As some of you know, my dog has recently passed away, and my sisters dog is moving out, leaving my pup all alone. I know on a previous post I stated I couldn't afford a vet bill, and I still can't so this will be in about a year or so I get the new pup. Anyway, I know there are a few people on AMHD that own pit bulls, and I am looking for your help!

I have always seen the Pit bulls at the dog park and think there beautiful animals and I want a larger dog who will be able to SCARE (Not bite, maul, etc) intruders away since we have had 3 break In's in the last 3 months. Were assuming they were scared off by the dogs because they never got farther from the entry point (We could see the muddy shoes prints). Anyway my dog is a baby and runs and hides if he hears someone :P. I have done research and I think it will fit well with my family. I just don't want to be one of those people who ruin the pit bull name even more (If by chance my dog attacked another dog or a human). I have talked to a trainer in my area who has dealt with problem pit bulls, as well as basic obedience with them, and owns two herself, so I have support in the training part.

But coming from an owner yourself, could you explain to me the difficulty in training them? Do your's get along well with other animals (Mine would be raised around them, does this make a difference)? What are some pros and cons of owning a Pit bull? Does it matter male or female? Also, if there are any questions you have for me please don't be afraid to ask (Example, How much time do I have? Which is whenever I am not in school which will be under 6 hours a day , and I am basically a home body and don't go anywhere on weekends)

Remember I have done research on line (but if you have a good site to recommend please post it!), but I am now looking for more personal opinions.

Thank you,

And if by chance you think a pit bull will NOT suit my family, please tell me why you feel that way, and maybe even suggest a different breed :).

Emily I own 2 staffy's. Do you have money for obedience or behavior mod classes? These dogs are high maintenance, and need as much exercise and attention as a husky. They are destructive, and unless you have a firm hand they will rule you. I LOVE the breed, and hope you would choose rescue, as they need it, but they need a firm hand a dominate person.
And be prepared for skin allergies and food allergies.

They make awesome family pets and unless they know their role, they will assume the role as alpha, and if that happens be prepared for a very stubborn, anxious dog.

Yes, When I do get one I'll have enough money for training, shots, and to have it spayed/neutered. I thought rescue and called to ask a few questions and they said most pit bulls they get have been severely abused and have extreme behavioral issues. I'd rather get a pup and teach it properly from the start as well as get it really well socialized. Also they won't allow pit bulls to be homed with other animals because supposivly "there extremely unpredictable and could easily harm another animal" (arn't all dogs
Unpredictable?), and I already have a dog so they won't allow me
To adopt from them. I know of a family that lives in my city who breeds them, I see the parent often at the dog park and there great dogs, obedient, friendly, and I've never seen them act out, I think I might get to know there 2 dogs better and maybe try and get a pup from them (they have a litter every 2 years or so)

You'll also want to look into any restrictions and extra fees that sadly many people have to deal with when the get a pitbull.

I know that in our area you need insurance, the fee used to be $800/year to license, and a yearly home visit by the RCMP.

Something to look into before you fall in love with a puppy. :)

There is no restrictions in my area. If I'd like I cam purchase a "dangerous dog" license annually for $250 a year (you can purchase it for any breed though) and then if your dog was to attack something it has proper tags and your not held responsible if it happens on your property. I've checked by-laws and talked to people who own different dogs that are usually deemed "dangerous" and they recommend the license, but other than that there is no specific ban or insurance.

Owning a dog can be as expensive as you want it to be.. You can go to obedience classes with a puppy and pay max $100 for 6 or 8wks

The DHLPP shots can typically be given yourself. They are $5 per shot.

Spaying/Neutering.. there are a lot of programs out now that are trying to get people who cannot afford the big expensive vet bill to get their animals altered. My vet has grant money right now. To get a my old girl spayed who is 60lbs normally runs about $150 for the surgery alone. With the grant that I applied for, I can get her spayed for $40. There are also discounted spay/neuter clinics. You pretty much pay $60 to have a large adult female to be spayed.

Pit Bulls are awesome dogs. I love them. They do need a lot of socializing and work due to what they are bred to do. But keep in mind, it is a pit and that pit may naturally be aggressive towards other dogs. My pit is VERY well socialized, however I cannot take her to a dog park.

