pitbull

Question
Shall I be scared of getting a pitbull.I think they cute,but im scared it will bite the crap outta me or people it sees on the streets.are they 100 percent safe if trained.what shall I do.

Answer

Hi Eminem,

Long before the Pit Bull terrier was the symbol of drug dealers and street bullies, this breed was known to be a trusted and devoted family pet.

No dog, not even a tiny Poodle is 100% "safe", dogs are animals and can do unpredictable things, that's why a puppy needs to be socialized to people from an early age, trained to obey when they are young, and never be hit or know abuse.

To ensure you'd be getting a good pet (whether an adult dog, or a puppy) first do your homework. Know something about the breed you're interested in. Second, it's important to get the dog from a reputable dog breeder, and not a backyard breeder (who might well be a "puppy mill" breeding for profit, and not for the betterment of the breed) or a pet store (who often more often than not are selling puppy mill dogs).

With a dog like a Pit Bull, you want to make good and sure that the breeder is breeding for a good temperament. A breeder of Pit Bulls may well call the dog by their correct breed name, which is the Staffordshire Terrier. By calling the dogs by their proper name, they are trying to distance themselves from the breeds widespread negative reputation. You should also visit the breeder's home or kennel. The premises should be clean and smell good. Avoid breeders who have large numbers of dogs and puppies kept in kennels or runs. This could be a puppy mill masquerading as a breeder.  If you're serious about wanting a Staffordshire Terrier, doing a little work to ensure you get a great pet shouldn't be a problem. Here is some more info on what to look for in a reputable breeder:

http://www.hkc.org/breederchoice.htm

You might find a listing of breeders at the Staffordshire Terrier Club Of America (STCA) page:

http://www.amstaff.org

There are also Staffordshire Terrier "rescue" groups, that find loving homes for adult dogs that couldn't be kept by their owners (for many reasons). These groups usually keep the dogs in volunteer homes, where they are loved, trained (if needed) and given whatever healthcare they need. These groups usually evaluate the dog for temperament, and could help you find a dog that fits your lifestyle. Do a google search for "Staffordshire terrier breed rescue" and you'll get many hits. Many rescue groups will evaluate you as a potential adopter, they want their dogs to go to the best possible homes. This can be a time consuming process, because their main concern is always what's best for the dogs. The above web site for the Staffordshire Terrier Club Of America has a breed rescue page you might want to look at.

I hope I've been a help.
Good luck in finding a dog,

Patti