Should we get a pit? need advice

Hello everyone! Despite that I don't own a pitbull, I joined this community hoping to get advice. My husband and I don't have a dog (we're in the process of buying a house and can't have a dog in the apartment we're in) and I can't wait to get own (we both grew up with dogs always around) Anyway, my husband has his heart set on a pit. I love them as dogs, but I'm a little nervous about the thought of getting one. Most people say don't buy one because if they bite someone it is not covered under your homeowner's insurance and you have to pay for the attorney out of pocket, judgments placed against you, etc, etc. But every time I see somebody happily walking their pit down the street, I just can't help thinking how bad I want one. I know the way dogs are raised is a big issue, and us both being dog people (we have no kids, so the puppy will be our baby : ) I know we could raise a sweet puppy into a sweet dog. I'm just wondering if anybody that owns pits gets nervous when people are in their house that they might bite them. I'm sorry if I sould stupid, but I don't want to get a pit and then be so worried about how people act around it and stuff like that. if anybody could direct me to some pitbull litrature, books, websites, or just tell me how much you love your dog, it would be appreciated. I just want to know everything I can before we decide to get one. Thanks

 

Hi!

and welcome!
I would say, read, read, then read some more! Learn everything you can about this breed! EVERYTHING, from their background, which is their foundation of why and how they are today. To their temperment. To their characteristics, to their health issues. Read, yes, about home owners insurance. Make sure your city/town/state allows this breed=no BSL (breed specific legislation) in your town. Be prepared, mentally=grow a "thick skin", because people have ALL kinds of comments about this breed=the breed everybody loves to hate, and most have no problem with sharing them with you:family, friends and strangers alike. (I was at a club tonight, and a lady in the bathroom saw my sweat shirt, of our Ma. PB club site, and she started going off.) I "worked" her though! and after 20 minutes (yes, still in the Ladies room,) she was pleasantly suprised, AND enlightened about this breed
btw, she's coming to our show next week-end: (she's "curious")! I think I hooked her!!!
Anyhow, just be able to learn, be objective, let the inevitable comments slide, and become the best damn owner you can be! Socialize that pup, vaccinate it, spay/neuter if you have no intentions to breed, and remember positive press works best! Do right on behalf of the breed, and for your fellow pit owners, who act responsibly. (please )
There's lots of info on this site. Do a search if you need something specific. Lots of FAQ, and newbie info.
Also:
Here are some links you might enjoy as well.
Jason has a good site, and is a great guy. Here's his site!

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/about-the-american-pit-bull-terrier.html
also, you can try:
Scott's site:
http://www.ukcpitbull.com/pit/

both are very informative, and will be beneficial.
Nice to have you, and take your time. A dog, hopefully, will commit you for the next 10-15 years, with a house full of love! Be choosey and find a reputable breeder! I'll include that as well.
Take care!
http://www.texasbostons.com/pages/A%20COMPARISON%20OF.htm


and remember, pits are quite social by nature. They're great people lovers. Just socialize that pup, continously, and you should be fine when the company arrives. And if in doubt, that's when the "crate is great"!

 

Thanks so much for the advice In addition to looking at the websites you've mentioned, I bought Pit Bulls for Dummies and A New Owner's Guide to the American Pit Bull Terriers on amazon.com... must know everything. Your reference to growing a thick skin, I can really see how a pit owner would have to do that. Everyone I mentioned getting a pitbull had 500 reasons not to do it, but every owner I mention it to can chat endlessly about why they love them so much (we have lots of pitbulls on our street. Nine times out of ten when someone is walking their dog in this neighborhood [Buffalo, NY], it's a pit, a happy, healthy one)
Anyway, thanks again!

 

you're very welcome!

 

Suki gave some great advice as always. But if you aren't set on a puppy, there are plenty of pits out there at rescue centers who desperately need adopting. I mean some really nice dogs too. The only reason, 9 times out of 10, that they are there is BSL, or some other stupid reason. The first one I got when I got pits again was a rescue. We bought 4 others and quite frankly he is the best one. Minds a lot better than the other 4. His owners were divorcing and were going to send him to the pound. Where I live they won't adopt out pits or pit mixes, they are euthanized. He was a little over 4 months old when we got him. Older dogs make good pets as well because you don't necessarily have to go through the "puppy" stage where they chew up your house. Also, the staff who handle these dogs get to know their personalities and can tell you any bad habits they might have.

