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Anonymous
hey /an/ i want to adopt a female pitbull. im a little hesitant because its breed but it was extremely sweet and mellow and flopped over and let me rub its tummy.

im scared that one day her pitbull instinct might come out. is this possible even though she's really really mellow?

info from the kennel site:
Female, red and white Pit Bull Terrier mix.

About 4 years old.

At the shelter since Aug 09, 2008.

This information is 1 hour old.
Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal:

What a fantastic dog! This easy-going, mellow and friendly girl loves everyone, including kids. She loves attention, will roll over for belly rubs and has the most adorable spotted nose you'll ever see.
Comment too long. Clickhereto view the full text.
>> Anonymous
Train her well, keep her well exercised and socialized and you wont have an issue. Aggression shows up because of the lack of exercise, socialization or good training.
>> Anonymous
>>306786again.

And thank you for at least considering adopting a her from the shelter chances are you're saving her life if you do so. She's gorgeous and I wish you the best of luck with her.
>> Anonymous
Pit Bulls are amazingly loyal dogs. In the early 19th century, they were called 'nanny dogs' because of their faithfulness and protectiveness of children. It's pretty much their loyalty to their owners that has created this myth of their fierceness. They'll do whatever is asked by their masters, including fight to the death.

So, I guess I'm getting at, they're awesome dogs, and as stated above, training and socialization are paramount.
>> Anonymous
You should visit with her a bit more before making a final decision.
If you feel hesitant after a while perhaps she just isn't the right dog for you. Please don't be freaked out over the breed she is. Pitbulls are very sweet dogs and you just need to know how to take care of them.
Pink noses are adorable...
>> Anonymous
>>306784

looks like winrar
>> Anonymous
The main problem with owning a pitbull is people's reactions. My friend who owns a pitty gets poisoned meat thrown over his fence a lot by the family next door.
>> Anonymous
>>306786

thanks for the info! yeah i figured aggression can come out in any breed if they're bored and restless. i try to watch a lot of dog whisperer lol

>>306792
i was initially hesitant when i walked past her. she was just laying there looking all chilled out so i said hi and it came over and pressed her side to the bars so i could give her a good scratch and then she flopped over. did that for a good 5 minutes and really warmed up to her.
>> Anonymous
reality check:

Pit Bulls are Pit Bulls. A breed steeped in aggression. You cannot simply say "it's all in how you treat them" and expect everything to be fine. That is how statistics are made.

With ANY dog of ANY breed, behavior and temperament are made up of a stew comprised of equal parts nature and nurture, or genetics and rearing. Doesn't matter if the dog in question is a Chihuahua, a Welsh Corgi, a Great Dane, or an American Pit Bull Terrier.

In this particular case, you have no idea what this dog's rearing may have been, and no idea what her genetic history is... same circumstances as with all shelter dogs. Statistically, you have a HUGE chance of getting a wonderful companion out of the deal, as the vast majority of APBTs on the planet are true to their breed history of being very human stable. However, a recent history of completely bad breeding does increase the chances of getting an APBT that is going to be problematic. The general rule for adopting Pit Bulls these days is hope for the best, but always expect, at the very least, animal aggression. It is, after all, what the breed has been refined for for hundreds of years.
>> Anonymous
got a staff as well, i am the 6th holder, the dog was beaten, left alone, somebody broke his nose. when i got her, she thought, she was stronger than me.
she is the sweetest dog in the world, very careful with children and loves all people. she acts human, in a way. i learned, that if you invest 2-3 hours a day in walkin, talking to her, playing with her, she is absolutely happy. she is always with me, 24/7. always.
she´s 4 years old, i got her with 2, and everybody told me, that i must be nuts to take her. well, it worked out. i walk her without lead most of the time (i live in vienna. austria might be the best place for a dog in the world, all people love animals - they´re brainwashed to it by our biggest newspaper).
all i want to say: if you don´t have 2,3 or more hours every day for your dog, forget it.
>> Anonymous
>>306807
all i wanna say is: get her! you will get to know her. if something is not right, well, then take the necessary precautions (don´t go w/o lead, make your garden safe etc.). you will notice immediately. a pitbull is an excellent family dog. statistically, they don´t bite very often (german shepherd, golden retriever bite 10 times more often), but if...then there´s a problem, so take care it doesn´t happen (or at least - it´s not your responsibility)
>> Anonymous
I have one that is incredibly loyal, calm, friendly, great around kids, strangers, etc.

