Please note : I only recommend ORGANIC ingredients when it comes to home cooked, especially for meats (which should be humanely raised AND organic). Aside from the health aspect, the inhumane treatment of factory farmed animals is inexcusable and support of such companies surely a question of ethics and morals.

If you feel you must feed a commerical food, please consider the following:

For more information on pet foods and health, please check out these resources:

Q) Should I crop my Pit Bulls ears?

A) Cropping is a personal choice, but please consider the following points:

Owners should carefully consider ALL THE FACTS before they choose to put their dogs through this painful and unnecessary surgery

Q) Should I dock my Pit Bull's tail?

A) The simple answer is "no". Pit Bulls are not supposed to have their tails docked. It is against AKC, ADBA and UKC standards.

Q) I don't have papers on my dog, how can I get them?

A) If your dog is a rescue/adoptee, or came from an unscrupulous breeder that a) didn't register the litter, or b) never gave you papers, you *do* have registration options with the three major registeries: The United Kennel Club (UKC) offers Limited Privilege Papers (LPP) for American Pit Bull Terriers. From their website, "[LPPs are] for purebred dogs of unknown pedigree and for mixed bred dogs. Dogs may enter obedience and agility. Purebred dogs of the Gun Dog Group may also enter Hunting Retriever events. Dogs must be spayed or neutered." If you have a litter of pups from unregistered parents, you cannot register the litter. LLP papers are issued singularly only. For more information, please see the UKC website: http://www.ukcdogs.com/rg/r-1.shtml

The American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) has a program called Limited Performance Privileges (LPP). This program allows dogs to be registered to enable them to compete in ADBA performance events. As with the UKC LPP, dogs must first be spayed/neutered. You may visit the ADBA website to obtain more information on this program: http://adba.cc/p_pdetails.asp?fpid=59

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers what is termed ILP, or Indefinate Listing Privileges. These papers allow you to enter certain AKC-sponsored events such as obedience and agility. Your dog must be neutered to be considered. AKC does not recognize a breed called American Pit Bull Terrier, but does recognize American Staffordshire Terriers (AmStaffs). Any "pit bull" registered with the AKC would be referred to as an AmStaff. Please see AKC's website for more information: http://www.akc.org/love/faq.cfm

For most people, the driving force behind pursuing papers such as those described above is the desire to compete in UKC, ADBA, or AKC sponsored performance events. Such papers do not increase the value of your dog, nor do they prove he is purebred.

Q) I don't have my dog's pedigree, how can I find out his/her bloodline or pedigree?

A) If you don't have the pedigree of your dog, and your dog isn't registered, there is nothing you can do to determine what his parentage is just by looking at him, or by doing blood/DNA testing. DNA testing proves parentage only when the sire/dam are known and you can compare a dog's test to the sire's/dam's results.

Q) How long is a female Pit Bull's cycle? How many times a year does she come into heat?

A) The average female dog's estrus cycle lasts 21 days, and will occur 2 times a year. Pit Bulls generally come into their first heat at approximately 6 months of age.

Q) When should I spay/neuter my dog? Should I let my bitch have her first heat, or have a litter of puppies first?

A) In the past, the earliest that dogs were spayed or neutered was at 6 months. However, with new procedures now being practiced, early spay/neuter surgeries are more common. Puppies as young as 8 weeks old can be altered. Please contact your veterinarian for more information on your options. It is not necessary or recommended that your bitch go through one heat cycle prior to spay surgery, and she certainly does not need to give birth to a litter.

Q) I'd like to breed my dog, what do I need to know?

A) First, you need to know that there are thousands of established "breeders" in the world producing Pit Bulls every year. There are many more casual, or "backyard", breeders adding to that number. Also to be factored in are accidental breedings and stray dogs reproducing on their own. Many of these Pit Bulls will not find homes, or end up in homes that are abusive or neglectful. The dogs that don't find homes will be dumped on the street or end up in one of the many shelters or rescues that are working to clean up the problems caused by poor breeding practices. Many of these dogs will just be euthanized due to lack of sufficient homes. Ask yourself why you wish to bring more Pit Bulls into this world, given to the already staggering population--many of which don't have, and never will have, homes of their own. If you do decide to breed your dog anyway, be prepared to hit the books and start researching. Breeding is no simple task when done correctly and ethically. To start, please see the breeding page here on realpitbull.com.

