Pit Bull Mix Questions

The Coffee Shop
1

Hi all,

Some background: recently, we had to put to sleep one of our two dogs – a golden named Flynn. He was the best.

Anyway, our other dog is a boxer/beagle mix and is a very good dog that barks too much.

We’re looking at adopting a 1 yr old lab/pit bull mix from a shelter. We met him last night and he is awesome! Happy, loves people, fun and goofy! We did not bring our current dog with us and we have that meeting set up for Friday. Assuming that encounter goes well we can take him home. Our kids are older (one in college the other a HS jr.)

However, upon reading a bit online I’m starting to get kind of freaked out. Apparently, they recommend that pit bull and pit bull mixes remained separated from other dogs in the house when no one is home (?!). Even if they get along great. Is that right? If so, this could be a deal breaker. One of the reasons for getting a second dog again is so that our current dog can have a friend again and not be totally alone during the times when no one is home.

We plan on socializing the new dog, we have a fenced in yard and I can take him on runs.

Again, from what we experienced yesterday, the dog is a very happy and doesn’t seem to have a mean bone in his fun-loving body…

Thoughts?

2

We have two dogs, both are shelter mutts/rescues. One looks like maybe an Aussie/Golden mix and the other is a big Shepherd/Lab/Pit(?) mix. We take them both to a local dog park almost everyday and they interact with many dogs on a weekly basis. Lots of purebred pits and mix pits at the dog park and we have not had a single bad experience with any of them. Friendly to us, to our dogs/other dogs, and often times really funny personalities.

The problem dogs, in our experience at the park, are the Husky’s and the large poodles. While not all of the Husky’s and Poodles are problematic, all of the problematic dogs we’ve encountered were one or the other. I would estimate on an annual basis we interact with hundreds of dogs in this setting.

All dogs have individual personalities and socialization with both dogs and people is critical, I would recommend you introduce the two dogs in a neutral setting and contact a trainer to advise you if you sense any issues.

Best of luck.

3

We have two dogs, both are shelter mutts/rescues. One looks like maybe an Aussie/Golden mix and the other is a big Shepherd/Lab/Pit(?) mix. We take them both to a local dog park almost everyday and they interact with many dogs on a weekly basis. Lots of purebred pits and mix pits at the dog park and we have not had a single bad experience with any of them. Friendly to us, to our dogs/other dogs, and often times really funny personalities.

The problem dogs, in our experience at the park, are the Husky’s and the large poodles. While not all of the Husky’s and Poodles are problematic, all of the problematic dogs we’ve encountered were one or the other. I would estimate on an annual basis we interact with hundreds of dogs in this setting.

All dogs have individual personalities and socialization with both dogs and people is critical, I would recommend you introduce the two dogs in a neutral setting and contact a trainer to advise you if you sense any issues.

Best of luck.

Thanks! Good to hear. Yes, they will meet in a neutral setting. And we know a couple of trainers and I we have done training in the past… We’re dog people.

4

We have a 3 year old boxer mix. He clearly has some pit bull in him, not sure how much. Friends have his brother, who I’ve never thought looks pit bullish.

Anyway he doesn’t always do so great with other dogs. Him and his brother have gone at it. He seems to have a pretty low threshold when he interacts with other dogs before he turns aggressive.

That being said, we do kennel him at a place that lets him run around with other dogs and he’s not been kicked out of there yet.

5

Can you share the source(s)? I volunteer at a municipal shelter where the majority of the dogs are pits or pit mixes. There are no specific protocol or instructions to separate out from other dogs when no one is home. The only time we recommend separating out is during feeding time, for the 1st mth, when the new dog is home - this is to make sure that there is no food guarding issues. Otherwise, when the dog-dog intro is made that is where we can usually tell if both dogs will get along or not. If they do then off they go to their new home. In fact, the shelter keeps track of all the IG feeds that the owners have put up for their new pup and a lot of them are of happy doggoes co-existing, of all breeds & sizes.

6

Can you share the source(s)? I volunteer at a municipal shelter where the majority of the dogs are pits or pit mixes. There are no specific protocol or instructions to separate out from other dogs when no one is home. The only time we recommend separating out is during feeding time, for the 1st mth, when the new dog is home - this is to make sure that there is no food guarding issues. Otherwise, when the dog-dog intro is made that is where we can usually tell if both dogs will get along or not. If they do then off they go to their new home. In fact, the shelter keeps track of all the IG feeds that the owners have put up for their new pup and a lot of them are of happy doggoes co-existing, of all breeds & sizes.

