Just a quick note- ANY human aggression in pits is extremely unusual. For this reason, they don’t make good guard dogs. I joke that my dog would help an intruder out the door with the TV if he made eye contact with her.
ANY human aggression in pits is extremely unusual.
well-bred am staffs maybe, and in the “well bred” actual fighting dogs like the example everyone keeps giving of Vick’s dogs- those were “well bred” fighting dogs, and they are fine towards people, thus able to do therapy. Not sure I’d trust them to play nice with strange dogs though.
But most of the “pits” you find in shelters today are actually mutts that are bred to look scary and ACT scary towards man and beast- since they aren’t bred to any standard, they will be highly variable in temperament, but I suspect a good proportion are both dog-aggressive and human-aggressive.
It’s sad so many pittie types end up in shelters, and their reputation as out of control killers isn’t deserved, but I think it’s kind of irresponsible to go around promoting them as the “perfect dog for everyone.” Cause they aren’t. Even a well-bred am staff isn’t a good choice for a newbie dog owner, or for someone who wants a dog that will be friendly towards all sorts of other dogs. For the select home, a good dog; but not for everyone.
And not for the OP- one specific requirement is the chosen breed must be good with other animals including other dogs, and the dog will apparently be off-leash often. Even lovers of pit bulls don’t usually suggest taking their dogs off-leash to be around other off-leash dogs. It’s just not a good idea with this breed. You’ll hear endless stories of the pit bull that was fine with the other dogs until one day he wasn’t in a way that was very tragic- thus the pit bull people strongly suggest you not take these dogs to dog parks, etc. , because there is that breed trait in there.
You wouldn’t suggest someone who wanted a dog that would be good with cats and be good off-leash get a greyhound for obvious breed traits; the same is true with pit bulls- they have certain breed traits. Sure, some greyhounds are fine with cats and can be trusted off-leash after extensive training, but that is an exception. Sure, some pit bulls are going to be fine with strange dogs, but that is an exception.
I totally disagree Wendy about dogs “suddenly” turning into killers toward other dogs. Pit bulls are generally the way they are going to be once they turn 2-4 years old.
Yes, if you get a puppy and they are not properly socialized and you aren’t careful, yes, they may start to show aggression in their “teenage” years.
BUT, if you get a dog that is say 3 years old and they aren’t showing dog-dog aggression and they aren’t put in a position to learn to BE aggressive, you can be pretty sure they are going to be that way for the rest of their lives.
I’ve worked with a large number of pit bulls and feel strongly about this.
Are they a dog for a new dog owner? Probably not unless they have a pit bull savvy helper to work with them. But, they are certainly not IMPOSSIBLE for a new dog owner to have. I’ve worked with many first time owners and none of the pit bulls have demonstrated dog-dog aggression after several years of ownership.
I’m a big fan of the Pit Bull x Lab mix. I have met several and they are all very nice dogs. My former employer had one and he acted more like a Lab in a Pit Bull body. He was good with all of our dogs (we were allowed to bring our dogs to work) and he never got upset when anyone walked in the office. I have met several others around town while walking my dog and they tend to be very friendly.
However, I have met some dogs from a litter of Border Collie x Pit Bull and they are all pretty tough to handle. I don’t know if it was just that litter or not but they show some pretty intense human aggression. They are fine with other dogs but they try to eat people. Luckily they were adopted out to good homes and I have seen them since. They are not too friendly to people still but they aren’t trying to attack you anymore. This litter came through a local animal rescue when they were about 6 months. Who knows what happened to them in their first 6 months. That may have played a big role.
I haven’t seen anyone say “Don’t believe the hype. Run out and get a Pitbull!”. There have been plenty of informative posts here about what you need to be aware of.
I have a dog with mild dog aggression that can probably be worked through. She is FINE, no, happy to see dogs she knows and loving towards them. Not a dog park candidate and that’s just fine with me. OP hasn’t said if she needs that type of dog or one that gets along with what she already has, and could maybe handle the occasional visitor. Big difference and I’m getting tired of this assumption that everyone’s dream is to fit in at the local dog park. :lol: Some of us don’t need it because we find plenty of other dog and human satisfying ways to live.
