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Life expectancy for pit bulls

What Is the Life Expectancy for Pit Bulls?

Written by: Dr. Kathryn Dench

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Time to read 7 min

The pit bull breed is often misunderstood. The name "pit bull" doesn't refer to a single breed but is a general term for several dog breeds. The most common are the American pit bull terrier, American bully, American Staffordshire terrier, and the Staffordshire bull terrier. Despite their history of being bred for dog fighting, these dogs are loyal and affectionate. This dog breed even makes great family pets if properly trained.

While smaller dogs tend to live longer, the average lifespan for pit bulls is 8-16 years, with some American pit bull terriers living up to 19 years. If you are a pit bull owner or a new parent of a pit bull puppy dog, here's your opportunity to understand their life span and how you can ensure your pit bull reaches its maximum number of years.

Lifespan Expectancy of Pit Bull Dogs

As mentioned earlier, the average life span of pit bulls is 8-16 years. However, how long a pit bull can live varies slightly depending on if it is an American pit bull terrier or one of the other pit bull breeds.

American pit bull terrier

This is the classic red nose pitbull dog known for its signature red nose, and the blue nose pit puppies and dogs with bluish-grey fur. The blue nose pit puppy's life span is 12-15 years while the red nose pit puppy lives between 12 and 14 years.

Staffordshire bull terrier

Staffordshire bull terriers are often called "Staffies" for short. They are generally very healthy dogs and mostly live for up to 12 years. However, the average lifespan of a pup of this dog breed is between 12-14 years.

American Staffordshire terrier

Also called "AmStaffs," this breed is generally healthy and usually lives longer than 12 years. Many live a long life of 16 years as the average lifespan is 12-16 years.

American bully

This dog breed's life expectancy is on the lower end of the average at 8-13 years. However, with a healthy diet, exercise, and proper care, they can live for 12-14 years.

Common Factors that Influence the Lifespan of Pit Bull Dogs

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Numerous factors influence your dog's lifespan. For pit bulls, as with all other dog breeds, these factors are a combination of genetics, living conditions, diet, exercise, and overall health.

Breeding and genetics

Genetics has the most significant impact on how long your pit bull lives. This is because dogs are genetically predisposed to certain health issues affecting their family line. Pitbulls are prone to hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease, skin cancers, allergies, and more, all of which can affect lifespan.

Breeding is another factor that is not often emphasized when discussing lifespan. According to research by Urfer, et al . in 2019, mixed-breed dogs, especially big ones, live significantly longer than purebred dogs. This is because, through genetic testing and responsible breeding, breeders can help owners identify and manage health problems and conditions linked to certain breeds while retaining their strongest characteristics.

Diet and exercise

White Pit Bull on green grass

dairy allergiesIt is vital to understand your pet's dietary needs as this could affect a dog's life, particularly if they have protein allergies like  beef allergies or  dairy allergies . Take time to research and understand your dog's dietary needs through all its life stages to prevent overfeeding in particular and so that you can give it a balanced diet. Overfeeding not only leads to obesity and heart disease but also to hyperactivity. Overfed pit bulls live fewer years than those with an optimal body mass.

Overall health and lifestyle

Beyond good diet, regular exercise, and prompt treatment of health conditions also impact how long a pit bull lives. The environment a pitbull lives in is also important when it comes to a healthy life. As a dog owner, you'd do well to learn what stresses your dog and try to eliminate it. This study by Nancy Dreschel shows that fear and anxiety could impact your dog's lifespan. As you can see, your pitbull's lifespan is partly in your hands.

Susceptibility to common diseases

There are some common diseases that affect pit bulls more often than other breeds.

Cerebellar ataxia

This neurological disorder affects a pitbull's coordination and balance, leading to unsteady movements and difficulties with precise movements

Skin problems

One obvious characteristic of pit bulls is their short coats. While this makes them easy to brush and keep clean, it makes them prone to skin disorders and even sunburn which can lead to skin cancer.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease that mostly affects the American pit bull, particularly Staffordshire terriers. It affects the hip joint, slows pit bulls down, and can eventually lead to arthritis. Hip dysplasia in pit bulls can be caused by their involvement in high-impact activities like dog fights and jumping, and even by the excess calories that come from overfeeding your pets.

Hypothyroidism

This is caused by the under-secretion of thyroid hormones in an adult dog. Pit bulls are at a higher risk of this disease. If you have a pit bull with puppies, visit a vet and ask them to check the puppies for congenital hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid in dogs younger than 12 months).

Gastric torsion and digestive issues

Gastric torsion is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted, leading to a lack of blood flow to the stomach. It is often a result of eating too quickly or exercising too soon after a meal. To prevent it, feed your pit bull two smaller meals rather than one large one. Also, limit the amount of water they drink directly after a meal. Avoid vigorous exercise or too much excitement like dog fighting or stress directly after a meal.

Ways to Improve Your Pit Bull's Health and Life Expectancy

To successfully maximize your pit bull's lifespan, it is important to prioritize their physical health and emotional well-being.

  1. Feed your dog a high-protein, grain-free diet to promote overall health and well-being. Avoid overfeeding and maintain a healthy weight. Check for protein allergies when they consume protein-rich meals like beef, dairy, wheat gluten, eggs, and chicken.

  2. Engage in daily exercise with your dog such as walking, running, or playing fetch. This provides not only exercise but also mental stimulation and socialization to prevent boredom and stress.

  3. Reduce stress and promote mental well-being by providing a loving and nurturing environment to facilitate bonding, trust, and emotional well-being.

  4. Regularly groom your dog as this can help you identify potential health issues like skin lesions. It also keeps parasites like fleas and ticks under control.

  5. Monitor and manage the appearance of common health issues through regular veterinary care This is to prioritize preventative care and take proactive steps to promote health and well-being.

Role of CBD Oil in Managing Pit Bull's Lifespan and Quality of Life

CBD oil has become increasingly popular in recent years as a natural remedy for many pet ailments. It is derived from the hemp plant and works on the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are responsible for regulating stress, pain, and mood in pit bulls and other dog breeds.

Several family pets have benefitted from the use of CBD oil and studies have shown the usefulness of CBD oil in  increasing activity in dogs with arthritis ,  reducing seizures in epileptic dogs , and more. One study even  documents improvement in the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

For your pitbull, CBD oil can help alleviate allergy symptoms, seizure occurrence, and anxiety when your pup faces stressful situations. When picking CBD oil for their pets, pet parents should look for high-quality CBD oil designed specifically for dogs. A great choice of CBD oil for pit bulls or any other breed is the  CBD Full-Spectrum (1,000mg) Happy-Furever™ Oil .

If your dog has conditions like hip dysplasia, heart disease, or thyroid disease, CBD oils like the one from Happy-Furever™ will prove helpful to alleviate their pain and promote good cardiovascular functioning.

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Conclusion: Raising Healthy Dogs

Healthy Pit bull

Pit bulls are loving and loyal companions that thrive with proper care and attention. Many pit bulls live long and healthy lives in an optimal environment. To create this, prioritize regular vet visits, proper diet, daily exercise, and a safe, loving environment.

Of course, you care about how long your pitbull red nose dog, bull terrier, or any other breed of pit bull lives and will put all these suggestions into practice. Pit bulls are an intelligent and loyal breed of dog so enjoy every moment with yours. Here's to a long and happy life!

Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench, MA VetMB MRCVS

Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench

With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.

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