Pit Bull Temperament

We all know the famous Pit Bull dogs, ranging from the American Pit Bull Terrier to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier or the Mexican Chamuco — all bred from the same origin, a bloodline known as Pit Bull.

Here at SoyUnPerro, we're going to explain what this breed's character is really like — the temperament of Pit Bulls, a breed that's been talked about so much lately, often accused of being aggressive or even called killers.

While it's true that Pit Bulls have a somewhat stronger temperament than other breeds, it's also true that character is shaped largely by the training and socialization a dog receives from its owner.

In other words, we can't ever claim that Pit Bulls are inherently aggressive, since any dog can become aggressive without proper training. From the smallest Poodle to the largest Great Dane, a poorly trained dog can be a serious danger.

Now that we've made clear it's largely the owner who shapes a dog's temperament, let's look at some of the Pit Bull's most notable qualities.

Pit Bull Puppies Are Little Gladiators, Testing Their Strength

Unlike most other dog breeds, Pit Bulls are like little fighters from birth. As puppies, they play-fight with each other, without actually hurting one another, to test their strength.

It's a primal instinct highly characteristic of the Pit Bull breed, shaped over many generations by selecting the best individuals back when their role was as catch dogs or guard dogs.

Cesar Millan himself, on his show The Dog Whisperer, called them "little gladiators" as puppies, well aware that their behavior is very different from puppies of other breeds.

Pit Bulls Have a Strong Character

This statement is completely true, even if a lot of us don't love hearing it. Pit Bulls have a strong character, which is why training is essential from puppyhood.

They'll often try to take the leader's spot in the household, which is why we need to be consistent and firm. Pit Bulls aren't dogs for people with no experience in dog training, nor for people with a weak personality.

From puppyhood, we need to make our Pit Bull's place clear, without letting anything slide. Having a dominant character doesn't mean they're dominant dogs — with proper socialization and good training, they'll be just as good as dogs of any other breed.

Pit Bulls Have a Huge Heart

Despite their sometimes tough, fierce-looking appearance, those of us lucky enough to have had a Pit Bull know just how huge their heart is, and the enormous, innate capacity for love they carry.

A Pit Bull isn't a bad dog or a killer — it's simply a dog. Pit Bulls need just as much affection and cuddles as any other dog, and they'll give back all the love they receive, times ten.

They're also excellent caretakers within the pack, great protectors of their own pups and even of our children, as long as they're well trained (like any breed). It's not the first time the Pit Bull has been called a "nanny dog," thanks to the love and protection it offers.

The Real Temperament of a Pit Bull

Among the many things a Pit Bull can become depending on the training it receives, it's worth noting that, innately — that is, by sheer instinct — the following qualities tend to dominate:

• The Pit Bull is a very intelligent, affectionate dog, deeply attached to its owner.
• The Pit Bull is a very obedient, hard-working dog that loves learning constantly.
• The Pit Bull is a brave, loyal dog that fears nothing.
• The Pit Bull is a very sociable, friendly, even a bit goofy dog that loves to play.
• The Pit Bull can be a bit stubborn at times, and dominant if not properly trained.

As you can see, the Pit Bull has plenty of good qualities, even though every time it makes the news, it's because it attacked or bit someone. The same thing used to happen with the Doberman, and before that with the German Shepherd... it's a matter of which breed is currently trending as "the bad one," though that doesn't mean the breed itself determines how dangerous a dog is.