There’s no denying it — Pit Bulls are handsome dogs. Many people find their regal appearance almost irresistible. But the truth is, the most remarkable feature of the Pit Bull is his personality.

Pit Bulls, having strongly defined features and personalities, have a lot in common with each other. All are a product of a long legacy of physical and mental courage and toughness that allow their ancestors to survive. In short, Pit Bulls are exceptional dogs — and they need exceptional owners. Whether the Pit Bulls’ remarkable traits are a blessing or a curse to the owner in question depends entirely on him or her.

Here are four reasons why the Pit Bull may not be a good choice for you:

1. A Pit Bull is muscular, strong and energetic. He is not a lap dog who can be happy sitting at your feet all day. If you’re the type of person who loves an adventure and is willing to take your Pit along for the ride, you’ll probably make a great pair. But if you tend to be more sedentary and would rather hand your kid a quarter to walk the dog around the block, or work late hours with no one at home, a Pit Bull is decidedly not the dog for you.

2. The Pit Bull is a confident, almost disconcertingly intelligent dog. If you know how to properly train such a dog, and have figured out how to engage his wonderful sense of humor and love of play, you’re likely to find great pleasure in his intense intelligence – more than you’d experience with any other breed of dog. But if you expect your dog to hang onto everything you say without your having clearly established your dominance, or if you believe his training is done with a SIT and a DOWN STAY command, then the Pit Bull is not for you.

3. The loyal Pit Bull bonds deeply with his family. There is no other breed of dog more likely to give his life to protect the humans in his “pack.” This trait is a beautiful thing if you are equally loyal to him, treating him like a member of the family, and taking him along on your journeys and adventures. But if you consider having a Pit Bull to be something provisional, depending on how convenient it is — or worse, if your Pit gets left home alone while you’re out and about — then the Pit Bull is not for you.

4. A Pit Bull is perceived as a tough guy, a macho dog — or sometimes, an unpredictable monster to be feared. Occasionally this can have an upside; for example, if you live alone and want to feel more secure (although Pit Bulls make terrible guard dogs and are the most likely dogs to be stolen by strangers, because they are so trusting of humans). On the other hand, this can be a liability. Your neighbors may worry about your dog; mothers may fear if their children approach. With a Pit Bull, you’ll need to take care that you’re an exemplary dog-owning citizen at all times.