Things to
consider before buying or adopting a Pit Bull....
Check with your city and
state laws for any Breed Specific Legislation. This legislation can range from something
such as having your dog muzzled in public to the most severe, a banning of Pit Bulls in
your community entirely. I would advise you to look into state laws as well. There are
some states (luckily for me, New Jersey is one of them) which have written into them that
NO municipality has the right to ban a dog on the basis of breed alone. If your state does
not have this amendment, be careful when purchasing or adopting a Pit Bull. You really
never do know when a breed-specific ban might be enacted in your town. Ususally, Pit Bulls
and Rottweilers are the first to go.
If you have any other
pets in the house and you're adopting an adult Pit Bull, take extra precautions. Make sure
that the dog you are adopting has had a thorough temperament evalutation and has been seen
interacting well around other animals on many different occasions. I have heard many
people say that Pits inherently do not like other dogs. This has not necessarily been the
case with Callie. As she hit adulthood, she has become less and less playful with other
dogs. I'd say at his point in her life, she'd be categorized under the canopy
"prefers to be the only dog". She is not aggressive with other dogs, she just
simply prefers human company to that of most other dogs.
I've also encountered many Pits listed who "get along with some submissive
dogs". I've also seen some that "get along well with other dogs". I have
seen a few that "get along with cats". But that's just a few. If you do have
other animals, try, if you can, to see on several occasions how the dogs all get along. NOT
ALL PITS ARE ANIMAL AGGRESSIVE!!!! Many of the Pit Bulls that wind up at pounds are
there simply for that reason--they can't or won't fight. Give them a chance.
See, some Pit Bulls do
get along with other dogs(especially those they were raised with). Here I am with my
"cousin", Tyler and my Grandma and Grandpa. We both want what they're eating, of
course.
It's probably a little
easier to bring a Pit Bull puppy into a house that already has dog(s) or cat (s). If you
are interested in buying a puppy, look for a reputable breeder. This all depends on what
you are looking for in a Pit Bull. Some are bred from pulling stock. Some are larger and
heavier, some are more rangy, lean and quick. I would search around for different breeders
and see who you feel the most comfortable with. Be prepared for a good breeder to ask you
some questions. Also, have a list of questions for the potential breeder. If you can,
visit the kennel to check out the facilities. Observe, if possible, the dam and how she
interacts with people and her litter. Check to make sure the puppies are being
well-socialized with humans and their environment. The earliest age for a puppy to go home
with your family is at least 8 weeks of age. This will allow your new puppy enough time
with is or her siblings, and he or she should be fully weaned by this time.
All dog owners have a
responsibility to present to the public a well-socialized and trained dog. I believe that
for Pit Bull owners, that responsibility is more urgent. I am not a Pit Bull owner who
sits back and states how great this breed is and blames the media for portraying the Pit
as a savage killer. Some Pits are savage killers, like it or not. There are some very
nasty Pit Bulls out there who do some very nasty things. Are the owners to blame? Are the
dogs truly "evil"? Probably a yucky combo of a lot of factors. I can't do a
whole heck of a lot about other people's Pits, but I can do something about my own. If you
do decide to become a Pit Bull owner, get ready, you soon become an advocate. And everyone
who knows you and your dog becomes an advocate. Every time my mom tells someone about how
sweet Callie is, she's changed an outlook on Pits. Every time we take Cal to the park, or
pet store or picnic, we've changed outlooks on Pits. That's the added responsibility Pit
Bull owners share--the responsibility of presenting to the general public a picture of
what the American Pit Bull Terrier should and can be. The only way to eradicate the
prejudice and misinformation is through education.
