Pitbull Puppy Buyer’s Guide

The American Pitbull is a popular breed across the world, but the term is sometimes misused for any American bully type breed (like American Staffordshire Terriers) or even for bull terrier mixes. This is incorrect, and it is considered an official breed in many countries.

Pitbull Sale Guide for Buyers

American Pit Bull Terriers come in many colors; there are Champagne Pitbull puppies, red nose Pitbull puppies, blue Pit Bull puppies, lilac tri-colored dogs and more, and you need to choose carefully if you want a quality XL Pit puppy. This is a guide to buying the quality Pitbull of your dreams; with what to look for, and how to avoid the common traps.

About Pitbull Puppies

A Pitbull puppy has a smooth coat, just like the adult pitbull, and their markings tend to be evident already from that they are little (with a few exceptions). They have bright and clear eyes, a rounded head and a wide snout, and they basically look like a miniature version of what they will become once grown up.

A Pit bull’s puppy is alert and playful, and they love to explore their surroundings! Healthy puppies will often be fearless and robust, and they require extensive socialization from a young age, as they may easily get bored if not properly entertained.

The Pitbull is not currently recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club) as a breed, as the breed standards are somewhat vague, and it is common for all Pitbull-type dogs to be considered Pitbulls. It is however recognized by the American Dog Breeder’s Association and by the United Kennel Club.

These dogs were originally mixes of various Bully pups and Terriers, and they were bred to bait bulls. This, however, didn’t last too long, and they went on to become appreciated working dogs at farms, and they eventually became family dogs after their compatibility with children was discovered.

The Pit bull was once known as one of few babysitting dog breeds, where kids were given a Pitbull to look after them and to keep them safe, instead of a nanny. Today, Pitbulls are commonly used for company, as protection dogs, and for dog sports.

What to Look Out for When Buying a Pitbull Puppy

For prospective puppy owners, it is important to be smart when you pick out a Pitbull puppy. This is true regardless of the breed you choose, and also applies for breeds like the American Staffordshire and for a Bulldog’s puppies, but you might want to be a little extra careful when shopping for Pitbull puppies, as there are unfortunately many dishonest individuals out there.

As a perfect example, the Pitbull breed is not as regulated in the United States and in other countries as some other breeds are, and a purebred puppy can often be hard to tell apart from mixed puppies.

You should always ask to see the parents before you purchase a Pitbull dog, preferably in person, but the male dog might not be kept at the same Pitbull breeder, as these are often borrowed from other breeders to prevent inbreeding.

The next thing to do is to look at the puppies. Do they look healthy? Are they clean? When it comes to Pit Bull’s puppies, they should be strong and robust, and a skinny or weak-looking could be a sign of future health problems (but not always).

Do your research regarding the person or breeder selling the puppy, and always try to go meet the dog before you decide to buy it.

Whether you live in the US, in South Africa, in the United Kingdom, the breeder of XL Pitbulls or of the American Pitbull Terrier should never have an issue with you wanting to visit. If they do – that is a red flag.

Pitbull Life Stages

The life expectancy for Pitbulls in the world is between 8 and 15 years, depending on their genetic makeup and general health, and most well cared for dogs tend to live for well over 10 years.

This may seem very distant as you bring your Bully Pitbull puppies home, but time goes by fast and before you know it you will have an adolescent Pitbull terrier on your hands! These can be a handful, if you are unprepared, as young dogs (not only XL Pitbull puppies) tend to enjoy testing limits and breaking rules. Patience and training is key here, to help your American Pit grow up to become a balanced adult dog.

Bluenose Pitbulls are sometimes believed to be a different breed, due to their beauty, color, and overall appearance, but it is exactly the same as a tri-colored Pit, champagne Pit Bull puppies, a red nose Pitbull, blue fawns and other color combinations, and they all go through the same age-related development.

Once over the age of 7, your American Bully pup will be considered a senior dog, and a veterinarian can guide you through any required changes to their diet and routine. Additional Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements might be necessary, to help keep their bones and joints in good shape.

Pitbull Health Concerns

This is a breed that is prone to health issues such as some heart conditions, hip dysplasia, cataracts, and other eye issues, skin allergies, hypothyroidism, and some digestive issues, and it is important to have a trusted veterinarian to turn to for advice, if there is ever an issue or a rising concern.

A Pitbull puppy needs to be properly vaccinated before being brought out into the world, as an unvaccinated puppy is exposed to potentially fatal diseases, and this type of preventive care should continue throughout your bully Pit Bull’s life.

Breeder Information

Finding a reliable Pitbull kennel with a knowledgeable dog breeder can be hard, but it is essential if you want to help fight backyard breeding and unethical breeding practices, and also if you want to up your chances of getting a healthy American Bully puppy.

We would normally recommend relying on breeders associated with the AKC, but since this breed is not recognized by the AKC, you might instead want to reach out to the UKC (UKC registered Pitbull breeding) or the American Dog Breeder’s Association to ask about available puppies.

Be wary of internet ads, and always make sure you get to meet the puppy before you agree to buy it. A top quality Pitbull is most likely to come from a breeder that cares about the future of the breed, and they should be able to show you a USDA health certificate, sign a puppy contract and offer up tips and tricks for how to care for your new bully Pit puppy.

Pitbull Puppy Diet

Ask your breeder what type of food your puppy was fed while living there, as it is recommended to start out with the same dog food brand, and then slowly switch over to the dog food you prefer to feed your XL American Bully Puppies.

You should aim at eventually switching your puppy to high-quality dog food for pitbull dogs, if this is not what they were fed at the breeders, and one with high levels of protein.

Pitbulls are very active and strong dogs, and they need protein to thrive. Keep in mind that all puppies should be fed a puppy diet for the first few months, as it helps them develop correctly.

A healthy diet will help their coat remain shiny. And, their short hair makes them easy to care for, all you need is a great brush for your pitbull.

Is a Pitbull Right for You?

Unfortunately, the Pitbull has something of a bad reputation, due to unfortunate incidents and irresponsible (and inadequate) dog owners. As a Pitbull owner, it is important to be aware of the strength the breed possesses, as it is only logical that if a Pitbull bites, it will naturally do more harm than for example a Chihuahua.

This does not mean that it is more likely to bite (in fact, the Chihuahua is considered one of the world’s most aggressive dog breeds), but the more you know about the breed, the easier it will be to help raise a balanced and happy dog.

Pitbulls can make wonderful family dogs; they are loyal and loving and tend to become very attached to their human family members. If you are physically strong enough to hold back a young Pitbull pulling on its leash, and if you have the devotion it’ll require to train a strong and stubborn dog with a big heart – then perhaps the breed is right for you!