Staff or pitbull

[lil75]

I recently got an 8 month old dog which I was told was a staff, the person I got him from had only had him for 4 months as she rescued him from someone that was starving him and basically neglecting him...her reason for not being able to him was because she was moving and she was not allowed to take him, she was reluctant to hand him over and wanted to check out where I lived etc...I have had him since monday and he is a very affectionate dog, a bit like a big baby, but several people have commented and have said he looks a bit like a pitbull, I dont know what he is and am anxious to find out, as, as far as I am aware pitbulls are illegal and extremely dangerous, Ihave googled images of both dogs and to be honest he looks a bit like both of them...my question is how do I find out, I have contaced the woman I got him from and she said she will try and contact the previous owners to get some info out of them, orto try and get any paperwork, but she didnt hold out any hope as they didnt care about him....I was thinking of taking him to the vets to get an opinion but am afraid they may destroy him if they believe he is a pitbull, he is such a soppy baby :o(

[boxtops]

LiL, you will need to take him to the vet anyway, to get him checked out and get his jabs, so you can't put it off forever. Many people confuse staffies and pitbulls, being afraid of both. You would feel worse about it if you keep him longer and find he is illegal and they take him from you. Get expert advice and they will help you to decide what has to be done. I feel for you though, it's easy for a pet to get inside your heart after only a few days - but if he is a pitbull, he may not stay a soppy baby for long. Think of the future.

[KikiTiger]

Found this for you:

http://uk.answers.yah...20060613104658AAnVzYq

It would be a shame to give up such a lovely dog, cant you take him to your vet for verification?

[KikiTiger]

And this:

http://www.legislatio...kpga/1991/65/contents

[lil75]

Thanks boxtops, I already have a staff an she is exceptionally small for a staff but I do have all her paperwork, I just feel sad that he has had a not so nice life so far and I was really happy to give him a home and he is lovely and a very well behaved dog, he likes his cuddles too...oh I know what have to do, I just cant bare the thought of him being destroyed :o(

[boxtops]

Well, the other people might be wrong, so make that call - don't leave it too long, I know what it's like to get attached to a pet. Let's hope he's OK - let us know.

[lil75]

Thankyou kikitiger, thats very helpful x

[NoMercy]

They are similar looking breeds, so don't worry too much at this point. I would be unable myself to distinguish between the two simply by looking at them.

[lankeela]

This is exactly why breed specific legislation makes no sense. Provided you are sensible and train him well, don't allow him to do anything that could provoke someone into reporting him, i.e. jumping up or barking at people or dogs and definitely don't let him off the lead when there are people or dogs about then you should be fine. I believe the 'deed not breed' legislation will be brought in soon.

As for those who think he will 'turn' just because of what breed he is, that's b*llox.

[boxtops]

Lankeela, that sounds interesting "deed not breed" - not heard of that.

[Buenchico]

Even if a dog is classed as a Pitbull he doesn't have to be destroyed. You can apply for him to be placed on the Index of Exempted Dogs:
http://www.direct.gov...ndPets/Dogs/DG_180098

Chris

[lankeela]

This initiative is supported by the Kennel Club and there is also a lot of info relevant to the above question.

http://www.deednotbreed.org.uk/

[boxtops]

Such sound advice on the sheet lankeela.
My brother can vouch for the "sleeping dog" directive. He was very good friends with a neighbour's Great Dane, and he passed the dog while sleeping and (not thinking) patted it on the head. The dog leaped up and nearly took his ear off. Not the dog's fault at all.

[lankeela]

Sorry Chris, as you know I rarely disagree with you but you cannot apply for your dog to go on the register, it can only be done on the order of a court, if your dog is seized and the court make an order.

[carmalee]

lil75 - make sure your dog is well trained, socialised and not in a position to cause alarm to other dogs, owners or the public. There is a lot of rubbish spoken about 'killer pit bulls' and a lot of misconceptions within the dog world and the public. Just make absolutely sure no one has cause to suggest your dog is aggressive. Get him neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, take him to training classes and get him a pink collar and lead!

[Buenchico]

We're not actually disagreeing, Lankeela.

A pitbull can't be compulsorily destroyed without a court order to that effect. That's what I meant by being 'classed as a pitbull' (i.e. by a court). At that stage the owner can make an IED application.

Chris

[lankeela]

Ah, friends again! So glad <g> - didn't want to upset you, might need some travel help!

[kita1]

I think you can approach the Police to get your dog registered without it being seized first.

This is taken from my local paper last week:

"The PC said the only way to stop your banned dog being seized was to register it.

He explained: “People can register it through us and it can either go through the magistrates or the civil courts.

“If the dog is from a nice family and we have no concerns then it would go through the civil courts. The dog would then have to be neutered, microchipped and tattooed.

“Owners would pay a fee to register it of about £25 and get third-party insurance, but then it would no longer be an illegal animal. Once registered, the dog must be walked by someone over 16 and in a public place must be muzzled. It would then be illegal to sell it or give it away as a gift."

[lankeela]

Been looking for this and finally tracked it down:

http://www.pitbullson.../petbull/findpit.html

[welshlibranr]

Oh so sad for you lil, if he is what you suspect, then he's doomed!..............bless him!......So very sad!.......probably a lovely boy!.........So sad that it's all about the breed, and not the personality of the dog!..........