Owning a pit bull or other type of fighting breed you're going to have to see if there are any restrictions in your neighborhood. There are many cities in my state that have banned the breed. I live in the county, so no one too much cares :) But you need to check those things about prior to getting the dog. If pitties are banned in your town, Animal Control will seize the dog and it will more then likely be put down.

Getting a rescue dog is great! There are tons of pitties in need of help. Just keep in mind with adopting an adult, you get what you get. I would probably suggest for you to either get a very laid back pittie that has a background (owners surrendered directly to a rescue) or a puppy. I got a pit pup with no background or history.. Its been miserable since day one. She was 8 months by the time I got her and she is already "wrecked" And I honestly don't know if I can salvage her.

Another expense... dog food. Larger dogs each more. Just keep that in mind ;) Evo gets expensive when you have to feed many mouths.

Good luck in your search. I love my pittie! They're the best dogs I have yet to own!

At the pet store I get my dog food, if you buy 5 bags of Evo you get one free :), it's a pretty good deal considering I also feed my ferrets Evo as well. The vets in my area it cost about $400 to get a female spayed, but it's a one time deal so I don't mind paying it (I'd rather pay $400 right away than pay thousands if she gets pregnant and something goes wrong) I am leaning towards a female (I just like girls better haha). If she was raised around a dog would she be okay with him( I don't want to put my other pup at risk)? And the obedience is about $60 for 6 weeks (it doesn't matter if it is puppy socialization, beginner, or advance). So, so far I need about $880 (This includes: Spay/neuter, second shots (I'm hoping she will come with first shots), all three obedience classes, and food for about 2 months) plus money for the actual pup. When I save up that amount I will start looking for a puppy.

What are some good things to look for when picking a pup? Should I save up a little extra for one-on-one training or is group classes OK (Thats what I put my puppy in but he didn't even need obedience, I just put him in it so he'd get used to other dogs)?

Just thougth I'd share this poem I found while doing my research. I found it cute :)

A Pit Bulls Prayer.

Spirit in the sky, who watches over all animals: it is my prayer and my request that you grant greater understanding, and acceptance to humans; those who love us, and those who hate us.

That they will know how loyal we are, how brave we are, and how loving we are. Help them to accept us as a breed in whole and not let the few tragedies shine brighter then the many great traits that we have.

And those who would kill me, let them know, I forgive them even though I don’t understand their hatred. And those who would beat me, let them know I still love them, even though it is not the honorable way to treat me.

Thank you for all the strong traits that you have given to me and my breed. Help those to know that I stand for courage, strength, loyalty, and bravery, and as my master already knows, let those who would come against my family know that I would surrely die defending them.

And just one thing that I would ask: let my master know, that if you should call me away, that I will wait patiently at those pearly gates until the one who chose me comes home.

Amen.

At the pet store I get my dog food, if you buy 5 bags of Evo you get one free :), its a pretty good deal considering I also feed my ferrets Evo as well. The vets in my area it cost about $400 to get a female spayed, but it's a one time deal so I dont mind paying it (I'd rather pay $400 right away than pay thousands if she gets pregnant and something goes wrong) I am leaning towards a female (I just like girls better haha). If she was raised around a dog would she be okay with him( I dont want to put my other pup at risk)? And the obediance is about $60 for 6 weeks (it doesn't matter if it is puppy socialization, beginner, or advance). So, so far I need about $880 (This includes: Spay/neuter, second shots (I'm hoping she will come with first shots), all three obediance classes, and food for about 2 months) plus money for the actual pup. When I save up that amount I will start looking for a puppy.

What are some good things to look for when picking a pup? Should I save up a little extra for one-on-one training or is group classes OK (Thats what I put my puppy in but he didn't even need obediance, I just put him in it so he'd get used to other dogs)?

Your dog will be fine if you decide to get a puppy. That puppy will learn that your dog right now is a pack mate. Other dogs... maybe ;)

If you get to select your puppy, a good way to find a dog that will be compatible with you is to flip them upside down in your arms with belly face you. If the puppy lays relaxed and looks at you (even for just a second) then that is said to be a very trainable dog. You should be able to pinch the webbing in the toes twice without the puppy throwing an absolute fit. I also like to open the mouth, check ears.. and dangle the puppy in front of me. Hold the puppy in front of you. Let his feet dangle. The puppy should want to struggle a little bit but then settle down. That shows that the puppy is going to settle quickly in different situations throughout life. If you get the opporutnity, take a balled up piece of paper and toss it. The puppy should show interest. Don't worry about retrieving.

