Any bully type breed not allowed at petsmart doggy day camp

[casablanca1]

 

[Miakoda]

I find it interesting that Miakoda owns a pit bull and is confused why anyone would need to reach the eyes. Either he's being a little facetious or he's blissfully unaware that dogs, like most animals, depend on reaching their opponent's vulnerable areas during a fight, and that among the most vulnerable points on any mammal is its eyes. A dog whose eyes are contained within a skull of heavier bone and set back further beneath a heavier brow--like Bahamutt's dog shows clearly--has a big advantage in a fight.

In short: the dog-fighting breeds were intentionally developed to have a physique that is difficult to inflict damage upon. If you find this confusing or controversial, I really can't help you.

Ummm.....In a dog fight, the opposing dogs to not try to gauge each others eyes outs. That's more the actions of 6 years old 2-legged children. Most dogs will go for the jugular area. It's a predator/prey instinct.

I'm looking at these pics, & I'm trying my darndest to imagine this dog's head as "massive". She is a true to standard APBT of average weight (somewhere in the low to mid 40's):

& that is a 6 month old she's next to

when Cole was around 2 months

Massive?

 

[Miakoda]

Please point out to me what I'm obviously missing here, as I don't believe any of these true to standard American Pit Bull Terriers have "massive" heads.

 

[Groch]

Prejudice at Doggy Day Campp

The "big head" discussion that seems to have taken over this thread misses Casablanca1's original point....that pit bulls were originally bred to be effective dispatchers of other dogs, and that to the extent that the breed still carries these characteristics it is doubtful they should be considered good candidates for doggy play school.

Bahamutt99's references were most enlightening on this point

"In actual practice, a dog with a small head with proper structural mechanics, has the advantage."

I would ask an AMPT breeder what "practice" this medium size but structurally sound structure gives it an "advantage" in besides effectively dispatching other dogs. Here is another quote from the page Bahamautt99 referenced: Wide and deep muzzle is very important. Why wide and deep (not exaggerated)? A straight, box-like muzzle and well developed mandible will not have much to do with the biting power but will endure more punishment.

And this from the Temperament Page of the same site
Our breed is in mortal danger because too many dogs with fear and human aggression are being bred. People do not realize that temperament is 80% (some say more) genetic in dogs.
Regarding aggression in the breed: 1. DOG toward DOG aggression IS a characteristic of most terriers, including the APBT.
2. DOG toward HUMAN aggression IS NOT a characteristic of the APBT at all in any form.
Once again, perhaps not a great choice for the doggy day care play pen. I am sure that there are many ABPT that are not dog aggressive, but can certainly not fault Petsmart for making the business decision that they will not try to distinguish which is which.

I have no personal knowledge and have had very little interaction with the breed. I do know that backyard bred pits and pit crosses make up a huge percentage of the dogs in the kill shelters in my area, 40 to 60%. This is heartbreaking for anyone who loves dogs, and I imagine particularly so for those who fancy the breed. For some reason more pits and pit mixes are bred than there are people who want to live with one.

 

[Bahamutt99]

I wasn't arguing the point that this breed (APBT not AMPT) doesn't belong in a doggie play group. You couldn't pay me to put my dog in one, unless I got to pick the other dogs involved, and I was there to supervise. I just get tired of people making up their own facts about these dogs. Look how far the "locking jaw" myth went.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

To lighten the mood,

Mia your baby and dog are both adorable! I just wanna hug em both.

 

[Bahamutt99]

I like her white dog. He kind of reminds me of my Dogo.

 

[ACooper]

Baby is just too cute! Gotta love those "what was that?" eyeballs in the pic!

Most businesses, such as groomers, dog day cares and boarding kennels cannot buy insurance for their business if they groom or care for a "Pit Bull" breed.

Honestly since petsmart doesn't mind letting ALL dogs in the store to shop and spend money, I didn't even think about insurance reasons for the day care...............that makes sense.............. on their end of it at least.
As for my opinion on leaving my dog with petsmart............no I wouldn't, but I don't like the idea of leaving my dogs anywhere without me or hubby.
I was just shocked that Petsmart had this policy, and they didn't mind saying so...........Since I do not own any type of "bully breed" I guess I may be a bit naive in the amount of discrimination that actually does go on.

 

[Love That Collie]

ACooper, yes, most everyday people do not think of the insurance liability, you are correct. But my opinion is that the reason some of the Petsmarts who don't allow certain breeds aren't really brave to say so........I'm nearly 100% positive that they probably just point to their insurance carriers so they don't have to take 100% of the flak.

There are some owners of the breed of dog in question that I have seen with my own eyes become totally insensed, flying off the handle with rage at the proported "discrimination" that they didn't even let the manager explain why (at this particular PetSmart) he could not take them in the dog camp. The owners were rude, yelling loudly about BSL and telling the manager they hoped they weren't walking their dog down a dark alley one night and meet him. Totally uncalled for and didn't do much in the category for changing peoples minds, the owners should have had their dogs taken from them IMHO.

 

[mrose_s]

i think that if there is a tempermant test. all dogs should be given a chance