Pitbulls and American Bullies

[Cat_Tap]

Thank you very much for all the information it is appreciated.

I am being extra cautious because of the experience with my last dog. He was a breed not known for aggression. I have owned many dogs and was always able to train, handle and control them but I have now lost confidence and trust.

Because of my size, age and current health issues I have to be very careful with a new dog.

It has been almost three months and I have gotten used to the silence in the house. Looking to adopt is not for the faint of heart. So many poor lost souls out there needing a home.

Filling out applications is also quite tedious. I actually fudge the information I provide as there are several strikes against me.

I actually wish that some poor dog gets dumped here and adopts me. That has actually happened several times in the past.

[trubandloki]

@Cat_Tap

Thank you very much for all the information it is appreciated.

I am being extra cautious because of the experience with my last dog. He was a breed not known for aggression. I have owned many dogs and was always able to train, handle and control them but I have now lost confidence and trust.

Because of my size, age and current health issues I have to be very careful with a new dog.

It has been almost three months and I have gotten used to the silence in the house. Looking to adopt is not for the faint of heart. So many poor lost souls out there needing a home.

Filling out applications is also quite tedious. I actually fudge the information I provide as there are several strikes against me.

I actually wish that some poor dog gets dumped here and adopts me. That has actually happened several times in the past.

I really do not think it is in your or the dog’s best interest to go into adopting not being honest on your application.

[Cat_Tap]

Example of fudging, instead of giving my actual age I state “retired senior” when they ask for fenced yard I say yes as I do have a 40 x 8 foot dog run.and I don’t admit that I smoke in the house.

That shouldn’t have a bearing on the type of dog suitable for me.

[MunchingonHay]

I am sorry that the search has been a difficult one. I have been following your whole story with your previous pup.

Have you applied to foster pups? I know here in the states, rescues are always looking for foster families. What about looking at Petfinder.com even if its to make a connection with a local rescue.

In my opinion, I feel the dog you are needing isn’t a certain breed, but a great companion and they come in all sizes and shapes, colors and breeding.

A good dog, is a good dog no matter what it is.

What about looking for border collie crosses, aussie crosses. How about Great Danes, may be a boston terrier?

[firecracker]

I’m so sorry you’re having such a rough time finding a new canine partner. I lost my dog of 12 years in December 2023, and it was an absolute shock to lose her, even though I knew it was coming. I was not ready for another dog for quite some time - I couldn’t imagine another dog that was not her. I adapted to the silence, but it was hard. Especially coming home to an empty apartment.

Finally, one day, I saw a post on social media for a dog that needed a home. She is a mixed breed, but was represented as a purebred (I figured she was not purebred, looking at her). Anyway, I sent a message and was very honest describing my situation. I do not have a yard and I live in an apartment, but I live walking distance from some very nice trails that I walk almost every day. I also shared a bit about myself, and my life. Thankfully, her foster mom messaged me back and said she felt I would be a good fit! I paid the adoption fee, and made arrangements to pick her up (she was a few hours away). I knew it was a risk to adopt a dog without meeting her first, but I talked extensively with her foster mom and felt pretty confident that things would work out. I was also open-minded to the fact that I could return her to the rescue if she wasn’t a good fit.

It did work out, and she’s been a wonderful little companion (I’ve had her for a few weeks now). It is so nice to have a dog again!! I still miss my late dog like crazy, but I truly love and appreciate the new girl. She’s an adult (supposedly 4 yrs old) and already house-trained, and the sweetest little thing, so it was pretty seamless integrating her into my day-to-day life. She’s a bit smaller than I was looking for (at 11 lbs), but she’s wonderful in so many ways, and there are a lot of positive aspects to having a small dog - she’s easy to travel with, easy to pick up, and fits very well in my lap lol (she’s snoozing in my lap as I type this).

Just wanted to share a recent success story on a bit of an unconventional adoption. This dog wasn’t exactly what I was looking for in terms of breed or size, but she ended up being SO perfect for me and I’m so so happy to have her. I know it’s so emotional seeing all the dogs that need homes (I have a really hard time with that), but eventually the dog that is right for you will come along, in one way or another.

Sending positive thoughts your way as you navigate all of this.

[Cat_Tap]

i am actually quite open to all medium size breeds. Shared a couple on my facebook page that I will respond to shortly. Just have temporary (I hope) glitch in my health. Going for another colonoscopy tomorrow. Hoping problem is benign but I felt that I should wait until I know.

[MunchingonHay]

I will be thinking of you tomorrow …and I hope the prep you are doing today is not bad.

I’m glad to hear you are open to medium sized dogs too.

