Dog Community

American Bulldog?

Posted : 6/1/2006 10:18:30 AM

I've been offered an untrained, unspayed 9month old American Bulldog/pitbull mix. If I take it it would be on the condition that her current owners spay her.

1. She's currently living with two greyhounds and two chinese crested as well as cats and two small kids.
2. She would be a great fitness match for Yoshi (5yr old ridgeback). I have three ridgies now and walk them separately so that I don't leave only one at home. My other two ridgebacks are 9 and 10yrs old. I've started walking again for my own health but can only really take Yoshi on a demanding walk (especially in the humidity of summer). If I add this dog she would be walked with Yoshi (after I train her) and Milo would be walked with Nandi.
3. I am not intimidated by the lack of training. I can do that no problem (I'm a clicker trainer) provided she's as good with people and other critters as she sounds.
4. Even so I fully expect to socialize the living poop out of her by taking her places on the weekends.
5. I'm broke. I can't afford the dogs I have LOL. But I don't think adding her would really make me more broke - I pay the vet in installments, I buy my meds bulk through petmeds. They eat before I eat anyway.
6. Have no life now so dividing my time between dogs and school (went back to school doing a PhD on line) won't be any different I think whether I have three dogs or four.
7. Talked to my insurance agency. They have no breed restrictions with regards to coverage. They say that if any of my dogs offends and they have a history of issues they wouldn't cover that dog -regardless of breed.

What do you guys think.
Paula

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:08:34 PM

I think the only question I would have if I were you would be the cost. You dont seem to worried about it and I'm sure you keep them healthy but it would stink to put more stress upon you. I say that if the owners can find anotehr home that is as knowledgable as yourself. I just cant get past the fact that you seem to know a lot about he breed and what you arw getting yourself into which a lot of bully owners dont. I'm as torn as you!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:14:36 PM

I think that if she gets along with your other dogs (and isn't too bitchy with Nandi, or vise versa), that it'd be a great idea. Four dogs can't be that much harder than three, and she'll keep Yoshi amused. As long as you can live with being more broke, I don't see why not. I'm broke, too, and it hasn't killed me, yet, LOL.

paulaedwina

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:21:05 PM

Thanks for the perspective guys. Yeah, broke is the big issue. But I'm broke now shrug. Nandi gets along well with other dogs and she civilized Yoshi who had been a bit of a butt when he was younger. I still would not consider bringing another male into the house with him. Even though he is much better behaved now and not the resource agressive twit that he was younger, I think I still prefer to mix genders with him. He does so much better with a bitch to put him in his place.

I'm going to see this dog on Saturday. If someone takes her before then that would make the decision for me. If not, and if she evaluates well (lets me touch her, has a good outlook and the like) then I would take her on condition that THEY spay her. Then they'd have to keep her until I get back from my school conference in Denver on the 19th of June since I don't think it would be fair to my dogsitter to saddle her with a new untrained dog while I'm away.

So we'll see.
Paula

paulaedwina

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:23:28 PM

Sheprano,

I have always liked bulldog types. My house doesn't have ac so I ruled out English, but the American Bulldog is a possibility. I know it's an active working breed, but I think it would do well in my house with the giant fenced yard and the dog door and three other dogs to keep fit! In addition there is great hiking up in my area (rural PA).

Paula

zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa]

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:43:36 PM

Gosh its would be so easy for me to be in your shoes and while I am writing you with a yild sign i know I would take that dog (under the conditions you specified) in a heartbeat. You have a big heart and teh yard and knowledge to take this babe in......ssshhhh dont tell anyone, but I'd go for it!

Pam

Posted : 6/1/2006 2:51:50 PM

Paula, I don't have any words of wisdom but I know you are dying to have a bulldog. I think AMerican bulldogs are beautiful, but they get pretty big. Quess its no diff than your Ridgebacks. I don't know the lifespan of Ridgeback, but it would be nice to have a younger dog in the family when they go.

On a sidenote - were we all prepared to adopt a male English Bulldog the week my Holly had a heart attack in March. She survived and is on heart meds, but the vet can't give us an idea of when she will go. The bullie is still up for adoption and I want him but hubby is balking on getting another dog. I think a 3rd dog would give our setter a freind so he can play with instead of harassing Holly.

