How Long Do Pitbulls Live? - SpiritDog Training

What do Pitbulls usually die from?

All dog breeds are prone to certain breed-specific health issues, and the Pitbull is no different. Heart issues are especially common among Pitbulls. These can include:

• Aortic stenosis
• Valve malformations
• Irregularities in heart rhythm

Heart issues often do not cause symptoms early on. Unless the owner is proactive about giving their Pitbull regular checkups, they may go unnoticed until they are difficult to treat.

Skin issues are also very prevalent in Pitbulls. They can range from easily managed conditions such as allergies to terminal diseases like mast cell tumors or melanoma. Any kind of cancer originating from the skin can be difficult to cure and often marks the end of life for a Pitbull.

While the officially recognized Pitbull colors (such as blue fawn) do not include the merle pattern, some breeders try to create merle Pitbulls. In some cases this leads to double-merle breedings, which creates extremely unhealthy offspring that often suffer from a variety of health issues.

Car accidents

Sadly, 1.2 million dogs are hit by cars every year in the US. This is a tragic and preventable cause of death. Many Pitbulls die on the roads because owners do not keep them in fenced-in yards or do not train them well enough to come when called.

You should never assume that your dog “knows where he belongs” and will stay in a yard without a fence. Unless your Pitbull is in a securely enclosed area, he should wear a collar and leash.

Car accidents happen especially often to young and energetic dogs that love to run and explore. Do not let your Pitbull’s lifespan be cut short by getting hit by a car!

Genetics are strong

A good way to get an idea for how long your Pitbull will live is to look at his parents, grandparents and other relatives. If you got your dog from a breeder, they will likely know exactly how long other members of your dog’s family lived.

If you got your Pitbull from a shelter or rescue organization, there will be no way to tell how long his ancestors lived. However, you can stack the cards in your favor by making sure your Pitbull’s diet and lifestyle keep him in the best possible shape.