However I know a family that has one and I thought it was just as docile as mine, they took excellent care of it, but one day it attacked an old friend of mine out of the blue. He bent down to pet the dog, the dog didn't know him and snapped, latched onto his face. He had to go to the emergency room and get stitches, and got a nasty scar from it.

It's not entirely how you treat them and train them, sometimes they can attack for seemingly no reason at all, unfortunately.
>> Anonymous
>>306813

that's exactly what im afraid of. i still live at home so i wouldn't want the pitbull to attack my parents or anyone else.
>> Anonymous
it can happen with any breed. but even if i love my dog dearly, if she attacks a human, she has to die. kismet.
>> Anonymous
>>306799

True APBTs are not human aggressive. They are dog aggressive. Just like how Fox Hounds are fox aggressive, and how herding dogs like to herd things and nip at ankles. The things that "hood rats" breed are often mentally unstable and human aggressive for multiple reasons, both genetic and environmental.

The dog OP is considering is a Pit Bull mix. It doesn't seem like we know what it's mixed with. She might be dog aggressive, but I have no way of telling.

Nothing "comes out" of any living thing. Psychopaths are psychopaths their entire lives. Some people are born killers. Same with dogs.

If the dog doesn't show the signs of human aggressiveness, then the dog will not pull human aggressiveness out of it's ass and chew up some babies.

You should get the dog.
>> Anonymous
i really want to get the dog but a single dog attack can ruin everything, especially if it bites a stranger.

i dont want to go through the grief of having to part with the dog for that mistake.
>> Anonymous
>>306874
Honestly anon you can never truthfully tell a person that you know 100% for sure that your dog wont bite them. Your dog may not like that person for some reason, or they may do something the dog doesn't like. and you may not see it until its too late. Thats why if your that worried about it you should take precautions with new people regardless of what breed you have. Don't let new people sneak up on the dog, always introduce them while you have the dog on the leash and under controll. And if the dog shows any sign of aggression you should remove the dog from the situation, and introduce them slowly and maybe the dog will learn to like them. If not, best to keep the two separated.

I dunno thats what I'd probably do anyways if I was worried about it. if any other anons have a better way feel free to correct me.
>> Anonymous
>>306880

yeah you're right. dogs don't know any better so i should take every single precaution i can.

she's such a cutie. never ever wanted a pitbull before for obvious reasons but she's won me over.
>> Anonymous
get it faggot, pit bulls are beautiful dogs.
>> Anonymous
pitbulls are for people with small dicks and they bite children /thread
>> Anonymous
humm looks like an anon tried to see who's epeen was bigger between himself and a pit....and the pit won
>> Anonymous
This thread has gone to crap towards the bottom, but here's what I say.
I have a pit at home, and he's a great dog. He has never tried to harm a human, though it was noted when I got him from the Humane Society that he kills 'livestock'. He'll go after a dog, but hasn't shown agression towards people. However!! I've had PLENTY of dogs in my day, bred a few breeds, and I can say that I can look into this dogs eyes and not trust him. He's cute, he's funny, but there's just no readability. I can't tell what he's thinking. Use your judgement and get to know the dog first, be sure you feel comfortable together and it's not just a first impression. I do not believe in breedism.
>> Anonymous
>>306890

why is anon getting so defensive for? why does getting a pitbull insinuate that i have a small penis?

so if i have a successful career and have the disposable income to afford a porsche to congratulate myself, it means i have a small dick? no it means that somewhere deep inside your head, YOU are insecure about your small penis. you fail for indirectly telling everyone about your penis insecurity.