Q) My dog just had puppies, what do I do now?

A) Please contact a veterinarian immediately and get the pups/bitch on an established, recommended health and care routine.

Q) My neighbor just got Pit Bulls. Should I be worried?

A) The question you should concern yourself with isn't breed-related, but rather human-related: "Are my neighbors responsible?" What does "responsible" mean? Well, a responsible owner keeps their dog leashed and/or safely confined at all times; does not allow their dog to be excessively noisy; and is sensitive to the concerns of their neighbors and willing to discuss any issues that may arise. So, is your neighbor responsible? If yes, lay your fears to rest. If you feel your neighbor is not responsible, attempt to discuss your concerns with your neighbor in a diplomatic fashion. If your neighbor is not responsive, put your concerns in writing and then take them to your local police or animal control. Especially when a neighbor is allowing their dog to run loose, never take "no" for an answer. Be persistent until the problem is solved. No one should have to live in fear of their irresponsible neighbor's dog.

Q) Do you have any advice for renting with Pit Bulls?

A) Renting with any dog, especially one over 20 pounds can be difficult. But when your dog is a Pit Bull, you have both large size and the breed's bad reputation working against you. Many landlords are understandable worried about potential legal ramifications involving allowing a "pit bull breed" in their buildings. Above and beyond any anti-breed regulations that apartment complexes may have, and the fact that some private landlords don't want the breed in their buildings, there are local breed specific laws to contend with. It can be very difficult finding Pit Bull-friendly housing. What to do?

First, if you do not own your own home and are contemplating getting a Pit Bull, stop and think. Do you plan on staying where you are currently living for an extended period of time? Have you talked to your landlord and is he willing to put into writing that he will accept a Pit Bull in his building? If you do not plan on staying in your current abode, and think you may move from rental to rental over the course of the life span of any dog you obtain, a Pit Bull may be the wrong breed for you. Being forced to give up your dog because you cannot find an appropriate home for both of you can be heartbreaking for you and devastating to your dog which is a member of a breed it is extremely difficult to rehome. In most cases, I would dissuade a person who does not own his/her own home from getting this breed.

If you currently own a Pit Bull and are in the process of trying to relocate, there are several things you can do stack the cards in your favor:

1) Research the town you are moving to and make sure there are no breed specific laws on the books.

2) Avoid complexes which tend to have more stringent, "in-writing" pet rules.

3) Seek out private buildings.

4) Do not mention off the bat that you have a Pit Bull, as this will scare most landlords away immediately. Show up to view the apartment in clean, neat, professional looking clothing, have a cover-letter typed up ( this should be an introduction to who you are, and mention you have a dog), references, as well as any pertinent financial information (like bank/savings account info and employment info). Your goal is to make a good impression and come across as responsible and professional.

5) Have a packet on your dog - a picture, references for your dog (such as vet and friends who can vouch for good temperament), and a doggy resume. The resume should have some basic information on your dog (name, breed, age, basic history), as well as list accomplishments such as graduation from obedience class, Canine Good Citizen certification, etc.

6) Present the above information to your land lord in a matter of fact way, do not "ask" if you can have a Pit Bull in the building. Let the landlord draw his own conclusions from the packet you provide. When I found the apartment I currently share with my AmStaff Luca, my landlord told me he normally doesn't allow dogs but was so impressed with the professionalism of my presentation that he felt comfortable allowing me in the building. If I had asked him over the phone before he met me, or even before I provided all of my info, if he allowed dogs he probably would have said NO. 7) When you find a landlord that agrees to accept you and your Pit Bull, make sure your lease states that your dog is allowed and preferably it should mention breed. The point here is to dot all your i's and cross all your t's. A landlord may later claim he never ok'd your dog and try to evict you. Having things in writing puts the law on your side. 8) Once you move in, always, always, always be responsible. Keep your dog quiet and well-exercised. Clean up after your dog. Respect the rights and fears of other renters in your building. Do not let your dog cause damage to the apartment, and if damage IS caused by your dog, be sure to take money out of your own pocket to repair it. Be a good renter! Leaving a good impression will make it easier for the next Pit Bull-owning renter that comes along. Bad dog owning renters make it harder for all of us to rent.