How Long Do Pitbulls Live? Factors Affecting Pitbull Lifespan

Pitbull is not a breed of dog; It is a group of dog breeds that evolved from Bulldog-Terrier crosses.  As a result, breed-specific laws (BSL) have sprung up in places across America that restrict or ban Pitbulls as pets. Pitbulls are even banned in many Canadian towns and cities.  When considering adopting a Pitbull, one of the most common questions is “how long do Pitbulls live?”. 

How long do Pitbulls live?

This is the answer how long Pitbulls live. Pitbull can live between 8 and 16 years on average. Their life expectancy varies by Pitbull breed. Of the Pitbull breeds, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to live the longest.

If you are looking for a long-term companion, you can always go for a longer-lived Pitbull breed.

Pitbull Lifespan by Breed

Pitbull lifespans are broken down by breed below. American Staffordshire Terriers live an average of 12 to 16 years, which is the longest lifespan. However, all breeds of Pitbulls can last into adolescence with the right care:

How old was the oldest Pitbull that ever lived?

American Staffordshire Terrier runs through the leaves

The lifespan of the American Staffordshire Terrier is 12 to 16 years

Pitbull Max from Louisiana lived a long and healthy life and passed away at the age of 26. Max was a terrier mix but still qualified as a Pitbull.

A Quick Look to The Pitbulls

Pitbull character

The Pitbull is affectionate, loyal, cuddly, and close to family members. He is a dog who does not know how to be calm, and on the contrary, he knows how to stand out with his very active temperament. This active dog needs to exert himself. A sportsman at heart, he appreciates having a garden available and long walks to run and play.

The Pitbull was born to be a guard dog! You can genuinely say that he only lives to protect those around him. He is a very protective and very courageous dog. He is a dog who knows how to appreciate the moments spent alone, but not only! Although independent, he also likes to be with his family. The Pitbull is a dog that knows how to get noticed! Although he enjoys barking to make himself heard, he can just as well stay calm and quiet. It's up to you to teach him to control his emotions!

Pitbull Sociability

The Pitbull appreciates children. Even if he is not the closest dog to children, he will have no difficulty integrating into a large family. Of course, vigilance is always required. It is a surly dog ​​that could be aggressive with other animals. It is preferable to choose a family where it can evolve alone, without the presence of congeners. Sociable and pleasant with strangers, he does not hesitate to meet them.

Pitbull Education

It is better to already have the experience to adopt this dog. He is very intelligent, and he understands with great ease what you ask him. He can learn many commands and enjoys them. Docile and attentive, he also knows how to be stubborn when he feels like it.

Way of life

Living in an apartment is not ideal for this type of dog unless you take it out for a large part of the day. It is a dog suitable for athletes and people who enjoy spending time outdoors. He indeed has a lot of energy and would be unhappy if he had to stay confined. Extremely playful, he gives the impression of remaining young in his head all his life. Dynamic, it will not fail to make you laugh.

Health

Usually in very good health, this dog is particularly robust and lucky enough not to have many health concerns. However, because prevention is better than cure and an accident can happen quickly, macroquette.com can only invite you to turn to good mutual health insurance for him if this is necessary.

He is sometimes gluttonous, but this does not seem to be a problem since he is not particularly predisposed to weight gain. However, too frequent deviations could lead to obesity. Do not hesitate to consult our advice on food. On macroquette.com, all the recommended daily quantities for kibbles, pâtés, or household rations take into account the breed of your animal and its predisposition or not to weight gain.

Maintenance

On the maintenance side, it can be interesting to have a little experience because it requires you to devote time to it to be a beautiful and healthy doggie! It is not a dog that loses its hair in large quantities, but it will still be necessary to consider vacuuming regularly behind it. 

Factors Affecting Pitbull Lifespan

This is one of the crucial issues for answering the question of how long do Pitbulls live. Pitbull's lifespan is affected by a variety of variables, including:

Underlying health issues

The overall health of a dog is determined by genetics. It is recommended that you adopt a Pitbullfrom a trusted breeder. To ensure that their puppies are genetically healthy, they perform DNA screening on all of their parent dogs. If you consider adopting, you should get your pup screened for underlying health issues.

From the first months of life, Pitbull owners should pay attention to the health of their animals. Despite this, Pitbulls  still have health issues that aren't genetic.

Sterilization 

Neutering affects a dog's longevity. In general, neutered dogs have fewer health issues like prostate cancer, pyometra, and intestinal issues. If you don't plan to breed your Pitbull, have him neutered when he reaches the appropriate age. This increases the longevity of the Pitbull.

