I have several dogs, 2 happen to be part of the Bully breeds.
Ya-ya is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
She was found in the woods behind my mother's house. She called use saying that she had a bird dog that she adored, but couldn't keep. We told her we would take the dog. When they arrived, I looked at my mother and informed her, that this pup was a pit bull, not a bird dog. She didn't believe me. But over time, as she changed, she looked more like a bully dog, and I don't think my mother was very happy about this. at the time she was found the city had passed a law about keeping bully breeds in the city limits. We believe that she was dumped. We have had little problems with her. She does like to ignore us at times, but that is typical of the breed. We did have a problem with her playing with hens to death, but was able to break her of that habit. She is now the children's protector, even from the puppy. Her maternal instincts are strong. She is now also a pillow and puts up with more 3-year-old abuse then anyone I have ever seen. No, I have no fear that she will turn on us, that is something that had been bred out of the breed long ago. The bully breeds rarely turn on owners, unless they suffer from rage syndrome. We do have a problem with dog conflict, but that is something you watch for and stop before a fight breaks out.Buttercup, is a husky/American pit bull terrier mix.
She does have a slight attitude, but most of it is puppytude. She is showing signs of being absolutely loyal to my boys. But she will only put up with so much from the 3-year-old before warning him off. We are working with both of them to limit any possible problems. She is still learning her place in the family, and ya-ya is quick to rectify any problems with Buttercup. Ya-ya has a stern hand. When the 3-year-old was running down the driveway, Buttercup assumed it was time to play, and set chase nipping at his hand, before I was able to tell her no, ya-ya had grabbed her and stopped the game, with a small growl and tumble.We are unable to take them into the city for vet care or training. We have found a vet in a small town that is more than happy to care for these two wonderful dogs. I know several vets that will not, or will take extra precautions when caring for Chows, but not take the same care with Bully Breeds. It's that rare jerk or complete novice that creates that Bully dog attacks you hear about. Bully breeds were not breed to attack humans, their breeding is all about fighting other dogs. Something that over the years has stayed with them even though breeders have tried to breed that out of them.
They work hard and play harder. Bully Breeds are great for homesteads. They love pulling things. A harness and a wagon loaded up with gardening supplies is a wonderful way for them to play and you to work, plus they keep stray dogs off your land. Ya-ya's breed tends to pin rather than bite, and only in danger. Because of this, she makes a great dog for children.
What kind of dogs do you keep?
14 comments:
My current dogs are 2 Spaniels (Bridie & Twilight): they should be Springers, but the stud let the field champion mum out before she came out of season, so there's a fair chance their dad was a terrier & not the field champion planned! Because they're black, white & fluffy, the locals dismiss them as sheepdogs! They are hunters ~ mainly mice & rabbits.
I have a blue Bedlington Terrier (Pireni) whom I adore. Beddy's are Gypsy dogs, little Lurchers that are now a recognized breed. Mine looks like a pocket Wolfhound. Her parents were ratters & I know she can catch rabbits. These 3 are my little girls.
I then have 2 beautiful black Lurchers: their dad was a black-brindled Staffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) X Greyhound, possibly X something else ~ as gentle & patient as a dog could be; their mother was a black & white Staffy on Whippet legs & she was a definite Staffy ~ loved people, flirted with all dogs, but wanted to kill all bitches & was so strong. Not many people, even adults were happy walking her on a lead-rope & she broke 3 dog chains!
The boys are taller than whippet, but smaller than greyhound. They're greyhound shaped & show virtually no Staffy looks. Stockings has the Staffy abandonment mentality ~ "Mumma's goneded. She's lefted me for good. I'm all alone. Help." Accompanied by puppy separation anxiety yappy barks & I've only gone out to feed the poultry! Stockings' blackness is tinged with brown from his brindled (beige/grey)legs & muzzle, so he doesn't look as velvetty shiny as his all black brother. They both have a white mark on their chests ~ a blob for Stocks & a tiny pinprick for Arawn. In reality, Annon has 1 of the Lurchers (Arawn)& a Spaniel (Twilight) & the other 3 are mine
I have a retired racing greyhound who is a wonderful pet! We live in an urban environment, so our big yard has a wooden fence around it to keep Howard from running too fast and getting lost somewhere. He is more companion animal than work-dog. Still, there is no digging, no barking, no aggressive behavior. Just a big couch potato!
We currently own 1 siberian husky(kierra) and 1 rough collie (molly).
We saved Kierra from a puppy mill who would breed the dogs until they no longer could breed. They were giving her away free because she was sick. At four years old, she had rarely been outside her 4'x3'kennel, didn't know how to get into a vehicle, go upstairs, even just walk on a lead. She was to have puppies and lots of them, not be a real dog. We couldn't leave her there. Now she is ten, not sick and happy. To this day, though, she still hides about half of her food. This is a bad kennel habit. She loves to run, and if you are not careful, you will be dragged into the woods chasing a critter.
Molly is actaully my brother's dog. He and his family will be away for four years, so we agreed to take her in. She is two, and full of energy. She has acclimated well to our family. She is a fantastic companion when walking, playing and doing chores. She enjoys startling the chickens, and giving the sheep a run for their money.
I had a pit bull/dalmation cross for 15 years (I had him PTS in April 2005; he was 16 years old). I absolutely loved him and miss him terribly. He moved to both California and Arizona and back to Indiana twice. He tolerated cats, bunnies and other dogs. I wouldn't hesitate to have another of the breed.
