Pit Bull or not?

[missprim]

My daughter has just bought a stray puppy aged about 4 months.When I saw a picture of it, I felt it looked like a pit bull but now I've seen it and have looked at photo's on the internet I'm even more certain.
My daughter insists it isn't but I am worried because she has a son aged 4yrs,(my grandson)
How can I make sure that this dog doesn't have pit bull in her?

[ChuckFickens]

Sorry :)

The biggest problem I've seen with all the staffies I've known is they are likely to knock a child over by jumping up at them and trying to be friendly, I have never seen one that is inherently aggressive.

That said, unless you are going to get a toy breed of some sort any dog can knock a child over in play.

[tinkie]

I personally would never have a dog if I had a small child, I was really worried last Christmas when my Great Nephew came around as I do have a dog who is very gentle and kind, but I watched him the whole time he was there as I don't trust any dog because children can do mean thing unintentionally

[LoftyLottie]

We had a cross bred dog who was part staffie. She was the softest dog ever. Very strong dogs though!!

[ummmm]

Maybe I should add at this point that I'm a bit scared of dogs....

[tamborine]

A dog is a perfect companion for a child to be bought up with. If visiting children are fearful then lock the dogs away, as the kids will make the dog anxious.

[bednobs]

Does the dog get enough exercise? I am constanly shocked and appalled when people don't seem to understand that most dogs need walking at least twice a day, and for at least an hour each time (depending on size of course). people just let their dogs out in the garden and think that's ok!
Anyway, i would be less worried about breed and more worried about if the dog, whatever breed was properly exercised and stimulated as bored dog+not enough exercise+shouty/play children = recipe for disaster

[LoftyLottie]

OK Bednobs, I am now going out with my dog and have been putting it off because I am tired. Actually she gets about one hour per day over the fields and we have a large garden to play ball games in. At the weekend she gets even more runs over the fields and down to the beach.

You are right though

[bednobs]

lol well maybe 2 hours is a bit over the top. I reckon 1 hour off the lead is about equivalent to 3 hours lead walk anyway

[LoftyLottie]

My dog has an extendable lead and manages to run backwards and forward on it and do three times the length of walk that I do. I have to keep on it on the fields because of the numerous rabbit holes. She is a JR cross and very small and if she disappeared down one I don't know where I would start looking.

She runs free on the beach though and in non-rabbit areas!!

[ladybirder]

Wasn't she told what the puppy was when she bought it?

[missprim]

Thanks for all your replies, I will try to answer some of your questions.
I've not had a dog since I was a child but my daughter has always had dogs usually 2 at a time.There has never been a dog I wouldn't trust in the past, this is the first.
The dogs get plenty of excercise and although the dog was a stray she did get her from a proper dog's home but they could not tell her what breed/breeds the dog was.
I phoned the vet that my daughter uses and was told they have never been asked to do a check like this before??? and to try the RSPCA and ask about DNA testing but it would be expensive and not always conclusive.I think I will have to try discussing it with my daughter again as I cannot rest 'til I know for sure.

[cazzz1975]

"Sorry no, I don't have a picture of it.Have tried to but it just jumps up and tries to grab my camera. Today it picked up a glove and was really shaking it from side to side and growling at the same time.Tried to take the glove off her but she growled even more and just wouldn't let go.I was pulling the glove with both hands and she is just a puppy but there was no way she would let go."

so regardless of the breed there should be warning bells ringing here ...

[ladybirder]

cazz that sounds like typical terrier behaviour to me - honestly.

[cazzz1975]

it may be ladybirder, but I would have reservations about that behaviour in a large dog around a 4 year old.

[ladybirder]

Don't know if it's large do we? If it's a Staffie it could be small. If it's a Pitbull on the otherhand .......?

[bednobs]

isn't that normal behaviour for every dog? Mine love tug of war on a raggy rope bone

[RATTER15]

Its very unlikely to be a pit bull, it is very likely to be a staffy cross. Staffies are great with kids, that does not mean I would trust one with small children, if that dog should turn nasty it would cause so much damage, these dogs are immensely powerful for their size, they can also be a bit touchy around other dogs. The RSPCA are about as useless as anybody else at identifying a cross breed IMO.

I know my dogs would never ever deliberately harm any person or creature, its their nature, unless in defence of me or my good lady or family or if really provoked to defend theselves, if they get attacked they just want to escape, they never want trouble. However, I would not leave any of my dogs with small children, simply because if they stood on their bare foot or hand they would cause damage or if they knocked them over, they weigh in at over 1o stone each.

[NOX]

Hi, You've just answered your own quesiton really in telling us she got the dog from a reputable dogs home. No reputeable dogs home would let your daughter have a pit bull.
Also if your daughter is an experienced dog owner as you say she is, why on earth are YOU phoning her vets asking them about the dog's heritage, when if they've seen it they clearly already don't think it's a pit bull because if they did they would have informed your daughter themselves plus would have reported the matter since according to the Dangerous Dogs act 1991 all pit bulls must be neutered, therefore hers should not be one because any dogs from that era should be long dead by now.

[anneasquith]

imo....... no young child should be left unattended with any dog.

[LoftyLottie]

With respect missprim, I would be very cross if I were your daughter and you phoned my vet. You should be respecting your daughter and her decision. It really is nothing to do with you.

I do understand that it is your grandson, but it his her son and if you trust her as a mother then you shouldn't be interfering.


I left my son alone with our dogs quite happily when he was quite young. He was brought up with dogs and was taught by example how to be respectful for them. He never attempted to torment or tease them. I have been keeping dogs for most of my adult life.