Exercise

Exercise is important for your dog's longevity; Owners are urged to keep their dogs active and moving. Frequent walks, intense workouts like rock climbing and swimming, or even a quick recovery game will help. But don't overload your pitbull! Also, make sure your pet drinks enough water after every walk.

Diet

Diet is one of the things that affects the longevity of Pitbulls. Give your dog the right kind of food to control his eating. You may need to examine the label of each dog food to find the right one for them. Homemade dog food and treats are sometimes good options. To find the ideal diet for your Pitbull, consult a canine nutritionist.

Surroundings

Outdoor dogs live shorter than indoor dogs. Exposed dogs are also thought to be more susceptible to disease. On the other hand, indoor dogs are less prone to accidents or illness. When your dog is outside, keep him on a leash. If left unattended, ensure they are in a secure, fully fenced or fenced area and supervise it regularly.

Never leave your dog unattended for too long, especially at night. If your dog is suffering from heatstroke or hypothermia, the longer it goes untreated, the worse it gets. So always check your dog to ensure his safety and the safety of others.

Lots of love!

Dogs are affectionate creatures and love to kiss and cuddle. Respect their worth with your love and treat them with the respect they deserve

Talk to your Pitbull. Even if they don't understand you, it's a great way to show them that you care, and their familiarity with your tone and voice can be extremely reassuring.

Let your Pitbull spend as much time as possible with you if you want him to feel like family!

The Most Common Pitbull Illnesses

The Pitbull is a very resistant canine breed that suffers very few diseases specific to his species. He is prone to the same diseases as other canine breeds but to a lesser extent. The main reason for this resistance comes from the fact that this dog was trained to participate in horrible dog fights for a very long time. These are currently banned but still continue clandestinely in some places.

As a consequence of the brutal activity for which the Pitbull was domesticated, the strength and physical toughness of the dog increased tenfold with the training of the breeders of this breed. These two physical qualities are only possible with dogs that are not predisposed to contracting diseases.

Hereditary diseases

Diseases of genetic or hereditary origin are the most common in dogs of this breed. Normally, these diseases develop in pets in a deficient way. Dogs that suffer from these types of diseases should not be used for breeding under any circumstances, as they risk passing on these genetic problems to their puppies. Moreover, PlanèteAnimal in no way encourages the reproduction of dogs because of the large number of abandoned animals.

Displacement or dislocation of the patella. This disease occurs when the patella slips out of place or stiffens. The disease can be treated with surgery, but the treatment is expensive and painful for the dog. It can develop in case of intense and excessive exercise of the Pitbull.

Hip dysplasia. This is an inherited defect that causes lameness and pain in dogs. 

Harelip. This malformation of the palate can be mild or severe. If it is soft, it will only affect the aesthetic appearance, but if it is severe, it can cause great suffering in the animal. Surgery can repair it, but the affected animal, his brothers, sisters, and parents must not reproduce.

Dermal diseases

The Pitbull can suffer from skin diseases like any other breed of dog. It is advisable to monitor his coat regularly to ensure that he does not suffer from any of these problems:

Atopy. This disease is an allergic response of the dog's skin to a type of allergen (dust, pollen, human dandruff, feathers, etc.). It is characterized by severe itching which causes the dog to scratch a lot, damage the skin, and lose hair in the affected area.

Demodicosis. This disease is caused by the Canis demodex mite, present in varying concentrations on all dogs. However, an inherited deficiency in the pitbull's immune system can lead to serious consequences.

The Best Products for Pitbulls

Degenerative diseases

The Pitbull is prone to a few degenerative diseases. Here are the most common Pitbull dogs and other terrier-type breeds:

Hypothyroidism. This disease is the consequence of a malfunction of the thyroid gland. In general, the symptoms appear with age (4 to 10 years), but can also be present from birth (congenital hypothyroidism), a sign of a hereditary type of disease. Puppies suffering from this disease die quickly. During a malfunction of the endocrine system, the symptoms of the disease in adult dogs are generalized weakness and heart problems.

Ichthyosis. This serious degenerative disease produces thickening of the skin on the dog's paw pads and gives them a scaly and greasy appearance. It is very painful for the dog when he walks. It is often advised to sacrifice affected dogs to save them too much suffering. It can be of hereditary origin.

Pitbulls have a more sensitive dermis than other breeds, which is why it is advisable to use special and anti-allergenic shampoos.

Dietary Deficiencies

The Pitbull can sometimes suffer from dietary deficiencies due to the lack or poor absorption of certain trace elements.

