[Alan]

So here is the scenerio. You rescued a litter of Pit Bull puppies. You are going to rehome each of them. You are on the lookout for friends, family, neighbors, etc. who you think would be an ideal candidate to be a novice Pit Bull owner.

So what kind of person makes a good Pit Bull owner? What characteristics would you look for? Which ones would you shy from? Do you see yourself as an ideal owner, why or why not? Would your candidates be different for other breeds of dogs?

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by Alan So here is the scenerio. You rescued a litter of Pit Bull puppies. You are going to rehome each of them. You are on the lookout for friends, family, neighbors, etc. who you think would be an ideal candidate to be a novice Pit Bull owner. So what kind of person makes a good Pit Bull owner? What characteristics would you look for? Which ones would you shy from? Do you see yourself as an ideal owner, why or why not? Would your candidates be different for other breeds of dogs?

I am a firm beleiver that giving puppies to friends and family is a great way to start a family fued! Friends and family will blame you (the one who bred/gave them the dog) for every thing they mess up. They cant house train the dog...its your fault. Dog bites someone...its your fault, well, atleast in their eyes.

My number one criteria would be to find someone committed to the breed, that wont fall prey to any fads, and are willing to learn about whatever respective breed, its quirks, and care requirements...I guess that's more than one criteria, but they're all linked anyway.

[Michele]

I would consider myself educated enough to keep a pup or two That being said, I would look for an owner that has experience with this breed. I would also do home checks on occasion to check up on these dogs. I would also make sure these dogs will get spayed/neutered.

[michelephoenixrescue]

When our rescue has puppies, we usually post them on Petfinder, which generates a lot of inquiries, which I (or other foster parent) weed through and narrow down to what appear to be potential adopters.

We don't do long distance adoptions so we then schedule for the potential adopter to meet the dog they are interested in. We talk to them about responsible ownership, insurance issues, landlords, etc. and see how they interact with the puppy. In the end it pretty much comes down to gut feelings.

We have adopted to many different types of people but I think our best adoptions have been to stable, 2 income youngish couples with no kids who are dog savy and (of course) love the breed. New converts are a lot of fun too and sometimes become great advocates and educators.

We tend to get a certain number of young (under 21) people, most of which are marginally employed and living with parents who we encourage to wait to adopt until they are in more stable positions.

I don't feel that I am an ideal pet owner at this time because I am spread way too thin to be able to spend enough good quality time with my dogs.

This is something I hope to be able to correct in the near future. I just need to stay firm on not bringing in any more foster dogs and limiting my outside commitments. (My New Years resolution)

I don't think we necessarily look for different qualities based on breed, we try to find good solid homes for all our dogs. Some of our dogs, because of their personalities require an owner with more breed experience and commitment to training and exercise.

[Phebes]

Home owners!!! Renters often find themselves unable to keep their dog because they can't find a place to rent that will accept bull dogs.
Stable relationship, children (well behaved and responsible when told to do something) usually over the age of 6.
Previous history of large dogs.
I really like a real old dog in the home. Ex: a brindle male I adopted to a family who just had a 16 year old male APBT put to sleep and had a 12 year old female still in the home.
I spend a lot of time in the adoptee's home when I do the home visit. I bring the pup with me to see how everyone interacts. The whole family must be there for the home visit.
No invisable fence!!!!!! There must be a real fence.
They also must think a crate is the greatest thing since white bread. People who think crating is mean I tend to run from.
I also want people who intend to crate in their bedroom rather then the other end of the house. You have to be able to hear the dog if it needs to go outside. I adopt them out crate trained and do not want them coming back because the adopter uncrate trains them because they can't hear the dog crying to go out.
I like to watch how they pet the dog. You can tell a lot by how someone touchs a dog.
Last but not least they have to understand that their new puppy can not be left unattended with other dogs. If other dog in the home they must crate at night and when no one is home. I had to turn down a Petsmart manager because his wife firmly believed it is how you raise a APBT that determines if it is DA and she refused to crate when not home.
But in the end you have to go with your gut feelings and hope you are right.
Fostering APBT pups is like being on a manic depressive rollercoaster.
You are elated one day and so depressed the next. The reponsiblity is overwelming. These wonderful little creatures lives are in my hands and I better make the right dicision.
Then you get the email with pictures of an all grown up pup and a wonderful letter telling you what a wonderful dog they adopted from you and it is then all worth it.