 

the best advice is to make sure you know what type of people you are getting your dog from, and make sure they have ancestors such as both parents and grand's if they are still around and also half brothers or sisters, breeders always keep a pup or two off every litter, that way you will know what dog you are getting and what type of dog it will probably become

 

Best dogs I've ever had, but you definitely have to consider compatibility. Good on you for reasearching ahead of time. The two biggest bars to owning the breed are: 1.) The potential for dog-to-dog aggression, which turns a lot of people off, and 2.) public perception.

What I mean by the latter is, as you've already experienced to some extent, people will tell you what a vicious monster your dog is or will be. Or mothers gathering up their children and walking the other way when you stroll into the park with your dog. That stuff can really get to you if you don't have a thick skin. Then you've got to worry about what you're going to do if your town passes a Pit Bull ban. There'll be days when you'll want to wash your hands of the breed and swear you'll never get a controversial dog again.

But that aside, you'll find it really worthwhile when you get a chance to show off your well-behaved Pit Bull and change a few minds. It gives you warm fuzzies when someone says "Well, I've never met one in real life, but now I know they're not the monsters you see on the news."

As for the first concern, the animal aggression, it wont be a big deal if you only want to have one dog. More than one, the situation gets trickier, and its an unwritten rule among most Pit Bull people that you never leave one of these dogs unsupervized with another dog. You can increase your dog's chances of being dog-friendly with careful socialization (no dog parks!), but there is always a risk of a fight breaking out, and that can be academic if you've never seen a fight involving an APBT.

I don't want to sound all doom and gloom. These are awesome dogs. They're versatile, affectionate, goofy, tough, clean, easy to care for, love to play, perfect size for just about anything IMO, come in all sorts of colors, etc etc etc. The drawbacks I've talked about are all things that most APBT owners take as part of the deal, and its not that bad. If you can deal with the few major issues, these dogs are great!

If you have any more questions, please ask. Here a few more links to look at:

http://www.realpitbull.com/
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/index.htm - This one gives a list of places with breed-specific legislation (BSL).

 

It's all about choice really. I rescue & feel just great about doing that, for the dogs sake & all. You can find pups or grown ones, at your local shelter/pound. I get mine from kill shelters/second chance shelters. I have never had any issues with people coming in my house for the first time, with my dogs. Most are very friendly with people, they do not know. Your local shelter, will help with your decision on adopting. They give out great advice to new owners, on how to care for the dog. Like Suki said, reading up on the breed, is very insightful. Good luck on your decision & keep us posted, please.

 

every one here gave good advice BUT, you have to realizse that a pitbull is not for everyone. You also need to know that it is your resposnsibility to make sure that your dog is well socialized. The best advice that i can give you is "never trust a pitbull not to fight". It doesnt matter if she is the sweetest girl in the world you just have to realize what she is capable of, and know exactly what to do in that situation. I am not trying to talk you out of owning one because IMO they are the best breed and I wouldnt own any other. You just need to know everything about the breed BEFORE you decide to own.

 

You have about 3 years of reading to go before IMO you should get one. Make sure you pick up the books about this dogs history. It is the most important and enlightning thing you will read about this breed. Dont go out and buy a "Pit-Bull" after acouple of books. Make sure you visit some homes with APBTs in them. Watch them and you will see their nature. Educate yourself......and I meen educate yourself. Everything. Fighting, Feeding, Weight, Socilization, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, take your dog to a dog park. Do not say you dont support "fighting" if you want a "Pit-Bull". That is what these dogs do. You might encounter a "Dog-Fight" or what some people call a yard accident. It is in their nature, and it is a respectable sport in some countries. Make sure you own a breaking stick, and dont leave home without it. Prepare yourself for the ultimate journey in four legged companions.