[Bluey]

@Cat_Tap

i am actually quite open to all medium size breeds. Shared a couple on my facebook page that I will respond to shortly. Just have temporary (I hope) glitch in my health. Going for another colonoscopy tomorrow. Hoping problem is benign but I felt that I should wait until I know.

When I had to do that prep, the nurses told me to drink plenty, water and yellow gatorade is ok, the day before, as that would help hydrate me for that prep stuff that dehydrates you.
Being well hydrated helps flush any they may give you faster.
Good luck, hope the news are all is clear.

[Cat_Tap]

Have to drink 2 liters tonight and again tomorrow morning. Will take an extra set of clothes for the trip home, sure needed them the last time.

[jvanrens]

I wish you well tomorrow. Hopefully you have the best of news tomorrow.

[skydy]

Hoping for the best for you tomorrow.

[beowulf]

Thinking of you, hoping for the very best news today.

[purlsnponies]

Would you be willing to foster for a group for awhile? It’s a pretty good way to get to know a dog and see how it fits into your life.

Had I fostered my current dog first, there is no way in hell I would’ve adopted him. Lol. According to the group he was “dog friendly, cat friendly, kid friendly, people friendly…” but he turned out to be none of those without a lot of work (and he’s definitely still not kid friendly).

[Baybear]

I’ve know 2 pit mixes that were great barn dogs. Another was a rescue pit mix who was ok barn dog as long as no one brought their dog for a visit and she killed all but 1 barn cat. 2nd rescue was also an ok barn dog as long as no one came to the barn. Husband was afraid of that dog and he wasn’t the scared of dogs type… the good pro mid barn dogs were adopted as puppies vs the other 2 that were mature. I’ve know plenty of other barn dogs - many Jack Russel’s IME the most annoying would be some of the herding breeds.

[CanadianTrotter]

@Cat_Tap

Going for another colonoscopy tomorrow. Hoping problem is benign but I felt that I should wait until I know.

Best wishes for your day to be as comfortable as possible. Sending positive thoughts and strength.

[Ziggy793]

@beowulf

Some dogs cannot be trusted around livestock, small children, or pets - some can. That boils down more to the individual versus breed, my two cents.

Having fostered APTs and kept two of my own, they struck me as ‘economy mode’ dogs that prefer the finer aspects of comfortable living. “House hippo” is the perfect epithet for them. I always brought my fosters to the farm. The APTs were more concerned about the lack of comfortable accommodations, than the livestock.

100% agree with this

My pittier pit mix makes a very annoying barn dog simply because she will NOT just sit on the ground and chill. If there were a couch available at all times for her relaxing needs, she would be an excellent barn dog. Not bothered by critters at all and very mild mannered.

Our other more mixed dog is the opposite- happy to plop on the ground and snooze wherever I’m puttering but quite reactive so untrustworthy around other dogs and livestock. Probably a combination of the (poorly bred) breeds in his mix (he’s quite heavy on GSD) and his very poor/traumatic upbringing. You just never know!

[tabula_rashah]

Here are my two
Leonardo DogCaprio (25%lab, 75% American Pitbull Terrier) and Dubihne (50% American Pit Bull Terrier, 50% a mix of everything under the sun)
Leo is 15 months, Dubs is 11 months- both were rescues
They are the friendliest dogs I’ve ever had, esp Dubs. They go to the work with me everyday where they are A-1 customer greeters and they are great barn dogs- very quickly and easily learned that they are absolutely never allowed in the horse fields and will sit quietly and watch me ride or lunge the horses. They love all of my nieces and nephews and are gentle with my 80 year old MIL who lives with us. They also have no issue living with my 7 cats- well other than they are fiends for unattended cat food lol

That said- they are A LOT. They are strong and high energy. My DH and I are both extremely active so they fit our lifestyle. Both boys have a few summits to their credit already I also put in a lot of time and effort training-wise with them- I’m excited that we have our first introductory agility lesson coming up in Dec. So in general I would say, if you have them time and energy to put into them, go for it. If not, I’d probably go for something with more chill.

A couple weeks ago, they got to come to our tailgating party at the Maryland 5Star. They were so good- 1000’s of people, close quarters, 100’s of other dogs, the horses galloping past, etc. We had absolutely zero issues.

Photos

from the 5 star

[tabula_rashah]

Coming back after reading through all the replies.
I honestly would not fudge on your applications. I think that is setting you and the potential dog up for failure.
I would instead look at smaller rescues where you can actually have a conversation with the folks that run it. On paper, the rescue I adopted both of my boys from wouldn’t necessarily adopt to me- I don’t have a fenced yard, didn’t want the one puppy neutered before I got him (his is being neutered but for health reasons I didn’t want it done at 4 months), there are photos on my FB page of my dogs hiking off leash (where they are allowed to legally be off leash) etc. But after actually talking to the rescue they were fine with all of this.