[HornyMolly]

if your planning on or wanting to show/work your APBTs in weight pulling, conformantion, etc
then go to a reputable breeder. stay away from BYBs and puppy mills

---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

if this puppy is just going to be a PET. then get one from a rescue or shelter.

[gundorana]

That is pretty young to be taken away from the mother, but Mollie was only 5 weeks old (I think) when she came to us. Back then, I didn't know any better and had never heard of bite inhibition or anything like that. Have you checked petfinder.com in your area? There are tons of pups on petfinder. Also, if you are on face book, check out some of the rescues, they have tons of pups they are trying to place.

We adopted Bella when she was about 4 months old. She was dumped at a vet's office and the rescue had brought her to the Pit Bull Bark in The Park walk. She's about one of the best... and at times, worse.... dog I've ever had. Just depends on if she's behaving, or raiding the trash at the moment.

[Affiltavajefe]

I live in South Dakota, there arent to many pitbulls here. I have been checking the humane society once a week and there has been about three pits there in the past three months. But we didnt have that spark? Lol. Whenever I got a dog in the past, we instantly had a connection.
I've looked around me in other states also, in Wyoming and Montana, and we honestly dont have a lot of them. I really wish I lived in Arizona, there are everywhere! I've always planned on a rescue, but here in SD there arent many of them.
I'm thinking with this guy it might have been an accident to breed. I'm not really sure. Maybe I should ask him a lot more questions. And who knows, he might not even know how old they are... But I'm getting a worse feeling about this, so I'll see what the guy has to say. Thanks for helping me out so much though, its really appreciated. I will keep you updated. :]

Oh and I have a lot of time to spend with a puppy thats why I want one this year. I could be with him all day and if needed bring him with me anywhere. If I do adopt, I'm thinking I'll need a lot of time with a vet. Just to get questions answered.

[Sopsneork]

Lily was assumed to be 6 weeks when she was found as a stray. I got her a few weeks later. I can say that she, compared to Liberty, who I got at 8 weeks, had far fewer social skills and had NO bite inhibition. It's my guess that she had been separated from her mother for at least a week, seeing how skinny she was.
Just those 2 or 3 weeks really make a difference in socialization.
It took a lot of work and holes in my hands to finally get her to realize what she was doing wrong. This isn't to say that now she isn't a great dog, because she is. She's amazingly calm and will let me do anything to her.
Would I purposely buy a dog younger than 8 to 10 weeks? Hell no. They end up raising themselves, acting on instinct, and doing whatever they want because their mom never taught them.
Whoever this guy is, he is ill-informed and doesn't know what he's doing or what he's breeding. Anyone who thinks it's ok to sell dogs at 5 weeks is out of their minds. Walk away from the situation. "Pit bulls" make up more than half of the shelter population. You'll find a quality dog, just keep looking.

[7HlBQS8j]

You do not want to be in AZ I agree lots of Pit and Pit/mixes but you also have to deal with all the idiots that over breed and fail to take care of the animals..Check some rescues maybe you will find one and can travel to see them or have them shipped to you some good rescues around that will give you the truth about the puppy just have to research

[Affiltavajefe]

Hmmm maybe I'm lucky to be here then, because MOST people here take care of the puppies. Obviously this guy doesnt know much. But I cant say much, because before I looked around and talked to you guys, I didnt know it was so harmful to take a 5 week old.
He scared me at first when he sent me a picture of the pups because their eyes werent even open I might know how to train a dog, but I'm not a dog, so I definetly cant do all that his mother can do. :/ Sucks though because I thought one of these pups would be my pup. :/

[drugstore]

Two things: one is that genetics do not always result in identical temperament...there is ALWAYS a risk the puppy will grow up with behavioral issues no matter who the parents are! Also "growing up with you" doesn't mean much...dogs will adapt to you regardless of amount of time without you, that is what pitbulls are known for-being human friendly.

If the reason you want a puppy is to "know you" I wouldnt worry about it, personally I prefer adults simply because I get a feel for their personality. For example- my female was beaten, bred, and left in a crate all her life- I got her at 1 year, she is the sweetest, most loving, well trained dog. JMO

As for finding one that you click with check out petfinder,rescues,and shelters in nearby states- they will likely bring the dog to you to see if its a good fit. If all else fails come stay on my couch and check in Boston, they are EVERYWHERE!!!

[largonioulurI]

So much good info!!!

It's not that you can't take a 5 week old pup and raise it, but if your "just" a average dog person looking for a great pet, stack the odds in your favor and wait. It's hard to resist a puppy so don't even go look at them. You'll be happy later you waited.

[voodoosdv]

If there's one thing I know having looked for a pup for the past few months, there are NO SHORTAGES OF PIT BULL BREEDERS. Therefore, you have plenty of options out there that you can research, contact, visit and speak with to see who is worthy of your business. Any breeder willing to part with such young pups clearly doesn't care about the animals. A reputable breeder will ask YOU more questions than you have for them, if they are truly concerned with who is getting their dogs.

Ask around on this forum for reputable breeders around your area. Should you fall to temptation and decide to buy a cheapo one from a suspicious source, you will only have yourself to blame if/when your dog shows bad temperament or needs thousands of dollars in vet bills.

Case in point, I'm paying a $1000 for an AmStaff pup but I also have a LIFETIME guarantee against genetic disorders and temperament issues. The guy who offered to sell me his pup for a $100 a pop should have been given a kick in the crotch IMHO.

[Affiltavajefe]

My search continues! I guess it just wasnt meant ot be this time. Crossing my fingers. And springs coming up so that'll probably give me more to choose from.

[7HlBQS8j]

Good idea if You look you will find exactly what you want

[Affiltavajefe]

Good idea if You look you will find exactly what you want

Very true. I think I was getting a little desperate, and just wanted to jump at this chance. Patience is the key here, I'm starting to realize this more and more!

[7HlBQS8j]

yes it is this will be a life long commitment so approach it like you would looking for a husband

[Affiltavajefe]

yes it is this will be a life long commitment so approach it like you would looking for a husband

Haha thats very true. I want to find the right one for me. I just got waaaay to ahead of myself. It was silly. I've been researching and working with them. I should have known its just not a good idea to get a dog without knowing what kind of temperment it could have.
But I was beign sooo impulsive!

[7HlBQS8j]

It happens at times just always step back away from the puppies and give it a little extra thought and once you find the right one you will know it

[RogHammon]

Rescues are AWESOME,and boy what a feeling it gives you everyday and minute you spend with your new friend

[wentscat]

if you plan on buying from a breeder, get it from a reputable one, and that doesn't just mean he keeps the pups until 8 weeks.

if you get another byb pup that's 8 weeks old, the chances of ending up with a genetic disaster are the same.
that goes for sheltre pups to...

I would prefer to adopt an adult dog about 1/5-2 yrs of age.
that way I can see the dogs real temperament as dogs tend to have changes in their temperament as they mature.
but that's just me

[7HlBQS8j]

Ganja we agree on something hahahahahahahaha

I think adopting a 1 1/2 year old dog is a great idea you can spend some time with this animal and really learn alot about it and if you get lucky housebreaking is done and I think the APBT and the Amstaffs are animals that can be adopted at this age without any issues because they wants to please and want that bond themselves in most cases not sure about other Bully breeds if thats what we want to call them these are the only two I have experience with

[largonioulurI]

I also would pick a young dog over a puppy. If I had tons of times I might do a pup, but all of my last pack add on's were over 2 (2-10 years). I had no bonding problems what so ever. A good, sound dog will bond up easy as pie.

[HornyMolly]

is this your first APBT? i agree with an adult dog first.