smallest breed of pitbull and also one of the mellowest. They are used to the attention and might display some behavioral problems if left alone.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more suited to be the only dog in the house. They love being the center of attention and do not get along well with other dogs. They are also good with children.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers grow up to 16 inches in height with a muscular build despite their small height and can weigh up to 38 pounds.
How Big Are Pit Bulls?
If you get a pit bull as a puppy, you might not know how big or strong it can get. Pit bulls are tiny as puppies, as most dogs are, and newborn pit bulls can be between 7 to 10 ounces in weight.
Full-grown pit bulls can vary significantly in size depending on the breed. For example, there is a pit bull-type called a Pocket Pitbull.
Pocket Pitbulls are a mix between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Patterdale Terrier. It’s a small dog, only weighing from 11 to 22 pounds at maturity.
On the other hand, the American Bulldog is the largest pit bull. Males can weigh between 75 to 125 pounds. You need to provide the dog with proper training from a young age. Otherwise, you’ll have a headstrong, stubborn dog on your hands.
What Is the Temperament of a Pit Bull?
Pit bulls have always had a bad name associated with them because they can be aggressive, fierce, and moody. However, these stories do not paint the complete picture.
Because of their muscular frame and their broad faces, pit bulls might look angry and mean at all times. Not just media stories, but even pop culture used pit bulls to symbolize guard dogs and patrol dogs because of their looks.
This is not the case, as pit bulls are pretty friendly and outgoing. The problems arise when they do not get enough exercise or activity, as pit bulls tend to get bored quickly.
If they are not eating their food or playing around, pit bulls will need a recommended amount of exercise every day. This means that you cannot leave a pit bull indoors doing anything for extended periods, as this is where the problem will stem from.
With proper training and regular exercise, Pit bulls are brave, loyal, and playful companions. It’ll help if you make sure you’re an active person if you plan on owning a pit bull. An inactive pit bull will lead to boredom and mischief.
How Often Do I Need to Groom My Pit Bull?
Pit Bulls usually have short coats. If you have a dog like a German Shepherd, you will need to groom it more often because of its long fur.
However, in the case of pit bulls, grooming needs are minimal. Their short coats ensure that not much work needs to be put into their day-to-day grooming.
Their coat has some downsides, as the short coat does not protect their skin as effectively as longer coats. This means that you will need to keep your home clean and not let your dog in unfamiliar places when you’re taking a walk or exercising.
How Do I Train My Pit bull?
As mentioned earlier, pit bulls are a very active breed. They need plenty of activity, and an hour of exercise a day with them should be the minimum amount you should hope for.
As they are more prone to aggression than the average dog breed, you also need to train them from a young age. Make sure that you get them used to walking on a leash as soon as you can. This will set your alpha status in the household and help your pit bull be friendlier towards other animals and dogs.
Besides this, they cannot be cooped up in small spaces for too long. They have a lot of extra energy, which means that they will always need an outlet. If left alone in closed spaces for too long, they might get aggressive and cause damage to your property.
If you’re thinking about getting a pit bull, make sure you are active or have a large yard. Depending on which pit type you choose, be cautious of your Pit around other dogs. While pits love people, their instinct is to be aggressive toward other animals.
Final Word
We hope that we have helped to debunk the myth that pit bulls are naturally aggressive and dangerous dogs. This unfortunate misconception has haunted the breed and the good owners for far too long. The truth is that pit bulls have all of the characteristics of a dog that is a great companion and a lifelong friend.
With the proper training, regular exercise, proper healthcare and a loving owner/family, Pit bulls are some of the most confident,courageous, protective and loving dogs you’ll ever meet.
In this article, we discussed how long do pit bulls live and more about how to take care of them throughout their lifespan. If you’re interested in similar topics, please feel free to check out our other articles as well!