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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
 
Location: Buffalo, TX | I rescued Buddy 4 years ago when he was about a year old... and there is no aggression in him at all...in fact, he's one of the smartest dogs I've ever owned and the only one that can go to the barn with me and go with me when I ride....he's a beautiful brindle 75 lb. dog....
And....until I got Buddy, I was one of those people who was predjudiced against Pits...now, I'll always have one...they are great sweet dogs.
P.S.....the little Jackrat that I inherited is a little terrierist and mean as can be, and Buddy justy ignores him, even around food...Buddy will let my other dogs have a biscuit before he tries to get one, and he can almost tell what I'm thinking...he has never really been "trained", yet he obeys me instantly every time... |
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 Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | I have seen good pits and I have seen bad, personally I don't like the breed, and with kids and livestock. My sister had one who was the greatest dog in the world, kind obedient and loving knew a million tricks and one day he just snapped and took out after my heeler and nearly killed him and after that day he was aggressive toward him no matter what and they had to be kept seperate. The final straw was I was working a yearling and he out of the blue took off after her and latched on to her leg and in terror she came over the top of me. He had never gone after the horses till that day. My hubby had a mix who I think went crazy, he was also well trained and kept as a family dog, I noticed one of his eyes started to sort of wander and when he would look at you that eye wouldn't go the same direction he was starting to get aggressive toward the other dogs and livestock. It sounds terrible to say but thankfully the ups man ran him over and killed him. A gal I worked for had one for 10 yrs that was the resident farm dog and one day she came home and he had her pony pinned down by the throat dead. For the right person they can be great dogs but I can't have a dog that I can't trust. |
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Teen Advice Giver
 
| We resuced our first dog (Pitbull mix) in April of 2013..we absolutely LOVE HER.
She is so dang smart too! She's 100% off leash trained (we taught her that in less then a week after we got her). Knows all of her commands, very loyal, very protective.
LOVES the water and loves to swim. Wouldn't trade our dory girl for the world!
Ok sorry for the pic overload! lol I just love my baby so much :) |
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Teen Advice Giver
| and one last picture bc its too cute not to share lol (the top picture). She loves her little sister !
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 318
Location: Sapulpa, OK | I rescued one from the side of the road 3 years ago that was skin & bones! I'd never had one & was a little afraid of her because of their bad reputation.
She has been the BEST dog we've ever had! Didn't love cats or the other dogs at first, but was willing to listen when we told her NO she couldn't chase them.
She is very protective of us, but NOT mean & always listens to us when we tell her something. I've since then rescued another one from our local shelter &
she is the same way! Amazing sweet sweet dogs! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | You need to read the book, "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption" The first part of the book is really hard to read but when they start talking about each dog they rescued and their story it is very good. I think everyone has breeds they don't trust. I don't trust heelers or border collies and will never own one. Although I have an Aussie/Border Collie cross that I love to death. Pit Bulls get a bad rap, they are not the devil they are made out to be. I would definitely give this dog a chance. Bring her home if she doesn't work out then I'm sure the shelter will let you bring her back. Good luck and bless you for giving a shelter dog a chance! |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I've rescued more then my fair share of pitts. The very first one my sister still owns and is the best dog ever.
Of the remaining, several had to be euthanized due to aggression (unknown history) and others were ok and found homes.
Unfortunately, in the last two years, I have only been attacked by two dogs. Both being pitt bulls. One I was forced to shoot to protect myself. The other the owner was able to get ahold of her before she did more then tear my pant leg. The first came off his property. Unprovoked. The second I was on her property and the stupid owner let her out the door when she should not have ( I was there for work).
It has certainly left a bad taste in my mouth about pitt bulls. I try very hard not to judge them. But I am very cautious about the breed. However, I am very cautious around Shepherds and Rottweilers I don't know either.
Any dog has the ability to bite. What many people fail to understand is that Pitts were originally used and bred for hunting, like many other dogs. They will always have some natural instinct, and they will always be extremely strong dogs.
But the right pitt bull is an unbeatable companion, that's for sure. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I think to make a smart decision about this you need to make a balanced one.
