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BYBs/shelter dogs
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    I've spent most of my adult life working at an animal shelter, and it's pathetic to see so many unwanted dogs destroyed. It's really pitiful when people think they have a "great, sweet, wonderful!" dog and that they should breed it, sell the puppies, and make a few bucks. REAL breeders do genetic testing, know the lineage of the parents down to the beginning of time, and they have waiting lists a mile long. They're bettering the breed. Many of them actually lose a little bit of money. They don't take to cute, nice, sweet dogs, put them together in the back yard, and sell the puppies for $500 a pop out of the back of their pickup truck in the Walmart parking lot, and they don't make hand painted signs and stick on the corner of a busy intersection with their phone number painted on.
  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,169Member
    So...what's your point? No one should *pay* $500 for a damn dog. If you want to, ok. But since when is a family pet better, because you paid an arm and a leg for it? That's what I don't get.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • ImWendyImWendy
    Posts: 6,561Member
    Actually, professional breeding is NOT bettering the line, but causing deformities and defects due to inbreeding. For example, the English Bulldog is NOT supposed to have a severe underbite. That is due to inbreeding. Another example is the Persian cat. There nose is supposed to protrude. In showing, both actually lose points if this deformity is too severe. The best dog I ever had was a mutt, and I miss him every day. He even said "I love you."
    deus ex machina
  • ImWendyImWendy
    Posts: 6,561Member
    I also want to say, just because a breeder has a waiting list a mile long doesn't make them a better breeder.
    deus ex machina
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    My point is that people (regardless of how good their intentions are) need to stop making money off of animals. I don't think purebred dogs need to die out at all. Each breed has wonderful characteristics, and they need to be preserved, definitely. The continuation of various breeds needs to be left up to the "experts" who know what the hell they're doing, and their motivation is more than just financial gain. If someone wants to spend a car payment on a dog, more power to them. I just think it's sad that (as I said on the confessions) for every dog that's bred, an unwanted, probably just as awesome (maybe moreso) shelter dog dies.
  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,169Member
    Then I totally agree with you, @anon.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    This site is specific to boxers, but the chart is for all breeders. http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputablebreeder.html
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,232
    My Lou Dog was dropped off at a shelter when he was a puppy because the owner of his mother, a pit bull, had intended on breeding her, but the neighbor's great dane got to her first. Poor Lou almost died, and all of his siblings did die, from Parvo. We only got him because DH made me go to the humane society because we were in the neighborhood. I did NOT want a pet!!!! His damn little green eyes looking up at me all sad got me. I was pregnant and didn't know yet. FUCK. Now I love the little bastard, even though I didn't want him... Sorry, rant over...
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,657
    @anon dude, who's car payments are 500? Is everyone else paying that much? Am I a select few who doesn't?
  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,169Member
    I know some people.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    Mine *were*, before SCRA dropped our interest rate when DH was deployed.

    I gave way the hell more than that for my dog, though. Hell, her vet bill today was a pretty penny too.

    community-manager


  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    No doubt. They aren't cheap for pythons either. And you ever try to give a snake a SHOT ? I mean goddam already.

    Honestly, though, her bill today was around $300, and I was expecting it to be $600-1000, so it was a huge relief to me. Office visit + emergency after hours care + all her IV meds, and the prescriptions, I thought it came out pretty damn cheap, especially for 2 whole days overnight. I woulda paid 5 thousand at the moment we hit the door, if it meant she'd live!

