The American Pit Bull Terrier Temperament

By Nathaniel 3X Rhine

American Pit Bull Terrier Temperament? What is that? Temperament can be defined as an individual’s way of behaving or reacting to specific situations. Such reactions may include fear, shyness, aggressiveness, curiosity, courage and eagerness to name just a few.

 

Temperament is perhaps the key thing to keep in mind when considering buying or rescuing an American Pit Bull Terrier. One reason people choose to rescue an American Pit Bull Terrier instead of buying from a breeder is when one adopt an adult one will know their temperament and one can be certain of their behaviour and reactions to general situations.

 

Unfortunately, puppies do not come with this benefit. One may bring home the most beautiful looking puppy, but by the age of two years old, will he still have the same temperament? The answer is of course no. Daily life experiences will shape and mold their behaviours and reactions to various situations.

 

Temperament is shaped through both genetics and life experiences. How a five month old puppy reacts to a situation might not be the same reaction when they are three or four years old. Even if one have the best looking dog in the neighborhood, if one didn’t give temperament the consideration it deserves, one could have a great looking dog that that also has horrible temperament and is a burden to the wonderful breed.

Proper temperament of the American Pit Bull Terrier is as follows:

 

01. Strong Nerves. An American Pit Bull terrier that shrinks or panics when confronted with loud noises or unfamiliar situations is demonstrating weak nerves. The American Pit Bull Terrier with proper temperament will show strong nerves in unfamiliar situations and their reactions to strange sounds, while at first might be fearful, will quickly turn to investigate the noise.

02. Friendly and Outgoing. Even with strangers they have never met they will demonstrate an outgoing nature. They love people in general. However, a word of caution: like all dogs, the American Pit Bull Terrier has the capability to bite. For an example, you are walking your dog and the two of you approach a friend of yours. So naturally you will stop and say hello to your friend as your dog is on his leash at your side. The friend pets your dog with your permission, of course. So far so good. However, the friend somehow “irritated” your dog and the dog snapped at your friend. Does the dog have bad temperament? I will not answer that now, for I will save that for my next post coming soon.

03. Submissive, but not too submissive. A correct American Pit Bull Terrier should be willing to submit to you willingly and not be overbearing, overly shy or nervous.

 

04. Animal Aggression. Animal aggression, especially dog aggression is very common with the breed and should be considered normal.

 

05. Highly Intelligent. An American Pit Bull Terrier will learn new obedience behaviours, tricks and even bad behaviours quickly without much effort. I have personally taught Soldier, my American Pit Bull Terrier, a new command just the other day, and in one day, he learned the command “come”. Now each time we are heading out for a walk, I simply give the command, “come”, and within seconds he comes to where I am to put on his leash. No longer do I have to go to him to put on his leash. Now he comes to me. I am the alpha dog.

 

06. High Energy. Need I say more? The vast majority of the breed, not all, is over flowing with energy.

 

Moreover there are far more traits of proper temperament that I could share with you about the American Pit Bull Terrier, however, what I have just mentioned will serve as the core of a sound American Pit Bull Terrier. My next article will be on Human Aggression and The American Pit Bull Terrier. Thank you for reading and enjoy your day.