[blackrose]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a Pittie pup once I'm out of school, since Sadie will be leaving us. I'd love to get involved in agility/weightpull/obedience, but with Sadie leaving and both of my dogs not being able to handle competing anymore, I want to get a Pittie. I have always loved them and they are just the right size for our house.
I was also thinking about a Boxer, but they get a tad bit too big for my mom's taste. I was thinking about a Boston Terrier, but my mom thinks they are ugly so that was a no go as well. Yeash. (And yet, she thinks Pugs are cute? My mother is so weird...) Depending on my situation, however, I'm still thinking about the Boxer. Depends what all changes take place in the next couple of months. And if I see any of those breeds in a shelter nearby while I'm searching, I will definitally give them a look see. And of course, I'm also more than open to mix breeds! lol (There is the cutest little Boxer mix pup in at the shelter....but now is sooooooooo not the time.)

Anywho, it seems like all of the breeder websites I find are all BYBs. It is getting a bit tiring. I tried to check out the Pitties national breed club, but it had nothing in it at all about breeders. I checked out the other registries of Pitties and while I found one that actually had a list of breeders, they were all less than reputable. Tried the UKC home page...nothing. The AKC doesn't register them.
When the time comes, I will be looking in shelters and I'm going to also check out the free classifed ads in our newspaper (I'm NOT going to buy a pup from a BYB, nor do I want to reinforce one, but some idiot placing his puppies or pup in the newspaper for free....may as well give the dog a loving home before some idiot takes it for dog fighting).

I'd thought I'd check out the breeder venue anyways, even . Does anyone know of any ethical responsible American Pit Bull Terrier breeders? Or would I be better off trying to find an AmStaff breeder when it comes to ethical breeding practices? Heck, should I just forget about trying to find a breeder and just concentrate on the shelters? Thoughts, advice? Thanks.

[britishbandit]

Helping you find a breeder is a bit pointless until you are sure on which breed you want. Make sure to research a TON on all the ones that interest you, and get the one best suited to your lifestyle. There are big differences between Boxers and Pitties. So maybe take a step back and re-think this through. Make sure it's the right choice, this dog will be for life.

[nrhareiner]

One thing you need to check and why you will probabley have a hard time findng a good breeder is that most cities have ordinances about having more then one Pit and other simular type breeds.

Heidi

[blackrose]

Originally Posted by britishbandit

Helping you find a breeder is a bit pointless until you are sure on which breed you want. Make sure to research a TON on all the ones that interest you, and get the one best suited to your lifestyle. There are big differences between Boxers and Pitties. So maybe take a step back and re-think this through. Make sure it's the right choice, this dog will be for life.

Oh yes, don't worry. I have thought this through quite a bit. Our family is very flexible when it comes to dog personailties. I know what I do NOT want, but I have room to work around what I do want. For what I do want, the Pitties and Boxers both fit, along with some other breeds. Maybe this has come from always owning mutts, but we are prepared for anything. lol

Basically these are the things I want in a dog:
Not small or tiny, but not huge. A medium to a *small* large size
Isn't a heavy shedder.
Good with kids.
Good with other non-canines when raised with them. We are flexible about dog aggression as this will be an only dog and I'm used to dealing with dog aggresive dogs.
Has the ability to go for 30-45min jogs once a day (less exercise is fine, however) but is quiet in the house.
Is friendly, but will defend if needed.
NOT a barker.
Can participate in obedience, weightpulling, and/or agility, in that order.

These attributes are open to a range of breeds. I prefer looks of some breeds to the looks of others, so that is also a factor, although I hate to admit it. I love Pitties, Boxers, Bulldogs, Rotties, and Mastiffs, as well as varies other breeds (Akitas, Ibizan Hounds, Pharoah hounds, Malamutes, Dobes...but these wouldn't fit into my life right now, nor are they what I'm looking for at the present time). The Mastiffs and Bulldogs are crossed off the list for size and health reasons. Rotties I'm not so sure about because of shedding, but IDK. That leaves the Pitties and the Boxers. I've done extensive research on both breeds and they are both well suited for my life style.

Heidi - I live in Indiana, and there aren't any BSL laws in effect here. Some landlords may deny you of the privilge of owning one of these "dangerous" breeds, but this isn't a problem, as we own a house in the country. The animal shelters even adopt out the Pitties that come in.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by blackrose

Can participate in obedience, weightpulling, and/or agility, in that order.

I don't know about this but have you checked out if APBT's are able to compete? I'd be checking out where has ban's in effect, and what the regulations are on these events for them. In Ontario, any "pit bull type dog" has to be muzzled by law, and various other things too. I havn't checked it out, but since the breeding of APBT's is illegal here now, and they have to be spayed/neutered by law. I don't know what effects have been taken on competing and such though, but obviously confomation is out (here anyway).

I personally am appauled by the ban here. I've met so many awesome pitties. They talked about extending the ban to Rotties/GSD's/Mastiffs and more here too, and that worries me, although I'd pack up and move before I'd put muzzles on my dogs. Sorry, rambling...LOL.

Also remember that some dogs have natural prey drive (more so in certain breeds), and although any dog can be great around kids and other animals, you need to keep a close eye on them at all times.

[Dulce]

Please do a TON of research. Owning a dog isn't easy, let alone an APBT.

Be VERY careful. There aren't too many reputable Pittie owners these days..

Do LOTS of research. A puppy is A LOT of work. I would seriously consider your options first.

There are TONS of Pits in shelters that need homes. I would suggest doing that instead of supporting BYBs.

[blackrose]

Originally Posted by Dulce

Please do a TON of research. Owning a dog isn't easy, let alone an APBT.

Be VERY careful. There aren't too many reputable Pittie owners these days..

Do LOTS of research. A puppy is A LOT of work. I would seriously consider your options first.

There are TONS of Pits in shelters that need homes. I would suggest doing that instead of supporting BYBs.

I have done my research and I know how tough it will be to raise a Pittie pup. But I'm up for the challenge.

I DON'T want to support a BYB...thus the reason I posted the original thread in the first place.

I probably will be looking in shelters and the free ads. I think I breeder is a little too much for me right now. Besides, why buy from a breeder when you can adopt and save a life? I'll just keep and eye on the dogs that come into our local shelter (and near-by shelters) and I'll go from there.

BritishBandit - I'm not sure if I want to be "offically" competing (like for titles and things) but more like training the dog at home and fun matches. Then if I think that we are good enough, I'll look for local competitions.
This dog I get won't be a serious working dog. Just one to get a taste of the dog sport world and first and formost, a companion! That is why I'm not really adamant about what breed, or mix, of dog I get, as long as it fits my lifestyle.

[APBTgal]

I think you sound like you can handel a pit pup. Dog agression is the pittie trigger. People make it out to be more than it is to own one. It is like a kid. Never leave them alone with kids, dogs, or friends.(can't spell sorry) Socialise them yes but never leave them unattended. They can be very distructive as pups but this is every pup. Take the good with the bad. They are great dogs as long as you always keep it in your mind they are like babys. There is no such thing as a accident only neglagence of a owner.