    community-manager


  • MazzyMazzy
    Posts: 130Member
    I too spent sometime working at an animal shelter here in Baltimore. As an adoption counselor and as an animal attendant and also helped with vaccinations and euthanasia. Way to many sad stories, and ridiculous reason as to why people give up their animals. Ive once even seen a "man" kick his dog to get into the shelter doors. We hurried to get the dog away from this man. Luckily the dog was not hurt, and we were able to re-home him. I will always adopt, I will never buy or purchase an animal. And it will always be with a non-profit shelter.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    My lab came from a breeder. Champion lines in showing agility as well as hunting and obedience. The dogs are versatile and actually prove they are prime examples of the breed. My lab was a "freak of nature" green eyes mostly yellow coat chocolate face eyes nose paw pads and chocolate hairs on her face mixed in her back and on her tail. The breeder had a waiting list but all owners opted away from my lab. The breeder was going to keep her spay her and let her be a pet. My old baby sitter had a vacation home next to the breeder and got her for my 18th birthday (with my moms approval). Every other dog I have ever owned has been an older adopted shelter dog. I was a shelter manager for a year at a high kill shelter in the south. I'm not anti breeding but unless your animal is a prime example of the breed had champion titles in either show or working trials that animal had no business being bred. Oh and designer dogs labradoodles cockapoos puggles ect are mutts I have laughed in the face of several people who bragged how much they payed for a mutt.
  • seamstressJ
    Posts: 724Member
    My favorite dog, a "too" purebred rottwieller named Moose, was a shelter find. He had hip dysplasia & one of his eyes kinda floated off into outer space, but it was love at first sight! I had to have him put to sleep about a year & a half ago because he couldn't even get off the floor anymore, but I was so attatched to that dumb ox that I held him on my lap till it was over. (all 200 lbs of him!)
  • MazzyMazzy
    Posts: 130Member
    @OxiMOM I too, have laughed in the face of many people for the same reason. Hats to you for being a shelter manager. Hard job.
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    The only dogs I've ever paid real money for, ended up dying on me, from complications specific to their breed. I gave up long long ago on that and have had maybe 4 or 5 rescues, and countless strays--dogs and cats. I'm a sucker for a sob story, and our road is like a freaking 'dump your unwanted fleabags here'... There's 3 damn stray tomcats bellowing out on the porch right now. I guess they can have some dog food, but I'm not going to the store at 2 am for cat food. They can eat kibbles n chunks or move the hell on tonight LOL There must be a female in heat somewhere on this road.

    I fell in love with my brother's alpha dog (Thunder) though, and Lily's bloodlines are full of champion best in breed winners. (She and Thunder share a common grandfather) (EDIT to add: I would have gotten her anyway, papers or no papers, winning bloodlines or not.) I didn't get her to breed or show, though. It just kind of happened that way. The lady I got her from's daughter was in LeBonheur, and she really needed to get those pups gone so she didn't have to find a caretaker for them, so she could stay at the hospital with her daughter. She was the only breeder in the north half of the state that we could find. Lily was the runt of the litter, and the only pinto in the litter too. Pinto is not a color that wins shows, but I think she's beautiful. One of her marks is a perfectly shaped heart about twice the size of my palm on her left hind flank. Get it? Love - heart...
    Daddy said if we keep on collecting Akitas, he's going to build a dogcart so they can pull him around LOL We DO seem to have quite a pack of sled dogs.

    community-manager


  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,232
    We still had to pay $200 for Lou Dog, adoption fee from the Humane society, because both of his parents had papers, he's not considered a mutt (mutts are only $65 adoption fee).. That is stupid IMO. I didn't bitch much, though because I knew it was helping the Humane Society.
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    What's sad about the cockapoos, puggles, labradoodles, etc. is that the CKC will actually register them. Hell, the CKC registers mutts, and the only "proof" you need to the dogs lineage is a few pictures of the dog, and a signed statement from someone saying it's a purebred dog. Don't even get me started on this hack registry. Ugh. I have to say though--I'm so glad to hear that so many of you adopted dogs from a shelter. :) Now if we could only do something about the pitbull population in shelters. These animals have gotten such a bad rap over the years when in fact, the vast majority of them are extremely sweet, gentle animals--really no different from other breeds. They just want a warm bed, good food and love, but shelters are clogged with them and nobody wants them. :(
  • violetmama
    Posts: 95Member
    My mom breeds show dogs. Won't say which breed, but two of her dogs have had group placement's at Westminster. She's really serious about it. I don't think people have any idea the kind of money breeders spend on their dogs. My mom's last litter was a breeding done with frozen sperm from one of her best dogs that died in 1990. Every genetic test in the book was done. Mom said she had 10K invested in the litter before the litter was even on the ground- all for 2 puppies that she kept. More and more breeders are doing this. They want good homes- either show or performance. Last puppy my mom sold was to a woman who guaranteed she'd put a MACH (agility champion title) on the dog. And she did. My mom's dogs are great. She's dedicated 40 years of her life to her dogs. She makes zero money. If you make money breeding dogs- you're not reputable.