American Pit Bull Foundation https://americanpitbullfoundation.com/pit-bull-myths-debunked/ “Pit Bulls can live happily with other pets; if not left unattended. Even the “best of friends” can fight, and the outcome may be tragic. This can be true for dogs that have been together for years. Often, after the first serious fight, relations between the dogs are never the same.
Keeping that first fight from happening is a great way to ensure peaceful relations for the long run. If there is a multiple-dog household, it is important to separate the dogs when there is no one home.
Many people use crates for short times, put dogs into separate rooms, use kennels, or have outdoor areas set up for separation that are safe and secure. Pit Bulls can get along wonderfully with animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets, but for safety’s sake, never leave them alone together.”

7

Can you share the source(s)? I volunteer at a municipal shelter where the majority of the dogs are pits or pit mixes. There are no specific protocol or instructions to separate out from other dogs when no one is home. The only time we recommend separating out is during feeding time, for the 1st mth, when the new dog is home - this is to make sure that there is no food guarding issues. Otherwise, when the dog-dog intro is made that is where we can usually tell if both dogs will get along or not. If they do then off they go to their new home. In fact, the shelter keeps track of all the IG feeds that the owners have put up for their new pup and a lot of them are of happy doggoes co-existing, of all breeds & sizes.

American Pit Bull Foundation https://americanpitbullfoundation.com/...bull-myths-debunked/ “Pit Bulls can live happily with other pets; if not left unattended. Even the “best of friends” can fight, and the outcome may be tragic. This can be true for dogs that have been together for years. Often, after the first serious fight, relations between the dogs are never the same.
Keeping that first fight from happening is a great way to ensure peaceful relations for the long run. If there is a multiple-dog household, it is important to separate the dogs when there is no one home.
Many people use crates for short times, put dogs into separate rooms, use kennels, or have outdoor areas set up for separation that are safe and secure. Pit Bulls can get along wonderfully with animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets, but for safety’s sake, never leave them alone together.”

I’ve never heard of that so will check in with the shelter’s staff & behavioral specialist to get their thoughts on this.

8

Had a pit mix with a boxer at one point. Never again. This Dog completely ruined me on dogs forever.

You should get such a dog if you are comfortable with:
Constant barking for hours at a time

Constant fighting with other dog(s) in the house

Any human to human touching within the house will be met by constant barking, and an attempt to intervene (including biting) to prevent any touching of any kind. I’m talking anything… Even an accidental touch.

Insatiable appetite. Will break into any object containing food. Will eat anything (yes anything) leading to hospital bills. Jaw power will amaze you. Diarrhea will be sprayed sometimes feet into the air and onto the walls of your house and you’ll be cleaning it up because the dog will literally eat anything whether or not it belongs in it’s mouth.

Dog will not be able to go outside unattended for any period if time because if a squirrel or any other animal is spotted, the dog will go ballistic and try to kill anything within sight. This is not an exaggeration.

Will attempt to bite anything on wheels.

Despite your attempts to run the dog and tire it out, you will not be able to because the dog will have huge amounts of energy, but also have hip issues preventing you from going further than 6-10 miles depending on the weather.

It’s just not worth it no matter how cute. Seriously consider the ramifications, which can include constant fighting with your significant other, potentially leading to divorce.

9

I was at the dog run once and there were 2 pit puppies. Both about 15 pounds, one a little bigger. The big one bit the little one and just latched on. The owners were playing tug of war with the dogs trying to separate them. At one point they were dunking the dogs in a pool to no avail. This went on for about 5 minutes before they were separated.

I know plenty of people who had loveable pits they never had a problem with. But there’s enough horror stories, and enough friendly breeds, that I’d pass on a pit. Especially a shelter dog. Because of their fearsome reputation, I suspect it’s a breed that attracts asshole owners (not you!).

10

Had a pit mix with a boxer at one point. Never again. This Dog completely ruined me on dogs forever.

You should get such a dog if you are comfortable with:
Constant barking for hours at a time

Constant fighting with other dog(s) in the house

Any human to human touching within the house will be met by constant barking, and an attempt to intervene (including biting) to prevent any touching of any kind. I’m talking anything… Even an accidental touch.

Insatiable appetite. Will break into any object containing food. Will eat anything (yes anything) leading to hospital bills. Jaw power will amaze you. Diarrhea will be sprayed sometimes feet into the air and onto the walls of your house and you’ll be cleaning it up because the dog will literally eat anything whether or not it belongs in it’s mouth.

Dog will not be able to go outside unattended for any period if time because if a squirrel or any other animal is spotted, the dog will go ballistic and try to kill anything within sight. This is not an exaggeration.

Will attempt to bite anything on wheels.

Despite your attempts to run the dog and tire it out, you will not be able to because the dog will have huge amounts of energy, but also have hip issues preventing you from going further than 6-10 miles depending on the weather.

