In most cases, not a whole lot is known about Pit Bulls, for instance, its average lifespan. Research shows that despite the Pit Bull dog having a short lifespan, they tend to outlive other medium-sized dogs.
In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about the lifespan of a Pit Bull (or Pitbull). We will cover the following (i) Average lifespan of a Pit Bull (ii) How to prolong the life of your Pit Bull, (iii)Common causes of death in Pit Bulls.
Here is a Summary
Average lifespan of a Pit Bull:
- American Bulldog: 10 -15 years
- American Pit Bull Terrier: 8 – 15 years
- Staffordshire bull terrier: 12 -14 years
- American Staffordshire terrier: 12 – 16 years
An Overview On Pit Bulls
The first and perhaps most misunderstood is that the Pit Bull is not a breed, but a group of different dog breeds with similar appearances.
Historically, the Pit Bull first originated in England as a result of a crossbreed between the bulldog and terrier breeds. Resulting from this crossbreed are 4 main breeds: the American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American Staffordshire terrier.
Pit bulls are famously identified by their muscular appearance spotting a square-shaped head and square fleshy nose. Just like other dog breeds, this appearance varies with some being more athletic, wider, leaner, and taller than others.
Contrary to popular expectation, dog experts refer to Pitbulls as having big goofy personalities. Turns out research on dog temperaments supports this fact, ranking this breed as one of the least aggressive and most affectionate dogs, with a score of 86.4% higher than most stereotypically friendly dogs. [1]
Average Lifespan of a Pit Bull
The average lifespan of a Pit Bull is 12 years.
Generally, once a Pit Bull attains 8 to 9 years older, they are regarded as getting older. Like all other dogs, their lifespan varies with some pups dying at a few months old while some outlive their life expectancy.
For instance, the oldest living Pit Bull is reported to have lived 26 years old named Max.
The breed and size of a dog affects its lifespan. Here is a table summarizing the lifespan by breed and size
| Breed | Weight | Lifespan |
| American Bulldog | 60 to 110 lbs. | 10 to 15 years. |
| American Pit Bull Terrier | 35 to 65 lbs. | 8 to 15 years |
| Staffordshire bull terrier | 25 to 40 lbs. | 12 to 14 years. |
| American Staffordshire terrier | 25 to 40 lbs | 12 to 16 years |
Pit bulls are generally medium-sized dogs but can be larger based on the breed. Studies show that smaller dogs tend to outlive big dogs.
The American bulldog is the heaviest of the breeds and consequently with a lower lifespan than other breeds. When looking to increase the lifespan of a Pit Bull, weight, and breed are therefore important considerations.
Check this article to learn more about the Lifespan of other Dogs Breeds.
How to Help Your Pit Bull Live Longer
1. Diet and Exercise
Keeping your Pit Bull active and feeding them a healthy diet is key in helping them live longer.
A good diet for Pit bulls will typically consist of animal protein, carbohydrates, fat, and grains whether store-bought or home-cooked.
Portion control is however very important to avoid overfeeding your Pit Bull and help them keep a healthy weight.
Pit bulls are generally active dogs and keeping them fit will additionally utilize the extra energy and reduce the amount of mischief they get into.
The average Pit Bull would require one hour of exercise at the very least. A bored and frustrated dog is more likely to get into destructive behaviors.
2. Diseases
Pit bulls are likely to acquire life-threatening diseases due to their breeding. These diseases are genetically inherited and therefore asking to see or know the health conditions of the Pit Bull`s parent will shed light on the possibility of the parents have passed on the ailments.
Aside from genetics, regular vet checks are important in ensuring that any disease found is treated at its onset.
3. Vaccinations
In line with vet appointments, regular vaccinations for Pit Bull puppies are essential in increasing their immunity against these diseases.
This is especially important if the dog is already genetically predisposed to the ailments. To be cautious, keep your puppy away from other dogs until they have completed their shots to minimize any chance of disease transfer.
4. Spaying and Neutering
In the case that you are not open to breeding your dog, spaying and neutering will reduce their risk of contracting certain types of cancers that affect their reproductive organs.
It also reduces the risk of birth and post-pregnancy complications for the female Pit Bull. Most dogs recover quickly from the pain and this also serves to keep the unwanted dog population down.
5. Training and Socialization
Training and socialization of your dog including obedience training will help you have more control over its behavior.
This is especially important in preventing them from getting into risky situations such as car accidents. This also prevents Pit bulls from getting into attacks with other dogs.
A poorly socialized Pit Bull is more likely to act out of fear-based aggression and attack people and other dogs, engage in destructive behavior and excessive behavior. This then puts them in harm’s way when their victims retaliate in self-defense or due to panic.
A well-socialized Pit Bull will be comfortable in social situations and less likely to act in aggressive behaviors.
6. Dental Hygiene
A lack of dental hygiene in Pit bulls causes plaque buildup on their gums which is a breeding site for germs.
This could cause tooth decay or worse still sepsis, which can spread to other body parts. Good dental hygiene is therefore paramount in increasing a Pit Bull`s life.
7. Worms and Parasites
Worms and other parasites such as ticks irritate Pit bulls, cause skin conditions, and put them at risk of developing serious health complications. This can be prevented by regularly grooming your dog to identify parasites in advance.
Watch this video to learn more on Pit Bull care
What do Most Pit Bulls Die From?
Unfortunately, the Pit Bull breed is predisposed to several conditions including:
- Hip dysplasia (loosening of the hip joint)
- Cataracts
- Heart disease
- Allergies and skin conditions,
- Knee issues,
- Thyroid problems
- Joint inflammation.
Pit bulls that live outdoors face additional threats due to cars and animal fights, harmful encounters with machinery, and a lack of medical help when they contract deadly diseases. Due to these factors, they tend to have an even shorter lifespan.
Before you go, here are the key things you need to remember about the Lifespan of Pitbulls:
- A healthy diet and active lifestyle will help your Pit Bull live longer.
- Pit Bulls can be genetically predisposed to life-threatening diseases
- Vaccinating and spaying Pit Bull pups can increase their lifespan.
- Regular grooming will help prevent Pit Bulls from acquiring a serious illness
- Training and socialization will help your Pit Bull become socially adaptable reducing their chance of social harm.
We hope that you learned something interesting about the Pit Bull dog and the factors affecting its lifespan.
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