    My husband and I got stuck with a dog my stepkids found but their mother wouldn't let them keep. It was a lab/aussie mix that had spent years as a stray. Great dog. Until it got just about every disease you can ever imagine. And yes.. we spent the money. Most probably would have just put him down and rescued another stray. We really couldn't, the skids love the dog, we had to keep him alive. He died last year. I told the stepkids if they ever want another dog- I'm picking out the breeder. No more strays until they can afford the vet bills, medication costs, and special food.
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    That was my main point, violet. REAL breeders do it for the love of the breed--not to put groceries on the table. Kudos to your mom. :) I'm sorry to hear about your dog that was so ill. Too many years of scrounging for food, not being cared for, etc. can really do damage to animals. :(
  • violetmama
    Posts: 95Member
    Our rescue had Cushing's Disease, which is genetic and along with years of neglect left him with a host of other problems. My vet's use to treating show dogs, so bringing in a stray who needed 5 teeth pulled, had cryptorchidism, and every kind of worms imaginable was something they weren't use to seeing. It was actually kinda funny.

    With so much of this anti-dog breeder venom so many of the animal rights types spew, they don't understand how great the old school dog people are. My mom was the one who diagnosed our stray with Cushing's, she knew right away what it was. Before the vet confirmed it, we were already getting info about how to submit the dog's DNA to a genetic study on Cushing's. It's just how dog people are.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    We just moved into an apt and my cat snuck out the door. After no luck finding him, we went to the SPCA to see if he had been picked up/fill out lost animal form. While waiting in line, a lady was coming to turn in a dog. The most beautiful putt bull!!! My ex asked her to walk outside so they could talk. Found out she was a breeder and she hadn't been able to sell this one dog so she was getting rid of it. We promptly took her home with us! Talk about love at first sight :-) she is now 6 1/2 years old and spoiled rotten (and currently playing tug with a dog 1/3 of her weight!). But she has been the most gentle, sweetest baby we have ever had. As for the cat, the downstairs neighbor found him & had him inside her house until she could find out who his owner was.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,657
    The adoption fees here for the humane society are out of control. People do go there, but a lot choose not to go there and adopt from online sources or breeders because it costs less.
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    The humane society is really expensive, I'll agree. Look what you're getting though--a "fixed" animal that's been given a clean bill of health and its shots. Taking a free or cheap dog to the vet to get all that done would be a lot more expensive then a few hundred dollars.

    And to MomofFour--you're my favorite person right now and I love you for taking in a pitty. THEY ROCK!!!
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,232
    @anonymous- It doesn't ensure a clean bill of health. Yes, they did pay for our medical expenses for Lou, but if he had died, it would have devastated us, especially my DS. What pissed me off even more than that was his siblings had already been taken out of the kennel because they were dying. They did NOTHING to tell us that he potentially had a very contagious illness that kills 50% of the dogs who get it. I'm all for adoption, or I wouldn't have spent that much on him, but there are issues with that as well.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,232
    @lizzywizzy, that is great. I hate that people give Pits such a bad name, and that they are "fashionable." If people really educated themselves and cared for them right, there wouldn't be such a need for rescues.
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    Breed discrimination is out of control. IMO, it's not that far off from racism in humans. 30 miles down the road, pits are illegal in the city limits. 19 miles the other way, pits are only legal if enclosed within a yay-high fence or kennel, with blah blah blah specifics, etc.
    In both cases, it's pit-specific law. I know this goes on in other places as well. I could feel better about these types of regulations if they were stated like any dog over such-and-such pounds, or something similar... But breed-specific laws like that are grossly unfair IMO.

    community-manager


  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    LOL scratchmybutt Hahahahahaha Lily is the same way, unless you get too close to the baby, then she gets a little concerned. He's HER baby !
    My best girl friend had a HUGE pit (idk what kind, but the tall one, instead of the shorter, broader ones) massive head and really tall, but narrow through the shoulders. Solid white with a black ring around one eye. Toooo cute. His name was Eli, and he spent a lot of time here, and us there. (Are we the only people that take our dogs when we go to friends' houses where we know they're welcome?) Anyway, one night, we were over there really late and ended up spending the night. When we got up, Lil Man and Eli shared a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage on the floor (not by grown up choice, but it was cute) and then they both climbed up in the recliner and took a nap. Sooo so sweet. I have tons of pics of him as a crawler snuggled up on Eli.
    I've seen pictures and heard stories locally of horrific pit and rotty attacks, no doubt. It happens. I think those breeds get more media exposure because they are so big and powerful, of course they can cause more damage. But dogs are a lot like kids--it's in the raising. Every pit we've ever had, and every one I've ever known, were huge sweet babies! I've had chihuahuas and feists try to tear my leg off, but never a pit.

