Risks in adopting a Pitti

[trader220]

My girls been gone a few years now and its time for another dog. Was thinking about adopting a Pit Bull or Pitti mix.

Really its a rescue and we're unsure of her past.... what are the risks. Just me and my 12 year old son but... when my son's at his mom's I stay at my GF's who has 2 chihuahuas.

[Zeke]

So what are your plans when you're at the GF's? That's the only potential I see.

[vonsmog]

It will turn on you for no reason, and are a time bomb waiting to go off. You can't own a lion, and you shouldn't be allowed to own a pitt bull as well. At least that is my option, your mileage can be different. But then I was attacked by two of them, so I might be prejudiced. What is the saying "only drug dealers and white trash own Pitt bulls"

Can you tell I don't care for them, get yourself a golden retriever, you will never be happier.

[trader220]

I would take her with me everywhere I go, just like my last two dogs. Wheaten terrier, and then a lab/shelty mix.

I am not a fan of Golden's. Nice dogs just not for me.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by trader220

My girls been gone a few years now and its time for another dog. Was thinking about adopting a Pit Bull or Pitti mix.

Really its a rescue and we're unsure of her past.... what are the risks. Just me and my 12 year old son but... when my son's at his mom's I stay at my GF's who has 2 chihuahuas.

I suggest you ask your homeowner's insurance agent that question.

[trader220]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I suggest you ask your homeowner's insurance agent that question.

I never considered having to do that.... Interesting

[yellowperil]

Of all the dogs I've owned, Border Collie Mix was by far the best. Not a PB fan. My 2 cents.

[trader220]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Of all the dogs I've owned, Border Collie Mix was by far the best. Not a PB fan. My 2 cents.

My last dog was lab / shelty or boarder collie. Such a great dog.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by trader220

I never considered having to do that.... Interesting

I don't remember all the details, but a couple of years ago I read that some insurance companies charged more for homeowner's insurance for clients with pit-style dogs and some cancelled policies after relatively minor incidences relative to pits.
Anecdotal for sure but still might be relevant.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

It will turn on you for no reason, and are a time bomb waiting to go off. You can't own a lion, and you shouldn't be allowed to own a pitt bull as well. At least that is my option, your mileage can be different. But then I was attacked by two of them, so I might be prejudiced. What is the saying "only drug dealers and white trash own Pitt bulls"

Can you tell I don't care for them, get yourself a golden retriever, you will never be happier.

Retrievers bite more than bullies.
But don’t let facts stand in the way of your feelings.

If it’s from a reputable rescue it’ll have been temperament tested, so that’s one worry taken out of the equation.

They are terriers. Strong prey drive. They’ll chase anything - from deer on down.
They are also high energy. A tired bully is a happy bully. Long walks with plenty of fetch is a must.

Conversely they also want to be with you 24-7 and don’t realize or care that 75lbs is on the upper side for a lapdog. They don’t do well left alone for long periods. They are very very affectionate in a family setting - lick bull is the commonest appellation, but can be protective of -your- children. Don’t leave unsupervised when your kids are roughhousing with the neighbor kids.

They are also strong for their size. Walk on a harness or a gentle leader and expect to take time to train to stop pulling. They’ll literally damage themselves on a prong collar and choke themselves on a martingale to get to something they want to chase after..

They can be animal aggressive. The key is socialization. This is unlikely to be a real issue from a rescue - the worst ones aren’t adopted out. The chiahuauas may be an issue if they try to be dominant. Yappy pushy dogs annoy everyone. Dogs are no different.

They are intelligent and easy to train - they respond well to reward based training.

Make sure the adoption papers say mixed breed terrier or insurance can be an issue.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Retrievers bite more than bullies.
But don’t let facts stand in the way of your feelings.

I always love when the apologists chime in. Yes, what you say may be true. When retrievers "bite", however, they may nip once out of fear. When a pit "bites" it keeps going until its victim is severely mauled or dead.