First of all, pit bulls can be great dogs. They are *generally* known for being good with kids. They are also generally known for being aggressive towards other dogs, livestock particularly and to be territorial. All this can be managed by a responsible owner.
I have a dog, not a pit bull, that must be watched around kids and livestock. He's a good dog, very obedient. Everyone in our extended family thinks he's great. That being said, he likes to chase horses and he has growled at kids. Thus when we travel he stays in a crate. When we leave him at home he's always in the back yard (or if its a short jaunt to town we leave him in the house). We watch him like a hawk around livestock and he generally leashed or made to remain in the back of our truck.
Thus this could be a great dog for you all but you must be willing to carefully manage it to make sure it stays a good dog, in your eyes and those of the public (whose eyes are not so friendly regarding this breed).
Everyone in my family still thinks our dog is a good one because even though they know he has these issues, he has never had an incident because we are very careful of him.
Something to keep in mind, with kids, could your carefulness of him be compromised in some way. That's something to keep in mind. Or are they old enough and responsible enough to be a help and not a hindrance?
I'm not telling you to go for it or not. I'm sure you are considering it very carefully anyway. Just thought I would give you a 'moderate' perspective. |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | From an insurance standpoint, you'd better make your agent aware that you are getting a pit bull and then be prepared to possibly be nonrenewed from your insurance or have your rates go up. Pits are frowned upon because of their aggressive personalities. Not sure that it matters to you, but just wanted to offer the advice. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
| I had one and she was the sweetest dog. I rescued her when she was around 6 months old. I had her for about 10 years. I really miss her....
Edited by 3TurnsonSpud 2014-10-09 11:11 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-10-09 11:01 AM
From an insurance standpoint, you'd better make your agent aware that you are getting a pit bull and then be prepared to possibly be nonrenewed from your insurance or have your rates go up. Pits are frowned upon because of their aggressive personalities. Not sure that it matters to you, but just wanted to offer the advice.
I've heard this but I've never once had an insurance agent ask me what bred of dog I own. Also, I know many pit owners personally who have heard nothing about this. My insurance agency is farm bureau and they actually paid the vet bills for my brother's pit who was injured in an automobile accident. His dog was in the car with him and suffered face lacerations and needed stitches and they paid the whole bill. Never once was anything said about the dog being a pit. |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | After I lost my last one it took me a few years to find the one I have now (Iggy). She makes me laugh every single day, multiple times. She is always happy and plays until she can barely keep her eyes open. I keep her inside with the three chihuahuas and she is getting so big. They get mad at her because she pulls the blanket they are laying on on the couch off daily. She steals it and puts it on the floor and makes her a little bed and they have to lay on the sofa without their blankie all day. Now, she has a pillow on the floor that is her's and she does lay on it, but takes great pleasure in stealing theirs. I have even put her one on the floor thinking she'd leave theirs alone....nope.....she just loves stealing theirs lol. I think it's because they tag team against her and won't let her on the sofa, so she steals the blanket lol. Also, Fred, the 4 pound chihuahua gets mad at her if she goes too close to him and he literally hangs from her cheek at times and she just stands there wagging her tail looking like "what am I supposed to do now?" She loves the cats. She has a favorite one that really plays with her. They sleep on her pillow together and even though that cat is 4 months old it attempts to suck on Iggy's teeny tiny teats and Iggy just lays there like that is normal behavior. She has a ring worm on her tummy from that cat lol. That cat will meow all night if you don't let him in the bedroom to sleep with Iggy. She, also, loves everyone and wants to kiss all the time. She loves hugs and love and riding shot gun in the truck. If I say, "who wants to go to the Dollar Store?" it's a mad race between her and the chi's to the truck lol. |
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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | Thanks everyone for your responses. Been thinking about her all day. I am getting out of work early and meeting my husband at the shelter around 2:45. I did talk to my co-worker and she informed me that I have two weeks to try her in our home (and still get a refund, if it doesn't work). Still not 100% yet about our decision, still need to find out if she likes cats and my husband before we take her from the shelter. I promise I will post pictures if we get her.
