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Original poster

Just found out that puppy is partly a banned breed

382 replies

EvilGoldfish · 19/11/2021 14:43

(Reposted from dog section as I didn’t get any replies yet and I’m really anxious!)

I know we should have done things properly to start with but my heart completely over ruled my head sad

We were on a waiting list for a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy, when my niece told me of a family she knew giving their 10 week old staffy female away as they couldn’t cope.

I went with full intentions of taking her to a local rescue as the details sounded dodgy (no microchip, no vaccinations, no contact details for who sold her to them) but I couldn’t bear the thought of her being picked duo as a bait dog. They had her in a tiny cat cage, no toys/bed and on adult butchers food. The first thing she did when they let her out was run up for a belly rub.

Obviously, she is completely adorable and I ended up taking her to the vets to be chipped, 1st vaccinations and to get checked over.

I know all puppy owners can say this but she is so responsive to positive training, loving and eager to please. She has only had two accidents in the four weeks we’ve had her, she sleeps at the foot of our bed and usually only needs to get up once in the night. Her little tail wags like crazy the second she sees anyone, including strangers and other dogs (dogs from a distance as her second vaccination is next week) but especially children. We are starting KC puppy scheme classes in a few weeks.

I feel like I have to predefend her as we have just received the wisdom panel DNA results. The breakdown is as follows (can’t post pictures yet?)

36% American Pitbull Terrier
21% Staffordshire Bull Terrier
18% American Bulldog
15% Rottweiler
3% Presa Canario
2% Boston Terrier
1% Bulldog
1% Dalmatian (?!)

I’m absolutely distraught. I’ve contacted the RSPCA (anonymously) for advice but wanted to know what others would do in my position? While I wait for the RSPCA response I wanted to try to figure out what my options are (google returned a LOT of conflicting advice).

Is she going to be taken from me when she gets bigger, even if she is a perfect family pet?

What are the chances of her suddenly turning into a rampaging beast, despite her being a very good natured puppy, and will be trained/socialised well?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Eastridingclub · 21/11/2021 21:04

I'd get a proper DNA test.

Following that, if the dog is partially a banned breed, I would indeed have it put down and it would break my heart. However these breeds are banned for a reason. Most people are extremely surprised when their dog attacks. It is above your pay grade to break the law in this way. You can't chain yourself to the dog forever.

Hellocatshome · 21/11/2021 21:32

I'd get a proper DNA test

There isn't one. If there was the police would use it to prove or disprove a dog is a "pit bull type". As it is they have to rely on a series of measurements.

Lovemusic33 · 21/11/2021 21:52

@Penistoe

It should be destroyed. These dogs are killers.
What dogs? It’s clearly not a pit ball, it’s a mongrel 🤔
Ddot · 21/11/2021 22:09

I'm sure I read its head shape, ear position and stance but I could be wrong.

Eastridingclub · 21/11/2021 22:10

Then what on earth has this thread been about? There is no test? Therefore there has been no test result.

Hellocatshome · 21/11/2021 22:22

Then what on earth has this thread been about? There is no test? Therefore there has been no test result.

There are tests, they are not accurate. Lots of people on this thread have said that but some people haven't bothered to listen.

gogohm · 21/11/2021 22:35

Those tests are just for fun - my dog had 6% Pekinese on one despite being a purebred sheepdog ... thought the 8% Newfoundland I can believe as he's an amazing swimmer, though his shape is pure collie. The human ones are no more accurate eg friend (Scottish, pale, red haired) had 21% Nigerian on a dna test, she knows her family tree for many generations Hmm

userxx · 21/11/2021 22:38

@Penistoe

It should be destroyed. These dogs are killers.

Lab crosses should be destroyed? Nah.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 22/11/2021 00:02

I'm a bit surprised at these responses. I wouldn't keep a dog with those breeds in the same house as young children. She's a cute puppy now, but she will soon grow into a very strong dog. I'd look into rehoming her if that is an option. But if she's a third of an illegal breed, shouldn't she be put to sleep?

RainbowsAndSequins · 22/11/2021 00:17

I think you're being hugely reckless. It's a dog. Not worth the risk to human life, or getting mauled. There are safer breeds.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 22/11/2021 00:23

As it's the dominant breed that's concerning, I wouldn't risk it. I couldn't live with myself if something did happen.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 22/11/2021 01:23

But if she's a third of an illegal breed, shouldn't she be put to sleep

Why don’t police DNA test any dog they suspect might be a banned breed? Simple blood test, job done. Why do they bother taking photos, getting breed experts in to assess the dog, measuring proportions etc?

BECAUSE DOG DNA TESTS ARE A LOAD OF BOLLOCKS.

If they were in the least accurate, all dogs, including pedigrees would come with DNA certification of breed. No one would be able to scam you saying the cute pup is x breed when it’s nothing of the sort. Read the thread- people are getting collies tested that come back chihuahua! White irish people are coming back nigerian!

This dog is not a banned breed. And considering “pit bull” dna is a mix of staffie and other bull types anyway, there’s no way to tell if what’s showing is not simply staffy thats been put in the pit bull category by the us database.

THE DNA TEST IS MEANINGLESS. It’s supposed to be a bit of fun and make a shit ton of money for the testers. That’s it.

