Are Pitbulls Bad? 7 Reasons NOT to Get a Pitbull

If you’re suspicious of the praises showered down on Pitbulls on the blogosphere or simply want to convince your partner NOT to get a Pitbull, you might want to know what might persuade them. Not all of these reasons will apply to everyone because Pitties are the ideal breed for millions of owners.

In this article, you will learn why some people might think that Pitbulls are bad, alongside reasons not to get this breed, including:

• Pitbulls can be aggressive. 
• Pitbulls are territorial.
• They can be destructive chewers.
• Pitbulls can develop separation anxiety.
• Pitbulls are prone to medical conditions.
• They can be stubborn.
• Rescue Pitbulls can be hard to train as adults.

So, let’s delve into all the different reasons you should not get a Pitbull.

Are Pitbulls Bad Dogs?

There is no “good” or “bad” breed, but some dogs can be a bad fit for your household or lifestyle.

Pitbulls are bad as they can be aggressive and unpredictable, especially if not trained well. They can also be stubborn, and territorial, and engage in destructive chewing. Above all, they are challenging to train as adults, may develop separation anxiety, and are susceptible to medical conditions.

You might have heard the saying, “there are no bad dogs, only bad trainers.” It is used almost exclusively in the context of Pitbulls because of the number of “reported incidents” in which they bite someone.

However, you’ll notice I emphasized “reported incidents” due to the often misidentification of the breed, as reported in various studies. For example, this study on the identification of Pitbull-type dogs by shelter staff found many inconsistencies and that “Pitbull-type” dogs were incorrectly identified 60% of the time.

Also, a study that analyzed ten years of dog bite-related fatalities with breed-based data found that media reports are a poor source for breed information as there were over 40% of discrepancies between the breed reported in the media and the subsequent breed identification by animal control.

This same study also concluded that the leading cause of the fatalities was irresponsible ownership and not a particular breed.

So, the question is, why aren’t more people “bad trainers” of Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles? Because they aren’t high-effort dogs (to varying degrees). It’s the same with German Shepherds, who are also often wrongly portrayed as bad dogs. As a German Shepherd owner, I should know!

But you have to do things right.

You need to be a good trainer to help a Pitbull learn to be social, avoid aggressive behavior and remain secure in your absence. To make sure you know what you’re in for, here are 7 issues that Pitbulls have that can make them a bad fit for you.

1. Pitbulls Can Be Aggressive

If you’re interested in getting a Pitbull or want to persuade someone to adopt one, you might have already heard that Pitbulls can be aggressive. Pitbulls can indeed be aggressive, especially females in heat, but that goes for most breeds. 

They can also display aggressive behavior whenever they feel threatened. Unfortunately, plenty of normal behavior can make a Pitbull feel threatened. This includes taking away their food bowl to add more food, going outside while leaving them behind, and even inviting a friend over.

Pitbulls have a bad reputation because they came into existence as dog fighters bred for maximum aggression. While this increases the potential for aggression, it doesn’t make the dog aggressive by default. Pitbulls can be trained to be less aggressive but must be cautiously supervised.

Socializing your Pitbull is crucial because if he is not trained correctly, he can bite other pets and dogs even if he starts off friendly. Pitbulls don’t like surprises during playtime, so even getting startled can lead to a quick bite.

“Fear aggression in an unsocialized Pitbull is due to the dog simply not knowing how to behave in various environments.”

World of Dogz

But those are the consequences of getting bitten by a Pitbull, not the inherent risks of having a Pitbull. As long as you make sure no one startles or threatens your dog and socialize him to understand what normal behavior is, he won’t bite for no reason.

Key points:

• Pitbulls are muscular and powerful, so you don’t want them to think of an average human as a possible threat.
• Pitbull puppies must be exposed to various people to keep them open-minded about new faces.
• Pitbulls’ have a high prey drive that needs reigning in with proper care and controlled exposure to other animals. 
• It is easy to make a Pitbull asocial. However, you’ll have to deal with the negative consequences of having an asocial dog.
• A Pitbull that puts people on edge also feels bad about not receiving encouragement and attention.