Zinc-responsive dermatosis. This zinc deficiency causes the dog to develop crusts, itching, flaking, and hair loss around the eyes and muzzle. The cause is a deficient absorption of zinc in the intestine. With zinc supplements, the disease can be brought under control.

Fungal Diseases

By living near places with high humidity, Pitbulls can develop fungal diseases (caused by fungi).

Mycosis. It is a skin problem caused by fungi. It can occur in case of too frequent baths or if the dog lives in a humid and poorly ventilated place. The veterinarian will indicate the appropriate therapy depending on the type of invading fungus.

How To Build Muscle In Your Pitbull In 2 Steps

The Pitbull category includes two known breeds, the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Generally, this dog has a Pedigree. Purebred and of medium size, the Pitbull has a naturally slim and muscular build. It is also very common to see him participate in beauty contests or any other contest.

Developing your Pitbull's muscle mass displays not only his beauty but also the dog's physical abilities. Rest assured, building your dog's muscles is not that complicated. You just need to consider these two steps.

A high-quality diet

To start, it is important to provide him with a protein-rich diet. High-quality kibble has more nutritional properties than canned food. You can make him happy by supplementing his food with other protein sources, including chicken or fish.

Also, stick to your daily amounts, as the goal is to build muscle, not increase caloric intake.

Adapted physical training

Exercise is the second step to muscle building the Pitbull. Exercising while playing is a very popular moment for your dog. It is also a way to channel your energy. But before any training, it is essential to provide him with an adapted diet to preserve his muscles.

Heavy training on young dogs can cause muscle and joint damage. You should wait until your dog is 1 year old. It is good to remember that a young dog has more need to play and rest.

Females that have had litter also need to rest. It is advisable to wait for the weaning of the puppies to resume the exercises gradually.

For successful training, your physical strength, as well as your mental strength, is essential to develop muscles and have a happy and healthy Pitbull.

5 Exercises You Can Do With Your Pitbull.

Running

Running is one of the main sports for working on endurance and muscle mass. Running helps to speed up metabolism, improve bone condition and regenerate muscle.

Start running on flat ground. To start, it should run for between 5 and 10 minutes. Remember to encourage him so that he associates this exercise with a pleasant moment.

As it progresses, you can gradually increase the difficulty by going for a run, for example, on sand or even on sloping ground.

The duration of the training should also be increased gradually, taking into account the fatigue of the dog, its endurance, and above all its desire to perform the exercise. Don't forget to bring him water for all sessions, and let him rest in a shady spot.

Ball throwing and Frisbee

The easiest, most fun, and least complicated exercise of all! Ball games and Frisbee stimulate mobility reflexes. These throws teach your dog to catch toys in midair and then bring them back to you.

However, if you want to see the toys in good condition, it is recommended to use a very resistant Frisbee and a hard and solid ball. It would be a shame to have to replace your toys every day.

Also, avoid over-stimulating your dog, as over-stimulation can cause a negative increase in stress levels, which can cause a play obsession.

Swimming

If your dog is not afraid of water, swimming can develop muscles up to 6 times more than other sports. On the other hand, if your dog is afraid of it, you will have to help him overcome his fear so that he positively accepts the water. Never throw your pet into the water at the risk of traumatizing it.

Swimming also allows your dog's body to gain mobility and endurance. In addition, this exercise strengthens the joints. This is ideal for overweight dogs, as swimming is less strenuous than running.

Agility (or show jumping)

Agility is a complete sport that stimulates your dog's physical and mental capacities to the maximum. The circuit is made up of barriers, wheels, slaloms, or even tunnels.

If it is a course with varied difficulties. The dog, accompanied by his master learns to overcome the various obstacles of the circuit, following his orders.

Generally, this sport is done with other breeds such as the German Shepherd or the Border Collie. However, with good training, your Pitbull will also overcome all obstacles with ease. You can create your circuit at home or take it to the center. Either way, you have several options.

The tug-of-war

This last exercise consists of catching without letting go of the object, the tug-of-war is a very positive activity, because it allows the dog to obey the "let go" command. This means that you teach him to drop objects when you tell him to. You can use a bite toy or a rope with a knot that you grab on both sides.

It is essential to let him win once in a while, but not all the time. Indeed, you must also win so that he does not become too possessive or aggressive with his toy.

Rest assured, it is normal for some dogs to growl while having fun. On the other hand, if your dog behaves negatively during the game and tries to bite you, you will have to stop the game and carefully remove the toy.