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?

Really do not believe your DNA test results - I had both of my mongrels tested for fun, and although one is very clearly mostly Pembroke Corgi (as in no doubt about it, looks like a corgi, has dominant corgi breed traits, everyone who sees him knows he's corgi immediately) there was no corgi at all in his test results but random things like Chihuahua and Papillon were there (strongly doubt he's any kind of toy breed at all!).

The other dog's results were similarly baffling, I think it's pretty much guesswork loosely based on some data from the DNA companies.

I just want to say, thank you for adopting her. You sound very responsible, I would ensure she was muzzled in public and has good re-call and some good training behind her. A dogs behaviour is a reflection of their owner, in my opinion. Try not to worry too much but make sure she’s never in a position where it would be a problem.
I think because she shares the DNA of various breeds, it will be ok.
I hope she brings you lots of joy in your life

I have a part banned breed dog and honestly she is the loveliest dog you will ever meet. Everyone loves her and my vet always tells me how much he wishes she was his. She’s also best friends with my cat.

As with all dogs you should never trust them 100% so having rules in place like not leaving them alone with children, not letting them sleep on your bed etc.
She has a pink sparky lead and collar and a very non-threatening name. Keep up with all injections and have her microchipped and neutered to show you are a good owner.
I also have friends who look quite ‘street’ and I don’t let them walk her.

I’ve watched videos of dogs being taken for being banned breeds and honestly it’s more the appearance of the owner that sways the police rather than the actual dog.

Well the DNA tests are 100% bullshit so..

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?)

Why did you have the dna test? Did you suspect she wasn’t a staffy?

The pit bull is descended from staffies anyway, so i don’t get how “pit bull” DNA will differ that much from staffy.

It’s done now though so you need to behave as if it is possibly a banned breed and do your due diligence.

What does your vet say? Personally I’d contact the police- their dog section can tell you whether it’s banned breed and what the legalities are around muzzling etc- they will assess the dog from photos.

I think you're overthinking this. As others have said, there's no certainty of accuracy. Also no one's going to look at the dog and instantly decided it's a banned breed and report you, the DNA report, as you said, was for fun, it isn't some official document you have to declare anywhere.

Enjoy your new pup and well done for getting her out of what sounded like a poor situation.

Right so if anyone asks she's a lab x staffy. As long as you are responsible and make sure she's trained properly, kept on lead etc she'll be fine.

She's beautiful and looks more lab than staffy to me

Hiya

My brother had an American pit mix. He was terrifying and huge once he grew.

Unfortunately, when he has his first child, it was clear that the there was no way they could
Risk doggy and baby being in same house. They tried everything, rejoining with police etc but eventually had to make the sad decision to have him put down.

Looking at the photo on the link you posted, I'd say there's collie and lab in her make up. These DNA tests for dogs are a tiny bit useless. I know of someone who DNA tested their 100% border collie only to be told there was no border collie in the genetic make-up! It got a bit of a laugh in the collie group I'm in. And for all the pearl-clutchers saying you have an evil dog who's just biding her time to massacre your children, the BSL legislation has had labrador/collie crosses destroyed because they fit the measurements for a pit bull. The criteria for a pit bull is based on measurements not breed. Pit bull is a type not a breed. Get a grip.

You need to consider how difficult this might be for you all. If you keep her, you'll have 14 years of being on edge, panicking if the door is left open or the fence blows down. Tense when you have visitors and unable to drop your guard around visiting children. A lead on her full time whenever you go out and constantly waiting for someone to stop you and question the breed.

I've had a bitey dog and young children and it was grindingly hard and stressful. I've had dogs all my life and I'm a dog lover, but no. I wouldn't keep a pit bull type. If this breed loses it, it will cause catastrophic damage, far greater than other breeds are likely to.

She looks very sweet, but she also looks very pitbull in the face and expression.

Your absolutely adorable puppy looks fine to me.
If the vet says it's a Staff Bull Terrier then go with that.

I've seen loads of very much more pit bull types on my dog walk that look like they should be banned but they're just big hearted softies and are no problem at all.

Good training and keep on lead, but try and find a quiet spot for a bit of a run around if you can.

Enjoy your beauty!

I could not keep this dog, just not worth the risk. Muzzle and lead walks? That’s not fair on the dog

Good luck with your decision. It’s a rough one

Put that nonsense test result in the bin and enjoy training your dog.

@Nomoreusernames1244

The RSPCA have replied and I feel a lot better! They said that the BSL is based off appearance and not DNA, that she would most likely be fine. I do not need to contact the police or hand her over to anyone off the back of a dna test. But in case if I have any concerns that she may appear to be of ‘type’ when older, they gave the details of two organisations that I should speak to.

This is what the RSPCA have said to OP.

@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?

Ignore this hysteria.

Trust your vet, those dna tests are renowned to be unreliable. And your dog is gorgeous.

Google black pitbull puppy and the images look exactly like the picture of your puppy...

@icelolly12

Google black pitbull puppy and the images look exactly like the picture of your puppy...

No they really don't 😂

OP hope you've hidden this thread and are missing all the hysteria and pearl clutching nonsense.

I know others on this thread are saying the DNA test could be unreliable and I agree it might be given the number of breeds that may be part of your dogs makeup. However I do think they can be correct sometimes - we did one on our dog because we’d been told he was half Yorkie half chihuahua and we didn’t believe it. Thought he was definitely yorkie as he looks it but too big to be a chihuahua. But the results came back half yorkie half chihuahua 😂 we didn’t send a photo or say what breeds he might be when we sent it off. So there was no way for the company to be biased in favour of that result. And to be fair he definitely acts like a chihuahua!! Do I think the less mixed the dog is the more accurate the results

@KurtWilde

OP hope you've hidden this thread and are missing all the hysteria and pearl clutching nonsense.

How is it hysteria or nonsense? She asked for advice and people with concerns are allowed to give their opinion.

There's a wealth of statistics that pit bull breeds are significantly more dangerous in terms of death related bites. To underplay concerns because it's cute is just extremely naive and dangerous when children are around.

Sorry but I wouldn't want to be on edge every time my child strokes the dog or pays with it's toy etc etc.

Staffs are the best. Enjoy your gorgeous girl OP.

so assuming the analysis has any bearing on reality, maybe a third banned?
sounds more mongrel / heinz 57 to me

my sister had a staffie cross rescue - he was adorable, but we never knew staffie crossed wiht what.

Just make sure that you train him well, and keep him on a lead.
could do with some puppy photos
all in aid of us assuring you she is adorable ❤️and not dangerous
www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

@KurtWilde

OP hope you've hidden this thread and are missing all the hysteria and pearl clutching nonsense.

I so hope most people don't think like you.

How is it hysteria or nonsense? She asked for advice and people with concerns are allowed to give their opinion.

And the RSPCA who actually knows what it's talking about has put her mind at ease. Without hysteria. Yet here you are knowing better than them apparently..