Now we have a Great Dane, Old English mastiff and a Great Dane/lab. They are alright (Gracie the Dane is getting to be quite the sheep herder), but they will never be as wonderful as my dear Isaak.
I have a 12 year old kid. Does that count? Perhaps occasionally. Anyway, I am for sure going to the farmer's market on July 14. I am letting you know way in advance. Hope you can make plans to go. Let me know. :)
I have a rescued Newfoundland, (a product of the hurricanes) Bob, and a rescued Golden. I have to say my Newf clocks in at 140 lbs and is ounce for ounce the sweetest and most gentle dog with toddlers/small children. He may even be a bit too tolerant as I am often telling the twins over and over "just because bobby looks like a horse you cannot ride him." The golden is a sweet spirited puppy.
I sit on a board that hears dog bite cases and over and over am having to bare witness to pit bulls and the product of their attacks. Mind you it takes more than one bite to bring them to this court. It only takes one childs mangled limb to understand why certain cities are restricting them. Most often I wish I could put the owners down but as you know the dogs are usually double victims in this scenerio.
I am glad to hear you are so aware and proactive with your pups especially around the little one. One in every four children suffers from a dog attack before the age of four. These are scary numbers.
Hi Phelan. I currently have a Red Heeler named Breeze. I used to train hunting retrievers - as a business - but I no longer compete in trials or hunt. I needed a smaller dog for travels in the car...and Heelers are the penultimate frisbee dog...so I'm now a servant to a Heeler. The breed should come with 5,000 acres and a herd of cows. They crave the exercise and release daily. The dog actually gets cabin fever waiting for the fields to clear over the coarse of a winter. But what a loyal and intelligent breed!
I had a black lab/bull. She was sweet and a great mother. The blacklab I have now might have some in him. His head is a bit square. I also have an Italian Greyhound. Both of these dogs were throwaways.
We have a chow-chow, who, like your dogs, has proved the stereotypes about chows wrong. My girls can actually stand on her, and she doesn't so much as whimper. She's a good girl!
We also have a beagle, who was the most undisciplined of animals ever when we got him a year ago, but who is the most wonderful companion now, except he still forgets that he needs to stay in the yard. It's pretty hard for him, because beagles are runners, but he gets it most of the time. Good boy!
Both of ours were "pound puppies" - the beagle was actually adopted and then returned. So sad, as he's a good dog. He just needed someone to take some time with him.
Your dogs are so cute-unfortunately I do not have a dog but I will someday...
-Jen
We have a Lab/ german Shepard mix. I think. It is the first dog I ever had, My dad didn't like cats, and my mom didn't like dogs, So I rarely had pet growing up. Our dog now is absolutley loyal to us, we got him free when he was a puppy, and now he has grown into a great dog. Kellen has grown very attached to him as well as the other kids as well.
Wow! We had a pitbull mix whose name was Buttercup. She was dumped and we kept her until she passed of old age several years back. She was so wonderful. Six years ago, we adopted what we thought was a Miniature Pincher from the Humane Society when he was 3 months old. At 37 pounds, i'm starting to rethink the "Min Pin" part. LOL He's great nontheless.
Killi, you have a great pack.
Renee, I have a friend that adopts greyhounds. I have heard the most wonderful things about them.
Ginny, I am so happy to hear you saved Kiera, and Molly sounds like a handful.
Gina, our ya-ya loves cats as well. Your Isaak, sounds like a wonderful guy. We use to have a Tibetan Mastiff that I absolutely adored. We found him in the woods, someone had shot him.
Abbagirl, at times little boys are just like puppies. I will have to look to see if I can, July is very busy.
Maggie, Bob sounds great! Unfortunately the bully breeds have a very bad rep, and you are right, they are usually a victim themselves. The city here did not outright ban them. They have made it hard for people without money to keep them, requiring handling course, a handlers license that must be updated yearly, a gps chip in the dog, and a $100 a year permit. I don't think it will be the solution as people will sneak them, and nocives with money can still get them, but at least they want people educated on the breed before they can keep one. And since I am against the chipping of any animal, my dogs can not go into the city.
Fool, lucky you, heeler are wonderful dogs.
Celeste, throwaways are some of the best dogs. All mine are, and I still can't figure out why.
Wendy, your pound puppies sound like great companions.
ollie, you seem to be the champaign for pounds, I hope you get that dog someday.
Tim, I'm sorry to hear that. IMO every boy should have a dog. You kids are lucky.
Nim, how funny! And yep, that min title might not belong there :)
I do have a great pack. The boys' parents were both rehomers: Tig privately ~ the word went out that I was looking for a Lurcher & Andrew could no longer keep his meaning that Tigger was being shifted from pillar to post; Tashka was thrown out & abandonned ~ I took her in from a rescue centre, taking Tig with me to meet her before agreeing to give her a home. She was chipped as a matter of policy, but it didn't help against her being stolen. The Spaniels were given to us (after my last 5 were stolen)as they couldn't be sold as pedigree Springers & with no room for more dogs than his breeding bitch, they were headed for the pound. I took the boys back after the couple that had them were told to get rid of them asap by their landlord. I like rehomers & crossbreds, but have very soft spots for Beddys, Borzois & Irish Wolfhounds. Lurchers are my favourite Xs
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