Flickr/Beverlykahuna
We've been perusing Petfinder.com in our spare moments, and have come upon a number of lovable-looking candidates, one of whom we're making plans to go see. One thing struck us as interesting, however: the amount of so-called "bully breeds," i.e. the bigger, sometimes more aggressive dogs with bad reputations. In Northern New Jersey, at least, there seems to be an inordinate amount of American Staffordshire terriers, pit bulls and pit-bull mixes.
Sure, Michael Vick now is playing down the turnpike for the Philadelphia Eagles, but that doesn't really explain it. So I consulted Kim Saunders, Petfinder.com's vice president of shelter outreach and public relations. "Certainly in the Northeast and the New York metro area there's a predominance of bully breeds in need of homes," she told me. "People get them for the wrong reasons, they come from areas where they're not spayed and neutered as often, and there are a lot of unfortunate stereotypes about the dogs, which are not deserved."
Saunders noted bans on some bully breeds by the New York Housing Authority and various branches of the U.S. Military around the country, adding: "We're very much opposed to breed bans. When it comes to housing, often people can't move, so they're forced to surrender a family member. Dogs need to be looked at as individuals, and it's the people who are usually the problem, not the dogs."
Genetic background, however, doesn't most often indicate which dogs end up in shelters. The most common dogs she sees are "unruly adolescents," as well as black and dark-colored dogs. "Nobody knows why, but we think it might be because they're just harder to see, both in pictures and at kennels. It's harder to pick out their features."
What about you? Do you have any heartwarming (or heartbreaking) tales of bully breeds?
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I think it is such a shame how these dogs get such a bad wrap. All dogs are good dogs, these "Bully Breeds" are not dangerous dogs, I will be totally honest with you my last dog was a 100 pound male Rotty that I rescued from the pound and when I had to put him down 2 years ago due to hip problems, I recieved a Shih Tzu as a gift and last year a baby Chihuahua and by far my little dogs are far more apt to bite someone than my rotty ever was. I just think that people under report issues with little dogs. The moral is people see what they want to see and the news help to fuel this fire... All you hear about is Pit Bull fighting rings or that a pit bull killed a child, you don't hear about the tons of Pit Bulls or Pit- mixes are good therapy dogs or just plain good companion dogs. People just see what they want to see not the big picture and it's such a shame for all these dogs which are Good Dogs!
In response to your comment. I SO much agree. I had pitts when my children were small and they were the absolute best. My chi's are more aggressive towards,"anyone" than my pitts were. I believe so much in the nurture part of this. Our male pitt was once used to fight. When he was 11 months old. Well he was badly beaten and marred up. When I took him to the vet. I was told that it would be best to put him down since he had gotten a taste of blood that he would not be fit for a pet. But I think he knew that he was safe and saved from that life. He was the greatest. Unfortunately a friend of my then husband took it upon himself to kill him when we were all asleep. And left him there for my 2 year old to find. He was greatly missed and I hope that someday Sarge will be guarding the gates when his killer arrives....
Pit bulls are no more likely to bite people than any other breed. But all dogs can bite, even "good ones" if put it the wrong situation. What makes a bully breed more dangerous than a Chihuahua is that they can do tremedous damage. They also tend to be small dog and animal aggressive due to high prey drive. There are countless cases of pits klilling small dogs and cats all the time.
we have a pit/lab mix... she is the sweetest dog I have ever owned... she is wonderful with children and good with other animals. We have friends with two children who are over quite often, I came out of the bedroom when they were all giggly and found one trying to climb on her and the other holding her around the neck while she was EATING. I have only known one dog in my live to put up with that and he was a beagle. I couldn't imagine our lives with out her. She is 100lbs of love, she feels everyone should and does love her. her only problem or problems is she thinks she is about a 10lb lap dog and she jumps to kiss EVERYONE. I wouldn't trade her for anything
you are right we have a pit terr /lab mix she is the biggest baby she is smart .licks everyone and loves to play , loves to be right next to us. she does talk a lot my son moved home about 3 months ago @ my husbond said no dog but we had no choice so abby moved in also,know abby is staying @ my son is moving out we love her she's great
We got a 2 year old female pit bull from the pound about 2 months ago. WHAT A GREAT DOG SHE IS! We had Alaskan Malamutes for 14 years and I NEVER thought we could replace them. We had no intentions of getting another dog but this one was to be "put down" the next day. My wife and I decided if she got along with our adult son's dog she could have a home with us. Well these 2 get along GREAT!