Those tests are called the temperament test. At 8-9 weeks of age, the temperament test is suppose to show you what type of dog that pup is going to grow up to be. If you would like, I can send you the test form because there is a lot more then what I just wrote.

Dogs typically get spayed at 6-8 months of age ;) There would be no harm in getting the pup now. I also would hunt around for a cheaper deal on a spay. $400 is ridiculous.

If you would send the tempermant tests it would be great! I don't want to get the pup just yet, I want to make sure I'm getting her from the right place and make sure I know as much as I can! During my research It said pit bulls are great escape artists, should I make a secure area for her (four sides + roof) she won't be out very much by herself though? (My fence now it about 5 feet tall and into the ground so the only problem would be jumping).

Also, when I was looking around for my dog to get neutered I talked to a lot of people who had A LOT of problems at the other vets (Infections, excessive bleeding, stitches that wouldn't hold, etc,), and My grandparents, parents, and now my sister and I have gone to the same vet office, and none of us have had a problem... It may cost a lot, but I know I am getting the best available. Plus I love the vet, she is really in it for the animals.

Pitties aren't necessarily escape artists, they just will go through anything. My pittie doesn't jump fencing, but our front door is toast and our back gate is extremely crooked ;) Both my pitties will just bust through any type of gate or door. So re-enforcing gates and doors I would say is a must.

If that's the vet you feel most comfortable with then that's a good thing. Do they ever have spay/neuter deals? Where I live, every 8 months or so a grant is released and you can purchase a spay/neuter voucher for $40.

Good luck on finding a reputable breeder for Pit Bulls. There are next to none. Just be sure to get a PURE bred pit bull. Pure bred pits will not have any aggression towards people. Mixes are the dogs that have the uneven temperament. I know a lot of people love mixes, but with a mix you cannot guarantee temperament. Always ask to see the parents or really question the breeder about temperament and trainability. When I bought my pittie from a backyard breeder, I was lucky enough that he actually stood and talked to me about a half hour about the parents. Pit Bull rescues always have puppies, but like I said, make sure its purebred. You'll have a guaranteed tempterment. If you can meet the parents, even better. Pitties don't come from rep. breeders, but that doesn't mean you don't do your own checks and balances.

I'll send you that test right away!

Here is the link to the temperament test. It gives scores and what the test is suppose to show in the dog as it ages..

Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (http://www.workingdogs.com/testing_volhard.htm)

Aren't the people going to look at me strange when I start flipping there puppy's over :P

By chance do you know of any good sites that will help me determine if the breeder is good, and what to look for in the parents, etc?

Thanks

Nah.. not when you talk to the puppies like a baby. You just want to be very slow and patient when selecting a puppy and preforming that test on them. When the puppy feels more safe, then you'll see the results.

Try purchasing some books about pit bulls.. research the breed online. How you're going to judge the parents (if you get that chance) is going to be based on what you're looking for in a dog. You're giving yourself plenty of time to find a puppy, why not start meeting some pit bulls and see what type of temperament you like.

I will not get one if I can't see and touch both parents, there has to be at least one breeder who will allow me to get as close to the parents as I do the puppies. If they say no because there aggressive, well I don't want an aggressive dog so I won't waste my time, I want one that is raised by a family and around other dogs (preferably the dog part but maybe not). I have some high standards because possibly that would save me money in the long run. Does anyone have a good book or two to recommend? I'll check out the library soon and see what they have available!

A good breeder.. backyard or not, should always have mom on site at least.

You can be as picky as you want. Its your dog :) I know it took me a couple of months before I found Miley. I actually gave up on looking when she showed up at the store I worked at. She was the only one in her litter that was a blonde brindle patch. Her brothers and sisters were all brown with the stripe down the face and white feet. It was love at first sight.

When you find your puppy, you'll know :) It'll feel almost as if it were fate.

The Dummie books are very good books. You might want to check out Pit Bulls for Dummies -- Pit Bulls for Dummies, For Dummies Series, D. Caroline Coile, Book - Barnes & Noble (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Pit-Bulls-for-Dummies/D-Caroline-Coile/e/9780764552915/?itm=1&USRI=pit+bulls+for+dummies) That site should also show other books that are alike.

Thank you :), I bet after reading a bunch I'll still have lots of questions :p

Ask away!