    community-manager


  • supermommy
    Posts: 586Member
    I was attacked by a cocker spaniel as a kid. Still have scars on the right side of my face. So breed isn't a predictor of violence. My pittbull, diesel, was the sweetest, dumbest, most loving dog ever. I miss him. My sister and her hub have a pitt we rescued as a pup and gave to them who is their baby. She's fierce looking, but such a big gentle boob. She loves people and my kids. I've never even heard her growl. Pitts are loving loyal and obidient animals. That's why they're used in fighting. They will obey their master. There's no such thing as viciously born dog. They're made that way by shitty people.
  • LoveLove
    Posts: 12,757Administrator, Moderator
    totally agree @supermommy
    My mom's chihuahua thinks she's a Doberman. She's like a rabid rat on acid. I've never seen anything like it. Daddy made her that way by picking at her :( She will only sit still curled up in Momma's lap, and if you get too close to her or Momma in 'their' recliner, she will bite your ass before you know what happened! He thinks it's funny. I did too, at one time, it's kind of cute because she's a teacup, but the little shit nailed me one time when I was just trying to love on her, and I don't even let the kids in her house now until she's got Angel put up in another room.

    community-manager


  • supermommy
    Posts: 586Member
    @love rabid rat on acid, I love it. I call it LDS, little dog syndrome, LMS for men. The smaller in stature the bigger they think they are. And chihuauas are mean little shits. Haven't met a friendly one yet. The only reason there's no chihuaua legislation is that you can flick them away.
  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,169Member
    This is one of those things that I don't care for. Big dogs, small children. I don't know if any one of you guys heard about this, but a pair of previously mellow dogs with no history of violence attacked and killed a 3 month old baby. The teen mother (it was her mother's dogs) was going to be held for negligence. We have 3 huskies, but none of them are allowed in the house, and the kids are not allowed to be around them unattended. Ever. Not even our 9 year old. Well, she's petite, so. It's one of those things for me, (not the bath, not the left in a car) that I won't countenance. Yes, they are very lovely dogs. One of them is so submissive that when you scratch her head, she falls onto her back. However, they are powerful creatures, and if they think that someone who they are dominant to is getting a bit uppity, they won't hesitate to take them down. So so so many children are hurt every year by 'family pets'. Even small dogs. That is my tolerance line.

    I don't really need to hear any argument on this. Lol. By that I mean, people assuring me of all the things that make dogs safe, or their own personal dogs safe. I just wanted to say, this is one of those things that I don't tolerate, period. Couldn't tell you why. We had pets growing up, and they were all nice pets, with not a bite in them.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • supermommy
    Posts: 586Member
    I agree with you @curious. No child should ever be left unattended with any animal. Kids and animals have one common factor: unpredictability. You just never know.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    I have big dogs both VERY well trained and socialized. My LO will NEVER be left alone with the dogs. Same with If I had a little dog I love my girls and neither have ever bit or offered to bite but I don't want my child being fearful of dogs cautious yes scared no.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    @lizzwizzy the scratchmybutt thing kills me!! My baby girl thinks there would be world peace if everyone would just scratch her butt!

    We have spent tons of time training all of our dogs, big and little, that if a kid is bothering them, the only acceptable response is to get up and walk away. They do not growl at the kids ever. But the kids have also been taught that we only show the dogs love and respect because they are part of our family. Nothing is sweeter than seeing a 70 lb dog, 25 lb kid and 6 lb cat curled up in a ball together sleeping!
  • MazzyMazzy
    Posts: 130Member
    I was mauled by a Golden Retriever when I was about three. A bee had stung the dog, and turned around, saw me, and thats all she wrote. I too have scars all on my face and on my head, but they are really hard to notice unless I smile. What people dont understand is, Dobermans were considered vicious and Rotties. Anything with teeth can bite. I used to try and hold back laughter when a potential adopter would be looking at the cats and say, Well does it bite? Yes, anything with teeth has the potential to bite. I also loved seeing people so excited about adopting a cat, and once I would get it out of the cage, the person would be deathly afraid of it and not touch it or go near it lol. Pitts are great companion animals.