Frankly, I don’t recommend dog parks for pit bulls because if a pit bull is in the group and a dog fight breaks out, it doesn’t matter if the pit bull was all the way on the other side, s/he will be blamed by some hysterical owner.
I don’t take my dogs to dog parks because there are too many idiot dog owners out there. I prefer to take my dogs places where I can control who or what is around my dog.
I have a Pit Bull “mix”… and I’ve known a number of pits.
I love them.
I would not say they are the breed to have if you want off leash and easy to deal with under all circumstances with all people and all animals, etc etc.
That is A LOT to ask of any dog, regardless of breed. And Pit Bulls don’t need any more bad press, which is one reason why PB owners are cautious and manage their dogs carefully.
They are terriers and commonly have high prey drive and/or dog aggression. But most I know are fine with familiar dogs and animals.
My dog is GREAT with the horses, great with my cats, and even great with my bunnies. He loves his doggie-girlfriend (my other dog) but other animals? No. He doesn’t like strange dogs and/or stray/feral cats. He will hunt groundhogs, but strangely doesn’t so after wild rabbits. Maybe he can sense that I like the rabbits and hate the groundhogs, who knows.
He is absolutely wonderful with children and really, with baby/young anything. He is fine with women, but some men he doesn’t like and I need to be careful of that.
I have an underground fence to keep him contained because if he sneaks out the door I don’t want him going off the farm and getting into fights with other dogs. He is not good “off-leash” which is why I had the fence installed.
So, anyways, I think you can find a PB that will fit your needs, but I think you could find a mutt or any breed that could fit your needs. You are going to need a dog who is just naturally very good because your list of wants is tough for a lot of dogs.
Like others said, just keep going and looking until you find the right one. Someone mentioned looking at dogs who were well known because of having been in foster, etc… that is a great idea.
VERY VERY well said VCT!
[QUOTE=chancellor2;6224611]
Frankly, I don’t recommend dog parks for pit bulls because if a pit bull is in the group and a dog fight breaks out, it doesn’t matter if the pit bull was all the way on the other side, s/he will be blamed by some hysterical owner.
I don’t take my dogs to dog parks because there are too many idiot dog owners out there. I prefer to take my dogs places where I can control who or what is around my dog.[/QUOTE]
This. I recently had an issue with someone who decided that because my dog barks and acts s little edgy INSIDE of my car when other dogs and or people walk by. My SO works for himself and often travels with her in the car for a variety of reasons. I was with him at one of the buildings he was working on and was about to get into the car when a worker and her dog pulled in. I was standing outside of my car "body blocking’ her dog as the walked by, mostly embarrassed that mine was acting like a spaz but not wanting to make a big deal about it.
A week later we get a certified letter saying that my dog was out of control and that I appeared afraid to get into the car and calm her! And that ‘tragedy may occur’ because there happens to be an elementary school across the street :rolleyes: Nevermind it was about 30-60 minutes before any kids got to school and my dog never left the car. Or that her unleashed dog was approaching me when my dog freaked. If our livelihood detente involved I would have blasted her.
The moral being that if your dog even looks like a pit, some people will freak out if the tip their head wrong.
I do think that many are genetically predisposed to be aggressive toward other animals, just like a collie wants to herd and my pointer points. This doesn’t make them bad dogs. And like someone said there is a huge variation in genetics as anything that looks like a pitty gets called one.
They are exceptionally empathetic and will totally reflect their owners feelings. And super sensitive, you raise your voice a tiny bit and Beezie p
powers! And this is a dog who I got at 10 weeks and has never been mis treated!
Sounds like you are looking for more of a cattle dog than a pit. Poodles would fit your specifications as well and they do not shed at all! I have met one good pit that was a barn dog but have seen many more that are scary. I know that in many areas pits are a banned breed and you CANNOT have them off leash at any time if you are on public land. At least around here someone may shoot one if they see it running loose even if it is friendly. We just have too many bad owners who let the bully type run feral. I am not saying the stigma is right just that it exists.