We have had endless discussions on this forum regarding the all too well documented downside of pit bull ownership. They have gotten pretty heated at times. I would suggest to the OP that you simply search on the term "pit bull" on our OT forum and start reading. I would hate to see all of that re-hashed all over again.

[Chocaholic]

They can be great dogs. Not recommended with small children and must not be left alone very long. Yes, your insurance company should be consulted. Most have a list of dogs that will get you cancelled. You can bet Pit Bulls are in that list.

There are lots of dogs that need adoption. You didn’t say why you prefer a Pit, but suggest you also consider other options.

[Evans, Marv]

My neighbor has three dogs: two pit bulls & a boxer mix maybe with some pit bull. They will lick you to death, but they are super well socialized and never go out of the property. On the other hand a news report this morning was about a pit bull mix that got into a fight with another dog. The owner intervened and got attacked by her dog & went to the hospital with serious injuries to the face & other parts.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I always love when the apologists chime in. Yes, what you say may be true. When retrievers "bite", however, they may nip once out of fear. When a pit "bites" it keeps going until its victim is severely mauled or dead.

We have had endless discussions on this forum regarding the all too well documented downside of pit bull ownership. They have gotten pretty heated at times. I would suggest to the OP that you simply search on the term "pit bull" on our OT forum and start reading. I would hate to see all of that re-hashed all over again.

Funny. I feel the same way about schutzhunds as you do about pbts. Chased by some as a kid. I’d euthanize every shepherd on the planet happily. Doesn’t mean they are bad dogs, it means I have -feelings-.
Ymmv.

[Sooner or later]

If my dachshund was as big and strong as a pitt no stranger would be safe.

[Tobra]

Depending where you are, insurance might be an issue. There are a lot of irresponsible people out there, and they all want to have tough dog. Got attacked by a black pit bull about a week ago. Owner was a morbidly obese black man with his pants around his ass. I am sure he had been up all night, no way he was getting out of bed at 0500, he was still up. Off leash, bit both my dogs. I made the mistake of not dropping the leash and kicking the that black dog to death, tried to pull my boys back, and that made them more vulnerable to attack. Fat black guy got a hold of his dog and got it under control. Called animal control, but they are not doing anything because I don't know the owner's address.

My first adverse experience with a pit bull, 100% the fault of the owner.

[trader220]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

They can be great dogs. Not recommended with small children and must not be left alone very long. Yes, your insurance company should be consulted. Most have a list of dogs that will get you cancelled. You can bet Pit Bulls are in that list.

There are lots of dogs that need adoption. You didn’t say why you prefer a Pit, but suggest you also consider other options.

I'd rather adopt then buy one somewhere. My last dog was simply as good as it gets and she was adopted. The Pitti's I have known are all sweet well mannered dogs. I only know a few. The one I have my eye on is a female that's not huge, just looked like she needed a good home.

I have a lot more time on my hands now. I would like to have a dog that's cool with getting in the car with me most days and heading over to the warehouse, but is still cool with my son and girlfriends dogs. She also has a 22 acre farm with lots of space to run. Occasionally has horses there too.

I know of a 4 year old Cane Corso looking for a home.

[speeder]

Sure, there are plenty of stories of sweet pit bulls that never hurt a flea and they are true. I know of such dogs. Still, why would you want to take the risk and liability of owning a breed that is well known for turning w/o warning and mauling people and other dogs, often w tragic results.

In shelters, a large percentage of the abandoned or stray dogs are pit bull mixes. That is because of the unfortunate fact that most dog breeding decisions are made by dogs.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I suggest you ask your homeowner's insurance agent that question.

I knew of a case where an apartment owner tried to kick someone out for having a pit bull. They went to court and the renter brought in someone from the AKC who said if the dog didn't have papers, it was a mutt, not a pit bull.

[Chocaholic]

Trader...you’re on a roll. Cane Corso? Also, a very dangerous dog in inexperienced hands. And I’m sure your insurance company will have a similar opinion. Adopt a nice mutt and get on with it.