The size of a dog goes a long way in determining accessibility privileges as well as the role it plays in the owner’s life. It may also determine the kinds of needs in terms of living space, appropriate diet, and physical needs. In this case, I am going to look into how big does a Pit Bull Terrier get?
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How Big Does a Pit Bull Terrier Get?
A Pit Bull Terrier gets to about 18-21 inches in height and 35-85 pounds in weight for a male, while a female gets to about 17-20 inches in height and 30-50 pounds in weight.
The dog is categorized as a medium-sized breed. It is also a short-coated breed with a smooth, solid build and comes from British ancestry. Pittie takes around a year to fully mature and reaches its full size, although, for the large types, it may take up to 18 months to develop a filled-out chest.
The Growth Chart of a Pit Bull
Below is a table showing you the average growth rate in weight for both a male and female Pittie from a month old to 18 months.
| Age (Months) | Male Weight (pounds) | Female Weight (pounds) |
| 1 | 3-5 | 2-4 |
| 2 | 5-15 | 5-3 |
| 3 | 10-20 | 10-20 |
| 4 | 15-25 | 10-20 |
| 5 | 15-30 | 15-25 |
| 6 | 20-35 | 15-30 |
| 7 | 20-40 | 15-35 |
| 8 | 25-45 | 20-35 |
| 9 | 25-50 | 20-40 |
| 10 | 25-50 | 25-40 |
| 11 | 30-55 | 25-45 |
| 12 | 30-55 | 25-45 |
| 24 ( 2 years) | 35-60 | 30-50 |
Certified Features
These are the features of this dog breed that are acceptable by the American Dog Breeders Association (ABDA) and United Kennel Club (UKC). They include the following:
- A short, glossy, smooth, and stiff to-the-touch coat
- Medium-sized well-defined muscle build
- Eyes that are round to almond-shaped
- Ears need to be small to medium-sized in length, half prick or rose-shaped
- Tail should be slightly thick and tapering to a point
- Color ranges from solid to tuxedo except merle coloring
Ancestry
The dog traces its existence from around the 19th century. Its ancestors came from a mix of the Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs, both of which are extinct. Combining the two took the athleticism and strength of the Bulldog and added it to the gameness of the Terrier.
This resulted in a breed that was superior and better equipped for the occupation of the time, which was blood sporting that often involved gambling. The dog was thus primarily used to bait bulls and bears.
Over time there have been several breeds developed from the dog that still share the name. Although the American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized by a majority of experts, such as conservative professional breeders, as the actual “Pit Bull.”
General Characteristics
A Pittie is a stocky and strong dog, packing more muscles per pound than most other breeds, yet very light on its feet. It has well-developed head and neck muscles, and a low center of gravity. At a glance, it appears to be longer than taller.
Its head is square-shaped and carries powerful jaws. It also has a muscular and well-defined chest. Here are some more details about a Pittie that may interest you.
Temperament
A Pittie is known to have the following traits:
- Courageous and tough
- Curious, intelligent, and adventurous/ fun-loving
- Gentle and patient with family members
- They have a game drive that makes them come off as stubborn and persistent
- They have a strong desire to please their owners
- They are energetic and have high stamina
Remember that they are dogs that are huge in size and thus require supervision whenever around children and other smaller pets or animals. Lastly, if they are well-socialized and trained, they make good friendly companions.
Care Needs
The dog breed loves to play and thus needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation. When it comes to grooming, they are a low-maintenance breed owing to their short coats. Training Pitties requires a reinforcement and little bit of confidence due to their stubborn tendencies. However, their intelligence and need to please people make them good candidates for learning.
When it comes to diet, Pitties need high-protein feeds that will sustain their build and meet their energy requirements. Additionally, to keep them overall happy and healthy, Pitties should get daily exercises that will stimulate their bodies and mind enough.
Lastly, they do well in environments that offer plenty of free space to use their excess energy. Just like all other pets, they require to be surrounded with a lot of attention, patience, and love from you.
Common Health Problems
This breed will likely live up to about 12-14 years. The number of years your furry friend will live depends on its health, the type of care it receives, its genes and, the food it eats.
If you intend to keep one, it is safer for you to be aware of the ailments they are likely to get. Some of the health issues are genetic. They include the following:
- Hip dysplasia
- Thyroid disease
- Knee problems
- Skin infections
- Blindness
Related Questions
Similar questions you may have are answered below.
What Are the Common American Pit Bull Mixes?
Some of the common American Pit Bull mixes include Bull Boxer, (mixed with a Boxer dog), Pitsky (mixed with a Husky), Corgi Pit (mixed with a Corgi, German Pit Bull) (mixed with a German Shepherd), Beagle Pit (mixed with a Beagle) and Bull Pit Bull (mixed with a Bull Mastiff) just to name a few.
What Two Dogs Make a Pittie
The two dogs that make a Pittie are a Terrier and a Bulldog. The breed was developed in England, Scotland, and Ireland in the 19th century to capture and restrain halfway domesticated livestock.
How Much Is a Pittie?
A Pittie goes for around $1300 to $2500. This price goes for a puppy that has undergone screening for health and temperament issues and is accompanied by pedigree certs. However, adopting is also an option via local animal shelters, and it is a much cheaper option.
Conclusion
It is thus notable that this breed is a good choice when looking for a medium-sized, highly active, intelligent, and low-maintenance dog. However, they need to be well socialized and trained in obedience to co-exist well with children and other animals around their environment.
