How to tactfully say this re: pitbull puppies?

Otterama

A friend is advertising free pitbull puppies on FB. My concern is that I don't think anyone should take a breed of dog without knowing about the breed. How can I nicely say something about how she needs to be sure the dogs go to the right home, where they know at least a little about the breed?

NotJennay

I think how you approach it depends on how to friend got the puppies.  Did she accidently breed her dog?  Did she find them?  Did she purposely breed her dog?  

Maybe you could nicely refer them to a pitbull rescue for advice and help?  This page from a pit bull rescue site seems to non-judgmentally address the realities of re-homing:  http://www.pbrc.net/adoption/screening.html, and has sample adoption paperwork included.  I'm not quite answering your question, but hopefully that might be helpful to your friend.   

Again, I don't know what the situation is, but did you see the other two threads about bringing up fixing the parents of a friends' pitbull puppies?

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/62224055.aspx

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/62174999.aspx

Otterama

NotJennay:

I think how you approach it depends on how to friend got the puppies.  Did she accidently breed her dog?  Did she find them?  Did she purposely breed her dog?  

Maybe you could nicely refer them to a pitbull rescue for advice and help?  This page from a pit bull rescue site seems to non-judgmentally address the realities of re-homing:  http://www.pbrc.net/adoption/screening.html, and has sample adoption paperwork included.  I'm not quite answering your question, but hopefully that might be helpful to your friend.   

Again, I don't know what the situation is, but did you see the other two threads about bringing up fixing the parents of a friends' pitbull puppies?

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/62224055.aspx

http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/62174999.aspx

If she was breeding, why make them free? It's weird to me...I think this was an accident, but she does want to breed her dog at some point. Ugh.

Thanks for those threads

NotJennay

Yeah, agreed that it doesn't make much sense that it was on purpose if the puppies are free, but who knows.  I'm always suspect of "accidents."      

Everytime I hear something like this it's always with pitbulls.  It stinks, they're so venuerable because of dogfighting.  Good luck with helping your friend's puppies. 

LINDSYRP

I agree that you have to be cautious with the dogs going to the right home since alot of people who 'take in' these dogs are looking to profit from dog fighting or resale but these puppies don't need to come with a caution tag! Just as some people do they become aggressive due to their environment so if they are puppies not breed for fighting and comming from a loving home they will bring no issues (other than how big they get!!) Size and the amount you feed them are the only things I remind people of when they say they want one because they think my dog is so great. I wish your friend and those puppies luck!

NotJennay

LINDSYRP:

I agree that you have to be cautious with the dogs going to the right home since alot of people who 'take in' these dogs are looking to profit from dog fighting or resale but these puppies don't need to come with a caution tag! Just as some people do they become aggressive due to their environment so if they are puppies not breed for fighting and comming from a loving home they will bring no issues (other than how big they get!!) Size and the amount you feed them are the only things I remind people of when they say they want one because they think my dog is so great. I wish your friend and those puppies luck!

I don't think the OP meant pitbulls as dogs that need a caution tag specifically, I think if it were any breed she'd have the same concern. 

Example:  I have a mini Aussie, if someone were trying to give away mini Aussies, it would be prudent for that person to make sure everyone that everyone who got one of the puppies knew the breed characterists before deciding to take in a puppy - high energy, moderate sheding, reserved around strangers, etc. - to make sure the type of dog is a good fit for the new family's life style and try to avoid future re-homing from an inherent mismatch. 

LINDSYRP

understandable, and I agree the more info the better. Pittbulls (along with other breeds) often get a bad wrap so I would take an informative approach as apposed to a caution so that good owners aren't scared away.

salimoo

NotJennay:

LINDSYRP:

I agree that you have to be cautious with the dogs going to the right home since alot of people who 'take in' these dogs are looking to profit from dog fighting or resale but these puppies don't need to come with a caution tag! Just as some people do they become aggressive due to their environment so if they are puppies not breed for fighting and comming from a loving home they will bring no issues (other than how big they get!!) Size and the amount you feed them are the only things I remind people of when they say they want one because they think my dog is so great. I wish your friend and those puppies luck!

I don't think the OP meant pitbulls as dogs that need a caution tag specifically, I think if it were any breed she'd have the same concern. 

Example:  I have a mini Aussie, if someone were trying to give away mini Aussies, it would be prudent for that person to make sure everyone that everyone who got one of the puppies knew the breed characterists before deciding to take in a puppy - high energy, moderate sheding, reserved around strangers, etc. - to make sure the type of dog is a good fit for the new family's life style and try to avoid future re-homing from an inherent mismatch. 

Agreed. I think this board is the LAST place you'd find pitbull prejudice. Pitbulls are great dogs, but they're certainly not for everyone and there's nothing wrong with that. 

Otterama

LINDSYRP:

I agree that you have to be cautious with the dogs going to the right home since alot of people who 'take in' these dogs are looking to profit from dog fighting or resale but these puppies don't need to come with a caution tag! Just as some people do they become aggressive due to their environment so if they are puppies not breed for fighting and comming from a loving home they will bring no issues (other than how big they get!!) Size and the amount you feed them are the only things I remind people of when they say they want one because they think my dog is so great. I wish your friend and those puppies luck!

I think pitbulls are awesome dogs I just have concerns over people not knowing about a dog breed before they take one.

LINDSYRP

wish I could take in one of the puppies ( I always do!) but we agreed one dog taking over our house was more than enough....until we see one that needs a home then we end up taking turns talking each other out of it!!

dusk42

Pitties are not for inexperience owners who might not check their homeowners insurance before taking the "free" puppy.  Among other common dog issues (costs that come up later, didn't think it through, etc.).  Then it becomes "free" again or dumped in the shelter.  

And free dogs are definitely at risk for nefarious people to use as bait dogs or other horrible fates.

cjspencer35

Hopefully she wouldn't be FB friends with anyone that would condone dog fighting anyway so it would be a non-issue.  I got my pitty mix at about 10 months.  She's the only one I've owned so I don't pretend to be an expert, but in our case it does seem to me that it really is how they are trained and treated that determines what kind of pet they will be.  She loves all people and dogs she comes in contact with.  So I'd say that aggression wouldn't be an issue (based on breed) for anyone taking one in as a puppy.  I would casually bring up that she may want to try to feel out the families interested in adopting and make sure they are willing to put in the time to train it correctly.  It's a strong breed so I think it's important to get them on track for good behavior from the get-go.  Maybe explain what kinds of questions you think she should ask people to try and screen out some not-so-good owners.