I agree the reputation is NOT deserved! I also must say, I WAS one of the people with the stereotype in my head of what a pitty was. Needless to say my thoughts have changed for the better.
Pitbulls are one of the nicest and best dogs to have. They get a bad rep. due to bad people abusing them to the point where they are human aggressive..... sure you starve me and beat me... i would want to bite your @$$ too.... raise them RIGHT just like ANYTHING and they turn out to be the most gentle kind / BEST dogs you can ever have. Stop the DEED and NOT THE BREED
We have 2 pit bulls - one from PAWS 4 years old and a 5 month old red nose pit that we took because she was sick. They are two of the sweetest dogs I have ever had. I had a Westie before and always warned people not to pet her. I never have to do this with these dogs. The only thing you have to fear is being licked to death.
You gotta watch out for that tail too! :-) Lovely animals!
I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is a therapy dog through the Delta Society Pet Partners Program. It is one of the premier Therapy Groups and the teams must be evaluated every two years. He has been one for almost 9 years and you couldn't ask for a better dog. He has been awarded National Recognition for his therapy work. It is a shame that the media has fueled the unfair stereotypes that the "Bully Breeds" have endured. We constantly have to prove that this breed is gentle and trustworthy. He works with all types of people and age groups and is one of the most steady therapy dogs around, but do you ever hear about that? No, you only hear about the handful of unfortunate incidences, never the hundreds of "good ones" out there. So lets hear it for the "bully's" who are therapy dogs, obedience dogs and just plain loving family pets!
I have 2 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, one is going to be 13 and the other is 1 1/2, I have to tell you how many compliments we get for how well of a temperment these dogs have. They are know as the Nanny Dog and I have to say they love Kids and adults alike. They are extremely smart and loyal and are not agressive at all. It is sad that this bully breeds have such a bad rap because of some irresponsible owners. Thumbs up to Staffordshires, American Staffordshires, Pit Bull and Bull Dogs!!!
People will never learn...it`s NOT the breed of dog that is the problem...it`s the lack of intelligence of the owners.
So true- no such thing as bad dogs, only bad parents.
I have two Boxers, Dempsey and Laila (as in Jack and Ali) and have been told that Boxer is a bully breed too. Anyone else ever heard that? My female doesn't like most other dogs, at first though she will warm up to them when properly introduced. My male loves everybody and every animal that doesn't scare him- like mice. Yes, my 90 lb Dempsey is as afraid of mice as I am. Such a bully.)
I have a 6 year old Boxer, a 3 month old american stafford and a 3 month old american bull terrier. I also have a 5 year old daughter and a 4 month old son. I will be the first to tell you that I trust my dogs to be alone with my babies over almost any human I know. Even the puppies are already so attached to my youngest that it is hard to lay him down for a nap without having to keep the pups busy first because they will lay under his crib and whine because they cant see him. My female AmStaff was a rescue that a guy was trying to sell at 2.5 weeks old, she was malnourished and couldnt even walk. With a little TLC and some help from my female Boxer(she took it on herself to make milk and nurse the pup) 'Montana' is now bigger than my male pup that is a week older than her. I wouldn't get rid of my "pits" for anything and to all you out there who are still hesitant, just try one... they do take effort and work just like any dog but stick to the rule of all love and no rough play and you will have a great frien for years to come!