It’s just not worth it no matter how cute. Seriously consider the ramifications, which can include constant fighting with your significant other, potentially leading to divorce.

Ours isn’t that bad. He does have bad hips, had to have a femoral head osteotomy on one side, hoping the other holds up.

He also does the thing where any touching of two people makes him very uncomfortable, and he will bark and sometimes jump up and mouth at us.

He sleeps in our room, in our bed if he wants, but oddly enough when we’re fooling around it doesn’t trigger that response. That could have been a deal breaker :slight_smile:

11

I’ve had a bunch of them. Best dogs I’ve had. Pit+ lab? Might lick you to death.

12

Just got back from a family get-together where one cousin brought his new pit mix (definitely looked more pit than anything else, but w/ much taller ears) so we all met him for the first time, including my brother’s 2 older dogs (not pits). They all got along fine, ended up sleeping together in 3-way doggie piles before the weekend was over (i.e., no territorial issues over whose dog bed was whose depending on which part of the house/deck we were congregating around at the time). I’ve had several other friends with lovable, docile pits (both full and mixed), but this one was the sweetest I’ve met yet. Only one of my other friends’ pits was hostile to other dogs, that’s clearly been the outlier in my exp.

13

Just got back from a family get-together where one cousin brought his new pit mix (definitely looked more pit than anything else, but w/ much taller ears) so we all met him for the first time, including my brother’s 2 older dogs (not pits). They all got along fine, ended up sleeping together in 3-way doggie piles before the weekend was over (i.e., no territorial issues over whose dog bed was whose depending on which part of the house/deck we were congregating around at the time). I’ve had several other friends with lovable, docile pits (both full and mixed), but this one was the sweetest I’ve met yet. Only one of my other friends’ pits was hostile to other dogs, that’s clearly been the outlier in my exp.

the real danger with pits is not that they want to fight. it’s when others want to fight them. pits don’t start fights but they finish them. we have doggy pepper spray if and when that would ever take place. usually a squirt from a water bottle solves it.

but a pit mix? the mix solves any issues you might have, especially if it’s a lab. the lab solves everything.

and finally, “pit bull mix” is very often what gets assigned to the dog when really there’s no pit bull in the dog at all. it’s a very unfortunate catch-all determination that’s lazy and harmful. there is dog fighting where i live, where actual crop-eared ex-fighter dogs get dumped in my area (out in the country) by pit breeder/fighters, some of these dogs make it to my house, and we give them a nice rest of their lives. so, i have some history with actual pits. real ones. i would guess that 80 percent of the so-called “pit bull mixes” you get from the pound or a rescue don’t have any pit in them at all.

14

Our current dog is a boxer/pit/ mix that we adopted from a shelter two years ago. Her favorite thing is the dog park and while she likes to play rough I’ve only seen her actually aggressive when protecting a puppy that was being attacked by a much larger dog.

We haven’t had any issues with human contact causing issues. She doesn’t like strangers in the house but as long as they are welcome she settles down and accepts them after a few minutes. But, she is fine meeting new people outside the home and absolutely loves kids.

I don’t recommend breaking into our home, but other than that she is truly sweet as pie. Slow man is correct in that unless you are a burglar, the biggest concern is being licked to death. My son picked her out as a birthday present two years ago and when I saw his choice I was initially a bit apprehensive. But she’s fantastic.

This is happening right now. A totally vicious animal. Clearly a danger to her sisters.

http://i67.tinypic.com/o908s1.jpge

http://i65.tinypic.com/2m2gzuh.jpg

15

I had a pit/lab mix that I rescued from the shelter. Best damn dog ever, well tied for best w/my Boxer whom I just put down but for different reasons.

Gabi had a HUGE bark, super strong jaws yet never broke my skin when we were wrestling, very protective of the ex wife & the only time she showed aggression to another dog was when a tiny dog charged her. She just grabbed it and held it in her mouth looking at me asking what now?

We rescued another dog about 8 mo later then a 3rd a few years later. The 2nd dog and her took about 3-4d to bond, it was a lab/afghan mix and about as smart as a box of rocks. The third dog was an Aussie shepard who was super smart.
I’m pretty sure both dogs were relieved when the ex wife took him and left us with the cat at the divorce. Pretty sure the cat was happy about that as well.

I guess this was a long winded way to say:

Just get them together and see what happens. My guess is they’ll be fine from what I’ve experienced and from all my friends who have had pits/pit mixes and brought another pit/pit mix into the family. They may be hesitant of each other at first, just monitor them. If you have concerns about them, put them in crates when you’re gone for the first few weeks.