If your Pitbull is being treated or trained for aggression, ensure you keep changing almost everything about his routine so he does not get territorial.

2. Pitbulls Can Get Territorial

Does Pitbulls’ aggression mean you can’t invite friends over? In some cases, yes. If Pitbulls get too comfortable in a setting, they can become territorial about their habits and the objects and people surrounding them that they highly value.

Among the things that a Pitbull can get territorial about is the place where he feeds, the bowl in which he eats, the emptiness of the corner in which he sleeps, etc. This can make inviting friends quite tricky if your Pitbull hasn’t been socialized very well.

Pitbulls are adorable and deserve a lot of love, but when they are not socialized properly, they need to be loved from a distance. And if you have friends over, you must ensure they know this.

If you’re considering adopting a Pitbull, research shows that Pitbulls aren’t any more aggressive than other rescue dogs. The study focused on shelter rescues, which is reasonable given that many rumors regarding Pitbulls are about their traumatizing past. It is pretty reliable, but it only proves that among shelter dogs, aggression levels are relatively similar.

It is also often stated that a Shih Tzu is more aggressive than a Pitbull. The problem is that a Shih Tzu isn’t as effective at causing damage in an aggressive state.

But if you want to feel at ease, you must go with your gut feeling regarding Pitbulls. If you feel anxious around a Pitbull, you’ll make him more nervous. And if you move too cautiously, you’ll make him more territorial.

Pro Tip! You can learn more about territorial Pitties and resource guarding in my article on Pitbull behavior problems.

There is no other way to keep a territorial Pitbull from becoming dangerous to anyone who wanders near him. When you start introducing and enforcing change, you claim the alpha status, making it unlikely that he will bite or snap at you.

Key points:

• Pitbulls can get territorial due to their immense loyalty to their owners. They may become even more territorial if they have been abused in the past and they’re afraid.
• A Pitbull won’t feel threatened once he realizes that strangers can enter his safe zone without endangering it.
• Overly territorial Pitbulls won’t even allow you to go near them while eating. Food aggression is the most common reason why many dogs bite.

3. Pitbulls Can Be Destructive Chewers

Pitbulls, especially when anxious, can start chewing through furniture and almost anything they can find to bite. As a result, I often tell my friends that they shouldn’t get a Pitbull if they have no one at home when they leave for work.

Destructive chewing in Pitties can be due to:

• Lack of exercise
• Loneliness
• Boredom
• Poor obedience training
• Excessive stress
• Obsessive compulsive behavior

Excessive chewing is most prominent in Pitbulls that are adopted and not bought from a breeder as a puppy. Few Pitbulls from breeders don’t destroy things with aggressive chewing, while rescue dogs do because breeder-released dogs tend to be trained well as puppies.

Grown-up Pitbulls are much less likely to learn not to chew out random things. The chewing habit developed in a different home can intensify when the environment of the Pitbull changes.

A persistent myth regarding rescue Pitbulls is that they snap out of nowhere. And that has been proven wrong time and time again. Pitbulls that are traumatized show anxious behavior right away. 

Pitbulls biting out of “nowhere” can be due to trauma or pent-up aggression. Human factors affect canine behavior, as shown in this horrendous case of a child mauled to death. Investigators found that the dog had been stolen by a teenager and abused as he wanted to turn him into a fighting dog.

If a Pitbull seems more aggressive than anxious, he probably needs more exercise. And this applies to a new Pitbull as well as a shelter rescue.

It might seem like getting a Pitbull from a breeder is much safer. But that’s not the case if you genuinely don’t take appropriate care of him. He needs to be exercised well, which can mean 1 to 2 hours of daily walking and other play activities.