I quess 4 dogs is no diff than 3 dogs except more food.

paulaedwina

Posted : 6/1/2006 3:16:51 PM

ORIGINAL: Hollysmom

Paula, I don't have any words of wisdom but I know you are dying to have a bulldog. I think AMerican bulldogs are beautiful, but they get pretty big. Quess its no diff than your Ridgebacks. I don't know the lifespan of Ridgeback, but it would be nice to have a younger dog in the family when they go.

On a sidenote - were we all prepared to adopt a male English Bulldog the week my Holly had a heart attack in March. She survived and is on heart meds, but the vet can't give us an idea of when she will go. The bullie is still up for adoption and I want him but hubby is balking on getting another dog. I think a 3rd dog would give our setter a freind so he can play with instead of harassing Holly.

I quess 4 dogs is no diff than 3 dogs except more food.

I think getting the other bulldog before Holly passes can be a good idea if he does what you hope and plays with the setter and doesn't harrass Hollie. I'm sorry to hear she had a heart attack.

Paula

Pam

Posted : 6/1/2006 4:27:08 PM

I meant to say "stop my redisdent setter/golden from playfully harrassing Holly". The new bulldog is a quiet dog that doesn't play with other bulldogs, so he will be fine with Holly. But he is very sweet.
sorry to digress ....

sillysally

Posted : 6/2/2006 9:57:48 AM

As long as you feel comfortable with the money thing, I say go for it. You have the knowledge, ability, will, space, etc, and after working with Ridgies I highly doubt a little bully stubborness will deter you. Good luck!

paulaedwina

Posted : 6/2/2006 11:34:48 AM

ORIGINAL: sillysally

As long as you feel comfortable with the money thing, I say go for it. You have the knowledge, ability, will, space, etc, and after working with Ridgies I highly doubt a little bully stubborness will deter you. Good luck!

Since I was considering a bulldog I started lurking and asking questions on a bulldog forum. They all are positive about my getting the AB but some have mentioned that even a bulldog who seems to be getting along fine with dogs now can exhibit dog agression later as late as 2 or 3yrs old as they mature.

What's your take on that? Frankly after dealing with Jem Finch and his dog eating ways it's not something I really want a repeat of. I'd thought since this 9month old unspayed bitch was living in peace with 4 dogs now that she would be reliable with dogs.

Honest opinion?
Paula

sillysally

Posted : 6/2/2006 11:55:59 AM

I think even if that were to happen it would more likely be directed towards strange dogs, rather than members of her own pack. If you continue to socialize and do obedience training, if she does start to dislike strange dogs, it can generally be managed.

I would think the biggest worry in your own house would be your current female, but since she is much older, it is likely that the younger female would not challenge her.

If she has grown up with other dogs, she at least has the benifit of understanding how a pack works.

I would really start keeping an eye out as she nears 18 months, as this is the time when it can start to show. Again though, I'd think that the biggest issue, if she were to have one, would be with strange dogs. There are many successful multiple bully homes.

sillysally

Posted : 6/2/2006 12:00:52 PM

Sorry, the italics about were not really to add any kind of emphasis, my keyboard suddenly started producing italics and then stopped.....

Pam

Posted : 6/2/2006 3:35:07 PM

You know, my bullie didn't start to get stubborn until about age 5. Its has gotten worse over the last few years until now at 9 1/2 she does absoluteluy only what she wants.

But she was always mean to my 4 cats, a real bully pushing them around. She had a bad jealousy thing with both male and female cats from say 6 months on. She managed to send my loving female cat cat off and she sadly was killed on the road. She was mean to my last oldest cat until he was about 18, then she stopped pushing him around.

I don't know if AB are like EB. But if so, maybe the pitbull would offset those traits.

paulaedwina

Posted : 6/3/2006 4:28:54 PM

Well I met the dog.

1. I evaluated her in the yard with the two greyhounds as apparenlty the small dogs do not like her. She was good with the dogs.

2. I purposely offered them a treat and withheld it to see if there would be any stress like resource agression from her. None.

3. The treat was small so she would have to take it from my fingers. She has a soft mouth - all lip, and she took it carefully.

4. She likes her toys but I was able with no trouble to take her toy from her in mid chew. I even tried to stimulate her to tug - she released the toy right away.

5. Handled her all over (forgot to handle her feet) with no problems. She rolled on to her back with no resistance and let me rub her belly. Grabbed her face kissed her, etc.

Tomorrow I'm going to meet her foster mom (the technician who called me) at the vets in the lobby to introduce her to Nandi (my old female) and Yoshi (my pushy young male). Milo is not an issue since he's never had a problem with other dogs.

Paula