I have always had a huge love for all animals.
As a child I grew up with just one dog at a time which was joyfully spoiled and was a true member of our family. My own family has had dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, turtles, millipedes, mice, and gerbils. Animals teach children so much from caring for something other than themselves and loving something they have cared for.
BULLY BREEDS
My husband and I only rescue animals from shelters or rescuer centers. They are abandoned or abused animals. My biggest obsession is our pit/shepherd rescue, Hudson. He is a remarkable animal who was so terribly abused he is still scared of so much after being adopted almost three years ago. The Pit Bull breed is a name used for many dogs who fit the description of a bully breed. The American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentina, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, Bull Terrier,(Target mascot), American Bully, Miniature Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Boston Terrier fit in this category. I advocate as much as I can for the Pit Bull breed. They are discriminated against so often for misunderstanding the breed and/or terrible stories we’ve heard about them in the media.
The dog who stole a good portion of my heart when he died is Ro. He was our first puppy from an animal adoption center. He and his brother were left at the shelter because their owners couldn’t care for them any longer in an apartment. Their description on their kennel was a “Shepherd Mix”. At this time the Shepherd breed was in the news often discussing aggressive tendencies. Ro was all white with brown spots and floppy ears. His brother was black, brown and white with pointy ears. We could only adopt one at the time and because Ro didn’t look more Shepherd we chose him. He ended up being an Australian Shepherd and Brittany Spaniel mix and my shadow. He has been gone 8 years and I can still cry over him at the smallest thought. Due to our misunderstanding of the breed and our fear of the representation in the media with our two year old at home we chose Ro over his brother. Looking back, we should have taken them both.
Education is very powerful and the more you know the better decisions you can make.
The Pit bull breed is a wonderful, caring and protective breed who love their families immensely. They are funny and goofy and bring so much love to the family. Unfortunately, unsuccessful and inappropriate breeding and mishandling by owners and dog fighting have all given this breed a very bad reputation like the Doberman, Shepherd and Rottweiler in the past. Can this breed hurt others? Of course they can. Do they always? Absolutely not!! Can all Pit bulls be around young children or other pets? It depends on the individual dog. Do little dogs bite children and other animals. Of course they do. Are they discriminated against? No!! My Hudson is an 82 pound five year old dog who loves people entering our house. Would I recommend him being around children under ten? Probably not because he would knock them over. Should he be around other animals? We brought our hound, Snickers to meet him and he didn’t react to her. They’ve been together for almost three years and he protects her. He loves our cats and doesn’t pay them any attention other than a sniff or kiss from time to time.
When rescuing or adopting a dog, especially a breed you are nervous about, do your research.
- Talk to friends/family who may have that breed. Ask questions, but keep in mind, “No two animals will ever be the same”.
- Speak to your veterinarian and get their input on that breed.
- Be prepared to train and handle a larger breed dog because they will not stay small for long.
- Visit the dog a few times at different times of the day to see how the dog reacts.
- Be prepared and understand that rescuing or adopting an animal takes time and patience.
- A dog needs to acclimate to their surroundings which can take months to years if at all.
- Educate and teach your child/children what to do and not to do. Leave the dog alone at feedings. Do not pull the tail or ears.