Key points:

• All puppies chew when teething, and young pups will explore their new world with their mouths. However, excessive chewing becomes an issue when your Pitbull is an adult.
• You must understand why your Pittie is engaging in destructive chewing. Don’t rule out medical issues such as pain or illness. Once you know why he is exhibiting the behavior, you can begin steps to stop it.

4. Pitbulls Can Get Separation Anxiety

Anxiety and destructive chewing can merge to form a new problem: separation anxiety – an intense fear of being separated from their owners. A Pitbull will be a bad fit for you if you need to leave your dog for hours on end.

Pitties are prone to separation anxiety, and it’s a common reason why they end up in a shelter in the first place. They bond intensely with their humans and can’t bear to be separated for long periods. They are super sensitive and needy creatures that need much love and kindness.

Symptoms of separation anxiety will manifest as:

• Drooling, pacing, showing stress as you’re about to leave
• Barking, howling, whining
• Chewing
• Digging or trying to escape
• Urinating or pooping

But there are ways to prevent it, especially if you get a puppy. Teach the pup to be left alone as soon as you bring him home. Even 10 minutes in his crate a couple of times a day will set you up for success.

Dogs should not be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time, and puppies need to build up to this as you should only leave them for 1-hour maximum per month of age.

Shelter dogs suffering from this disorder need training using desensitization and counterconditioning techniques. Remember, they may have had a traumatic past, so you must exercise patience and consistency.

Key points:

• Pitbulls are naturally nervous about neglect and abandonment and can develop separation anxiety.
• Pitbulls are undesirable dogs for anxious people to own because they can reflect their owners’ moods.
• If you work long hours or can’t accommodate your Pitbulls’ separation anxiety with additional care, you should get a relatively stable and secure breed in your absence.

5. Pitbulls Are Prone to Medical Conditions

Pitbulls can have several medical conditions, including but not limited to:

• Hip dysplasia
• Knee complications
• Thyroid disease
• Degenerative myelopathy

Joint issues aren’t something you can train out of the dog because it is often related to the dog’s size due to its diverse breeding background. If you’ve seen a picture of a fully grown Pitbull, you know this already. But you may not know that large dogs are prone to hip, joint, and bone problems.

If you’re choosing a Pitbull puppy, you must get your puppy from the right dog breeder. They must be reputable and show you the pup’s sire and dam before you pay up. Ask for specific tests to prove low to no risk of the above diseases.

If you’re looking to adopt from a shelter, I advise getting an Embark DNA test and health screening kit from Amazon. That way, you can find out the breed of the parents and whether there are any potential health problems.

However, despite your due diligence, there is no guarantee that your Pittie won’t develop any genetic conditions. Sadly, this is one of the disadvantages of Pitbulls.

I came unstuck in this department, as despite conducting thorough checks (hip scores), sadly, my dog has arthritis. Nonetheless, a comfortable dog bed can help significantly prevent these joint and mobility issues.

I use the Big Barker orthopedic dog bed as it’s the only bed scientifically proven to improve the quality of life of big dogs by improving joint function and stiffness and reducing pain. I also like that it is manufactured in the USA, so you can trust its quality control and orthopedic foam, but a huge selling point for me was the 10-year guarantee. 

These beds are specifically designed for larger dogs and get plenty of praise from owners. Its price could be a drawback to some people, but I find it worth the price if it reduces or eliminates joint pain in one’s dog. You can check out my review of the Big Barker here.

Key points:

• Only get a Pitbull if you can afford to take multiple visits to the vet or buy a good pet insurance policy. 
• Pitbulls can develop medical conditions and require due diligence before buying – and patience and care after adoption.

6. Pitbulls Can Be Stubborn

One key thing that puts Pitbulls in the “bad” category is that they can sometimes be stubborn. However, their behavior is mainly a result of their living and training conditions.

Nonetheless, this strong stubborn trait is what makes the Pittie such a confident breed and occasionally tricky to handle. Breeds genetically predisposed to being headstrong, independent, and high-energy, like the Pitbull, are renowned for the stubborn trait.

