Pit Bulls

AndwadInLove

Alright, so I've been wanting an APBT for years now. I won't be getting one any time soon as I am not in the position to get one. Anyway, I wanted to start a discussion about "Pit Bulls" as I want to learn as much as I can about them. I know there are people here that own them or have owned them and I would love to get information about them from these people.

Criosphynx

The dog in the picture is an American Bully, its its own breed


I own a three year old APBT bitch, what did you want to know ?

this is an APBT

http://www.adbadog.com/uploads/Color%20Chart/red.jpg


edit, sorry, I didn't see the first pic, its not working!

AndwadInLove

Here's the picture:


Did that work? :S I can't figure out how to edit the original post...

EDIT:
The picture you posted looks more like an American Bulldog to me..? At least the short muzzle.

Criosphynx

I see it now! Blue is one of those colors where the dog can be blue, but they are likely mastiff mixes . I'd call that dog a pit bull tho, he looks a bit big, but its hard to tell without som'thing to reference him too

AndwadInLove

I tend to like the "red nose" APBT more anyway, though I didn't know that the blue color is not generally a characteristic of an APBT. Makes sense, though. Haha.

Anyway, what I wanted to know is the energy level of an APBT. How often do you take your dog for walks and what other kind of activities do you do with her? Did you have to train her not to be "dog-aggressive"?

Criosphynx

within the breed, energy levels are all over the map. If you are purchasing a dog from a "good breeder" they are generally trying to maintain active, drivey (and som'times they are trying to keep the DA) personalities. They are working dogs, so a breeder will try to preserve that.

That said, MOST of the pits available to the public, through byb, shelters, rescues, etc are bred willy nilly, and while you can still get the gameness, you often will get dogs with less drive than they are 'supposed" to have. IMO this is not a bad thing for the average family. Most people do not NEED a working "omg omg I need a job now now now" type dog as a companion.

so as a result, most of the Pibbles (lol) I have met have been average to low energy, and NOT dog aggressive. I have seen a few with reactivity, but not many. In fact, if you go to the local dog parks here in Socal, on any given day, i'd say about HALF the dogs at the park are pit pit/mixes.

My personal dog is not DA, not reactive, and low to med energy. She loves dogs, cats people and is the most tolerant animal I have ever met.

they are prone to mange, allergies, and freezing their little tookus' off (my dog has had all three problems). If you decide to get one, I'd recommend getting an adult around 2-3 years old, so you know the personality beforehand. Som'times the reactivity and DA don't show up until the dog is 2, which is why I wouldn't recommend a puppy unless you want to take the chance


she plays with her flirtpole a few times a week, maybe rollerblades a few times a week, but thats about it, she wants to hold down the couch and play with cats generally.
anyway, I have two cats and four other dogs who are in one piece, and she hasn't eaten any babies.

pawzaddict

Agreed with the above. Crio said it all best. My pit can be hyper as all get out or calm and lazy. Either way he is a huge lover. He lives in a house with other dogs, chihuahuas and larger dogs, cats and even ferrets and is gentle with everybody.

Criosphynx

lol, dont' get me wrong, if you do get a DA, reactive dog, your hands will be full., no matter what the breed is. Ironically nothing phases my pit, but my pug mix, if he were large and pit bull shaped (lol) would really scare people. Thats why i'd really recommend getting an adult unless you are willing to risk getting a reactive dog. Btw, most DA is really reactivity, the dog is reacting to fear or frustration of seeing the other dog with an aggressive display.


now cue the cute cat/pit photo.



shes tasting that cat, before she eats him, just so you know.

pawzaddict

I like the way Crio thinks when it is in regards to "DA"

AndwadInLove

All of that is fabulous information, Crio. :]] I was raised to hate pit bulls and rotties and dobermans and all those "bully" type breeds that are "baby eaters" because my parents believed all the hype. What changed my mind is when my ex and I adopted a pit bull mix (didn't know he was a pit mix at the time) and he was a fabulous dog.

I have a Boston Terrier mix and an AKC Dachshund. My Boston has medium energy and my Dachshund is "moody" as almost all Dachshunds are. I have experienced DA with both my dogs and know how to react to/prevent sticky situations. I am working on socializing both of them and they have made leaps and bounds in progress.

I have had lots of experience with all types of dogs and feel that on a personal level, I would be ready for a pit, but I refuse to get one until I am fully able to give them the space, exercise, training and time that a pit needs. I will not be another pit owner that makes a bad name for the breed. I love the breed and the goal I will have for a pit when I get one is to make it an ambassador of the breed to help change the negative stigma they get.

I will likely be adopting my pit when I get one and will go for an adult/young adult. As adorable as pit puppies are, I don't want to risk anything my first time. Screwing up is a given with any new dog as you don't completely know what to expect from that specific dog, but I would like to minimize the risk of screwing up with a pit bull as much as possible. :P

Are there any training or precautions you think any first-time pit owner should have in mind?