How can I tell if the Staffordshire terrier mix I want from a shelter is part pitbull before I adopt her?

Question

This is her--


http://www.michigananimalrescueleague.org/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,324/Itemid,26/

Let me clarify-- I love all dogs and fell in love with this girl, but my landlord does not allow quote "pitbulls", for fear that they will attack people.

I'm looking to prove that my new love is not going to present this problem based on training, but it would help if I had a clear way of telling them that she is not, by blood, a fighting breed.

Understand??

Answer 1

Great looking dog. One look at the picture and you can see she is a Pit. Mixed or not the American Staffordshire Terrier is considered a Pit Bull, basically the same as an American Pit Bull Terrier. If your landlord doesn't know much about dogs you may get by with saying she is an Amstaff and get away with it.
Usually shelters will run temperament tests on Pits before they will adopt them. Get a report from the the shelter. Offer to get a renters policy that will cover a Pit. These my convince your landlord to let you get the dog.
She is a cutie, fight for her.

Answer 2

Do you not want her to have "pitbull" in her? Honey its really the dog not the breed not all "pits" are mean and will attack and kill your neighbor! Usually most dogs that are pitbull in most states can not be "adoptable" and that includes those that are KNOWN to have the sire or ***** as a pitbull. Her head is very blocky like my Kota Ray's who is pit. If you like the dog and treat her well and love her odds are she'll do the same back to you whereas if you beat her and make her starve she'd be aggressive..Get what Im saying? If you have such a fear that the dog is part pit then dont get her another family will be lucky enough (hopefully) to get what your about to pass up. Please however do not get the dog so you can walk around and say "I got a pitmix" educate yourself on the breed and dont be irresponsible with its upbrining and care. *edit* as for your landlord just have the shelter state that the dog is in fact a "Staffordshire terrier mix" mix can be anything and everything under the sun.

Answer 3

Do you not want her to have "pitbull" in her? Honey its really the dog not the breed not all "pits" are mean and will attack and kill your neighbor! Usually most dogs that are pitbull in most states can not be "adoptable" and that includes those that are KNOWN to have the sire or ***** as a pitbull. Her head is very blocky like my Kota Ray's who is pit. If you like the dog and treat her well and love her odds are she'll do the same back to you whereas if you beat her and make her starve she'd be aggressive..Get what Im saying? If you have such a fear that the dog is part pit then dont get her another family will be lucky enough (hopefully) to get what your about to pass up. Please however do not get the dog so you can walk around and say "I got a pitmix" educate yourself on the breed and dont be irresponsible with its upbrining and care.

*edit* as for your landlord just have the shelter state that the dog is in fact a "Staffordshire terrier mix" mix can be anything and everything under the sun.

Answer 4

Sweetie - a pitbull is not actually a certain breed of dog - it's a (I think derogatory!) way of classifying many of the bully breeds together: specifically, the Stafforshire Bull Terrier (Staffy Bull), the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff), and the Bull Terrier (Spuds McKenzie or Target dog). Many people also pull the Dogo Argentino and the Presa Canario into the "pitbull" as well.

She is most definitely going to be classified as a "pitbull" by your landlord. It's racist and not fair, but don't try and lie to him. Don't adopt and then find out later the landlord wants you to get rid of the dog.

You might be able to work something out with him - but be upfront. We are getting ready to Canine Good Citizen our lab/APBT mixes. I own my own home but some of hte neighbors yell "pitbull" when we walk down the street. I figure, a CGC certificate is going to help (not them, but me should anyone ever complain). You might be able ot work something out with the adoption agency about CGCing the dog. Some HUmane Society's offer that and maybe you could arrange the test through the rescue.

But she is indeed "pitbull". She's absolutely adorable. I am so sorry people see a breed and think evil dog. I wish they would look at the owner instead and say "bad human, bad".

Answer 5

Ask this shelter to be brutally honest with you.

What is her history- where did she come from? Stray? Surrender? If surrender, why was she surrendered?