Remember, the breed was initially bred to bait bulls. It’s no wonder they needed to show a high degree of confidence. Despite their loyalty and desire to please, their stubborn trait often shines through.

Pitties may also show stubbornness by rejecting your dominance. While many will imprint on you and follow you around as pups, you can quickly lose status if you’re not assertive and fail to anchor commands.

Key points:

• Pitbulls are well suited to assertive owners. There can be no fussy putting around with this breed, so if you have a “live and let live” attitude toward dog ownership, you should choose a more passive breed.
• Pitbulls can test your authority; you must enforce strict boundaries patiently. If you have that kind of capacity, then you will be well suited to the breed.

7. Rescue Pitbulls Are Harder To Train as Adults

This might sound cruel, but it is true. You should not get an adult Pitbull from a shelter if you can’t trust yourself to be the perfect dog trainer.

While some people are against buying puppies to discourage unethical breeding practices, getting a Pitbull from a shelter entails higher risk. The last thing you want is for the dog to end up back in the shelter or be euthanized.

Most breeds take longer to learn as adults, but Pitbulls can remain unpredictable until they know how to socialize with other dogs and humans. A tiny percentage of Pitbulls are responsible for the hostile media that paints all Pitbulls as bad. But most of that news comes from traumatized and abused Pitbulls.

If your rescued Pittie was mistreated, she may be confused and needs time to figure things out. Nonetheless, you cannot let the dog be the alpha. Like any other breed, Pitbulls can develop behavior problems if abused, mishandled, or unsocialized, resulting in unwanted aggression.

If you rescue a Pitbull, ensure he’s still a puppy so there is time to train and socialize him. Remember that socialization should start immediately. 

You can get away with slacking on the social exposure front if your dog belongs to a relatively tame breed. Docile breeds can afford to learn late. But since Pitbull bites can be lethal, those raising puppies need to ensure their dogs are friendly with everyone around them. 

It really is possible for a Pitbull to be amiable, but this has to happen in the raising and training stage. You don’t want to “tame” a “wild” Pitbull. You need to raise him properly. This brings us to the question of social IQ. How hard or easy is it to socialize a Pitbull?

Pitbulls are very easy to socialize early on. Because they don’t look intimidating as puppies, people gravitate toward them. This positive social exposure can ingrain in the Pitbull that he is loved and that humans are friends. This means he will think twice before snapping at random strangers in the future.

Remember, Pitbulls aren’t inherently dangerous. They are intrinsically more prone to being stereotyped, reflecting how they are treated.

The way humans look at a specific Pitbull reflects on his psyche. If everyone’s on edge around a Pitbull, it is easy to see why he would be cautious. This can make training a grown Pitbull harder than training other adult dogs. But as puppies, they’re very trainable and highly intelligent.

Key points:

• Only get an adult Pitbull from a shelter if you are a confident trainer and individual. Owners should be assertive, calm, and patient, and have lots of time to spend with the dog.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of ongoing socialization and training. Pitties are intelligent dogs and may try to “play you” if you show any signs of weakness.
• Discipline your dog using positive reinforcement training and never use aversive methods such as physical force or yelling. Studies have shown that using aversive training methods can compromise the physical and mental health of dogs and even make a dog more aggressive.

Should You Get a Pitbull?

Most of this article assumes a worst-case scenario just to drive home that Pitbulls can be a bad fit for many people. But you can safely get a Pitbull if you are willing to be a responsible owner/trainer.

You should get a Pitbull if:

• You can get one as a puppy and socialize him well 
• You can feed and exercise the dog 
• You’re willing to be patient and strict where required
• You are strong-willed and confident

Pitbulls are very intimidating dogs because of their reputation and breeding history. But at the end of the day, they are lovable and affectionate dogs to many owners. And the quicker they assimilate into a family and the better they are treated, the better they get. But if the trainer is bad or even inexperienced, the Pitbull will also be bad.

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