Before You Get Your Pit Bull

Adding a dog to your household is a big commitment. We, at HTH Pets, 
feel that sharing your life with a pit bull is a wonderful thing! The 
love, companionship, and sense of humor these dogs bring to our lives is 
truly a gift.

HTH encourages owners to make responsible choices about dog ownership.

Here are some things to consider before you adopt a Pit Bull…

    * What are you looking for in a pet? Consider the amount of time,
      exercise, training, and care required to maintain a healthy, happy
      dog. Each dog will vary in his/her needs, so when working with a
      rescue or shelter, be sure to ask as much information as you can
      about the dog.

    * Is everyone on board? Make sure that everyone in your household is
      in agreement about adding a pet, and specifically, the dog you
      have selected to adopt. All household members should meet the dog
      prior to bringing the dog home, to ensure a good match for
      everyone involved.

    * Take a test drive! When adopting a dog, get to know the dog as
      much as you can before you take the dog home. We at HTH encourages
      you to visit your potential new family member at his or her Foster
      Home multiple times, subsequent to* pre approval*, talk to our
      staff and volunteers who handle the dog, and ask to walk the dog
      and interact with him/her off leash in an adoption visiting area.

    * What about your other pets? If you’re adding a Pit Bull to a home
      that has other pets, make sure that the dog you select will be a
      good fit. While some Pit Bulls can live quite happily with other
      pets, not all dogs can live with cats or other dogs. Some prefer
      to be the only pet in your heart and home. Check with the Foster
      Family or our staff to see if the dog has been evaluated for
      compatibility with other animals. Introductions should be done
      carefully and over time, to allow the animals time to acclimate
      comfortably and safely. For more information on multiple pet
      households and introducing dogs to other pets, please review the
      following pages:

      http://www.pbrc.net/second_dog.html
      http://www.pbrc.net/dogintros.html
      http://www.pbrc.net/socializing.html
      http://www.pbrc.net/training_cat_dog.html

    * Are you a homeowner? If so, check with your homeowner’s insurance
      company regarding dogs. Sadly, some insurance companies have
      policies that exclude coverage based on breed of dog.

    * Are you a renter? If so, make sure that your lease allows for
      pets. Some landlords, management companies, and even condo
      associations have restrictions regarding number of pets, type or
      breed, or weight limits. Be upfront with your landlord about the
      breed of dog, as insurance companies sometimes prohibit certain
      breeds and your landlord may be restricted by his/her insurance
      carrier.

    * Where do you live? Unfortunately, some cities or counties have
      passed breed specific legislation (BSL). The best and most
      accurate way to find out if your city welcomes dogs of all breeds
      is to verify with your local Animal Control. Some cities have
      their animal ordinances and municipal codes online. To learn more
      about BSL, please visit: http://www.pbrc.net/breedspecific.html

    * Is moving in your future? You will need to make sure that you are
      able to take your Pit Bull no matter where you live. BSL,
      individual rental management company restrictions, and insurance
      can all influence whether or not your dog is a welcome companion
      in your next living situation. Be sure that you are willing to
      commit to owning a Pit Bull and that you will take the time to
      find housing that accepts your dog. Military bases do not allow
      Pit Bulls, so if you are in the military or considering it, a Pit
      Bull may not be right for you.

    * Read about the breed. Educate yourself about the American Pit Bull
      Terrier. Every breed has certain traits; while each dog is an
      individual, each breed has certain general characteristics. Pit
      Bulls of correct temperament are gregarious, friendly, athletic,
      and intelligent. They love people and they love to be engaged in
      activities with their people. Pit Bulls are not suited to be left
      alone in a yard; they want to be inside and part of the family.
      They are not suited to be guarding or protection dogs. Pit Bulls
      require daily exercise. They are very trainable and generally
      enjoy learning new things whether it be tricks, obedience, or
      sports. Walking, jogging, hiking, playing fetch, and swimming are
      also activities that many Pit Bulls enjoy; as a Pit Bull owner,
      you will need to keep your dog physically and mentally exercised.
      *Pit Bull Rescue Central* has great informational web pages about
      these wonderful dogs. Other websites we recommend for learning
      more about the breed are: www.badrap.org and www.animalfarmfoundation.org 

    * As with adopting any pet, you will need to make sure you have the
      time, money, and resources to take care of your Pit Bull for the
      rest of his life. A healthy Pit Bull can live 10-12 years. Some
      live even longer. Make sure you are committed to owning and taking
      care of the dog for his full life. In general, Pit Bulls are
      hearty dogs, but they can be prone to skin issues such as mange or
      allergies. Orthopedic injuries such as ACL tears are also somewhat
      common in the breed; due to their athleticism and high pain
      tolerance, some dogs acquire injuries while playing or exercising
      and may not show pain until the injury has become significant.

If you feel that a Pit Bull is right for you, let HTH help you take the 
next step: Adoption!. Please search our site for a Pit Bull companion. 
Then, be ready for all the bully kisses you can stand!