[flienianO]

Okay so I am making this thread to work through a few things. I really want either a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or SBT mix or an American Pit Bull Terrier or APBT mix. Haven't truely decided between the two yet but I'm leaning more toward Staffy.
I have to decide if I am truely ready for the responsibility of one of these wonderful dogs, or if I need to wait a bit longer. I feel in love with them about a year ago when I was working as a dog bather. I met this wonderful pit that was used as a bait dog and she lost one of her back legs. She had a wonderful personality. I don't think any breed could come back from that kind of experience and still be a loving happy dog other than the Pit Bull.

Why I want an APBT or SBT:
1.They are wonderful family friendly dogs, great with kids usually.

2.They are incredibly smart

3.I love their energy level, wish I could bottle some of that up for myself. I like that they are such an athletic breed. Would love to get into some activities with this dog. I have plenty of time for exercise, I don't work and the dog would not be home alone much at all. Though I am going back to school next spring.

4.Their coat, their coat does not bother my allergies at all. Most breeds do even Poodles which are supposed to be "hypoallergenic" bother my allergies but the Bully coat does not bother my allergies at all.

There are other reasons but these are some of my top ones.


My fears and the cons of owning a Pit Bull:

1. The discrimination. I also know the majority of my extended family are pit haters who will either constantly be trying to get me to get rid of the dog or will possibly disown me for it or possibly take matters into their own hands to get rid of the dog. So I fear for the dog a bit.

2. They are known to be Dog Aggressive and I have another dog and always plan to have 2 or 3 dogs in my home at a time.

3. We travel a lot, several times a year, and almost always take our dogs with us, many places do not allow Pit Bulls and I fear more times than not I'd have to leave the dog behind when we travel. And it wouldn't be fair to take one dog and leave the other, but boarding gets expensive for multiple dogs. And traveling is our thing. Sasha has been all over the place

4. Getting the dog, getting attached and eventually losing the dog to BSL. Many places aren't even grandfathering in current pits anymore, they have to be turned over to be destroyed. Which would break my heart and my daughters, that is my biggest fear.

5. We are going to be in an apartment for atleast another 15 months, not sure if that is really the best environment for one of these dogs, granted the landlord gives us the okay.

6. Not sure we'd be the best owners. Everything I've read said these dogs need a strong Assertive owner and well we are pretty laid back, go with the flow kind of people. I don't think either one of us are that assertive. I mean our dog does respect us and sees us as the leader but we aren't real assertive.

7. I'm not very strong and I fear what if we are out walking and the dog decides to chase, granted the dog would go into training classes as soon as possible. Even Sasha as well trained as she is when her prey drive kicks in I can barely hold onto her. What happens if that happens with a dog that has the kind of strength a pit has, I'm scared I won't be able to hold onto it.

I see I have a lot of fears slash/cons. Which may mean I am not ready yet, where in a few years with some maturing, when we have our house and yard and better finances I may be more ready. My dream is to have one of these dogs and for that dog to be a good example of the breed, an ambassador so to speak.

What are some other things I need to consider. What are your thoughts on this?

---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 AM ----------

My husband and I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of pros and cons, why we like the breed, what are fears are for owning the breed and then decide if we are truely ready for the breed. Because we don't take bringing in a special breed such as the APBT or the SBT lightly. They have a bad rep and we don't want to get one when we aren't ready and end of contributing to that rep. We don't want that at all. We want to make sure we are ready. So we will be comptemplating this list.

But I am afraid as much as we want one of these dogs, we may not be ready yet.

[tousuarshatly]

APBT? no way..you have and will always have dogs, that will complicate your life tremendously. an APBT is best suited to a one dog houshold.
you admitted you both are laid back, another problem. you better be just as stubborn and extremely firm with these dogs, or they can walk all over you.
if you are having doubts then dont bother, its not a breed you "kinda" want to own. its just not that easy. thick skin is required and everywhere you take your dog you ARE an ambassador for the breed. so you must be 100% dedicated.
i know thats a quick "no" with very little reason why, but based on what you wrote it was an easy answer for me.

[rasiasertew]

I have to agree with Lee. Just from all the cons that you have come up with, the APBT is not the dog for you. Maybe an AST or an EB would be more along your lines...

[flienianO]

if you are having doubts then dont bother, its not a breed you "kinda" want to own. its just not that easy.

Its not a Kinda want to own its a really want to own more than anything. But not sure if we are ready right now. Its a decision we need to take very seriously because we don't want to get the dog before we are ready but we don't want to pass up a chance either to have one of these wonderful dogs. Again leaning more toward the Staffordshire Bull Terrier because that is the one that I have researched and is the right size for us as well.

[piramirra]

Based on your "cons" list, I really really hope you do not get an APBT!

Plenty of other breeds out there, and mixes that would suit your list better.

[flienianO]

And if we don't get one in the next couple of months I still want one in the next couple of years. I just thought we were ready but not so sure now. And it sucks because I want one of these dogs more than anything I have ever wanted. (Well other than my daughter, I wanted her more)

---------- Post added at 09:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------

Based on your "cons" list, I really really hope you do not get an APBT!

Plenty of other breeds out there, and mixes that would suit your list better.

Okay so no to the APBT, but what about the breed I really want the SBT?

[piramirra]

Okay so no to the APBT, but what about the breed I really want the SBT?

Well, I've heard of some folks going and getting a SBT with the pre-conceived notion they're getting an easy mellow pocket sized pooch, but dem dere SBT's can be a might feisty and DA too, so...?

[flienianO]

I have to agree with Lee. Just from all the cons that you have come up with, the APBT is not the dog for you. Maybe an AST or an EB would be more along your lines...

