Looking for SAR dog and best friend

[lalaland]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a true APBT (definitely not AmBully or the like), active, drivey, smart, and a snuggly cuddle buddy. I'm a trail runner and backpacker, and would love the dog to accompany me. The dog will be doing dog therapy, agility, flyball, and search and rescue.

I'd really like some help with a breeder recommendation. I've fostered lots of Pits and Bullies and raised lots of GSD and Lab guide dog pups but this will be my first dog. I've having trouble finding health tested, drivey APBTs suited for service.

I'm located in northern CA but am not opposed to traveling or getting a pup shipped. I really like the look of Caragan Kennels dogs, if anyone has thoughts on them specifically or similar type dogs to their Rossi.

Thanks all,
Vanessa

 

[DancesWithCurs]

What lines are you looking for?

 

[NobodyHere]

I really like the look of Caragan Kennels dogs, if anyone has thoughts on them specifically

As I mentioned in --> Soon to be APBT Owner <-- this thread by another poster, "For reasons I can't get into at the moment, I absolutely DO NOT recommend this breeder, and it has nothing to do with whether the dogs are APBT or not" and "My partner and I own two dogs from this breeder. Due to an active suit we filed against this woman, I will not go into overly specific detail at this time, but the issues extend beyond what one might consider to be "subjective" in terms of ethical, or legal, conduct."

 

[lalaland]

I don't know, I only have experience with rescue dogs. Can you suggest any based on my description of what I am looking for?

 

[lalaland]

As I mentioned in --> Soon to be APBT Owner <-- this thread by another poster, "For reasons I can't get into at the moment, I absolutely DO NOT recommend this breeder, and it has nothing to do with whether the dogs are APBT or not" and "My partner and I own two dogs from this breeder. Due to an active suit we filed against this woman, I will not go into overly specific detail at this time, but the issues extend beyond what one might consider to be "subjective" in terms of ethical, or legal, conduct."

Interesting - thank you for that. It's difficult to weigh that against the glowing reviews I've read! I completely understand that you can't be specific though. Do you have any suggestions of alternative kennels?

 

[BCdogs]

I don't know, I only have experience with rescue dogs. Can you suggest any based on my description of what I am looking for?

If you do some research on which lines you like, you can then start to seek out breeders that use those lines in their programs. A great way to find out what kind of dogs you like is by attending shows. I'm sure there are many in CA. This way you can meet the dogs and the people behind the dogs, and they would be happy to discuss their dogs and what you're looking for, especially because you're looking for a working dog.

 

[FransterDoo]

Wow all that and SAR work? My friends training in SAR barely have time to eat let alone commit to 2 other sports and therapy work.

Who are you doing SAR with? I'm from the Bay Area as are my two friends doing SAR.

 

[NobodyHere]

Interesting - thank you for that. It's difficult to weigh that against the glowing reviews I've read! I completely understand that you can't be specific though. Do you have any suggestions of alternative kennels?

I would suggest figuring out what bloodlines you're interested in and who is breeding them, and doing your homework on those breeders. I do know of some with dogs that may suit your purposes, but rarely give out specific breeder referrals to people I haven't pre-vetted. Regarding the pedigree of the dog you specifically mentioned in your OP, the lower half is not particularly notable for several generations and I wouldn't know who would be breeding them, and the upper half is a line that is not easy to find in the hands of an ethical breeder, as the breeder of that line is retired, and the last dog she had from that line was...let's say relocated to another yard by some biker friends of her ex breeding associate, as was told straight from the horse's mouth. In other words, you may have to pick a different line to start with.

 

[Tiffseagles]

Just an FYI: I don't know of anyone breeding APBTs for flyball - I've tried looking (there's a thread in the general section about it). Most that participate are rescues.

You may have more luck finding what you are looking for by concentrating on those other areas when researching lines and breeders.

 

[phillysmom]

There is a kennel in Humboldt, CA that you might look into since you are in NorCal. I personally don't know anything about them, maybe somebody on here with some knowledge on bloodlines might have some insight. They are Humboldt Pit Bulls, they may be close enough to you that you could actually check them out in person.

 

[NobodyHere]

There is a kennel in Humboldt, CA that you might look into since you are in NorCal. I personally don't know anything about them, maybe somebody on here with some knowledge on bloodlines might have some insight. They are Humboldt Pit Bulls, they may be close enough to you that you could actually check them out in person.

Those people do absolutely nothing with their dogs, they don't work them, they don't do sport, don't show, don't health test, they breed for color (seriously, go count the number of times they make damn certain to remind you that their dogs are "Red Nose Pit Bulls"), and the only bragging they do about their dogs' "accomplishments" is to the effect of "So and so is a large Pit Bull stud dog, I don't breed for extra large dogs but if you want to, here's a stud for you" "there are weight pullers in the bloodlines so our dog is allowed to pull while we're on a walk because we think it gives him a workout" and "just one look at so and so jumping into a tree after a toy and you just know he's a purebred APBT and not one of those newfangled American Bullies!" :no2:

 

[dellacella]

Those people do absolutely nothing with their dogs, they don't work them, they don't do sport, don't show, don't health test, they breed for color (seriously, go count the number of times they make damn certain to remind you that their dogs are "Red Nose Pit Bulls"), and the only bragging they do about their dogs' "accomplishments" is to the effect of "So and so is a large Pit Bull stud dog, I don't breed for extra large dogs but if you want to, here's a stud for you" "there are weight pullers in the bloodlines so our dog is allowed to pull while we're on a walk because we think it gives him a workout" and "just one look at so and so jumping into a tree after a toy and you just know he's a purebred APBT and not one of those newfangled American Bullies!" :no2:

Ok, I have to appolgize to you SevenSins.....I am being to think you have the patience of Job....so sorry for my hasty judgement....thanks for all you do!!!!

 

[dellacella]

*Beginning (sorry)

 

[phillysmom]

I see that you are willing to have a pup shipped. I personally like the looks of some of the Southern Inferno Kennels dogs. Maybe SevenSins can weigh in on that particular kennel.

 

[SherryB]

lalaland, I sent you a PM.

 

[NobodyHere]

I see that you are willing to have a pup shipped. I personally like the looks of some of the Southern Inferno Kennels dogs. Maybe SevenSins can weigh in on that particular kennel.

They work their dogs, I wish to hell they did some sort of health testing since I do know of some health issues that come down from those lines. Pretty sure they're a member here as well.

 

[bsand]

I see that you are willing to have a pup shipped. I personally like the looks of some of the Southern Inferno Kennels dogs. Maybe SevenSins can weigh in on that particular kennel.

I was looking into them then passed due to no health testing

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[Tiffseagles]

Just thought of something: If you are at all open to a rescue dog, there is a member here that does flyball in CA with her dog that may be able to point you in the direction of suitable candidates in rescue.

If not, I'd try looking at APBTs that are participating in IPO. That may be more fruitful. There will certainly be drive there and you'll probably run into a few that health test.

 

[lalaland]

Thank you SO much for all of your help, I really appreciate it. I considered rescues, but I didn't find the right dog after fostering and spending time in shelters and rescues for about a year. I'll keep looking, but the idea of a health tested puppy from working parents is really appealing. Southern Inferno dogs are gorgeous, but health testing is really important to me. Thanks again for all of the ideas and recommendations - if anyone has more, please keep them coming! I'm very grateful this forum exists, it's a really valuable resource.