What's her temperament with cats? Other dogs? Kids? If she has no cat/dog experience, would they do a brief test on a leash a "walk-by" to see how she reacts to the other animals?

Has she had a temperament assesment? By which professional? Will they recommend a class or offer a class for you and her to brush up on obidence?

What do they believe she is? Does her adoption form say "Staffordshire Terrier Mix?" Can you use them as a reference for your landlord? Will they back you up and stand firm that it's a Staffie Mix?

Finally, how does the dog respond to you? Do you feel you can handle all her requirements for exercise, diet, and training so that she will be the best possible pet? Is she too strong for you to handle? Does she pull? Does she look like she might dart away from you and chase something interesting?

If the answers to all these questions and any others you can think of are positive, then I would say yes, adopt the dog. No one can tell her breed mix without a DNA test. But there are ways to tell if she is a suitable dog, regardless of her breed. If you are satisfied, then she is a Staffordshire Terrier Mix.

Answer 6

A Staffordshire terrier is a pitbull. It really doesn't mean much if it's a nice dog. Pitbulls are very ferocious and mean if they are trained to be that way. If they are raised and loved as pets, they are just like any other dog. My sister-in-law is living with us right now and has a Staffordshire/Boxer mix. She is a sweet, gentle dog. She lets my 1 year old and 3 year old love her to death and never minds a bit.

It's all about the dog's temperment, just make sure that the dog has a good one before you adopt it.

Answer 7

The term "pit bull" is used to describe numerous breeds. It is used to describe American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. It is also sometimes used to describe other dog breeds who resemble 'pit bulls' and also mixed breeds who look like 'pit bulls.' So this dog you want to adopt IS a "pit bull." If you have laws in your area banning the ownership of pit bulls you don't want to adopt this dog, and you probably wouldn't be able to anyways. If you don't have laws banning pit bulls, you will still want to do research on the breed before you plan to adopt this dog.

I adopted my American Pit Bull Terrier from an animal shelter about 7 months ago, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. But there are No laws banning pit bulls where I live, and I took my time to research the breed for years before I actually adopted one. Good Luck with your search for a new family companion. And I hope this girl finds her forever home as well. Maybe her forever home will be with your family :)

Answer 8

AWWWW she is so cute....pit is a type more then a breed. am staffs are often called pits. as many other bully breeds.

they are not 'bad dogs' there are bad owners. training and socializing are the key with this breed (as all). do lots of research on her breed.
good luck!

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/ ~this will get u started.
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html ~i just like it and its hard to pick even if u know dogs pretty well.

*edit* ok so he doesn't want a 'fighting dog.' depending on how open minded he is maybe u can make him understand that its not the breed....if u have other dogs and they are well mannered then adding a staffy should not be a problem. there are TONS of sites that explain BSL and pit type breed problems. there is also a another site that tests dogs for temperment see if there is a testcoming up in ur area. and if that shelter does a standrad temperment test that may help as well.
http://www.atts.org/statistics.html

Answer 9

What does it matter? yeah, she looks like she might have a little; those bulging jaws look a little pit-bullish. But, really, what does it matter? Have you swallowed the hype that pitbulls are horribly dangerous animals?

I've been handling dogs my whole life and been bit twice. Yes, only twice. Once was from a stinkin' Jack Russell terrier, the other by a Great Dane when I was breaking up a fight. I've gone with the city dogcatcher to rescue dogs out of cages, some of them fighting dogs, and not been bit.

Some animals do, however, have a strong sense of, shall we call it "self"? and will act on it. Others are afraid, others have been taught to be aggressive. It really comes down to how you handle the dog.

Answer 10

Shelters hate saying a dog is a Pitt Bull mix because it makes them harder to get adopted. A Staffordshire Terrier is an AKC recognized breed that many times is mistaken for a Pitt Bull. I'd say that pup is part Pitt Bull, not Staffie. Just be sure to check with your home owner's insurance if you own a home or with your landlord if you rent, before adopting.