Dog in Ohio needs a new home

[Ash]

No, he's not a French Bulldog, he's taller. She said he's 'part chow', which are considered dangerous and which makes it difficult to place him. You were right, he isn't a pure breed.

This is another picture of him




Is it more difficult to place a mixed breed than a pure breed?

[E's]

Karen wrote:

I don't think it's a pit bull - the head doesn't look right (nose is too long). Although there is some variation in the breeds, this dog also looks too slight of build to be either an AmStaff or a pit bull. The ones I've seen are quite broad-shouldered and have a look of strenth about them. Just an FYI, the AmStaff is not a Pit Bull Terrier. My AKC book lists two different "Staffordshire" dogs - the 'American Staffordshire Terrier' and the the 'Staffordshire Bull Terrier'. The 'American Pit Bull Terrier' is not recognized by the AKC. The picture of the 'Staffordshire Bull Terrier' in the book has a slighter build than the AmStaff, so that's a possibility for breed. These three dogs are distinct breeds, but the AmStaff is very often mistaken for a pit bull. If this is one of the 'bully breeds', that does make it difficult to place. Some insurance companies will not insure homes with these breeds, or charge a higher "dangerous dog" premium. Some cities have banned the pit bull and anything that looks like one, and most landlords will not rent to anyone with this type of dog.

Mick's Mom wrote:

If the ears were uncropped, they'd lay down, not stand up... I honestly don't think he's a purebred, but could be a mix of any of the bull breeds.

My thinking was along the lines of both these statements, in particular the stand-up ears. And yes, the correct term for the so-called American bulldog is American bull terrier... the breed now known as just bull terrier ("Spuds MacKenzie," the Target stores' mascot and the dog made famous in WWII by General George S. Patton i.e.) was the English bull terrier...

Common usage for both these breeds has changed in recent years. [BTW the original movie made of the book "Incredible Journey" came out circa 1960 and starred an English bull terrier ] The change may have had something to do with the pitbull image. Sadly, but as a matter of historical fact, all of these bull terrier varieties have at some time been used in dogfighting and were thus "pitbulls" - the term comes from dogfights being held in actual pits dug in the earth for the purpose.

Ash writes:

Is it more difficult to place a mixed breed than a pure breed?

Yes, sadly, it is, especially for a mix of this type. Although the second photo indicates this is a fine, beautiful dog and I do hope the woman in Columbus will look into retraining and adjustments to the home environment before considering rehoming... also look into no-kill shelters, which I'd like to do but I have a somewhat overbusy week ahead. Sorry this is so long; I tried to get more in than should be done for one post.

Did want to add, re the distinctions between Staffordshires et cetera: These days, many people who think of their dogs as pitbulls insist on calling them Staffordshires or AmStaffs... more semantic blurring by ignorance and/or avarice... sigh...

[Ash]

Thanks, E's. I made a couple of suggestions, hopefully she'll find a way to keep him. I also found a website which lists non-kill shelters by State and send her the url. I guess, that's about all I can do. We are not exactly next door neighbours ...

When she makes a final decision, I'll post it! (Can take a while though.)

Thanks again to all of you, for your input!

[Marty]

Maybe it might help too, if you suggest she hire a trainer to work with the dog. Some of those issues he has will make him hard to place. Maybe she might even get to like him, and keep him.

[Ash]

I suggested just that. He was thrown out of obedience school once, he's so wild. I suggested to look for a trainer who has experience with difficult dogs.

[Marty]

I meant a personal trainer to work with him one-on-one. This person might even take him for a few weeks to do the training and send him back a changed dog.