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One of the questions frequently asked by Pitbull owners—especially when they see their adorable little puppy growing up so fast—is, “When will they stop growing?” This question sparks a range of concerns and curiosity about the development process of this breed.
In this article, let’s delve deeper into the development process of Pitbulls and the factors influencing their growth.
The Pitbull breed is a cross between the Bulldog and Terrier breeds. They were initially bred in England in the early 19th century for various purposes, such as herding, working, guarding, and managing livestock.
Throughout the 20th century, this breed quickly became one of the most popular family dogs not only in the United States but also in many countries around the world. They became so widespread that they became a symbol of the United States and were used in recruitment posters for World War I and II, proudly referred to as “American Pitbulls.”
Today, this breed has become service dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, or household pets due to their stable temperament, loyalty, agility, and good protection instincts.
Pitbulls are medium-sized dogs, not too large or too small compared to many other breeds. They have an average height of 40–50 cm for both males and females, with males being slightly larger in size. In terms of weight, they range from 14 to 27kg. Despite their modest appearance, they possess strength and agility that many other breeds find hard to match.
During this stage, newborn Pitbulls cannot see or hear. Their eyes are tightly shut, and they have no teeth. They rely on their mother through touch and are not ready for playful activities.
Pitbull puppies focus on eating, sleeping, and growing. They begin to open their eyes at around two weeks old and can hear sounds at three weeks old. Their first set of baby teeth also starts to emerge.
This stage is crucial for socialization. Pitbull puppies need to learn from their mother, littermates, and other social interactions. Ensure they are exposed to various people and animals.
This period is equivalent to adolescence in humans. Pitbulls adapt well to training, so starting early is great! This lays the foundation for a well-behaved dog in the future.
Your Pitbull has grown rapidly and will continue to do so in the coming months. During this stage, their understanding will increase, so don’t miss the opportunity to train them.
Around six months is an appropriate time for neutering or spaying. Although puppies are adorable, this helps avoid unwanted issues such as roaming or getting involved in fights, especially for male dogs. For females, not spaying in time can lead to various health problems and reduce their lifespan.
By this time, your Pitbull puppy may look like a fully grown adult, but in reality, it’s still a puppy. Use positive reinforcement for training rather than physical discipline. Also, reinforce good behavior by providing tasty treats and attention.
Regular exercise and providing plenty of space for your Pitbull to release energy are essential. Pitbulls can become bored without enough positive outlets for their energy, leading to undesirable behaviors. You can take them for walks and engage in games of fetch. This is a great way to keep your dog happy and energetic.
After one year old, you can call it an adult Pitbull. However, it’s still in the muscle mass development stage. Current changes may slow down, but good nutrition remains a top priority.
Choose a good adult dog food and gradually transition from puppy food by mixing both types initially and reducing the puppy food over time.
Training and socialization are necessary, not only in adulthood but throughout their lives. This ensures they quickly adapt and integrate well into human society.
Exercise will remain an important habit throughout the golden years of your Pitbull’s life, especially as they become less active.
Pitbulls belong to the group of large dog breeds, and their development process can depend on various factors, including:
Depending on the genetic background and gender of the Pitbull, it can range from medium to large-sized. The size of the parents will determine how big your puppy will grow when fully grown. This is one reason you should ask the breeder to estimate the size of your puppy.
Your Pitbull’s breed also makes a difference. Each of the four breeds classified as Pitbulls has different sizes when fully grown. Conversely, this will create differences in the rate of development and size when they reach adulthood. For example, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier will be smaller than an American Pit Bull Terrier, but a mixed breed may fall between the two.
Pitbulls typically reach adulthood around 12 to 18 months. During this period, they undergo rapid development, especially in muscle size and body.
Diet is an important factor influencing the growth of Pitbulls. A balanced and nutrient-rich diet helps dogs grow well and achieve a large size.
Regular physical activity helps develop muscle and overall health. Pitbulls need regular exercise to maintain health and strong development.
There aren’t many noticeable differences between male and female Pitbulls, but gender is still an important factor when it comes to the adult size of your puppy. Male dogs of any breed tend to be larger than females at all sizes.
Hormonal changes also affect the size of Pitbulls. Depending on your desired estimated size for your dog, you can choose to neuter or spay early or later. However, it shouldn’t be done too early as early hormonal changes can interfere with their development.
Generally, Pitbulls will stop growing physically around 18 months old. However, the development process can be longer depending on genetic factors and individual care.
For instance, the more your dog eats and the less active it is, the more likely it is to gain weight. However, if you feed them a suitable diet and regularly take them for walks or engage in outdoor activities, their growth rate will be maintained at a balanced level.
Apart from physical growth, the intellectual development of this breed is also of particular interest to many people. There are misconceptions about their personality and behavior. Although they can be stubborn and energetic, with proper training, socialization, and care, Pitbulls can become wonderful pets. There’s ample evidence of many dogs developing well both physically and intellectually when raised in loving and enthusiastic families involved in training activities.
The key is to evaluate each dog as an individual rather than relying on stereotypes based on their breed.
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