I never owned a dog before and 4 years ago on April fools day, I adopted my mixed bull breed-Dannon who is mixed with a lab. This has turned out to be the most rewarding relationship I've ever had with another living thing.
Dannon (the most beautiful dog in the world) is my best friend, goes almost everywhere with me, and is the most loving thing I have ever known. Sure like people, she has her days, but she is always loyal to me.
It makes me sad that we judge a whole breed on a few people. What if we judged entire groups of people based on a few people...we'd be stuck in the 1600's....oops...we still do that.
From what I see animals are far more intelligent than the average human. When Dannon is no longer with me, it will be my honor to adopt another bully breed mix dog.
I just don't see it... we have a rescue pit/mix currently and honestly I'm not impressed.
We got him at a young age. Someone moved out and left him wandering around. He's hard headed to a fault, and while he's not aggressive towards my kids, he wants to chase, attack, bully everything in our 6 acre yard. He's very resistant to learn anything... honestly, even while trying to him to sit, the dog looks at you with a 'you're kidding, right?' look. I've had dogs my whole life and he simply isn't as good of a companion as any Mastiffs, Labs, toy breed, or random dogs we've had. He seems to have the attitude of a cat as if we are here to serve him. While working with the local rescue organizations my wife and I were dismayed to see the vast majority of dogs at the facility and most of them had similar traits that made them 'crummy' pets. I wasn't afraid of them, they just seemed very very resistant to learning stuff (like walking on a leash) that would make them a good pet. They all seemed to have bad habits... and as a result every single one (I'm not kidding, 100%!!!) that my wife saw 'adopted' was returned or dropped back off within a few days. Most people were willing to just walk away from the $100 or so they'd signed over just days before!!!! They wanted out of the deal that bad! Blame the owners if you want, but the breeds aren't the best for many people. They were bred to be tough, not quality companions... and it shows.
I'm sure the dog we have will be with us for many many more years. I'm troubled with that because personally I'd rather have another rescue Greyhound. Much sweeter and trouble free dogs. This 'dog' is taking up the space that could be occupied by a true 'pet'.
Dan, the problem is that the dog knows how you feel about him, he can sence it . Dogs pick up on everything , you don't have to say a word....But he knows....
Judy
Dan, I know you're trying to do the right thing by keeping your dog, but maybe you should think about re-homing him with someone that has a lot of experience with that particular breed. Dogs can tell when someone's not completely into them. He's probably reacting to your behavior towards him - however subtle it may be. Maybe he'd be happier with someone that understands pit behaviors.
It's funny that you say these animals are crummy pets. Perhaps the others are right, you are not the person for these dogs. My dog is a vast mixture of pitt, german shepherd, rotty and chow, with pitt as his predominate. You say resistant to learning, I say perhaps you're not going about it the right way. Have you tried to find the motivation your dog has? Food, praise, toys ect? My dog learned how to sit in less than an hour, with or without a verbal command. He generally sits and downs with hand signals only. Resistant to learning? I don't think so. I also have a friend who's pitty mix is trained in Schutzhund, which is protection sport with a extreme obedience base. She is getting his canine good citizen awards as well. Like I said resistant to training? I don't think so. You are looking at these dogs like they should be 80lb couch potatoes like a greyhound or a furry laze about like a Mal. Each breed of dog is different. Perhaps you are the wrong person for this dog.
What many people do not understand are these animals are extremely intelligent and high energy. While they are in a shelter they are bored. When you take them to a new home, what do you expect is going to happen? They will be tireless in their energy, running half cocked around. In the beginning they WILL be resistant to learning, give them a few days to settle and they will shock you to your toes.
Wow. Either you need to change your attitude or find that sweet dog a new home. Sounds to me you don't pay much attention to him or give him the time and energy you need to when owning a dog like yours. With some patience, kindness and work I am sure you can turn this relationship around. If you're not willing to do that (which seems like you are not) then please find this dog new loving owners who will appreciate it. Your pity party just makes me feel for the dog. Good luck.