Dog Community

Want to learn more about Pitbulls

Posted : 7/30/2007 1:19:40 PM

I first want to say thanks to any and all the people here for any help I have gotten. I have a 7month old beagle and he is doing great, currently going through a 12 week off leash training program.

I am thinking about getting another dog when I move into a house in November. I have been researching Pitbulls recently and I really want to give the breed a chance. I feel bad that they are so misrepresented and abused. However, finding legit information about the breed is very hard online. So I have a few questions:

1. I know that pitbulls can and usually will be dog aggressive. We(gf and I) are planning to keep the beagle at her apt and the pit at my house. Then we will socialize the pitbull puppy and the beagle in short and repeated sessions. I am unreasonable in thinking I can keep the two?

2. Many advise to adapt, but I have some concerns. I am worried that many of these dogs could have tempremental issues. We would go to the shelter and spend time with him on multiple occasions, but I am still worried about it. I much rather have a puppy that I can condition and socialize while young.

3. Resources? What are some legit resources on the web I can go to? What about some good pitbull books?

Thanks again! I'm sure I will think of more, but this is it for now.

DumDog

Posted : 7/30/2007 4:42:48 PM

www.bulldogbreeds.com is the best place i have found.. they also have a bulldog breeds only forum... just.... not all of the people are nice to newcomers... so i highly recommend lurking for a while....

i know people with pits and other breeds living happily together. people here have the same living conditions with pits and other breeds.
there are many many ways to go about it.. not all pit bulls will become aggressive with dogs. a lot of times if they DO become a problem its usually with strange dogs outside of the home.
but to be safe you might want to ALWAYS keep them in sepperate areas of the home when you arent there to supervise.
just like most bully breeds... they may not start the fight, but they will finish it.... but it doesnt mean you'll never get the two to live happily together. you just have to take extra precautions and never assume anything with this breed. dont assume it will eat all dogs for lunch and DONT assume it wont... just always try to look ahead and take extra precautions and learn to read your dog's body language as well as the language of others.

Richard Vaughn

Posted : 7/31/2007 6:35:46 AM

Thanks for the info and advice. Other people please post your experiences with keeping pitbulls with other breeds. Thanks! As for now, I'll keep researching.

Aery

Posted : 7/31/2007 7:07:09 AM

Introductions need to be done slowly. Your best bet is to adopt a Pit Bull that is already known to be good with other dogs, not a puppy, especially since you are new to the breed. Socialization does not ensure that your Pibble will not be dog aggressive. It is usually a breed trait, not an individual's trait. Going to a puppy for your first time is rarely a good option, and 99% of people involved in this breed will advise against it. There are thousands of adults in rescue and shelters looking for homes that are perfectly good pets. Not all shelter dogs have issues. Few, actually.

I have owned them my entire life, and I have had to deal with the good and the bad.

[linkhttp://www.badrap.org]www.badrap.org[/link]
[linkhttp://www.workingpitbull.com]www.workingpitbull.com[/link]
[linkhttp://www.pitbullforum.com]www.pitbullforum.com[/link]
[linkhttp://www.happypitbull.com.]www.happypitbull.com.[/link]
[linkhttp://www.pbrc.net]www.pbrc.net[/link]

Those are all amazing sites with a rich supply of information for you. I even threw in a PB forum for you to check out if you'd like some other owners to speak to. They are very nice there.

Sydney

Posted : 7/31/2007 5:26:17 PM

www.pitbullforum.com

This is a GREAT place to learn about the breed.. I've been a member there for a while an have learned a lot. Great group of people.