16

Can you share the source(s)? I volunteer at a municipal shelter where the majority of the dogs are pits or pit mixes. There are no specific protocol or instructions to separate out from other dogs when no one is home. The only time we recommend separating out is during feeding time, for the 1st mth, when the new dog is home - this is to make sure that there is no food guarding issues. Otherwise, when the dog-dog intro is made that is where we can usually tell if both dogs will get along or not. If they do then off they go to their new home. In fact, the shelter keeps track of all the IG feeds that the owners have put up for their new pup and a lot of them are of happy doggoes co-existing, of all breeds & sizes.

American Pit Bull Foundation https://americanpitbullfoundation.com/...bull-myths-debunked/ “Pit Bulls can live happily with other pets; if not left unattended. Even the “best of friends” can fight, and the outcome may be tragic. This can be true for dogs that have been together for years. Often, after the first serious fight, relations between the dogs are never the same.
Keeping that first fight from happening is a great way to ensure peaceful relations for the long run. If there is a multiple-dog household, it is important to separate the dogs when there is no one home.
Many people use crates for short times, put dogs into separate rooms, use kennels, or have outdoor areas set up for separation that are safe and secure. Pit Bulls can get along wonderfully with animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets, but for safety’s sake, never leave them alone together.”

The shelter’s animal behaviorist sent this to me…

I would suggest this person use more reputable sources for information like the links provided below from Animal Farm Foundation and some others. There’s a lot of “pit bull info” out there online, and I cannot speak to the validity of MOST of it.
https://animalfarmfoundation.org/community-advocates/dog-guardianship/basic-dog-training/
https://animalfarmfoundation.org/community-advocates/mythbusting/
Bad Rap has some decent info and suggestions on multi-dog households https://badrap.org/training-resources/multi-dog-homes
And Patricia Mcconnell has a good book on the topic as well https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/store/Feeling-Outnumbered.html

I ALWAYS err on the side of caution when introducing a new dog into a home, a dog of ANY BREED. Personally, it took me over a year to allow my dog (who happens to be a pit bull type dog and always got along well with my family dogs) to be allowed unsupervised/home alone and not crated with my other family dogs, having nothing to do with her breed but it is MUCH easier to be preventative than to allow something bad to happen and then attempt to fix it (which is not at all guaranteed).
I know many people who crate or separate their dogs when left home alone for their entire lives and I think that is totally fine.
I can also attest to the fact that “best friends” of any breed can fight after years of seemingly getting along just fine and it can get very ugly

17

http://i64.tinypic.com/348nbly.jpghttp://i67.tinypic.com/2iwacco.jpghttp://i66.tinypic.com/33l16p5.jpgI have a Pitador (Winston)best dog ever.we found him in or neighborhood the morning after a bad thunder storm.i think he got loose some how and to this day he does not like thunder.
He was clean and well cared for but no tag.we don’t have another dog but we have 4 cats and he’s great with them and really hangs out and sleep with his favorite Ottis.
He has a great demeanor he’s fine with other dogs when we go on walks.
Like any other dog they need walks 2 a day this really cuts down on the possibility of bad behavior.

18

You’ll know pretty much right away if the dogs will get along, dogs aren’t humans they don’t fake emotions. As long as neither dog is overly dominant you’ll be fine. I’ve owned 3 pit mixes, with 2 of them being lab mixes and like Slowman said they’re more lab then anything else, the licking can be a little much at times. All of the dogs were great and will always get a pit bull mix in the future. Good luck with the meeting!

19

Pit mix here + two black labs + a chihuahua. I picked up the first three off the street(all were adults when I found them) and the chihuahua showed up in our backyard. The three big dogs looked like they’d been on the street for at least a little while, so presumably they’d been foraging for whatever they could find and were likely to have food security issues. I was a little hesitant about picking up the pittie to put her in our car, much less bringing her back to the house. I was trying to decide what the next move would be when the dog settled things for me; she jumped right into my daughter’s arms when I let her out of the car and into the backyard. Fast friends on the spot.

In re. getting along with the other dogs, we don’t have an issue and really never have. Naturally, I’d suggest keeping an eye on the dynamic between the dogs for a while but my experience is that if the dogs sense there’s plenty of food to go around, even a street tough stray pitbull can feel comfortable with brothers and sisters. I support a local rescue that fosters/homes dogs(better than half are pitbulls) and the dog joining the family with an existing brother or sister (or three) success stories are the rule not the exception.

Good luck with the meeting…I predict a happily-ever after…

20

Someone.mentioned earlier how there is a stereotypical pit owner that has them because they are “tough”and “dangerous.” What the breed could really use it a lot more regular folks, like have posted in this thread, bringing them into the family.