Pit bulls mixed with other breeds

[nyri]

Thank you for the advice, everyone.

I really do appreciate it, and will try to follow it if at all possible.

I guess I'm still caught in a balance where I'm not 100% sure if I want an APBT, at least over any other breed or mix. That's kind of why I'm here. At first I wasn't even really considering them (I wasn't really looking for a certain breed, but had a couple I wanted to check out), but the more I read about them, the more appropriate they sounded for me... so I guess that's why I'm trying to get as much research as I can and come here where I can hear about the good, bad, and ugly from you wonderful people who have the experience.

I met with someone today who owns some and got to work with them, and it was great. I would have taken one of their dogs in a heartbeat if they didn't want them... but at the same time, if I was working with any dog that had their temperament, I'd probably feel the same way. Since I don't have a huge desire to have a pit bull over a few other breeds.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm open minded about breeds right now (I'm just a dog lover, apparently) so I'll take your advice and go to a reputable rescue and see if I can foster an adult dog, or see about some that have already been evaluated and if I can do a trial. If I end up with something other than an APBT I won't use the information I've found here for it, unless it's general dog information, but I'd probably stick around since I do really like pit bulls, and I have no idea what I'll end up with in the future. I am pretty sure unless BSL goes crazy I will try to own one someday... but I can say the same for a couple of other breeds that I also really like.

(^^^^ so indecisive and just want a dog, I suppose)

[loverocksalot]

Yes this is and should be the same for all dogs in general. I too was looking for a dog and accidental became a pit bull parent. I would not want it any other way as I am now partial to the breed and would likely adopt another when the time comes. It is now my favorite breed of dog and that includes mix.

[loverocksalot]

Please do hang around regardless of breed.

[maryellen]

just remember some pit bulls are either dog selective, dog aggressive so dog parks will be out... as puppies they are dog friendly, but as they mature they could be either dog selective or dog aggressive.. while most other breeds can be DA or DR as well, (mostly same sex aggression is common in other breeds) pit bulls need more management then other breeds when it comes to aggression IF they have it.. getting an adult dog shows you "what you see is what you get" so there is no doubt about dog aggression or dog selectiveness... some of the breed like other dogs, some dont.. it all depends on the dog itself.,, if you want a dog that is more prone to get along with other dogs then dont get a bully breed..

owning a bully breed will also make it tough to get renters insurance, you cant go to certain towns that have BSL, and finding a place to rent with a bully breed is hard to do, possible, but harder then if you had a lab

[loverocksalot]

I dont like the idea of dog parks period regardless of breed. If I were to go to dog park I would go to a very quiet one and get to know the people and dogs and meet just those people and dogs early when the park is empty. I have never brought Rocky to a dog park and he is fine with other dogs.

[nyri]

Yeah, I used to wish I could take my old dog to a dog park, but even though she had been good with the dogs she had met, I was afraid to. I didn't know if she'd try to "herd" someone's little dogs or what, so I never did get to take her... but now that I've been with my room mates and their dogs to a dog park, I can say I have no desire to take my own dog there. Their dogs will attack anyone who gets in their "bubble" and they're pretty big dogs... shepherd/wolf mixes. Even if I had an extremely dog friendly dog, I don't think I'd go now, because my dog or I may accidentally get too close to some dog's human, and I don't think that dogs attacking out of protection is as cute as my current room mates do. I'd much rather just have play dates for my dog with people I know, where we'll both be right near the dogs if something happens.

As for BSL and renting... as soon as I move, I could own buffalo and keep it in the house (somehow), and no one would care. Yes, there may be future moves, but I won't move somewhere that won't let me keep my dog. I realize it can be really difficult to rent with a pit bull and some towns are going to be out of the picture, but if a pit bull is with me, then I'll just stay where I'm going until I'm sure I have found a place that allows them, and get it in writing that my dog is allowed way ahead of actually moving in.

[loverocksalot]

sounds like your crossing your t's and dotting your i's. You sound very responsible. I think you will make a great pit bull parent.