An idea came to me...

[amymarley]

Originally Posted by doberkim

i dont think that there is really a need to breed pit bulls, not in this area of the country. there are some really good breeders, but there are TONS of pits in rescues and shelters -- unless you have the time, money and experience to do it WELL (have you even owned a pit before?) - and doing it will involves complete health testing, titling the dogs, working them, showing them - then just focus on rescue and education.

have you spoken to pit rescuers, or been to pit bull boards?
you may want to check out www.pitbullforum.com

Again, I am not bashing breeders, which a lot of people think or thought I did.....I don't. I love good breeders and I want to keep good bloodlines out there too. I don't want to see a breed gone... but i am for rescue.
As for pits, I love them. I went to the Neveda (northern, Reno) Human Society website the other day, just to check it out... there ARE SOOOOOO many pits in there. Really nice looking pits. More than anyother breed.

I think that if I wanted to breed a dog, I would do a give and take..... Take in a few pits as foster, find good homes and then if and when you have the heart and knowledge, it is your right to breed if you want. And then do it again. Again, I am not taking away from breeders or bashing, I just want the Human Societies to go out of business...(you know what I mean.) Good luck.

[nedim]

I appreciate all the replies.


Mordy, what kind of people should I turn to if Im looking to be an apprentice? It'll be tough to find a real breeder in or around Albany. i think I want to start off slow, working in a shelter. The shelter i got Peanut from has mostly pits and pit mixes, so maybe that could give me a chance to work a bit closer with the breed.

[Mordy]

Well, I did mean a breeder, but if that's a problem locally where you are, working at a shelter/humane society would definitely be great as well. Also look into breed-specific rescues, and see if you can make friends with any responsible pit owners in your area, even if they don't breed. Mybe look into members of weight pulling organizations etc.

[nedim]

Originally Posted by Mordy

Well, I did mean a breeder, but if that's a problem locally where you are, working at a shelter/humane society would definitely be great as well. Also look into breed-specific rescues, and see if you can make friends with any responsible pit owners in your area, even if they don't breed. Mybe look into members of weight pulling organizations etc.

Thats a great idea. There are bound to be plenty of pit rescues. Thanks.

[Renee750il]

You might even find that specializing in rehabilitating Pits and other Bully breeds is a great outlet . . .

[Serena]

You have already been given some excellent advice on how to get started as a breeder and what to expect and I am sure that your heart is in the right place, there is something I want you to honestly ask yourself before you decide that you definately want to breed...Please understand it is not my desire or intention to bash you or make you feel bad...it is however my intention and desire to make you honestly look within yourself for answers only you can give....

I almost wonder if you only want to breed because of BSL happening and the fear it will one day affect you...would you still have a desire to breed Pits if the public viewed them in the same light as say a Lab?

If your only reason for breeding is to stop BSL then I am going to be honest with you then breeding is not the right path for you...if you want to make a difference for the breeds effected by BSL...then be an embassador for that breed by educating the public about it and clearing up stereotypes...You may want to volunteer with a rescue group, give lectures, perhaps write an article on the breed for your local paper...There are many ways to shed positive light on this wonderful breed without actually breeding them yourself.

It is not BSL or stereotypes on a breed that should fuel your desire to breed, rather your desire to breed should be fueled by a passion and love for the breed so deep it hurts at times...Breeding is about improving the breed, doing your chosen breed justice and making a commitment to the ensure that tommorow holds a brighter future not just for your dogs in general but the breed as a whole..Are you really ready to take on this level of responsibility?

Breeding is such a difficult path, It takes years of hard work and dedication in study alone..It is mentally, emotionally, and finacially exhausting at times, it means accepting that no matter how much effort you put into breeding and how much you learn there are no guarantees and heartache can happen in an instant...

Is this a path you are really ready to walk? Walk it only if you are ready to take on the highest level of commitment and ethics...Walk it only if you will do this breed justice...If there is even the slightest doubt or hesitation in your mind that you can not commit properly to this path then please turn away..

I want to show those who are opposed to bully breeds and those who are on the fence that a pit bull is no more aggressive (when properly raised) then say, a lab

This really concerns me, I know for myself if I am looking at breed X I want to hear the positives and negatives of breed X...I don't want to hear how it has the same temperament, trainability, ect...as Breed Y. Comparing a Pit to the Lab is just setting the Pit up for failure because it is not a Lab, and should be respected for its own individual breed qualities...

[doberkim]

especially when the whole thing IS - that pits can be and ARE dog aggressive. its in the breed. they are NOT labs.

i agree - breeding is done because you want to better the breed - not show others that you dont like BSL. BSL and education can be done with any well mannered pit bull.

[champagne]

I totally agree with Serena and the other posters. There are so many pit and pit mixes out there without homes that breeding these dogs at this time will not help the breed out. There are responsible breeders out there looking to better the breed, but what is needed IMO is the education to the public and BYB as to what is happening with these dogs by not being responsible owners and breeders.

You might find it very rewarding to just be helping out the breed by fostering and working with pits in need. I agree with this

There are many ways to shed positive light on this wonderful breed without actually breeding them yourself.