Game Bred APBT As a Pet

I am looking to get a pet for the family, I have always liked the APBT but have never had one. I have had working line german shepherds but want something smaller that sheds less. I will never buy an AKC dog as I believe dogs should not be changed to conform to "show" standards. Just look what they did to the show line german shepherd, english bull dog, Bull terrier and now the american bullys, the list goes on.

Anyway, back years ago the APBT was americas dog, it was featured as representation of the US, Buster Brown, etc.

What I am trying to get at, is if I want a APBT, I want something that resembles the dog from that time period and that seems to be the game bred version, but I have also read on hear that they can be like having a loaded gun so that is kind of conflicting. Some of the things I have read on here say you have them chained and behind a fence to keep them away from kids etc. I have 3 kids 5-8 years old.

I also read as far as temperment testing goes APBT are one of the safest breeds per the CDC. See below.

What do you guys think as far as having a game bred APBT as a family pet.


In September 2000 a meta-analysis conducted bythe United States Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was published which examined dog bite related fatalities (humandeath caused by dog bite injuries) over a 20 year period from 1979-1998. Thestudy examined 238 fatalities in which the breed of dog was known. The studywas surmised to covered approximately 72% of known dog bite related fatalitiesduring that period.<sup style="word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" id="cite_ref-CDC_8-0">[8]</sup> However in the later half of the study Rottweilers accounted for more dog bite related fatalities than pit bulls. Further,in tests of over 500 dogs, the American Pit Bull Terrier ranked as the secondsafest breed in the test

 

I'd say on average the danger of owning these dogs as family pets aren't about the dog biting a family member or kids. Its the potential for what they could do to other peoples pets. Do a lot of research and decide if your ready for the commitment it takes to own one of these dogs. Depends a lot on your lifestyle too.

Sincerely Yours, Cajun

 

I beg you to reconsider your choice of a game bred apbt..these aren't really pets. I believe I've seen someone on here call them glorified live stock and I completely agree. As a working dog they are unparalleled, but there are many other dogs that make fine pets without the problems too could potentially have with this breed. Regardless of what anyone tells you these are not nanny dogs, they are performance animals bred specifically to perform (when bred true). I think one of if not the biggest problem with this breed are folks making them out to be something they aren't and folks beliving what they are told.

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They can be pets (house dogs) they have been ch house dogs not trying to promote anything illegal just saying do your research an learn just like all things you have to start somewhere just don't get a lion an trying make it a rabbit. Your kids should be fine we can speak as a percentage with these dogs but each dog is an individual an you get out what you put in. The only friends a bulldog needs is his human family

 

We kept our APBT and got a mut as a pet.

 

There have been cases where ch's and real bulldogs have been house dogs, but that's an exception to the rule that many would have you believe is the norm and it's just not the case.

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I have zero experience with gamebred APBTs as of yet but I wouldn't get one as just a pet. I've seen too many examples of dogs that rarely sleep lol. I can only imagine what they would do to your house lol. Theres no room for error. I look at my roommates pup, who is on lockdown if hes not being worked because he destoys shit, and think of a dog 10x worse.... that's not a dog you want as a pet Lol. You would probably have to buy an adult who has proven to have an off switch and that can be fine laying on the couch after exercise.

I've been debating when I'm ready for another dog what route I'm going to go. I really want an APBT but I think I am going to get a sport AmStaff first. The breeder I've been looking at has dogs titled in everything from weight pull to lure coursing to schutzhund to obedience to show. All have their CGC and are health tested. They still have drive and some DA but not to the extent of the APBT. That might be a better option for you.

 

Thanks for the information.

Based on the responses I do NOT want a game bred APBT.

This may be a stupid question but I am new to the breed, is there such a thing as an APBT that is not game bred?

I see what look like the old style (not bully) APBT at shelters. How do you know if they are game bred?

I am guessing for you guys an APBT that is not game bred is a mutt where back in its lineage the gameness was somehow bred out.

I guess you cant tell without a pedigree...

Like this guy:

 

^ he is handsome! love his ears.

 

I'm not gonna say that you shouldn't own any apbt as strictly a pet, but be prepared with any apbt to have problems that you wouldn't have from numerous other breeds.

Sincerely Yours, Cajun

 

...set...up...????????...contact...nc...lol...lol...

 

...diesel....how will you know a game bred from a non game bred one...???????

 

I agree these dogs make great pets but they are working dogs first and foremost and weren't bred to be strictly pets. There are a lot of changes you will have to make to own these dogs and if you can't exercise them on a regular basis than don't get one. I have plenty of these animals that were raised in doors and am able to leave out when I leave and they don't destroy anything. The key is it takes a lot of time and patience and these dogs can become destructive when they are not worked regularly. The dog will never be one that can be out and about with other animals so if you have other dogs in the home now or plan on dog park adventures you can forget it. Most will stray new comers to this breed away because most pet owners will never truly accept and understand the purpose of these dogs and what they are intended to be used for which causes a bunch of issues later on once the owner figures out what the breed is about through some tragic event.

 

...threre not house pet's in general,,,,if your gonna have any large dog or any dog for that matter ,,don't leave very young kid's around them un-attended.............

 

Gamebred just means that the parents or ancestors were game tested to some degree. It doesn't mean they are agressive. They could be shy or cuddlesome. They could be dumb or highly trainable. Go out and see a lot of dogs and observe them. The one thing about buying from a line is that you can the dogs on the yard and have a better idea of what to expect your dog to act like and certain distinct traits.

 

If you go to a shelter odds are its a street bred dog. Not that APBTs don't end up in shelters but the chances are far higher you will end up with a generic bully breed. If you go that route, you'll have more luck with it as a pet BUT you still have to take the same precautions you would with a pedigreed dog. Its really hit or miss temperament wise when you adopt.

 

"Gamebred" should mean " performance bred" bred to perform the task they were selected for. While it may be a term thrown around loosely by novice owners and peddlers a serious dog man looking for performance animals is not breeding shy and cuddlesome animals. They are breeding serious animals bred to perform in the box in which case they should be DA.

 

Like I said I have had working line german shepherds and trained in schutzhund etc, so I am comfortable with working dogs and the responsibility that comes with owning a large working dog that needs exercise. My last german shepherd was very dog aggressive actually.

But even in german shepherds, the dogs that win 1st in schutzhund are not house dogs. They are extremely high drive and need to be worked constantly or they become destructive and unmanageable.

If you go to a good working line german shepherd breeder and tell them you want an active family pet they will not give you the same dog they would give to someone that wants to win 1st place in Nationals for schutzhund.

When you say loaded gun are you talking about with humans or other animals?

 

When he says loaded gun he means loaded gun.... Shit happens quick with these dogs, and with no warning. Treat them as a loaded weapon and take all precautions you would with it. Don't leave them unattended with small children or any other animals, and accept the fact that anything can happen at any given time

Sincerely Yours, Cajun