Just found out that puppy is partly a banned breed

[EvilGoldfish]

(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?

The difficulty you have is that you’ve done the test… you cannot really claim ignorance if someone were to ask the question. I’m not saying to get rid of her but I’m not very comfortable with the idea of recording her breed as something you definitely know she isn’t.

This dog is a mixture of breeds that are relatively new to the dog world , they are often bred as a status symbol and purposely for their potential aggressive nature .

According to a DNA test that doesn't sound as though it's worth anything.

Forge the DNA, tell everyone she's a Labrador Staffy cross. Treat her like she's a Labrador Staffy cross. Don't treat her like she's a beast, don't treat her like she's a toy. Her DNA doesn't change anything, you know what she looks like, she's more dangerous than a little dog because of her size and strength, not her parents. Respect her, teach her to respect you, she won't attack anyone.

OP I fear you'll regret making this thread and it'll only serve to make you unnecessarily anxious.

@Santaischeckinglists

Vet is a professional... Go with their advice. Why argue? We had a Rottweiler for 10 years. Never attacked more than a stuffed duck..

My Mum had a lab X rotty who liked her stuffed duck. She also had a stuffed pheasant. I called them the fucked duck and unpleasant pheasant when she'd finished with them!

@cookiemonster2468

Do you have children, or are you regularly in contact with children (i.e. could the dog have access to children?)

If so, I'm sorry but in your position I wouldn't risk it.

I love dogs, but if that DNA test is correct then this one has more pit bull in her than anything else.

There are far too many tragic stories of someone's "gentle" dog suddenly flying off and mauling a child. It can happen to anyone - this is a predatory animal at the end of the day.

If you are childless, plan to remain that way and don't have kids in the vicinity of your home, then maybe there's an argument for keeping the dog, but always use a muzzle, train it well and don't let it off the lead.

These dogs are dangerous, no matter what people say or how sweet and gentle they are.

This. You say you have children. I just wouldn’t risk it. Personally I’d rehome to an adult only family.

@stingofthebutterfly

The 'only 36%' Pitbull is only 36% of a dog that is banned for good reason. Keep a low profile and train the dog? Fuck that. I wouldn't want your dog anywhere near my kids and if you're sensible you'll get rid. Why would you even risk it?

Agree, I can't believe you're even considering keeping a banned dog breed when you have children. Why?

Because in terms of fatal dog bites, pit bulls rank highest.

"Dogsbite.org conducted a review of total deaths caused by dogs in the last 15 years. From their data collection, they found 346 of 521 deaths were from pit bull attacks."

36% pit bull is a significant percentage, the pit bull genes and instinct and capability will be in this dog. If you didn't have children, maybe keeping this dog would be reasonable as you could keep it away from other people. But there is no way you will always be able to monitor child and dog interaction 100% of the time. Are you really willing to risk it. We are talking an animal with the potential of killing a grown adult in your home.

'www.mkplawgroup.com/dog-bite-statistics/

Oh, she's such a cutie OP! She does not look like a pitbull! I mean, look at this bruiser my local RSPCA have up for adoption- that looks more like an American Pitbull to me!

All these posters mentioning being bitten by jack russells and chihuahuas amd poodles and the like are winding me up. No one ever lost their face in a frenzied jack russell attack. Who cares if they note more, they don't kill children.

*bite more

Step up to being a parent and put your children first...PLEASE...

Of all male victims (≥ 25 years) killed by dogs, 92% were killed by pit bulls.

Pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of dog bite related fatalities in 2020, yet Pit bulls make up only about 6.2% of the total U.S. dog population.

Data from 2020 shows that 33% (15) of dog bite fatality victims were children ages 9-years and younger. www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2020.php

In 2020, the combination of pit bulls (33), additional bull breeds (4) and mastiff-type guard dogs and war dogs (3) accounted for 87% (40) of all dog bite-related deaths.

Of the 33 total deaths inflicted by pit bulls, 55% (18) involved killing a family member vs. 45% (15) non-family.

During 2005-2020 canines killed 568 Americans. Two dog breeds, pit bulls (380) and rottweilers (51), contributed to 76% (431) of these deaths. (Remember a lot more people own rottweilers than pit bulls).

Pitbulls despite being a minority breed are responsible for the vast majority of human DEATHS. Why would you keep an animal with the potential for killing ADULTS in your home, never mind children. Yes it’s cute, so are tiger, lion and wolf cubs...it’s still a baby. It has an instinct and jaw grip that can’t be trained out of it.

They are banned for VERY good reason. 33% pit bull is asking for trouble. Protect your children. Don't take the risk. It's not worth it.

