XXL Pitbulls: History, Appearance, and Temperament

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Have you seen a gigantic Pitbull before? It’s so big it does not look real. But this kind of Pitbull actually exists. It’s called the XXL Pitbull. Read on to know all the important details about this muscular and unbelievably massive dog!

History

The XXL Pitbulls are unofficial types of American bullies, first bred in the United States between 1980 and 1990. American bullies were produced using a foundation of American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers bred to several bulldog-type breeds. These dogs were originally created to serve as family companion dogs.

The history of the XXL Pitbull is unknown but it is believed that they were also first bred in the U.S. These dogs are being bred to serve as protection dogs because of their massive size and usually undergo aggression training.

Recognition

The American Bully Kennel Club recognizes one of the official types of American bullies, the XL bully but not the XXL dogs. An XL bully grows 48-57 cm at the withers. This is the largest accepted size for the breed.

XXL Pitbulls have not received recognition from any major kennel club, like the American Kennel Club but they can be registered with the United Kennel Club. You can find a lot of breeders selling these dogs online at an insanely expensive price. One puppy can cost around $10,000.

These dogs have been subject to controversy for years. Many dog experts and communities are not in favor of breeding overly massive dogs because the excess can have a huge impact on their movement and abilities.

Appearance

XXL Pitbulls look like standard Pitbulls, except that they are so huge. They have the face of an American Staffordshire terrier but the body of an American Pit Bull Terrier. As with any terrier dogs, these dogs look tough because of their muscular built.

They can be intimidating because of their size, which makes them appear fiercer than other types of Pitbulls. They have muscular cheeks, well-defined and strong jaws, as well as upward ears. They have round or oval eyes, strong shoulders, and a deep chest.

They are five times larger than regular-sized American Pitbulls. A month-old XXL puppy can already weigh as much as 110 pounds, three times heavier than standard grown-up Pitbulls. The largest XXL Pitbull in history can be found in New Hampshire and he weighed 175 pounds when he was only 22 months old.

He is Hulk, owned by Dark Dynasty K9 kennel owners Marlon and Lisa Grennan. He already had his set of litters, which could be worth half a million dollar collectively once they were all trained to be protection dogs.

Looking at Hulk’s now grown-up offspring, it’s noticeable that XXL Pitbulls don’t have a consistent physical appearance. If you look at their pictures, you will notice that they have a lot of disparities in structures. Their faces appear to be similar but the shape and size of their bodies are usually different from one another. One might have a smaller head while one might have a higher rear.

These dogs usually have a short and stiff but glossy coat which comes in a range of colors, like black, red brindle, blue brindle, blue, fawn, champagne, chocolate, and black and white. They may also be tricolored or may have a rare merle color.

Grooming

An XXL Pitbull does not require much grooming. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep the coat smooth and looking healthy. The only challenge is bathing these dogs because they are so big. The most hassle-free way to clean up a giant dog is to use a portable dog bath and grooming system.

A portable bathing system usually comes with a no-rinse shampoo, a portable bath unit, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a dampening mat. This is recommended for dogs weighing 80 pounds and above, like the XXL Pitbulls.

Personality

An XXL Pitbull breeder will tell you this dog has an amazing temperament. However, this isn’t always the case. Even standard Pitbulls that were bred for their fighting ability have the tendency to be aggressive. What is worse is that when these dogs attack, they often bring catastrophic injury to humans because of their deadly bite style.

There are many restrictions on owning Pitbulls. These dogs need to have a very secured pen otherwise they could escape and attack strangers. A man from the United Kingdom was sentenced to jail in 2017 after his American bully broke into a neighboring garden and mauled a two-year-old girl.

It was not the first time we heard of a Pitbull attacking a human. But can you imagine a dog as large as an XXL Pitbull doing this? While they can be gentle giants, it’s not a good idea to bring it home when you have little ones or other pets. Pitbulls, in general, are among the breeds that have been consistently noted to be dangerous breeds around babies or kids.

Feeding

Raising this kind of dog can cost a lot of money because they require lots of feeding. They are descendants of terriers who are known for their fondness for eating. They love to eat. What more for a giant dog like this that is highly muscular?

XXL Pitbulls usually weigh more than 150 pounds. For their size, they need around 4 and a half to six cups of dry dog food per day. Because these dogs are at risk for joint problems, a dog food containing glucosamine and chondroitin can be beneficial for them.

As with any dog, these dogs will thrive in a diet fortified with vitamins and minerals. They need the right amount of nutrients so they will be able to get the nutrition they need on a daily basis. Regardless if you own an XXL Pitbull or a standard Pitbull, you have to ensure that the dog food you buy only uses natural and high-quality ingredients.

The ingredients to look for are omega-3 rich sources, like flaxseed and salmon meal. These will help in reducing inflammation. The things to avoid include corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

Commercial dog food may be pricey but it’s already the most convenient way to feed a giant dog. Raw food diets may be healthy but they are more costly compared to commercially prepared dog food.

Feeding homemade food can be quite tricky because there are certain human foods to avoid and may not be as beneficial to dogs as it is for humans. Fruits, for instance, are healthy but not all of them are safe for canines. Grapes and raisins, for instance, contain compounds that are life-threatening to them.

Health

Dogs these big are usually prone to a reduced life span. They have a number of health issues due to their size and here are some of them:

  • Joint and orthopedic problems – they have very large joints. Those who are particularly interested in this dog should request for a hip and elbow scoring from their prospect breeder to see if the dog is specifically at risk for joint issues. Problems related to joint health can be addressed by giving the dog the necessary supplements and making sure he is not overweight.
  • Cancers – as with other terrier dogs, the most common form of cancer among these dogs is skin tumor. The tumor can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors among senior dogs usually don’t require treatment. However, if a tumor is malignant, a dog should undergo surgery.
  • Cardiac issues – cardiac diseases and breathing problems are common among large dogs. Because many giant dogs suffer from chronic obesity, they may also suffer from its consequences like problems breathing properly and diabetes. Owners should keep an eye on the portions of meals they serve to their pets to avoid over-feeding.

Exercise needs

Coming from a lineage of working dogs, it’s needless to say these dogs have a lot of energy. Given their massive size, the owners of these dogs will need a huge backyard where they can run freely.  Otherwise, their boredom could turn to destruction and nobody wants that to happen.

However, their huge built could also be a reason why it’s difficult for them to stay as active as they want to. Their structure is bigger than the standard size for their breed and it can affect them physically.

Conclusion

An XXL Pitbull is not the pet for everyone. In fact, they may even be banned in some places. So better survey your surrounding first before thinking of getting one. If you’ve decided to adopt or buy your own, make sure you are working with a breeder who is truly knowledgeable about this dog’s temperament and health concerns. Ask if they are affiliated with the United Kennel Club. The breeder should prove the dogs are all certified healthy before sending them to their new owners.

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