Dogster Answers › Breeds

Toda

Why does the pitbull breed have such strong looking muscular heads/jaw?

I recently took in an adorable pitbull mixed puppy, and have been looking at pictures online of others. I have noticed that a lot of them have very big muscular heads and jaw muscles. This is a very beautiful characteristic that these type of dogs have. I was wondering if they all turn out this way or if there is some kind of daily exercise that can boost this trait?

fyi, i have noticed that a lot of poeple do this for bad reasons. I am not here for those reasons. I just want my pup to be a studmuffin like the others. =]

I have bought him just recently a Kong ball? Thats what my friend told me to buy him.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Austin & Toda(puppy)


Asked by Toda on Mar 7th 2008 Tagged pitbull, pi, pitbull, head, big, muscular, exercise, daily, puppy, pup, puppies, strong, nutrition, fit, muscles, baby, dog, kong, ball, kongball in Breeds
 Report this question Get this question's RSS feed Send this question to a friend


Status

  • This question is closed.

Best Answer

Clay

Dante,TK&Jack have the best answers out of everyone here.Austin I would love to invite you to visit my boys pages and ask any questions you may have on our wonderful breed.There is alot to learn about them before and as your pup is growing and I would love to help you with anything that may come up. It is a total myth that Pits jaws lock.It is just not true.Our breed is just one of many that have very developed muscles around their heads and necks.Most of the terriers are like this due to the work they are expected to do.But you will notice that there are other breeds that have well developed muscles around their heads like Dalmatians,English Pointers,Boston Terriers & several other breeds.Our breed was originally used for dog fighting as well as bull baiting and hunting wild boar & sometimes bear hunting.There is alot of material that can be read to learn what our breed was used for back in the day.Now they do great assisting Police,doing agility and such.Most just like to be with U


Clay answered on Mar 7th.

Other Answers

Answers

Gray Dawn Treader

The head is naturally like that. Comes from the days in which they were bred and used for bull fighting. Today, that sport is outlawed.


Gray Dawn Treader answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Guest

I (breed expert, well almost :P) think it is because of what they did in the past,they herded cattle and were sort of like war dogs, and that they were used for fighting purposes (please don't do this, it is curel and is a blood sport) and also were used for hunting. You can look up more info on the breed too. Their jaws locked so that the prey would not escape. I would say, since I have had 4 of these beatiful, wonderful dogs, that almost all of them would come out like this, there is no type of exsercise that would boost this triat that I know of, other than keeping them safe and healthy. Also your friend is wise, they just LOVE to chew on hard things, like my tire which is a bad choice.. VERY long story :), over your dogs lifetime you would also be wise to buy several more and some Toughtires, toys of cousrse! For your little Toda.

P.S. Wanna be my buddy??
XOXOXO ~ Milo


Guest 961994 answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


TK, CGC

I just wanted to clarify that it is a complete myth that a pit bull's jaws can lock. They have no different anatomy than any other dog; they do have more muscles but that's about it. They tend to "lock on" to whatever they're doing because it is bred into them to be tenacious and finish whatever job they have started. It is a "never give up" attitude, NOT locking jaws, that keep the dog attached to what it's holding.

A lot of people set up spring poles in their backyard. Google them. Some people think spring poles are used to train fighting dogs, but there are lots of responsible owners who use them as well. That, along with chewing lots of sturdy toys, will help build jaw strength in your dog.


TK, CGC answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dante

I've heard all kinds of myths and heard that rubbing their jaw muscles helps too. I can't honestly take any of it to heart. I'd say most of it is genetics. Big headed parents usually produce big-headed babies...if the parents have small heads, there won't be much you can do period to give him the "studmuffin" jaws...but all pits have pretty good-sized jaw muscles to some degree. Genetics will pretty much play a role in how your baby turns out :) He's adorable no matter how enormous his jaws get!!


Dante answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Jack

He's gonna love that Kong, by the way. Any dog who likes to chew, regardless of breed, will have their neck and jaw muscles strengthened by chewing.

Try stuffing the ball with treats or peanut butter (wet/canned meat works well, too.) Hours (or minutes, depending on your dog!) of fun for the puppy and also stimulates the mind, too, since it is a "puzzle" to solve.


Jack answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


*chi-chi*

they have that muscular heads and strong teeth because on the old days when the law for the dogs are not created ,they used pitbull as a source of entertainment ,,they substitute them for cockpits..thats their purpose of their muscular heads and jaws..but in the scientific research they said that the genes were responsible for the muscularity of the body of the pitbull breeds..also their bark is great..the bark has a full sound that convience you that they were strong..Woof-Woof


*chi-chi* answered on 3/7/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Sassie

as all the other people said it is because of there past and how they were bred i dont know of any ways that you can increse but enjoy the naturl beauty of him..... he looks like a little cutie!!!!! plus the pitbulls were bred to have the locked jaw so yea enjoy you little beauty!!!!

Theresa.....:)


Sassie answered on 3/8/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Related Questions

More Questions in This Category