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Rolling J - 2014-10-09 12:01 PM Thanks everyone for your responses. Been thinking about her all day. I am getting out of work early and meeting my husband at the shelter around 2:45. I did talk to my co-worker and she informed me that I have two weeks to try her in our home (and still get a refund, if it doesn't work). Still not 100% yet about our decision, still need to find out if she likes cats and my husband before we take her from the shelter. I promise I will post pictures if we get her.
Please, do! I hope it works out! |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | Just bear in mind the level of damage certain large dogs of capable IF things go wrong. Some dogs can puncture your ankle and others can rip your face off. Something to always be aware of regardless. |
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 California Cowgirl
Posts: 14973
Location: California | I evaluate every dog on an individual basis. While some breeds have stronger traits than others , there are exceptions to all breeds. I know bird breeds who hate the water , a malamute who hates the snow,etc.
Being heavily involved in pitbull rescue I will say that they are a highly adaptable breed. I've had ones that love animals, dislike other animals , and stay neutral with other animals. I do feel that 99% of their behavior can be trained and issues they may come with from past owners can be redirected.
I have never had a situation where I have had a problem introducing new dogs into the group and maintaining peace. With any breed proper introduction and guidance are key. The pulling can be fixed with training , all of mine,including my 3legger , have been extreme pullers initially. Our friends have a two year old who comes over often and the dogs adore him. He has been raised around dogs and also knows how to respect animals. He stuck a cracker in my males mouth and my male let it hang under his gum until he was told he could eat it lol. I would suggest the shelter do a thorough cat evaluation since they have access to that on the property. I personally would be very careful with rabbits, birds and goats myself. Maybe you could bring her out to your property and see her reaction with the animals you have on leash. You will be able to tell if she is overly fixated on them or still aware of what you are asking of her. I wouldn't say her undivided interest in them would be a deal breaker but it is definitely going to be some work on your families part , but doable. I would never leave her unsupervised with the farm animals and I'd eliminate any potential for her to mess up . A dog is a dog regardless of breed , I would not overlook her because she is a Pitbull. Consider her tempermant and compatibility with your family as you would any breed! Good Luck!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
| Growing up my best friends family had a pit bull. They never had any trouble with it, they did get it as a puppy though so maybe that is why. I found this and thought it was interesting reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull |
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 If it Ain't a Paint it Ain't!
Posts: 8519
Location: Mansfield, Tx | let the dogs meet through a fence first.. not just head to head... or on a leash
and DON'T be scared or act like something is going to happen... the dog will sense that....
I just resuced a puppy last weekend... it's our 3rd pit bull at the house...
you have to be a " responsible pit owner" which means ALOT of things....
Good luck... they are and can be great dogs... it's all on how they are raised and taught ( make them mind)
they are not a lazy lap dog by any means.... ( well, not most ...LOL) |
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Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | She passed the husband, meeting our dogs and cat test at the shelter, so please met "Yuki" (means white in Japanese). We brought her home about 2 hours ago and our house is a little crazy right now. She wants to play and our 2 little dogs are not so sure of that, so we are keeping a very close eye on things. She loves the kids so far and appears to be listening well for just arriving. We have two weeks to let everyone settle in and see how things are going to work. It was so funny when we left the shelter, my husband didn't even get the car door all the way open and she was in. No hesitation and no looking back. She is 16 months old.
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Rolling J - 2014-10-09 4:54 PM She passed the husband, meeting our dogs and cat test at the shelter, so please met "Yuki" (means white in Japanese). We brought her home about 2 hours ago and our house is a little crazy right now. She wants to play and our 2 little dogs are not so sure of that, so we are keeping a very close eye on things. She loves the kids so far and appears to be listening well for just arriving. We have two weeks to let everyone settle in and see how things are going to work. It was so funny when we left the shelter, my husband didn't even get the car door all the way open and she was in. No hesitation and no looking back. She is 16 months old.
She is so pretty, I sure do hope things will work out for her.. You got a good heart to bring her into your home.  |
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