prejudism

[badger]

I've been thinking more seriously about adopting a dog. It's been over 2 years since my dog died, and I miss having a canine companion.

My dog was mostly-rottweiler and he was an amazing ambassador to that breed. Many people who previously was afraid of them, he won them over.

So, I've been wanting to do the same for the maligned pit bull. I know I shouldn't be, but I'm shocked at the level of hatred people have towards the breed. Today, a coworker said "ew!! pit bull?! I hate pit bulls!" When I asked her why, she couldn't give me a specific reason, just that she hated them. She denied it when I asked if it was because of the media. Another friend told me to not even think about bringing it over to her house.

I faced prejudism regularly with my old dog. People would cross the street to avoid us, or cower when he wanted to go towards someone to say "hi". I'm sure I'll face the same, if not worse, when I get my new dog (a rescue, not a puppy).

I guess I'm just using this to comment more than anything else, because most people who have made up their minds that pit bulls are bad will feel that way no matter what I say. It's a shame because they make amazing companions.

[Veronica]

I had the friendliest pit bull come up to me when I was running about a month ago. I'll admit that I was a bit leery when I first saw him, but as soon as I saw the wiggling stump, I knew he was just a happy boy.

We had a Rott rescue. Loved how that stump would wiggle. She was the BEST dog! I know everyone thinks that about their baby.

I'm glad you're giving a needy pooch a home and I hope seagulls poop on the naysayers. (There's a friendly seagull in my current read aloud at school.)

Veronica

[Irulan]

You must mean "prejudices". "Prejudism" is like "refudiate"... not a word but it sounds like it should be, and we know what you mean anyway.

[7rider]

I figure a rescue animal - particularly an animal that has spent some time in foster home - has already passed some threshold level of "acceptability" and is a fairly know entity. If an animal is unfit to adopt out - and there are some of all breeds who are just lost souls - chances are, that animal wouldn't be available to you. But a rescue pet is giving a wonderful animal a second (or third, or....) chance. I also believe that THEY know it and (anthropomorphizing aside) are grateful for it.

Do what feels right for you. There are so many wonderful animals in need of a loving forever home - pure breds and wonderful mutts. Maybe you'll convert more than a few to their cause.

[badger]

there are 2 excellent bull-breed rescue groups in the area and they only adopt out dogs that will give their breed a good name. Both of them require adopters to attend obedience classes.

I'm not in any rush, but this girl's fitting the bill pretty well: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18124885

[Koronin]

I like Pits and Rotts, but would personally never own one. That, however, is more due to my lack of ever owning any type of dog and feel that they need to be with much more experienced owners like yourself. A previous neighbor had two Pits (one Am Staff and one APBT). The APBT was the sweetest dog. The Am Staff was a bit more leery of people she didn't know, but was a very nice dog once she decided that you weren't going to hurt her. (Both were/are rescued females).

[TsPoet]

there are 2 excellent bull-breed rescue groups in the area and they only adopt out dogs that will give their breed a good name. Both of them require adopters to attend obedience classes.

I'm not in any rush, but this girl's fitting the bill pretty well: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18124885

She looks fabulous!
Obedience classes should be required of all dog owners - at least something like CGC, IMHO.

I had to pick up Murphy on a walk last night - a young pit wanted to play with him and Murphy is a crotchety old man. I was terrified Murphy was going to talk the puppy into something other than play, but play was definitely what the pit wanted.

[Trek420]

there are 2 excellent bull-breed rescue groups in the area and they only adopt out dogs that will give their breed a good name. Both of them require adopters to attend obedience classes.

I'm not in any rush, but this girl's fitting the bill pretty well: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18124885

This is a good group and info too. Regardless of breed thanks for adopting.

http://www.badrap.org/rescue/owning.html

[channlluv]

there are 2 excellent bull-breed rescue groups in the area and they only adopt out dogs that will give their breed a good name. Both of them require adopters to attend obedience classes.

I'm not in any rush, but this girl's fitting the bill pretty well: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18124885

My word, if you don't go get her, someone else will snatch her up quick. What a cute dog!

We had a pit mix rescue dog and she was the best. Very protective of us, but also a very loving dog. My brother had a big Rott named Thor that as an absolute teddy bear. I didn't know Rotts were supposed to be scary. He's the only one I've ever known.

We had a local humane society trying to adopt out puppies at the pet store near our house several months ago. One of them was a little, all-white pit named Comet that was just as cute as could be and terribly snuggly. The ladies there said it was a challenge finding a home for him because rental agreements typically outlaw the breed.

Roxy

[makbike]

Badger you might want to read Oogy - The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin. It is a wonderful story about a pit bull puppy that was used as a "bait dog", its rescue and adoption. It is a wonderful story.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I've been thinking more seriously about adopting a dog. It's been over 2 years since my dog died, and I miss having a canine companion.

My dog was mostly-rottweiler and he was an amazing ambassador to that breed. Many people who previously was afraid of them, he won them over.

So, I've been wanting to do the same for the maligned pit bull. I know I shouldn't be, but I'm shocked at the level of hatred people have towards the breed. Today, a coworker said "ew!! pit bull?! I hate pit bulls!" When I asked her why, she couldn't give me a specific reason, just that she hated them. She denied it when I asked if it was because of the media. Another friend told me to not even think about bringing it over to her house.

I faced prejudism regularly with my old dog. People would cross the street to avoid us, or cower when he wanted to go towards someone to say "hi". I'm sure I'll face the same, if not worse, when I get my new dog (a rescue, not a puppy).

I guess I'm just using this to comment more than anything else, because most people who have made up their minds that pit bulls are bad will feel that way no matter what I say. It's a shame because they make amazing companions.

I'm so happy for you, good luck with Amber! My advice is not to worry about what other people are going to feel about your dog. As I've shared before, a lot of people are very afraid of my 140 pound great dane whose head comes up to my chest (I'm 5'1), and is just the sweetest thing. It's really not your problem though, whatever irrational fears people may have about your dog. As long as your dog is nice, behaves fairly well (they're never perfect all the time), and you're involved in her training to make her better, enjoy your life with her! I wouldn't go out of your way to prove to people that your dog really is nice - let them be and if in the process of seeing how your dog behaves someone's mind changes, well, that's just a bonus. But, I wouldn't waste energy on people like that. Chances are you don't want your dog playing with theirs anyways! (Seriously, my dog as been attacked and hurt by more small, poorly socialized dogs than big ones).

And as for size of dog and living space...My dog lives just fine in a 1100 square foot condo with three cats, and my friend has an 80 pound pitbull in her one bedroom apt in downtown Seattle (probably 600-700 square feet). See what her energy level is like and make the decision from there, but chances are that is really a non-issue. Our dog is high energy and we just take him out for a walk whenever he gets rambunctious.

Have fun with her!

-Jesssica