AST as in American Staffordshire Terrier. I was always told that the AST and APBT were basically the same dog except one is registered by AKC and one is registered by UKC

[rasiasertew]

AST and APBT are two completely different breeds.

[tousuarshatly]

get a Boston. they wont get discriminated against for anything except being a dog, they are perfect size for an apartment, and they are great family dogs.

[flienianO]

Well, I've heard of some folks going and getting a SBT with the pre-conceived notion they're getting an easy mellow pocket sized pooch, but dem dere SBT's can be a might feisty and DA too, so...?

I've done a lot of research on the SBT and I know they are not a mellow pocket sized dog. I just like their size. Their look. Their temperment. I know that all bullys are prone to DA. That isn't my biggest concern. Dogs can be separated in the case of DA. I've done it before.
I just have a lot of fears all the sudden that I needed to address I guess, that I didn't know I had until I wrote them down.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------

get a Boston. they wont get discriminated against for anything except being a dog, they are perfect size for an apartment, and they are great family dogs.

I don't like bostons. I like SBTs and APBTs and American Bulldogs. I don't care much for labs either. I love Huskies and German Shepherds but they mess with my allergies way too much. My top favorite breeds in order are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Siberian Husky, the American Pit Bull Terrier, The American Bulldog, and the German Shepherd. And I don't want another dog under 25lbs, but that is just a preference. Don't want one much larger than 70lbs though.

Also I don't care about the discrimination from strangers, its just family that bothers me. Maybe I care too much what they think, but they are my family.

[tousuarshatly]

6. Not sure we'd be the best owners. Everything I've read said these dogs need a strong Assertive owner and well we are pretty laid back, go with the flow kind of people. I don't think either one of us are that assertive. I mean our dog does respect us and sees us as the leader but we aren't real assertive.

based on this^^^^you are the kinda folk my breed of choice doesnt need.

[flienianO]

You all are right though. We aren't ready at this point. Obviously. I keep trying to come up with reasons justifying getting one of these breeds now but it wouldn't be fair to the dog. I just didn't want to see it. I just really wish we were. Maybe one day, because I really love the dogs. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to oneday adopt a mutt with a little SBT mixed in there. But I won't go looking for that. Got to love a good mutt. I'm more for adoption than anything so.
I just really wish it was the right time.

[piramirra]

#6 on your list wouldn't necessarily suit GSD or Dobes, or any working, sporting breed either for that matter. (JMO).

[flienianO]

#6 on your list wouldn't necessarily suit GSD or Dobes, or any working, sporting breed either for that matter. (JMO).

I've had a GSD, great dog. Terrible on the allergies though. I tend to adapt to the dog I have. If I have an active breed, I'm more active. If I have a stubborn dog, I'm more stubborn. My parents always said I was a chameleon because I could adapt and adjust to any situation. That is why I have been able to have different types of dogs I guess. Just wish it was the right time and the right fit for the Staffy.

[piramirra]

Well that is good. Good luck with your quest when you're ready!

[flienianO]

Well that is good. Good luck with your quest when you're ready!

I understand I am not ready, I just hope that later on maybe just maybe the situation will be right and we will be able to be ready. A girl can atleast hope right? But if not, it just wasn't mean to be. Thanks though. Probably would have went the adoption route anyway if I had gotten a bully breed anyway. Might as well let the next dog pick me, as did my current dog. Damn I really wanted one.

---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:09 AM ----------

If its all right with you all, I'd still like to be part of this online community and also learn how even though I don't have one of these dogs I can help support these dogs in this tough time and help promote that they aren't the evil dogs that they are made out to be. If that is all right with you all. I mean it doesn't look like I'm going to be a pitty owner anytime soon. But I still love the dogs. More now than ever. But only if it is alright with you guys? I mean if it weren't for finding this site I might have gone out and gotten one and ended up in a real mess before it was all said and done. So I am greatful. Sad but greatful. And you all have really helped me through a tough time recently, I hope to be able to do the same for you all oneday. So if its okay, I'd like to stick around.

[xFZ3k8Mw]

I don't know if this is a good idea, as it might tempt you too much. But what about volunteering at a local shelter or rescue. This way you're getting interaction with breeds that you love so much, and you can figure out from your own assessment if they suit you.

[nuveem7070]

no requirement to own one of our dogs to be on this forum...
hang in here and have fun...
some day your situation may change and you may be ready for one...
just not now.. and probably not soon...

[flienianO]

I don't know if this is a good idea, as it might tempt you too much. But what about volunteering at a local shelter or rescue. This way you're getting interaction with breeds that you love so much, and you can figure out from your own assessment if they suit you.

I do volunteer. Not as much since the baby was born but I try to volunteer atleast once a month still. But that is a good idea. If I do it more not only would I be exposed to the Bully breeds but other breeds and I could assess what might really be the best for us. Be it a bully or a Retriever or a hound or just another good old heinz 57 mutt. That is a very good idea. Thank-you

---------- Post added at 10:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ----------

no requirement to own one of our dogs to be on this forum...
hang in here and have fun...
some day your situation may change and you may be ready for one...
just not now.. and probably not soon...

Thanks I just really love the breed. And I don't want to do them any harm so if its best for them for me not to own one now than so be it. I'll admit I don't like hearing it but a fact is a fact. Can't change that. Can't hold that against anyone. It would be irresponsible to let my want, get in the way of a better home for one of these dogs. But I still want to help out the bully breeds in any way I can. Even if I never have one, I'd atleast like to still continue to learn about them and be out there supporting them in any way I can. I love my Terrier mix and I think she is the reason I got so involved in these breeds because she is so wonderful. Granted we don't know what she is, when someone suggested Staffy Bull mix a year and half back I started learning about them and it led to today.