APBT South Africa

As a result of the hard work, perseverance, diligence and dedication of local South African breed fanciers towards preserving this breed of pit dog in its true original form, the American Pit Bull Terrier in South Africa is today as game as his American cousin.

American Pit Bull Terriers make excellent, loving and protective companions despite the unfair and bias press they receive in the South African and international media. A very common question from unknowledgeable new South African owners is “Will this dog kill me, and my family?” If you purchase from a responsible reputable South African breeder who excludes any human aggressive pit bull terrier from his breeding program and you thereafter ensure that your puppy is well socialized from an early age by exposing him to everything imaginable, from young to old children, from the elderly to the wheelchair bound, from umbrellas to kites you will own a Pit Bull Terrier with sound and stable temperament. Unfortunately, in South Africa a vast minority of Pit Bulls are poorly socialized, chained, abused, neglected or allowed to roam freely and inevitably attack another living creature, typically a child.

Owners need to understand the breed’s fighting history and take necessary precautions by ensuring early socialization with other dogs and monitoring of their pit bulls interactions with other family dogs. Even with extensive socialization, some APBT’s may never be comfortable with other dogs around them, so each pit bull should be treated as an individual with careful consideration.

An American Pit Bull Terrier is not a breed for everyone, therefore careful consideration should be taken before acquiring an APBT.