Does anyone own or have experience owning pit bulls?

[MicheC]

Okay, now I know pit bulls have a bad reputation and are considered dangerous, BUT I'm considering adopting one. I have never feared them. When I was 13 years old some guy in the park was selling puppies and giving away the adults for free. Me and my friend just had to beg the man to let me have one. He told me the dog used to be a fighting dog (She had fresh wounds on her face because apparently she attacks any dog in site and he'd have to speak with my parents. I lied and said my mom didn't mind knowing she hated pit bulls. This guy gave in and gave me his 4 year old female pit bull, Missy. Yes, a grown as man gave a child a female pit bull that had been used for fighting. As I walked her home she tried to attack several dogs, but she was so sweet towards people. I brought her home and my mom was terrified and had me put her in the backyard while she pretty much went off of me. I begged and begged if we could keep her, but she wasn't comfortable with it. She said we hadn't known her's history and shouldn't have a dog that has any aggressive behavior. A few days later she called the animal shelter come get the dog and the rest is history. I only hope that someone adopted her and she wasn't euthanized. I still think about that and regret bringing her home. I was trying to save her and probably did more damage.

ANYWAY Idk why, but something in me just thinks these dogs are beautiful. My boyfriend's cousin pretty much adopted his sisters pit bulls after she passed and treats them like crap, kicking them, makes them stay under the bed all day, beats them with a broomstick, doesn't give them chew toys, doesn't clip their nails, and just treats them terribly. They fear him completely. When he walks in the room, they hide. They hid from me at one point, but eventually I got them comfortable with me, especially Hazel. IDK maybe I tend to step out of line, but I could not help, but to tell him I did not think he was treating the dogs properly. Of course he became offended and told me they weren't my dogs. I told him, "It doesn't matter, they can't speak so I will speak for them and your behavior towards them is abusive and cruel". That was that, but now he seems to "act" as if he's treating them well and doesn't treat them badly in front of me period. I bring them dog bones, toys, treats, etc (They haven't had these things in over a year since their original owner died)... And she seems like a completely different dog than when I initially met her. Hazel pops out when she hears me coming, jumps on me, licks me, whines when I'm leaving, etc... The other dog, Atlanta, likes me, but I can tell she's not used to being treated kindly and doesn't trust me. Atlanta, would much rather sit under the bed until I bring out a bone to give to Hazel and take it from her. Hazel is the submissive one, she never growls and never walks in front of me unless it's to go outside (which she rarely gets to do, but gets beaten if she craps in the house smh). Anyway, the cousin apparently ask my boyfriend if I wanted to have Hazel since I spend hours with her about 3 times a week and feel he treats her badly. I know he looks at them as a burden because he feels he has to keep his sister's dogs since she passed. I am actually considering it, but I just do not know if it will be the best idea, especially with her being abused and all. I have just grown so close to her I forgot she's not my dog sometimes. What would you all do? I'm so confused. I'm gonna add a pic of her too...

Sorry for this long post... I know this is a ball python website, but there are such a variety of people on here with so many interests lol.

[jclaiborne]

Bullies are some of the most loving and loyal dogs that you can own, and to be honest hearing how your cousin is treating them really pisses me off. People like that shouldn't be able to own dogs, this is all I can say without getting an infraction. I have spent a lot of time working with rescues and all 5 of my dogs are abused rescues that I have rehabilitated. My pitty was a bait dog, and when I brought her home she was terrifed of everything. A lot of work and trust building went into all my dogs. They just need a chance. Once you establish that trust you have a a life long friend. If you have the means and ability to give these dogs a better life I say go for it, just know that it does take work. Stories about dogs being treat this way is why I have come to hate people.

[PitOnTheProwl]

If you do, remember these are working breeds and not little fluff lap dogs.

[jclaiborne]

If you do, remember these are working breeds and not little fluff lap dogs.

Very True, my pups have 1/3 of an acre to roam and they are high energy dogs.

[MicheC]

Bullies are some of the most loving and loyal dogs that you can own, and to be honest hearing how your cousin is treating them really pisses me off. People like that shouldn't be able to own dogs, this is all I can say without getting an infraction. I have spent a lot of time working with rescues and all 5 of my dogs are abused rescues that I have rehabilitated. My pitty was a bait dog, and when I brought her home she was terrifed of everything. A lot of work and trust building went into all my dogs. They just need a chance. Once you establish that trust you have a a life long friend. If you have the means and ability to give these dogs a better life I say go for it, just know that it does take work. Stories about dogs being treat this way is why I have come to hate people.

Yes, I completely understand that it will take dedication and trust. I'm just trying to make sure I can be the best for her.

If you do, remember these are working breeds and not little fluff lap dogs.

Very True, my pups have 1/3 of an acre to roam and they are high energy dogs.

Oh... I know. I'm not a lap dog girl and I do not want one lol. I've had a Doberman and a German Shepard. I know that these dogs are high energy. I'm high energy too and enjoy being outdoors, so that's not a problem lol

[MicheC]

here she is... The grey tiger stripe. The other dog is Atlanta. The floor looks horrible, but that's where she spends most of her day.

[sorraia]

I have a Staffordshire mix. She's a great dog, and was at least neglected if not abused before I got her. She's very shy Around people she doesn't know, but I'd very loving and dedicated to the people she does know. Very high energy and definitely needs a job. If you can provide a "job" and proper training, there's no reason not to take that dog and give her a better life. When you do the math, the reputation is really undeserved. Less than 1% of all living bully type dogs are responsible for injuries to people.

[jason_ladouceur]

APBT's are IMO the single greatest breed of dogs on the planet. They have an incredible ability to forgive and even the most horrible abused ones in my experience, with the proper owner make amazing pets. The breed is loyal, powerful, incredibly intelligent and amazingly stubborn. All these things are there greatest strengths and weaknesses. The breed was bred for blood sports for hundreds of years though and a responsible owner must be aware of this and never put them in a situation that sets them up to fail. This means they must never be left unsupervised with other dogs. Even the most gentle of them will fight at the drop of a hat and you must be aware of this and prepared to intervene.

If I was you, after I finnished beating your coward of a cousin within an inch of his life so he could see what it like to be abused and not able to do anything about it. I'd take that pit home in a heart beat. Then I'd ensure that unless he wanted to be up on animal abuse charges he'd find a good home for the other one.

[Neal]

I've had two before. Great dogs and very loyal. Just if you're looking to get one do your research and get one that's registered and has papers. Ask about the blood line.

The issues people run into sometimes are getting ones that have been inbred or that have been raised to fight(fed stuff that makes them go wild, I'll leave it at this.). I'm not saying they still won't be great pets but I'd put a lot more caution into them if this were the case.

[MicheC]

Let me be clear... This is not my cousin. It's my boyfriend's cousin, so I can't take the same measure I would with my own family. Also, I'm sure they have no papers for these pit bulls. I doubt that these dogs have ever been to the vet. Maybe with their previous owner, but I doubt it. I'm not even sure if they are full bred. I just have to decide if I want to take in the one I have formed a relationship with.