    When I first started working at the Humane Society here in Bmore, I knew nothing of the breed other than what the tv told me. So there was a couple who came in, and the woman was pregnant. And they put in an application for a pitt and once they left I was going over the app, and my supervisor LOVED them for this dog. And I shot up and said, "But shes pregnant!" And my supervisor said, "Yea, so?" I was like, the dog is a pit bull. And she said, well I would like to have kids someday too, and I have three. And then she began to educate me on the breed, and give me books and links to pages..WOW, how I was wrong. Such great animals. I did get snapped at by one, but it was my own fault for sticking my ugly mug in her face, in her space. I cried and cried, cause I knew I had to report it. But assured everyone, it was indeed my fault. People need to educate themselves, on any breed of dog before going with one.
  • Anonymous
    Posts: 29,315
    I know two people whose dogs attacked (didn't kill or seriously injure though) their kids. Both of them chose to keep their dogs even though the attacks were unprovoked. One of the kids even needed stitches, but these people both kept their dogs.

    When my son was 2 weeks old one of my cats got in his crib and swiped at his face and nicked him, and the other cat sprayed his brand new carseat that had been used once. Within 15 minutes they were both on their way to animal control. I loved my cats, but my children will always come first. What happened was minor, but it's only a matter of time before something worse would have happened.
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,232
    I have always been SUPER cautious with Lou and Charli. He wasn't even allowed in the same room with her until she was 6 months, then I slowly introduced them. People have to realize that dogs are animals with animalistic instincts, and treat them as such. They literally don't know any better. If you aren't careful and smart, the results are your own fault.
  • supermommy
    Posts: 586Member
    My shiba inu snapped at my 8 yo daughter once when she was having a snack and I smacked him and he spent the night outside. He wanted her snack she tried to push him back and he snapped at the snack in her other hand. He didn't hurt her and hasn't done it since and I reminded my daughter to eat at the table where he can't reach.
  • PreownedbrunettePreownedbrunette
    Posts: 214Member
    @Love, Chihuahua loosely translates to "Lap Demon". Our Ruthie is half Chi and half Dachshund, which translates to "Badger Dog" (they were bread to hunt). So that makes her a Lap Badger Demon Dog. It fits! We also have a Shi-tzu -poodle mix (according to the vets best guess). We make no assumptions about our "designer" dogs.... they are both mutts. But they are mutts that we rescued, and I love them more than I like most people on some days! I've had pure breed dogs throughout my life.... Rotties, Collies, Weimereiners, I fostered a Blue Heeler, and yes even Pits. They were ALL very well mannered because that's how they were raised. Animals are just that.... ANIMALS. It's up to us to protect them as much as it is our responsibility to teach and train them how to interact with others. Mean spirited dogs are not due a specific breed, but perhaps the breeder and conditions the animal was kept in. Just my NSHO.
  • InsanityandChaosInsanityandChaos
    Posts: 1,924Member
    My mom has a Chihuahua named Jake that was bought from a "reputable breeder". He's had nothing but problems that her vet said was caused by so much inbreeding of them. He's a funny little shit though. He's old now so has no teeth and will jump up and bite your pant with his gums like he's really tearing you up! It's hilarious! I don't allow my kids around him, he has to "go to his room" if the kids are around. We also had a rescued Rottweiler named Ruby. She was the most gentle dog I've ever known. Lazy as hell unless a stranger came to the door, then she would get a little nuts, but the kids could ride her and she would just love on them. I cried like a baby when we had to put her down. She had hip problems because of her size and eventually she lost control of her whole backend. We had to carry her outside to go to the bathroom and she was in so much pain. Loved that dog.
  • PreownedbrunettePreownedbrunette
    Posts: 214Member
    @Lizzwizzy, LOL at hamster attacks! They are much more vicious, pound for pound, than any dog I've ever encountered! I used to work in a pet store years ago, and got in trouble for talking mom out of buying hamsters for young kids. Mean little furballs!
  • supermommy
    Posts: 586Member
    Lmao I'm terrified to stick my hand in a hampster cage, but a pitbulls rumps just begg to be scratched!
  • PreownedbrunettePreownedbrunette
    Posts: 214Member
    A little off topic, but if you are in the rodent market, the BEST choice for intelligence and personality is a hairless rat. Down side is they are very susceptible to cancer because of genetic breeding, and only live about 2 years. If you can get past the fact that they feel like a giant testicle, they are wildly intelligent, and LOVE human interaction. If you need fur, domestic rats (pet store, not sewer variety) are next on the list. Guinea pigs are a close 3rd, but rats are more social. Mice and gerbils are foot soldiers in the hamster army!
