Mr_Monkeywrench: Are Pitbulls good with small dogs.?
I have had pit bulls all of my life and they have always been good dogs. I am now married and we have 2 miniature poodles, both weighing in at around 7lbs each. I was wondering if I get a pit bull puppy and socialize them with the puppy, will I have problems?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by miss angel
Yes, if the pitbull is raised up with another small dog then it will be fine. I have a pitbull myself and they are such loving animals. I just HATE when people say stuff about them saying they are mean and bad dogs. It's the media that lies and makes a stupid stereotype.
Answer by Shopper
The Pitbull is well known as the most aggressive kind of dog but some of that is not true it is how you raise the canine. I have one of my own and I think that the Pitbull is great for small canines but remember it is all on how you raise them.
Answer by Carmen P
I've heard that they're not...
Answer by bri
Pit bulls are great with any breed. Small, large, and any in-between. The media has stained the pit bull name. That makes me sick. Every breed on this planet can and will attack another breed, or animal. It's a simple fact, we are all animals, and by nature, we will all lash out at some point. With that being said pit bulls like any other breed can be raised correctly!
I own two pit bulls and they are perfectly fine around other dogs. I take them to the dog park with no issues. I often see dog fights break out at the park and its never been a pit bull. I take my dogs around my mother's dogs and they are all small breeds, her smallest is chihuahua type. She only weighs about 5 pounds and my pit bull weighs 60. He is scared of her…. my parents also own cats and my pit bulls don't mind them one bit.
The breed is not bred to kill. If you really want to get deep into dogs' roots, they were domesticated to protect humans and help hunt. Over decades they have become house pets, but their wild tendency s will sometimes leak out. All dogs should be monitored very close while around other pets and people that are new.
Answer by carleegresham
I've raised and love APBTs, but I have to say this makes me nervous. APBTs are naturally animal aggressive, and though you can socialize them enough that it's not so bad, poodles tend to be snippy and temperamental, especially tiny ones like that. You would probably be fine if they were crate-trained, or at least the new APBT, and you supervised their time together, and if you love them enough then go ahead and do it, but you'll have to be a calm, dominant, assertive leader to make it work.
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Answer by Lindsey
as long as the dog is raised correctly, he or she can peacefully coexist with any other animal. I've seen pit bulls that have learned to get along with guinea pigs! pit bulls get such a bad reputation all because of the few idiots who don't know how to raise them lovingly and teach them well.
Answer by doglove70
If you were getting an adult, not at all.
For a puppy, it is a case of extreme socialization and management. Pits are high drive dogs and tend to attack smallish running things like they would prey. Do not introduce the pup to just your two poodles. All kinds of small dogs are the best.
Try to choose a calmer, less boisterous puppy that you feel will be easier to obedience train. Teach him the "gentle" early on and work early on self-control and self-awareness. If you teach him his own strength he will be less likely to accidentally misuse it.
Answer by Danielle
I think it would be fine. A pitbull is only as mean as it is taught to be. So if you buy it as a puppy and bring it home, chances are it will fit right in. Kind of like a kid who grows up with separated parents Vs. a kid that grows up and their parents get divorced... For the kid that's parents were always separated, that's all they knew. It would be the same for a pitbull puppy, they would grow up being around small dogs. They may have a bad reputation and be tough dogs, but they can be just as kind and playful as a lab if that's how they are brought up.
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bri says
The comment has been moved into the body of the post.
KaD says
Pit bulls were BRED for killing other animals. Here’s what happens when people delude themselves into thinking otherwise: https://goo.gl/Jj8f4L
In a recent study Pit bulls ALONE inflicted 99% of the total fatal attacks on other animals (43,000); 96% of the fatal attacks on other dogs (11,520); 95% of the fatal attacks on livestock (5,700) and on small mammals and poultry (16,150); and 94% of the fatal attacks on cats (11,280).
https://goo.gl/iBChJV
Elizabeth Tucker says
Most breeds of dogs were bred to kill other animals, that doesn’t mean they are bloodthirsty and mean. Only the owner, or caregiver as I like to call us, makes the dog. If you beat the dog it will protect its self and so would any other animal. And actually many small dogs bite more than humans. Pit bulls just get bad rap cause of the dog fighting rinks and cause they are big.
Matti says
Its so unfortunate that everyone assumes Pits are bad news. I’m glad you are willing to give one a chance. As long as the Pit is young and you socialize him with these other dogs carefully there is no danger. It sounds like you have experience with Pits, which is what I would recommend. The danger lies only in their physique, but thier mentality is all based on how they are raised.
kdoulos says
Generally they are good with dogs they are raised with, and some are good with strange dogs. However, the rule of thumb with this breed is “Better safe than sorry”. You never leave one unattended around any other dog, cat, or small animal. Knowing that this breed has the predisposition to be dog aggressive, and the desire to chase small animals you have to be responsible, and monitor their behavior. Never, no matter how great they do together, leave them alone while you sleep, are gone from the house, or can’t watch them.
An APBT or ASBTs dog sensitivity usually doesn’t show until around 8 mo. to 3 yrs. This is when you will know if your dog can be safe around other dogs. I also don’t recommend taking this breed to the dog park because they are easily excited/trigger.
They do like to chase smaller things, and you would have to teach your pup to be gentle, but it can work. However, I would make sure the APBT was crated when you are away to avoid any accidents. They play rough, and without supervision their play could get out of hand.
angelica says
yea i have 3 pits and 2 small dogs they are fine as long as they are taught right and keep a close eye on them as much as possible
Laura says
probably not. pit bulls have been bred for fighting, but they won’t fight if you train them not to. get a puppy from a reputable breeder and socialize and train properly and there won’t be any problems.