why are most pitbull owners:?

Question

1. renters 2. uneducated (by uneducated I mean no college) 3. unemployed or underemployed (less then a year or two at the same job)
can anyone answer these questions without being defensive? i manage a shelter and base this on 20 years of experience. we tried having a policy of only adopting pitbulls to homeowners, but nobody who wanted a pit qualified...and i mean none! we had to abandon the policy. now (as was the case before) we just assume we will see the dog again, since most of the people who want pits just don't have their act together. So don't waste my time telling me I don't know what i'm talking about. just tell me why you are attracted to them?

thanks dexter, what attracted you to a breed that could make it harder to rent?

my point about renters is that it is harder to rent when you own a pitbull!!! it just is, and that is a big part of why the dogs end up back at the shelter. it is not a matter of being a good person, it's just lack of foresite!!!

I don't understand why everybody keeps calling my statements a generalization? it's not!!! it is a fact, i'm not "tweaking the numbers", i'm just stating what i have observed over the last 20 years.

Answer 1

I understand your pain and anger!! Most, not all pit owners are unaware of what must go into keeping a high strung but affectionate animal like that. They see these dogs as a status symbol or unfortunately a money maker. This of course this means that once the dog is no longer use full to them that bring them or their unwanted litters to a shelter where they may or may not be adoptable!

Answer 2

I don't know but feel that with the pitbull reputation that some people have created gives them a status symbol of protection. Therefore that is why you have renters, uneducated people wanting to have these dogs, for protection.

For homeowners, in some states if their homeowner insurance company finds out they have a pitbull the insurance company will drop them immediately.

What I would suggest, (maybe you have done this) is to contact the pitbull rescue groups from all over and ask them these same questions and see if they have found a way to help overcome the obstacle that you are facing. I would also contact shelters from across the country as well. I am sure together you guys will think of some solution to help these poor animals.

You can try and go to: http://www.mypetnanny.info/pd/Rescues/AT/dogs_rescues.htm

It is very unfortunate that this breed has a bad name because of some pitbull owners.

By looking as some of the questions people have here, I see how do I train my dog to guard/bark at people. I hate to see that because the dog is at a high risk of being put down for something he/she is about to do in the future. People don't seem to think of the consequences of the future. They also don't realize that just having a pitbull is enough to scare anybody away. They don't have to teach him to guard/bark. They need to know how socialization is very important.

Since pitbull dogs don't do well for adoption in your area, then have them be sent to another area where they have a better chance of finding a new home.

Answer 3

Well, my husband and I certainly don't fit the profile (except the renting because he's in the military) and we own a lab/pit mix which we adopted from the pound. Is it just the pit adopters that these statistics apply to? Or is it common with most breeds of dogs? My husband and I chose this particular dog because his personality seemed to fit ours, he was already trained and housebroken, and he was up to date on shots and neutered.

1. Just because someone rents, does not mean they are less important than homeowners. Some people have jobs which require them to relocate (military, governement contract, etc.) Other people like to move. Staying in the same place your entire life can get boring.
2. Just because a person does not receive a bachelor's or higher does not mean they are uneducated. Some people get hands on training for a job right after high school and others attend technical schools (hair stylists, mechanics, etc.) Those people are productive members of society and should not be considered on a lower level simply because they did not put themselves thousands of dollars indebt to attend a college.

3. Some people are young and just starting out in their careers. I recently read statistics that a person changes careers an average of 7 times in their lives.

I may be wrong, but it sounds like you're at a rescue shelter. No wonder no one is able to adopt. I have owned great danes my entire life and the rescue shelter told me I didn't qualify to adopt a dane. Finally, there are a lot of people out there who want to love/be loved by a pet. Some breeds are more appealing than others and size/grooming/needs of any dog is considered by the owner when adopting. Good luck finding those dogs a home!

Answer 4

In the UK it has been illegal to own a Pit bull since the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991. The Pit bull is the FIRST dog specifically identified under the law and this was because of the large number of attacks on humans around that time. Many of the attacks were carried out by "the family pet" on small children (often members of that family). I'm sure I don't need to describe the damage a pit bull can do to a small child.

The BBC News item below tells of a recent incident in the UK where a 5 year old girl was savagely killed by a Pit Bull. The dog belonged to the little girl's uncle.

I don't know why people might want a Pit Bull but it is clearly madness to allow these dogs to be around children. Don't risk it you people.

Answer 5

Thats a pretty major stereo type. Maybe you have seen that, but i find it hard to believe you haven't seen it the other way around. I have had 2 pit bulls, i own a home, am educated, we have a fairly high household income, i've had the same job for 6 years, and we are fantastic pet owners. I also have friends & co-workers in similar situations. I just feel bad for these dogs, look at the generalization around them. Its really unfortunate.

I agree there should be some policies or screening process of getting a dog, but not just pits, any dog. If you can;t take care of it, don't get one, period. It doesn't matter how long you went to school for, or if you changed jobs once in 2 years.

Answer 6

Wow! What a generalization. I volunteer at our local humane society and we see plenty of other "types" coming in to look at the pitties all the time. I think that the breed gets a really bad rep from the bad owners out there. Some of the people looking specifically for pitties may like their tough status image, but some just really love the breed. We are home owners, college educated with a child and we have 2 pit mixes in our house as well as a cat and a beagle mix. I would adopt another pittie in a heartbeat. They are nothing but gentle with our son and a complete joy to have around due to their goofy nature. I know shelter work is very hard to do and sometimes it seems as if people are idiots, but please try not to stereotype dogs or owners. It really does no good to a breed that is already struggling to overcome so much negative publicity.

Answer 7

I truly hate to stereotype -- but my guess would be because those who have their act together are too logical to "risk" taking in a pit bull. I think the majority of pit bulls (at least that I've had contact with) are very pretty, well mannered and friendly. Statistics say pit bull ownership is very risky -- the dogs are perceived as ticking time bombs with the guarantee one day they will snap. Those who have worked hard for what they have; a home, an education, a job, don't want to risk losing all of it because their dog attacked one of the neighborhood children. A lot of people who meet the 3 qualifications you mention don't feel they have much to lose or aren't looking to the future. The uneducated, unemployed renters may think a pit bull will offer them protection. The dogs may be for personal protection or perhaps protecting contraband they may keep in their home. Others just love the dogs for what they are regardless of their social status.

Answer 8

Well I have a pitbull, and my husband and I own our home, I have a college degree and we both have full time jobs. When I went to the pound to get a dog she was the only one that just sat there in the corner looking all sad so I got her. After 5 years of having her she is the best dog I have ever had. I would never trade her in the world

Answer 9

They usually use pits to guard whatever they have, drugs, drugs and more drugs... I totally see where you are coming from but keep in mind that the ones that do own homes they go out and find a breeder so they can get a puppy and the ones that spend the time with the pitbull they make them awesome pets.... then you get the stupid ones who think they need an aggressive dog so they become mean to it and make it defend its territory at all costs. I do think they need to make it alittle harder for the average joe to get a pitbull. Like ones with no kids, ones with a very tall fence, ones that have no criminal backround and then they would have to sign a contract to take it to getting obedience training... I think that would help the pitbulls from entering horrible homes that want a guard dog rather than a family pet =)

Answer 10

Heheh. I raise pits. Not a homeowner, but we're a military family and we find it more convenient. Educated. Was employed, but I do the housewife thing.

The problem is that lots of these people consider the pit bull to have a little.. status marker for how "hardcore" you are. People are stupid. Why are all foo-foo dog owners Chavs and Paris Hilton lookalikes?

People pick the dog.