  • Katescrazymom
    Posts: 1,847Member
    LOL I used to work in a pet store, hamsters are evil, especially the dwarves. Rat tails creep me out (yes, I know it's silly), but I love gpigs. Rabbits don't usually make good pets, so nervous and they can actually break their backs if they kick when they aren't help properly.
    Our former cat was from the humane society, she was wonderful with DD, but did avoid her for quiet time. Our dog is a Sharpei (wrinkle dog), not a good breed for children in general. He's devoted in that he keeps an eye on the LOs, but doesn't want to play. He doesn't really like other kids to get too close, but he's getting older and his vision isn't great anymore. I don't leave him alone with the kids if I'm not around, but don't have to take him to the bathroom with me or anything like that. We did introductions very slowly the first time around, but didn't worry much the second time.
    I'm not against breeders/purebreds, I'm not against breaking even or making some money, as long as they have the dog's best interest at heart. But I do love hearing that people are secure enough to say I have a mutt/humane society special. And I'm disgusted by the prices of some mutts that are bred on purpose (cockapoos etc). If someone has done research, fine, but I doubt they have.
    (end rant-but isn't that what this is for?)
  • GingersnapGingersnap
    Posts: 7,286Member
    We only adopt from the animal shelter. I'm not a breed snob, but I did fall in love with a Husky from the animal shelter. My bad. She doesn't get early as much exercise as she needs. Maybe I will stick with cats in the future.
    image
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    I am a breedist I will admit it. I do not like pits. Now before I get attacked let me finish. The shelter I worked at had alot of drug/gang activity in the area 99% of the pits we got in were fighting dogs or used for protection of drug houses. I honest to goodness watched a pit who was a family pet but turned in latch onto my bosses face and proceed to practically tear it off. I had to pry his jaws open with a catch pole he left a huge hole in her face. So no I will NEVER ever fully trust a pit. I do know some very sweet pitbulls they have good owners who work with the dogs. Pits are SMART dogs they are STRONG dogs. It's not so much the dog I don't trust it's the fact that most pitbull owners do not know how to train or care for the breed. I don't stay away from them or bad talk the breed but I never let my guard down around them. Granted I never let my guard down around any dog really but pits I'm a little less trusting. I also got a nasty bite myself I was bagging a dog I had just put to sleep and a co worker came in with a pit the dog lunged broke the leash and got me while going for the deceased dog. I don't hate them but unless I know the dog and owner well my child will not be petting on a pit no matter how nice it seems.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    Oh I know how it is I had a rescue Doberman went from super sweet dog great search and rescue or police work potential to random non pin pointed severe aggression I'm not one to give up on a dog or say they can't be fixed without work I worked with 5 vets 3 trainers and a behaviorist for 2 years. He tried to attack DH twice so I had him put to sleep I couldnt have the liabilty any more it was a brain tumor causing his aggression. I truly don't think the pitbulls are at fault but a 80lb dog hanging from ur bosses mouth and nasal cavity kind of really makes u weary. This dog was super sweet well trained normally listened to commands my boss was even thinking of taking him home and had played with her kids the day before. He just went from laying down to jumping at her face and grabbing. She had an AMAZING plastic surgeon and only has a tiny scar but I just will never get over that.
  • PreownedbrunettePreownedbrunette
    Posts: 214Member
    I've never been comfortable around Dobermans. My Aunt had one that attacked me as a child. I know that dog was crazy. Anything living in her house would be crazy, but it sticks with you. I had a vet tell me once that when looking for a dog, look for a broad, square head (like a Pitt has). The breeds with the smaller, narrow heads, (vets opinion) have been inbred, and their brain is smushed. May not be totally acurate, but the Dobie that went after me had a smushed up head. Just sayin.... But again..... it all goes back to proper breeding and training.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    Lol funny thing is my female who's sweet as can be has the small squished ( American ) style Doberman head. Silas my brain tumor dog had the big squared German style head. I don't blame u for not trusting dobies after a bite and would never harass you for it either because I know how it is.
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