Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i went to the humane society the other week just to check out the dogs, cause i plan to adopt in the next few weeks. so i picked picked a # and waited for an interview, thinking id have an interview now just to get on file, be an acceptable adopter on their records... but the guy wouldnt eveen have the interview with me, cause i was under age and didnt have any id. before he asked about my age and id, he asked me why i chose this dog and was saying how a pitbull differs other breeds and it shouldnt be my dog of choice, not having expierence with one in the past. if u go in with proper id and the interview goes well, u go out with the dog that day.

the dogs have colors to represent their how easy theyd be to take care of green being the easiest, than yellow, than orange and i guess the realy crazy dogs are red. almost all the dogs are pits and they are all orange. the only dogs that are green is one puppy pit and some really old dogs. the guy advised me not to choose an orange or red, not having expierence with the breed. now i want this dog cause it a little over a year old (past its puppy days, but young enough for it to easily adapt to a new life), its short haired dog and the breed isnt susceptible to many diseases. she was very calm in her kennel and became really happy when u came near her, but didnt get over excited, didnt bark.

what is there i should i know about pitbulls that differ from other dogs, does anyone have good links to guides of owning this breed?

thanks in advance, sorry for the long post

Do a search for Pits to find out why they should be for experienced people. Pits can be great dogs and they can be awful dogs- that goes for most any dog regardless of breed. However, Pits are a terrier and terriers in general can be difficult. They can be extremely full of energy which can pose alot more of a problem than you think. This type of energy is not fixed by alot of walks and frisbee! Pits are also tenacious- very determined and forceful and can be esp. difficult to train properly because of this (as are most terriers). They are also extremely strong and when they bite the jaw locks and often has to be pryed open. Plus the bite has the strength of at least 1500 lbs./ per sq, inch and probably more. Pits can be great family dogs- but not for the faint of heart nor a person who is not dog savvy. My educated guess as to why you were denied the adoption is all of the above plus Pits are the most recent "tough dog." They are often bred (stupidly) and owned by people who use the dog for all the wrong reasons- to show people they are tough cuz they have a tough dog and therefore we should all be afraid of them. They are being ruined! Also, being underaged. I constantly see young boys with their Pitbulls who swagger around trying to convince people that they should be frightened cuz they have this tough dog with them!! And I have not even mentioned the illegal dog fighting rings! Just he fact that you see almost all the dogs up for adoption are Pits should tell you something - the ones that registered beyond the "red" have already been put to sleep cuz people did not handle them properly.
Nancy

thanks nancy, i appreciate all ur feed back. i dont want the dog, to look "tough" and i dont think the humane society worker was under that impression either. as a kid growing up ive always had a dog, and now that i am no longer living one, i miss not having such a companion around. i know what u mean about terriers being a hard headed, determined dog. my first terrier mix hated people and other dogs, everybody but family, over the years she became more fond of people and accepted some dogs, but it was always rewarding to have an animal think so highly and be so loving towards u and ur fam. i am gonna go back once i figure out my job hours and hopefully all will go well during the interview. i dont see one reason why an intelligent animal loving person (such as myself) wouldnt be able handle any dog regardless of their breed.

thanks again

Just wanted to point out that the "locking jaw" in Pits is a myth. They do not have a locking jaw, nor do any dogs, regardless of breed. Here's a link that tells a little more, just click and scroll down to the "dispelling myths" section.
Link

Reply to Nancy:
Pits ARE great dogs. However, they get a bad rap due to the fact that they're fought and many times bred irresponsibly (not breeding for the correct temperment). Any terrier breed, they say, is "difficult" for the unexperienced dog owner. Well, I've only owned one dog before i got Nova, my APBT, and I'm only "experienced" because I read and research a lot. That's all it takes. Some dedication to learning about the breed. As for this.."They can be extremely full of energy which can pose alot more of a problem than you think. This type of energy is not fixed by alot of walks and frisbee!" I'm sorry to say, but THATS EXACTLY HOW TO FIX that "problem" ( i dont know WHY that would be a problem to begin with-if you're looking for a lazy breed, dont consider a pit bull! ) AND THIS? "Pits are also tenacious- very determined and forceful and can be esp. difficult to train properly because of this (as are most terriers)"... I just want to say that my pit bull has been the EASIEST DOG TO TRAIN. She's super smart, very responsive and treat motivated. At 3 months (13wks to be exact) she already knows "speak".."sit".."stay"..."drop it".."no"---i know MANY dogs that are much older than her and do not know some of those commands. As for the "jaw lock" myth.. its just that..a MYTH. They dont have locking jaws. They dont let go b/c they CHOOSE not to let go. You must remember this breed was bred for bull baiting.

The only thing i agree with that you've said Nancy, is that young (or old) have taken the pit bull and tried to look "tougher" with this breed. Pit Bulls are a loving, very personable breed.. not to mention they've got GREAT personalities.

YES, there are MANY pit bulls in the shelters and many dying.. but this is because MANY idiots are breeding them irresponsibly, creating a large pit bull population. They're a popular breed (for good and bad reasons).