[michelephoenixrescue]

Originally Posted by Phebes Fostering APBT pups is like being on a manic depressive rollercoaster.

Yes! Every time I do I swear I'll never do it again!

Originally Posted by Phebes Then you get the email with pictures of an all grown up pup and a wonderful letter telling you what a wonderful dog they adopted from you and it is then all worth it.

That's when you know that you've found the "right" home.

[Alan]

Not to say that these things arent negotiable pending on all circumstances but here are some things I prefer.

1. The APBT can be stubborn. I like people who can be assertive and firm with their dog.

2. I want people who wont run the other direction if a dog fight occurs. Ive seen more than one instance of an accidental fight and an owner having no clue what to do and a dog or two dieing as a result. Anyone who gets an APBT from me will know what to do and they better convince me they are willing to do it.

3. These dogs are strong. I want someone who has the physical stature to handle the dog. The last thing I want to see is someone ending up on their butt and a loose dog. That could be a potential law suit for the person being injured and for damages caused by the dog.

4. TIME - These dogs require you spend time with them. There arent many instances I could see placing one with someone who is never home.

5. I prefer someone who is energetic. These dogs need to burn up energy. They work great with someone who will play tug, get out the flirt pole or go for a long walk.

6. Willingness to ask questions and learn. - There is a lot of responsibility that comes with any dog; but especially an APBT. You have to realize with great power comes great responsibility and you have to understand how to weild that power. You really need to know what your dog is capeable of. You have to understand that you cant put them out on those crappy pet store chains or let them run loose for 5 minutes while you run to the restroom.

7. Money- ANY DOG requires money. Dogs can be expensive. You have to buy food, supplies, toys and then there are the medical bills.

8. Not a requirement but a big plus - Someone who intends to do something with the dog weather that something is agility, conformation, weight pull, or just a course in basic training.

9. Again not a requirement; but, it is iceing on the cake if that person is willing to join and take part in an online group like this our join the local APBT club.

10. Understand the basics of pack behaviour so that you dont unintentionally teach your dog bad habbits that you both may regreat latter. You need to understand how to relate to the dog what you want and what is and isnt acceptable behaviour and how to correct it.

[Miakoda]

I have a feeling I'm about to be hated here, but if I rescued a litter of "pit bull" puppies, I would put them all down. Not because I'm heartless, but because there are more than enough dogs available and waiting to be adopted without having to add more very possibly mixed breed dogs into the mix.

Sorry.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Miakoda I have a feeling I'm about to be hated here, but if I rescued a litter of "pit bull" puppies, I would put them all down. Not because I'm heartless, but because there are more than enough dogs available and waiting to be adopted without having to add more very possibly mixed breed dogs into the mix. Sorry.

I can understand your decission and I wont say it is the wrong one. I may even do the same myself pending on what I knew about where they came from and if I could bring myself to actually do it.

[Rai_77]

Originally Posted by Phebes Home owners!!! Renters often find themselves unable to keep their dog because they can't find a place to rent that will accept bull dogs. Stable relationship, children (well behaved and responsible when told to do something) usually over the age of 6. Previous history of large dogs. ....

I think it's more important to ask what the adopter would do if their housing situation changed. Have you looked at the RE market lately? Foreclosures are taking over the world. Just because someone owns their home, doesn't mean they always will. I have been both a homeowner and a renter, and managed to keep my dogs with me though it all. The focus should be more on the adopter's dedication to keeping their commitment for the life of their pet. You can easily run into trouble if you think homeowner = more responsible/committed than renter, although I will admit that is often the case, being a renter shouldn't be an automatic disqualifier. And of course, you should speak with the landlord directly and meet them in person whenever possible (people have friends pretend to be the LL over the phone)

Stable relationship? That one doesn't make much sense to me. Single people can be excellent pet owners. AND they make the decisions, alone, on the pet's care, which eliminates the 'oh well I wanted to take Fido to the hospital but my husband said no' type of crap, or 'I wanted to get Fluffy fixed but husband said no'.

Why the previous history of large dogs? The APBT is not a large breed. I would think a previous history with a highly intelligent/energetic/dominant dog would be important though. If your only experience has been with a Bassett, the APBT will be a rude awakening.