@yikerspipers a jrt has killed a baby before. I remember reading about it. I have one of those too. Lovely little dogs. But they are a hunting breed and capable of aggression - just like ANY dog

@yikerspipers

All these posters mentioning being bitten by jack russells and chihuahuas amd poodles and the like are winding me up. No one ever lost their face in a frenzied jack russell attack. Who cares if they note more, they don't kill children.

Really?

@Carboncheque

’Everyone asks either if she is a staffy or a Labrador’

So, from now on she’s a lab cross.

This.

Bin those results. They’re most likely inaccurate.

Get her trained severely, no spoiling, no looking over behaviour etc. Never put her in any questionable circumstances and you will have a long, happy relationship.

If the vet asks then say I’m not sure I think she’s a lab/bull terrier mix but your guess is as good as mine.

@yikerspipers

All these posters mentioning being bitten by jack russells and chihuahuas amd poodles and the like are winding me up. No one ever lost their face in a frenzied jack russell attack. Who cares if they note more, they don't kill children.

Tell my brother the scar on his face from the bite he got as a kid from neighbours poodle that eh. He might not be dead but your dismissive comment is bloody horrible!

@NeverDropYourMooncup yes. Really. I honest can't believe anyone is defending owning a pit bull and lying about it. Faro enough, the DNA test may be dodgy, but only a reckless, immoral person would keep a banned breed. That's my opinion.

Agree, I can't believe you're even considering keeping a banned dog breed when you have children. Why?

She isn't keeping a banned breed! Jesus, I can't believe how many posters are putting their faith in a dubious DNA test.

@yikerspipers did you click on the little purple 'really' under that quoted post that sends you to the report of a tiny baby who was killed by a Jack Russell?

And OP doesn't have a banned breed, she has a mongrel and that DNA test isn't worth the paper it's written on.

@KurtWilde my point isn't that these breed bite and attack. My point is that when a pit bull bites and attacks, the statistics absolutely, show the damage is more dire. The number of people killed by a poodle is vanishingly rare versus a pit bull. They are banned and poodles are not for a reason.

[quote yikerspipers]@NeverDropYourMooncup yes. Really. I honest can't believe anyone is defending owning a pit bull and lying about it. Faro enough, the DNA test may be dodgy, but only a reckless, immoral person would keep a banned breed. That's my opinion. [/quote]
I'd recommend that you read the news article linked to in my post.

It would be pretty reckless in my opinion to assume that a small dog cannot kill a child.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Agree, I can't believe you're even considering keeping a banned dog breed when you have children. Why?

She isn't keeping a banned breed! Jesus, I can't believe how many posters are putting their faith in a dubious DNA test.

Indeed. The fatalists have turned up. I wondered how long it would take for them to put their hysterical tuppence in.

[quote yikerspipers]@KurtWilde my point isn't that these breed bite and attack. My point is that when a pit bull bites and attacks, the statistics absolutely, show the damage is more dire. The number of people killed by a poodle is vanishingly rare versus a pit bull. They are banned and poodles are not for a reason. [/quote]
But it's not a pit bull. It's a mongrel.

Her OP literally says she just found out her puppy is partly a "banned breed".

She'd be best to find out for sure if this particular test is so dodgy. If not, she's being wilfully blind and hopefully there is heaps of liability for that if, god forbid, the worst happens.

It's a third pit bull.. That's a significant proportion. I can't believe how many posters think it's acceptable to keep a dog that is 36% pit bull in a home with children!

@icelolly12

Step up to being a parent and put your children first...PLEASE...

Of all male victims (≥ 25 years) killed by dogs, 92% were killed by pit bulls.

Pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of dog bite related fatalities in 2020, yet Pit bulls make up only about 6.2% of the total U.S. dog population.

Data from 2020 shows that 33% (15) of dog bite fatality victims were children ages 9-years and younger. www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2020.php

In 2020, the combination of pit bulls (33), additional bull breeds (4) and mastiff-type guard dogs and war dogs (3) accounted for 87% (40) of all dog bite-related deaths.

Of the 33 total deaths inflicted by pit bulls, 55% (18) involved killing a family member vs. 45% (15) non-family.

During 2005-2020 canines killed 568 Americans. Two dog breeds, pit bulls (380) and rottweilers (51), contributed to 76% (431) of these deaths. (Remember a lot more people own rottweilers than pit bulls).

Pitbulls despite being a minority breed are responsible for the vast majority of human DEATHS. Why would you keep an animal with the potential for killing ADULTS in your home, never mind children. Yes it’s cute, so are tiger, lion and wolf cubs...it’s still a baby. It has an instinct and jaw grip that can’t be trained out of it.

They are banned for VERY good reason. 33% pit bull is asking for trouble. Protect your children. Don't take the risk. It's not worth it.

As you’ve got children I agree with this. It’s really not worth the risk. And how can you ever have your children’s friends over for play dates? You can’t put them at risk.