aDorkable
You're correct. The question is (without drama inducing tidbits):
I am interested in getting a puppy in a few years and wanted to know how to research Razor's Edge lines without coming up with the stupid "American Bullies" stuff. Because that's all I seem to be able to find. Also, is there a way to look up a dog who is UKC registered? I'd like to be able to look at Dixie's pedigree (which I assume is required for registration, but I may be wrong).
I'm also open to any suggestions on books to read, things to watch, or anything that will help me be better prepared to handle a pit bull puppy later on. And if any owners want to help me out with differences between males and females (attitude wise) and what dynamic works best for them, that'd also be great. I currently have a very submissive male mutt who gets along better with males than he does with females, he's not aggressive, but he plays better with male dogs. I just want to know what I'm planning to get myself into.
Well if you are wanting to research an American Bully line that is what you are going to find. That only makes sense. I know Dave wrote a short little thing about himself/dogs, not much info but just how he started out breeding or whatever. That is floating around the net somewhere. There is a publication called Atomic Dog magazine in which you can find a lot of RE and Gotti dogs, breeders, pictures, articles including ones by Dave himself. If you don't like those kind of dogs though then researching seems pointless. What is it that you are really looking for researching the bloodline of RE, like what are you trying to find out? I don't have RE dogs, there are too many health and structure problems for me but I know some people who do have or breed them, so I've had some experience with them. Kind of depends what you're questions are.
From what I gather Dixie is a female that belongs to your friend, which they got from a breeder? Your friend should have viewed the pedigree prior to purchase and been given the pedigree at purchase, although it is not required. It is up to the seller if they want to provide you with a pedigree and up to the buyer to make sure they see one beforehand. If the seller didn't have the pedigree or just didn't give it to him, he can order one from the UKC for a fee. Same as with any other registry.
I'm not sure what you've already researched/read since you are considering this breed I assume you've done at least some research, so here is what I recommend.
A New Owner's Guide to American Pit Bull Terriers by Todd Fenstermacher The book is short, but simple to the point and very informative. Some books are so basic that they lack any real information.
The Stratton books have been very popular, there is some valuable breed info then lots of stories of the old dogs, their matches and pics. I don't know how helpful it would be. I own some dogs of his line and they are some of the most intelligent, willing to please and affectionate I've had. There is at least some useful breed info and there is other book suggestions to read for info on the APBT and Staff.
This site has lots of great info, this is just one section but there are several good links.
http://www.pbrc.net/breedinfo.html
http://www.workingpitbull.com/
Diane Jessup's site has some good info too, although I don't agree with many things she does or says, just the contradictions, self praise and putting others down is not what I'm about, but she does have some good info and do some good for the APBT. So you have to give credit where credit is due and I think some of the info would be helpful to you if you check out the About Pit Bulls section.
You can also ask questions on the forum too. While it shouldn't be the only research one does on a breed I totally understand how talking real time with owners helps to really answer a lot of questions from their experience vs reading some general info in a book.
To me there is no difference in attitude between male and female (in some cases because of the work they've been bred for). In some breeds differences are obvious, but other times people overgeneralized male vs female as a whole. One or the other is more obedient, smarter, calmer, more protective, ect. You will have to decide which suits you better. With a male it is often recommended that you get a female to avoid same sex aggression, even if your male gets along with other males better you're male Pit Bull might not. However I find that 2 males can live together easier and happier more often then 2 females. There is also the fact that while many worry about same sex aggression, DA between Pit Bulls can in fact cross the sex barrier. There are a number of females which are aggressive to both male and female. You will also find that a lot of the time the female is the boss over the male, which if you're male isn't as good with females might cause issues with the female wanting to be in charge. I would recommend to try an adult rescue who's been in a foster situation where you can know more about their background and see how well they get along with your dog. Instead of looking at male or female I'd try to find the best match in either sex. Although some rescues will not adopt out same sex, it will just depend.
As far as male vs female, it doesn't come down to gender but individual dog and bloodline. On how smart, affectionate, hyper, athletic, easy to train, energy level, alert, ect. The only thing that is obviously different is the sex drive of a male. This varies so what you get still depends on the dog and whether they are intact or neutered (neutered males can still have some drive though). Some males are crazy to breed, even if they can smell a female in heat from afar they will want to find a way to get to her and if they are around a female even not in heat they still might have an interest in her. Others are in between, they will want to breed with a female in season who is ready and right in front of them but not bother if they can smell from afar or if they are separated they will not chew out of a crate or threw a door like those who are crazy to breed. Some although intact do not much care about females, even ones in season, they do not try to breed her and would need help/encouragement to do so, this has to do with the dogs own drives, if they've been bred before and what their relationship is to the female. Some which live together the male might be the under dog and not been bred before, where the female is the boss and he will not try to breed with her, he will be submissive, playful and affectionate during her heat but won't attempt to mount her.
Some will say females are more protective, easier to train, or that males are more affectionate or easier to train. I find that those things really vary and you can't sum it up with gender. I've had intelligent and not so bright males and females. I've had affectionate males and females both, I've had males and females who were not affectionate. I've had easy to train or more stubborn in both. I've had hyper in both genders and more calm but ready to go when you are in both genders.
What you're getting yourself into does depend highly on the dog, but you want to learn the warning signs of a possible fight if one dog is losing tolerance. You want to know how to use a breaking stick. You want a secure fence to supervise your dogs in if you don't already have one. Your new dog might need lots of exercise and outlets to be happy. You really need to decide what type of temperament would work best for you, what you want to do with the dog and what you want in the dog. This will help you be able to choose the right match for you and plan ahead for whats needed.