OK, trainwreck a comin’
As Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to say, “You are entitled to yoru own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts”.
http://www.dogsbite.org/dogsbite-newsroom-2009-dogsbite-three-year-fatality-study.php
In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths
[QUOTE=englishcowgirl;6224779]
Sounds like you are looking for more of a cattle dog than a pit. Poodles would fit your specifications as well and they do not shed at all! I have met one good pit that was a barn dog but have seen many more that are scary. I know that in many areas pits are a banned breed and you CANNOT have them off leash at any time if you are on public land. At least around here someone may shoot one if they see it running loose even if it is friendly. We just have too many bad owners who let the bully type run feral. I am not saying the stigma is right just that it exists.[/QUOTE]
Specifically WHAT makes them “Scarey”?
[QUOTE=Trakehner;6224783]
OK, trainwreck a comin’
As Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to say, “You are entitled to yoru own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts”.
http://www.dogsbite.org/dogsbite-newsroom-2009-dogsbite-three-year-fatality-study.php
In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths[/QUOTE
FACTS eh? You think so?
Here are some facts for you:
That website is specifically to get pit bulls banned. So, it is slanted one way.
Second, that website quotes a study conducted by the CDC which was later fully RETRACTED because it was found to be erroneous. Of course, that website doesn’t mention that little FACT.
Thirdly, there is the FACT that pit bull is not a breed of dog and is instead a group. So, how about we group all retrievers together too.
Shall I continue? Or will you be like many others who have never met a well socialized pit bull but claim to know about them? I’ve got some more FACTS for you.
[QUOTE=CDE Driver;6223044]
Well… we have a Boxer that we completely adore. We wanted to adopt another one out of a rescue but we don’t qualify 
We live on a 200 acre ranch, don’t have a fenced yard (no real way to do that) and live out in the boonies so they can’t do a home visit. Upsetting.
A friend of mine fosters for a Pit Bull rescue and she took in a lovely, very pregnant bitch. Seven puppies came last week and we are getting one of the little girls. We were accepted as “adopters” based on her recommendation.
We are very excited![/QUOTE]
We also don’t qualify for most rescues, for almost the exact same reasons.
A friend of mine has a pit that showed up on her farm many years ago. He is a love- ignores the horses, the cats love on him constantly, and he gets along with their motley crew of animals, including 2 Yorkie-poos, and every person that visits.
Having worked in a pit bull rescue, I will say that just because you live in the boonies and don’t have a fenced yard, doesn’t mean you couldn’t adopt. My house is the same and I have a rescued pit bull. We are very happy foster failures. We fostered Scarlett and then wound up adopting her. She is currently asleep on the couch with a Siamese cat curled up on top of her.
Here are some REAL facts that have been checked:
here is another example of a typical pit bull
this is my nephew and his dog 
my brother was told she’s a pit and lab cross. found wondering the streets of brooklyn. loyal, sweet, biddable, full of energy, patient. she rocks
I’m another one that has a pit mix. He’s 50/50 Pit Bull and Great Dane, and is the best dog anyone could ever ask for!!! His name is Lightfoot (he came from the Lightfoot Rescue back when I worked as a Vet Tech). He will be 9 on Sunday, and we plan to take him to PetSense to shop (they let dogs in the store) and go get him a cheeseburger afterward. He deserves all the cheeseburgers in the world! He is smart, loyal, and GREAT protection, ezpecially when his “Daddy-Kins” is not home. He almost went through the front window trying to get at a potential intruder one night while I was home alone. 9pm, well after dark, and a random “face” peering through my window!!! Scared me half to death…turned out to be a FedEx delivery guy, but he never said a word, had on no uniform, and was in an unmarked van. (Can you say accidental shooting???) I was so scared I was crying. Never knew the guy was even out there, until Lightfoot let me know!
A really good resource on the breed is Bad Rap rescue in California. They tend to tell it like it is and don’t try to gloss over and ignore traits that are genetically hardwired in some dogs. I like how they explain that maturity can sometimes influence a dog’s personal level of dog-dog aggression.
chancellor2
wish coth had a “like” button so i could “like” your posts