[Lassic]

Sometimes i don't get this world,what happen to just buying a dog and having it as a pet, What people don't understand is if you make adopting this dog to hard all there gonna do is just bye one from a backyard breeder for $100 bucks and there gos your spot for your adopted dog. Not everyone is gonna fit your or my standards for this dog.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Lassic Sometimes i don't get this world,what happen to just buying a dog and having it as a pet, What people don't understand is if you make adopting this dog to hard all there gonna do is just bye one from a backyard breeder for $100 bucks and there gos your spot for your adopted dog. Not everyone is gonna fit your or my standards for this dog.

I agree with you 100%. As for me, I didnt mean to imply that anyone had to meet all of those standards. I was just saying that would be the ideal candidate. To me, everything is grey and nothing is ever black and white.
The only important thing is that they can control the dog and keep it and those around it safe.

[tat2stuff]

Originally Posted by Alan ideal candidate to be a novice Pit Bull owner.

I don't really think a novice would be my ideal choice. These dogs need to go with people who, know, understand and have experience with the breed. Period.

I tend to agree with Mia here, there are way too many sub standard dogs out there already, pups of unknown origin can turn out to be good dogs, but most likely will exhibit some issues down the road due to their poor breeding and most likely poor genetics. We really need to look at the big picture here, this breed is in serious trouble and adapting out questionable pups to novice owners is like throwing fuel on the fire IMO.

[Alan]

OK, for those of you who say they would cull the pups, lets take this a notch higher just for the point of good conversation. If culling the pups is a good idea, should rescues rehome APBTs(or what they identify as) they take in or based on your same premise, should they all be put down if they have no papers?

[tat2stuff]

Originally Posted by Alan OK, for those of you who say they would cull the pups, lets take this a notch higher just for the point of good conversation. If culling the pups is a good idea, should rescues rehome APBTs(or what they identify as) they take in or based on your same premise, should they all be put down if they have no papers?

I'm not going there again...

[Alan]

COME ON TAT! GROW SOME ............. lol Well, ok!

[tat2stuff]

Originally Posted by Alan COME ON TAT! GROW SOME ............. lol Well, ok!

maybe later...

[PNWPBR]

Great thread Alan! Im enjoying seeing the responses.....

[diva]

Originally Posted by Alan OK, for those of you who say they would cull the pups, lets take this a notch higher just for the point of good conversation. If culling the pups is a good idea, should rescues rehome APBTs(or what they identify as) they take in or based on your same premise, should they all be put down if they have no papers?

If a person "rescues" the pups and then puts them down, how are they rescuing them?
Sure a person may be taking them from a bad situation. But, they are also killing them, so the end result is the same for the pup.

If a person puts them down, how are they any different than the local pound who puts them down as fast as they come in?

If a person's logic is that there are more than enough dogs waiting to be adopted....why save the ones with papers? Why not put them down too?

[Alan]

Originally Posted by diva If a person "rescues" the pups and then puts them down, how are they rescuing them? Sure a person may be taking them from a bad situation. But, they are also killing them, so the end result is the same for the pup. If a person puts them down, how are they any different than the local pound who puts them down as fast as they come in? If a person's logic is that there are more than enough dogs waiting to be adopted....why save the ones with papers? Why not put them down too?

Very good questions. Now for my answer, I dont have one. Somewhere down the line, like it or not, we have to play God. We cant save them all. We simply cant. So where do you draw the line? Look at the video Grizzly posted of the dog with no hind legs. We could say, "Well, that is a less than perfect dog so lets destroy him so we can save this other one over here who looks like a conformation champion.

We could say "Well, this one is boaring black and this one is chocolate so lets save the chocolate one." There isnt a fair answer; except for the fact that we try to cull those we feel are not safe to humans.

I do undesrstand what was said about culling puppies. I do agree that we dont need questionable puppies growing up and biteing people, making a bad name for the breed which they may or may not be a part of. Why do this when there are quality dogs being put down? On the other hand, these may be good puppies. Perhaps they would be a better embassador than this 2 year old dog who is of questionable breeding at the shelter waiting to be adopted.

Who has more of a right to live? Who wants to make the decissions? Personaly, I admire the people at the pound who put dogs to sleep. I could never do it on a daily basis. It would mess me up eventually. Someone has to though.

I can tell you, working with all the shelters that I have, what they do is look for temeperment. Ive seen them cheat to keep some dogs who they felt were exceptional even though their time was up. They take these dogs to their homes and desperately try to find a rescue to take them in. Still though, they play God and I know they hate every minute of it.

I dont know. Maybe putting a puppy down is more humane than a dog because it doesnt yet understand what life is all about.