STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I have a pit mix, and my SIL has a full blooded pit.

If the previous owners treated the dog well, and like any other breed of dog, it will grow up to be as docile and wonderful as any other dog. If the previous owners were mean to it to raise it as a guard dog or raise it for dog fighting, then you are in trouble.

If, as strangers, the dog has been good to you, then it would probably make a good pet. If you contact your local humane society I'm sure they can give you some pointers and would even do a health evaluation for you. You may be able to turn the dog in and agree to adopt it if their staff feels it is an adoptable pet.

In general, pit bulls have a hard time getting adopted because people are fearful. At the humane society by me, they will not destroy a dog unless it is "unadoptable" meaning it isn't capable of getting along with potential owners. They put the dog through a test of sorts, and if it passes, it stays until it is adopted.   

My SIL's dog is a puppy, and is very well behaved but very energetic. My dog is 8 and was a pain in the ass as a puppy (she chewed EVERYTHING and took longer than other breeds I've had experience with in learning some commands), but is a great dog.



HTH

-gd

I have a 4 year old pit female. My dad also had one as well (we just lost her at 13 this past xmas). My dad's was the BEST dog in the entire world. My girl is close though. I think you could not ask for a better dog personality wise. It is important that your lifestyle will fit a pit, because it does take a responsible owner. They are a mix of couch potato and very active. IMO the thing with pits is they are very social. If you leave them in the yard and never pay attention to them they will not turn out well. If you hang out with them they will be the biggest love bugs on the planet. In my experience they are kinda stubborn and hard headed but a little firmness and consistency and they are great.
I highly recommend keeping him if you can/the owner dont claim him. I would be very proactive in making sure you really know his personality and how he will react in different situations, before introducing him to new things. My girl was attacked by another pit at the dog park, since that day she does not do well at off leash parks because she has an attitude with certian dogs (not pattern at all.) We also know that my girl cannot be off the leash in an open area. No matter how well trained she is, if there is freedom she is off like a rocket. in a fenced area she will come on command no problem.
We also have cats. One of the cats is her buddy and they sleep together and groom each other. The other cat hates the dog and swipes at her. That was a bit of a challenge. She has never gone after the cat, actuall she will walk out of her way to avoid that cat, but she has been surprised a few times and growled at the cat.
She is also protective of me. My dad was kidding around one day and we were play boxing. the dog ran over meaning business but never did anything but sit between us.
So I have gone on long enough but I love love my pit. One last thing if you cannot keep him and dont find his home. check with your shelter and see what their policy on adoption for pits is. Sometimes you can find a shelter in a surrounding town that is no kill, or independently try to adopt him out.
Keep us posted.here is my girl

I think Pits are VERY unfairly stereotyped. If you feel a connection with him and you are ready to take on the responsibility, I think you should keep him. Pits are notoriously hard to find homes for, and some shelters will destroy them. IMO, you have to be careful around any animal, whether it's a cat or a Great Dane or a chihuahua or a pit bull. Deuce has great advice if you do decide to keep him. I am a big believer in trainers for new pets, too. Good luck!

ETA: I have a suspicion that Halley has some Pit in her...and you know she is the Greatest EVAH.

-- Edited by halleybird at 03:41, 2007-07-10

I fell in love w/ pits when I was volunteering at our local animal shelter. They are a great, goofy breed w/ adorable personalities. Several of our friends have adopted pits and they've become great pets. I agree that they've been unfairly sterotyped (a lot of breeds have that problem), but I also understand why they make people nervous based on the way they've been portrayed in the media.

I do think you have to be careful with any dog you find since you don't know it's history. I also think that all dogs are better off w/ a little training, regardless of the size.

Re: the guy that called. Be careful. I don't recall where you live, but some regions of the country have a huge pit fighting problem right now. I'd be worried about someone claiming him for fighting or as bait.