What is your opinion when it comes to my dog choice?

I’ve decided to get a pit bull, and recue it from a shelter, but id like some friendly advice determining the age. I really want a very young dog, a puppy mostly, because all my past dogs were raised from puppyhood and they were trained wonderfully and really were my best friends. And I had really thought I had made my decison and went to petfinder (.) com to find my new family member, searched pit bull puppy in my area and there were so many grown pit bulls that need homes. Im really torn because I adore this breed of misunderstood dog, and I love the ‘challenge’ of a puppy/young dog. But there are also many amazing adult dogs that need help. Please! No hate on the breed or my question, I just need some friendly advice concerning my predicament. Thank you, :)

Answer #1

Untrue…there are many Pitbulls in the shelters simply because there are SO many of them!!

A Pit that is 12 to 24 months is still a very young dog…and of course, all of them are trainable. From reading your post, I get a gut feeling that you’d be able to recognize a dog who was maybe too fearful to adopt (safety wise…fear bites are just as dangerous as aggression bites)…or too pushy or assertive. I’’m just saying you give me the feeling that you would make a good choice.

The only difference between a Pit and other dominant breeds (GSD’s, Dobes, Rots, Mastiff’s) is reputation…and most dominant breeds have had their time of being the “bad” dog of a generation. When I was growing up, it was Dobies…in the early 19th century, it was Malamutes and Huskies…German Shepherds have been on the “sh*t list” forever…Pits need firm…fair/honest…and consistant training…Just like other dominant breeds, some don’t like other dogs…some don’t like cats…they have a high prey drive…all things I think you have the ability to observe in any dog you choose.

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Answer #2

I love pits, but a lot of the ones that are at the pounds are there bc they are mean and if they are already mean then there isn’t much of a chance in training them differently unless you want to take the chance of getting seriously hurt. My brother has a pit and I love her to death. She is the sweetest dog. But he’s had her since she was a puppy. I recently went to the shelter to look for a new companion and all of the pits except for maybe like 2 (and there were a bunch there) there were literally trying o attack through the fence. If you could find one that wasn’t already to that extent, you might would be okay. But I wouldn’t advice getting one like that, that is already gone for your safety. I would advise getting a puppy for your safety and the safety of others around you.

And to vilela, pits are not always vicious. If you saw my brothers dog, you would change your mind. She would literally climb in your lap and lick you to death at the very worst. She is a big baby that loves to be loved on. All the mean pits are bc they are abused and trained to fight. Not loved.

Answer #3

any dog I trainable but I would suggest no older then 3 as they get to know you better if you have them from a younger age

Answer #4

Well that old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is entirely untrue. If you think you would like to adopt a grown Pit Bull then go for it. It sounds like you have experience raising pups, so you might be able to turn an adult around and make it into a very good pet.

Answer #5

Pitbulls are not vicious - people train them to be vicious. This, people, is how rumours start.

I think it’s a pretty noble thing to want to adopt an older dog - they certainly do need a home, but you need to consider how it’s going to affect you.

Are you going to end up resenting that dog because you actually wanted a puppy? If so, then you’re not going to be able to give that dog the love and attention it’s going to need. Don’t try to do the right thing because someone says you should…do what you think in your heart is the best option for you, but don’t feel guilted into taking an older dog that you don’t want - that won’t be good for either one of you.

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