[cajonnmu]

Ok soi was wanting to get some opinions about this see what y'all think. My nephew is 9 and he wants to get his own apbt, he is a pretty responsible kid especially to be 9, he lives with his mom, dad, and 2 sisters 6 and 12. So my question to everyone is do u think it's ok for me to give him a puppy for him to raise as his own do you think he is to young? I mean obviously his parents and older sister could help him out with the dog and like I say he himself is pretty responsible. They live out in the country so there wouldn't be a much of a problem with the dog getting out as if they lived in the city as I live in the city and I have to be extra careful to not get loose dogs. There home also has a very large fenced in back yard where the dog would spend alot of time he would probably live like 80/20 80 in the yard 20 inside the house. I just wanted to get the opinion of some other dog people to see if y'all think it would be ok for him to have it cause I personally as most of you do that these dogs can be a handful and very stuburn when they want to.

[ElcinBoris]

IMO 9 years old is too young for any dog, let alone any bully breed. What is he going to do with the dog if he goes away to college? What is he going to do in 9 years when he grows up and is looking for an apartment? He may seem responsible, but what is he going to do when the novelty of owning a puppy wears off, and the work of feeding, training, and exercising the dog is no longer fun?

[reachmanxx]

Your nephew won't be the one that actually owns the dog in a sense that he pays for expenses (food, vet, toys, etc.) and I doubt that he has the experience to train the dog properly. If his parents are willing to take on the responsibility of properly training, and containing the dog then go for it. As you said these dogs can be a handful - especially for owners who aren't prepared/well informed/well experienced.

[KukkoDrukko]

I think the whole family needs to be in agreement in getting the dog, not just a little kid. My 8 year old cousin wants a pony. She's responsible and whatnot, but her immediately family knows jack-squat about horses and training and responsibility of owning or caring for one. But because she is "responsible" (however responsible a young kid can be...) does that mean she should get one? No.

Does his family know anything about APBT or bully breeds? If you're an avid reader on this site, you'll know what it takes to own one.

[cajonnmu]

Well yes his parents are on board for the bills of it and the training part I believe he can do most of it himself he does really well when training with me and mine and his father is going to help him but most of the responsibility would be his he does really well with it he is one of those kids that doesn't do sports or anything just tv so he needs some kind of outlet to expand his life in other ways and he wants this maybe this is his thing ya know some kids play football maybe he trains dogs heck he could become one of the best dogmen ever to live that's one of those things we don't know or then possible like you say he could not want to do it in 2 weeks once he sees how much it takes idk know just thought I'd get some opinions I was already feeling like he was to young myself but it's something he wants

[reachmanxx]

How close does he live to you?

[cajonnmu]

Unfortunatly about an hour

[reachmanxx]

I don't know if it would be something you and his parents are willing to work out but what if he spent weekends at your house. He would "work" for you and help you with your dogs. That would be a great way for him to see if this is something that he really wants to do.

[cajonnmu]

Yea he comes up about once a month already but I guess making it more frequent would help to see I just have doubts about it like I and everyone else said he is just a kid he just keeps begging me for him(sorry he wants a boy) and I keep considering it and not considering it st the same time

[reachmanxx]

Making the work more frequent will really test him IMO.

[alex_loudermilk]

My nephew is turn 11 a few months ago, for his birthday he wanted an APBT, so his mom got it for him because he is a responsible kid. I did not think it was a good idea, he just wanted one to show it off, because the is quite a few of them where he lives. I took a puppy from the same litter. I suggested to my sister, his Mom, to let him come with me to puppy training class. And guess what? He has done great! The puppy is very well behaved, he reads up on the breed, and is truly interested on learning everything he can about it. He has done very well... With, of course the help of his parents. I guess if his parents are willing to take care of the pup when he is in school and stuff, and they understands the HUGE responsability owning an APBT is, then I guess is fine.

[ElcinBoris]

So, one other question, how is a child that young going to take this dog for a walk? APBT's need regular, daily exercise to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A child that young should not be walking a dog, especially a strong one by themselves. What is he going to do if his dog sees a rabbit, squirrel, cat, or even another dog? What if a dog runs up to him while they are on a walk?

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

My parents may have paid the bills, but I was the one who did feeding, grooming, any structured exercise with the BC we had when I was a kid around that age. I was also the one who made sure he had his shots/worming/etc most of his life. Only time he didn't pull like a moose and gag himself on leash was when he was on deaths doorstep at the end of his life. He also didn't slow down his insane off the wall energy until he was like 12 years old and could snatch birds out of the air and mice from under the snow and yet still live peacefully with my pet rabbit and herd of cats. So it depends on how responsible the kid is and if its the right dog for the situation. Gawd I miss that dog.

[NutChusty]

I'm a mom, I have kids, and all the animals are mine and ultimately my responsibility. We have 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit. We did have 2 hamsters which have since died, but when we got them I didn't lie to myself and tell myself that the kids will take care of them, because you know they are not. Not after the new wears off! So if you give this kid a dog, I would make darn sure it's with the understanding that it's a family dog and the adults will take charge of it's care.

[pooncophy]

You really should be looking at the Parents not the child. Will the parents take responsibility for the dog. proper exercise training ect. If they were someone off the street instead of kin would you allow one of your dogs to go to them. Ultimately the dog is going to belong to the Parents. But of course they can work with the son and have him take care of most of the responsibility but you have to know that if he forgets one day or would rather play video games with his friends or gets bored with the dog the parents will know and step in.

[Stoniaanapy]

Point blank...NO !

Majority of the adults who I have met are not compitent enough ot care for a dog nevermind a 9y/o.

Kids are kids and wil make mistakes along the way, sadly the breed cannot afford any more mistakes so to me a 9 y/o + an APBT = bad friggin idea.

[EjPWyPm4]

I wouldn't do it.

But if he and his parents are REALLY that interested, have the parents do all their breed homework first, THEN see how they would feel about having an APBT. There's a good chance DA and the amount of exercise they need would be enough to convince them to wait until the boy is older and maybe push him towards something a little less high maintenance with less physical strength.

[Karinochka]

depends on the kid, you know your nephew so your the only one who can judge.

ive been handlin the dogs since before that age without incident.

you be the judge.

[pooncophy]

I have been handling the dogs since before that age as well but I also had my Dad and my grandfather with their foot in my ass if I did not do things right.

[Karinochka]

maybe thats the discipline a kid needs! same story here