D. Caroline Coile

Both Pit Bull males and females make equally good companions. Pit Bull males are slightly larger than females. Some males mark their territory inside your house by urinating on walls and furniture, a behavior that can be difficult to thwart. Males may fight with other males, especially other male Pit Bulls.Females, too, can fight with each other, especially other females, but are somewhat less likely to do so.

Getting a dog should never be a trial affair. And that goes twice as much for a Pit Bull. Because of the number of Pit Bulls in shelters and rescues, and the number who will never make it back out, you owe it to any dog you get to make sure it’s a lifelong commitment—and that means making sure that a Pit Bull is right for you.

Pit Bulls are the Peter Pans (well, maybe if Peter Pan were a wrestler) of the dog world, eternally young at heart. They remain young of body as well—up to a point. While your Pit Bull may be active and healthy for a long time, one day you will look at your youngster and be shocked to discover that his face has silvered and his gait has stiffened.

Perhaps no other dog breed has endured as many public misconceptions as has the Pit Bull. These misconceptions truly run the gamut: Although some people consider Pit Bulls to be the safest and gentlest companions, others regard them as evil enough to be Satan’s understudies. Neither viewpoint is correct, but both have some basis in fact — and in the breed’s controversial roots.

As the owner of a breed subject to so much discrimination, you have a special obligation to make sure your Pit Bull is a walking example of why this breed can be so great. More than most dogs, Pit Bulls attract attention—good and bad—wherever they go. That means you have a ready-made audience. Make the most of your time in the spotlight by showing the Pit Bull in a good light.

To keep your German Shepherd healthy, you should know how to do a routine health check, know when to take your German Shepherd for urgent care, and have important emergency care phone contacts on hand. The American Kennel Club (AKC) defines the breed standard for German Shepherds.

Despite their bad reputation, pit bulls (American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers) are a lovable breed that you’ll want to cherish and keep healthy for a long canine life. Doing regular health checks keeps you attuned to your dog’s condition, and if there is an emergency, knowing what to do can give you a hand in potentially saving your dog’s life.