New Here.

We didn't mean to make you afraid! It's just sometimes in our persistence to get people to think things through, then it comes off as telling you not to do something.

To be honest, I suggest buying as many books on the APBT as possible (& the Am. Staff. as well since you are also interested in those) & read up. In the meantime, try to find some local dog shows & hit those up so you can meet & greet the dogs & their owners. Although I perfectly understand the want & desire for a puppy NOW, I also understand what it's like to do the former before acquiring one as that is what I did. Some say I went nuts into all the research before owning my own first APBT, but the feeling of preparation & all the knowledge I had acquired made things a breeze. Good luck in whatever your decision is.

 

Ha ha ha,

You never scared me away. I just realize that a Pit Bull may not be the greatest dog for me to start with.

I started looking at one because I liked its size, muscle mass, short hair, and it being a athletic dog.

Then I started looking at the Am Staff which is similar in size and everything. Im actually going to visit a friend who has a Am Staff Tonight after I watch the Supercross Race! I'll let you know what he is like!

Thanks guys!

 

an english staff. is a small version of an american staff..and a lot easier to handle..dont buy an american staff.in the newspaper a lot of people pass on pitbulls as american staffs..because ignorant people will buy them thinking they are dog friendly..any terrier will be animal aggressive but the amount of damage is different.

 

No, the" English staff" is NOT a small version of the American Staffordshire terrier The only thing they share in common is the name Staffordshire terrier and ancestors. The Am Staff is a direct spin off of the APBT so that "fanciers" could gain AKC recognition and get away from the pit image of the breed, and have a show version..

the correct name is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Over in the UK they are still viewed as working dogs, where over here their conformation has changed slightly to a shorter, stockier "prettier" dog. All three breeds do have similar physical characteristics to a degree..

 

I just have to commend you on making a well informed choice, finding out if a breeds traits will fit your ideals and doing some investigating before leaping into a dog. Not many do that no matter what the breed is.

 

When did ANY of us claim that only WE are worthy to own a "pit bull" & that this guy is not? What WE advised was to do some reading & research into the breed & thoroughly investigate any prospect kennels from which to buy a dog from. I'm sorry that we don't encourage supporting our local thugs, back yard breeders, & puppy peddlers & that we don't support the rushing into buying a breed of dog w/no background information about the breed. I for one will NEVER get a dog that I did not thoroughly research first. If you take our well meaning intentions this way, then so be it. But do not tell others what you think we are "really saying."

 

I told him to research. Read the first line of the post again please!

 

I did. And then I read the rest:

You think that everyone who likes the looks of the breed, should just run out & get one. And trust me, most do. And then people like me either get to keep 'em once they've been abandoned, dumped at the shelter or at the rescue, or just tossed out onto the streets, or people like me get the pleasure of holding off the vein in the front leg while we administer Euthasol that will kill the dog in a matter of seconds.

It doesn't matter WHAT breed someone wants, to want one based upon looks alone & then to rush out & buy one, is downright foolish & will usually result in the dog being abandoned or killed & the owner feeling dissappointed & let down in his perceptions. Whenever a person is interested in a breed of dogs, he should educate himself in every manor...just like the original poster is wanting to do. This is the person that in the long run will be very happy in their purchase/adoption & the dog chosen will also benefit in every possible way. Very very rarely does a spur of the moment purchase end up in being a happy situation.

As for your belief that this breed isn't complicated & anyone who wants one should be & is capable of owning one, then look around you. Read the paper. These dogs are being left to run lose to terrorize the neighborhood & chase/kill animals & unfortunately some cases, people. These dogs are being dumped at the shelters left & right b/c they didn't get along with Fifi the poodle, or Mugsy the Pug, or Tipper the kitty. They are being dumped b/c the owners are frustrated at the high energy levels & that the dogs are chewing up things & destroying the house after being kept in a crate for 8-10 hrs a day & then put back up after only a handful of hours out. The dogs are being dumped b/c they didn't turn out to be big freak monsters w/gigantic heads like all the others the owners saw in pictures & like their friends dogs. So you still want to tell me, someone who's been cleaning up others' messes now for 8 yrs, that this breed can be for & is for everyone who wants one? I don't think so.

 

To add to the original poster: I honestly think you are going about this the right way. You never know, after all the research, you might decide that the APBT is a dog for you be it in the form of a rescue or otherwise. I think by spending the time to research like you are obviously willing to do, then you will end up with the absolutely perfect dog for you & will have a happy lifelong relationship. You will have this next dog for up to 15 yrs (maybe more!), so what's a few months to get some "edumacation" (as we southerners like to call it )?

Any questions you have, ask them. Any statements you want to make state them. This site is here for you & we are all here for each other. But MOST importantly we are here for the wellfare of the APBT breed (& the other "pit bull" breeds as well).

 

Welcome, I am really glad you have come looking for research before rushing in and making a foolish decision-you will be much happier when the time actually comes to get that pup! I simply suggest you buy a couple of Richard Strattons books (very easy to understand beginners books with some great info) and just continue asking questions. Hope you enjoy your stay

 

I actually bought one just for the looks and have had great success with them. I have learned A LOT since I bought an APBT but have never had any problems. As far as the American Bulldog statement, I have one and he as well as many others I have encountered are just as aggressive as pits. I've had to pull mine off of my 75lb pit. If you really like this breed and really want one, then I say go for it!! I have bought adults and puppies and would rather have the puppy anyday. It is really good to bond with them early imo.

 

Nothng wrong with the info I posted and I didn't say anything was wrong with your post. I know I'm hated here because of my opinions but they are still my opinions there is really no need to always bash me or someone else because we don't think the same way. This is way to old already. People who visit here should be able to get two sides/perspectives of this breed. I'm really sick of this debating crap. Let's all be grown(if you are) and read along if you don't like someones post. If you have problems then pm me, not saying I will respond because like I said it's old already.

 

I started the same way and I believe you gotta start somehow, someway. There is more than one way to do things.

 

I've never thought about selling mine or taking them to a shelter. I have three APBTs and an American Bulldog. I have never owned anything else besides reptiles before I bought my dogs. I do agree that the game dogs aren't the best for just a pet. Unless that is the only dog you have.

 

Yes, they are more dog aggressive than lets say the average lab or Golden Retriever, but no where near the level of an APBT. And many American Bulldogs are being bred to just be housedogs, thereby losing much of their original drives.

What many might consider aggression towards other animals, may be different than what I would. This being due to the fact that most of the dogs I've had shown high prey drive towards other animals. Rott., GSD, multiple hunting breeds, terrier mutts...lol

This is where the research and investigation would come in. Look into any breed being considered.

 

First off, no one "hates" anyone. I find it very hard to "hate" an anonymous person on the internet. Second, if one is tired of debating, then why are you here? That's a main feature of internet forums. Plus, with all the bullshit going on with these dogs, debates are the norm.

We are here to learn & educate! If one choses to ignore these 2 things, then please, for all of our sakes, buy & raise poodles.

 

Like I said before and will say repeatedly....People who visit here should be able to get two sides/perspectives of this breed.Let's all be grown(if you are) and read along if you don't like someones post.

To C302,like said before by me and many others.....
Your best bet is to find a breeder and research both him/her and his/her bloodlines of choice. By all means if you want one then get one!

 

I didnt even read one word from that page all I saw was the dog picture. Don't walk but instead RUN and find a better breeder

 

One of the dogs on that site, "Capone" looks familiar. Didn't a certain ex-member post pictures of him?

 

Alot of good advice there & all I can say is don't go for any of the pure performance bred lines of apbt ast or stb as a 1st time dog imo