Almostmenopausal · 22/11/2021 02:10

@yikerspipers

I'm sure you'll be a good owner OP, but there is a very good reason it is a banned breed. I couldn't sleep at night for fear of the what ifs. Especially having children. Never mind worrying about the dog being taken away, worry about liability or it hurting someone.
THIS. Sorry OP
HappyDays40 · 22/11/2021 02:43

I suspect that many staffie owners are holding onto pitbull mixes. Just be sensible OP your beautiful wriggly beastie will probably turn at some point into bug wriggly beastie. There is nothing like itGrin

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 22/11/2021 07:31

@Penistoe

It should be destroyed. These dogs are killers.
So are some humans, shall we kill them as well?

How come all the dog haters have appeared overnight?

Nomoreusernames1244 · 22/11/2021 08:15

I suspect that many staffie owners are holding onto pitbull mixes

That doesn’t make sense. Pit bulls are staffie/bull mix type dogs, so by definition a pit bull is a staffy mix, not the other way round. If you look at all the US “pittie” sites, it’s likely most pit bulls are staffy mixes.

This is why the DNa is bollocks. It can’t be a “pit bull” without having a significant staffy contribution anyway.

Lovemusic33 · 22/11/2021 08:36

Yes, a pit bull isn’t actually a full breed, it’s a mixture of breeds that make a ‘pit ball type’. A pit bull is identified on appearance, head size, body shape etc…, so something such as a staffie x American bull dog can be classed as a ‘Pit bull’ based on its looks/size. There are many dogs in the uk that are classed as Pit bull types, they are only flagged up is they cause a problem (someone reports them) then if proven to be a pit bull type they can be put to sleep.

These DNA tests are just done for a bit of fun, they are not accurate, OP’s dog is clearly not a pit bull, it looks like a staffie x Patterdale, it doesn’t have a wide head like a pit bull, it’s head isn’t even that wide for a staffie.

itiswhatitisandalwayswillbe · 22/11/2021 10:12

I think your puppy is going to end up looking like a bully breed unfortunately op. The bottom picture of your beautiful pup looks incredibly like a bully puppy and although at first I thought her slightly thinner snout might be her saving grace I'm not so sure now.

I've worked with dogs in a rescue for years and I would definitely put this puppy in a home with no children.

Just found out that puppy is partly a banned breed
EightWheelGirl · 22/11/2021 22:00

friend (Scottish, pale, red haired) had 21% Nigerian on a dna test, she knows her family tree for many generations hmm

More likely her grandma had a little secret!

Nomoreusernames1244 · 22/11/2021 22:21

More likely her grandma had a little secret!

You really think that no one noticing a mixed race baby appearing in scotland in the 50’s is more likely than a cheapo commercial DNA test being wrong?

Do you know how these dna tests work? They’re a very blunt tool.

EightWheelGirl · 22/11/2021 22:35

@Nomoreusernames1244

More likely her grandma had a little secret!

You really think that no one noticing a mixed race baby appearing in scotland in the 50’s is more likely than a cheapo commercial DNA test being wrong?

Do you know how these dna tests work? They’re a very blunt tool.

Maybe she was ‘white passing’.
Theluggage15 · 22/11/2021 22:38

These DNA tests are for entertainment, that’s all. As @Nomoreusernames1244 says, if they were any good, the police would use them, the KC would use them etc.

BurntO · 22/11/2021 22:43

She is a lab x staffy. Get the dog neutered. Be cautious. I’m sure she’ll have a lovely life with you OP. Smile

Original poster
EvilGoldfish · 24/11/2021 07:39

I’m afraid I have an incredibly sad update to this story.

Dpup seemed to start getting fear aggressive around the dc. They were never left unsupervised, not even for a second, so I am not sure what started it. So I kept them apart completely.

We took her to the vet to get her checked over. We had been doing ‘wellness’ visits where she would just go and be fed treats so she wouldn’t be scared.

She sat on the table, wagging her tail and wanting a stroke. Then it just happened. She tried to bite the vet. I couldn’t distract her at all, it was like switch had gone off. No cowering, no growing, no warning. Then she went back to being her happy gorgeous self again.

The vet seemed shocked and explained that this was very unusual for such a young puppy, that she was going to be bigger than 30 kg when grown and would probably need professional help. She said it might be genetic? She then asked if we had young dc and the hairs on the back of my neck went up.

I spent a few frantic hours asking around for advice when I was pointed to a very well regarded local rescue who only ever keep dogs in foster homes before adoption (no kennels - she loves people so much she would never cope) and have experience with large bully breeds.

I explained everything and they were very understanding and said they could come to collect her that very evening. My DH said she seemed to know what she was breed wise without having to ask, and the couple who came from the rescue were so kind and lovely, playing with her. I had to leave, I couldn’t be there because I wouldn’t have let her go.

She has been gone for two days now. I torture myself by checking the rescues Facebook page to see photos of her. Everyone around me says we made the right choice but I can’t see it. I feel like I handed a child away to a stranger. I miss her constantly as she was my little shadow.

I feel I am the worst mother and dog owner in the world and will never have another dog again.

OP posts:
DontWantTheRivalry · 24/11/2021 07:43

How can you be the worst mother when you put your children’s safety first?

The ‘worst mother’ would be the one who kept the dog regardless.

Please don’t be hard on yourself, you have done nothing wrong.

I understand you miss your dog but you have done the right thing Flowers