fuck you and fuck off.
>> Anonymous
>>306916
win.
>> Anonymous
>>306917

yeah i totally OWNED that piece of shit.
>> Anonymous
Pits are other dog aggressive. Otherwise gentle, they can have well televised accidents. Every Pit I ever knew was the worlds biggest pussy, and super friendly. Still, I wouldn't have one if I had small kids or any kids around period, because one fuck up from this not so intelligent breed, and it's off to jail for you. Too bad really, but true. If a cocker spaniel fucks up, the child gets a stitch or two. If a Pit fucks up, you go find a pine box.
>> Anonymous
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Looks a lot like my dog
>> Anonymous­­­­
>>306958

it is your dog...dun dun DUN!
>> Anonymous
i went back to the kennel to visit her again. such a cutie. anyway i dont want to get too attached but its going to be hard to convince my parents that pitbulls can be fine pets!
>> Anonymous
They are really good dogs, i have 3 of them and all of them are swwet and gentle. they are only aggressive if you make then aggressive. so don't beat her. besides, shelters wouldn't let u adopt her if she was a treat in any way :) go get your new dog!
>> Anonymous
>>307787
dangerously simplistic. Behavior and temperament are decided by other factors besides how you raise them.
>> Anonymous
>>307807
No danger. i just try not to over think things like owning a dog. if you're going to be afraid of your dog just because of the breed then get a different dog. in my opinion, they are great dogs. i've never had a problem with mine.
>> Anonymous
Pit bulls are mustelids and must be declawed and de-scented before bringing them home. A diet rich in carrots and lettuce can cause diarrhea so mix it up with some hay and turnips.
>> Anonymous
>>307829
You're thinking of chiuauas, moron.
>> Anonymous
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My friend has one, she's pretty awesome. Very friendly and playful.

She does get very aggressive around other animals, though.

Go for it!
>> Anonymous
My parents have one. Not the brightest of dogs(Doubly compared to the incredibly smart lab they had when I was growing up. Can't go wrong with a dog that'll bring you the tv remote) and filled with a insane amount of energy despite being 10, but she's the sweetest thing in the world.

The lab was actually the one you had to watch. As he got older and arthritis got to him he really got aggressive towards anyone not in the family. Even friends I had come over his whole life.

Despite my experiences though, it's a risk. You either have to do your best training her and hope she doesn't do anything stupid or simply keep her isolated from people other then family so she doesn't have the opportunity. On the flip side...in all likelyhood nobody else is going to adopt that dog. Or some asshole will adopt her for the wrong reasons.

I don't think I'd take a pitbull, but as long as it's for the right reasons I'd respect someone who did.
>> Anonymous
>>307839
>>307829
wat
>> Anonymous
>>306784
"her pitbull instinct"

There is no such thing you retard. It's people that TRAIN them to fight that make them so aggressive. Were they bred to? Yeah, as were tons of other breeds, but unless they're trained to eat your face off they're not going to. The nicest dogs I've known have been pitbulls.

It's not the breed, it's the owners.
>> Anonymous
>>307977
Well, as dogs and therefore predators, they do have instincts to attack and such. But you are right, most of the time it's people who train them in bad ways. A good dog owner should socialize their dog(s), such that they behave.
>> Anonymous
>>307991
Of course, every animal has the instinct to attack. When they're injured or scared even the most well-behaved dog can lash out. But 99% of the time it depends on the training the dog gets.
>> Anonymous
OP here:

for the record i've never had a dog before but i always play with my gf's dog (german shepherd + golden retriever) and i walk it, feed it, groom it, bathe it, and try to learn as much as i can about responsible dog care.

really want to save this dog
>> Anonymous
If you want the dog, and it seems nice, get it. Judging purely by breed is stupid. Yes, certain breeds are likely to be more prone to act a certain way than others, but that doesn't make the dog. Upringing does matter. I've have dogs of every breed act aggressive at times.
>> Anonymous
Is this the last one from the Michael Vick dog fighting circuit?