| A few months ago, I started looking for a pit-bull | | | | breed dogs you have a greater chance at getting a |
| puppy and asking people who owned Pitbulls how I | | | | great dog. Dogs with those titles are bread for |
| should go about getting one. The answers were | | | | personality in the show ring and great looks. |
| shocking, but after some research and hard work the | | | | 10. Make sure the parents and the puppies live |
| results were very pleasant. I wrote this article to | | | | indoors, and not outdoors. This builds a strong |
| allow you to find the puppy of your dreams. | | | | foundation for the puppy as it grows up. Look for |
| 1.Rescue is ALWAYS an option. There are tons of | | | | outdoor pens, or kennels. |
| beautiful and well behaved dogs being put down | | | | 11. When seeing the puppies make sure they are |
| everyday! Stop by a few shelters around where you | | | | energetic and playing with each other. By 4-5 weeks, |
| live and see if you can find a dog right for you. The | | | | this should be happening already. Puppies sleep a lot, |
| problem with those is, you never know who the | | | | but when they wake up make sure they aren't |
| parents were. A lot of times they were fighting | | | | weak, or indifferent as this could be a sign of illness. |
| dogs, which by no means will make your dog human | | | | 12.If they are given food, make sure you see them |
| aggressive but dog aggressive a lot of the time they | | | | eating it, as lack of hunger can also be a sign of |
| will be. Dog aggression is a liability at times if its not | | | | weakness. |
| kept under strict supervision. | | | | 13.The dog should be confident and playful in |
| 2.Finding the right breeder is hard. Make sure you are | | | | approaching you, at around 6-8 weeks you can do |
| buying from a knowledgeable and responsible person, | | | | most of these tests with good results. Its called the |
| who cares about his dogs. Not some punk who is | | | | Puppy Temperament test. According to what you |
| trying to just make a buck. If he starts asking YOU a | | | | want, this will help you determine which puppy is a |
| bunch of questions about owning a dog, don't be | | | | better match for you. |
| surprised, they are checking if you know anything | | | | 14.No skin problems, coat should be smooth and |
| about raising a pitbull or if you are going to use him | | | | shiny. No sores or bumps, make sure the puppies |
| her for illegal purposes. The breeders that care about | | | | aren't scratching to hard as that could indicate fleas. |
| where their puppy is going is a lot of the time a good | | | | Check for dull or missing patches of fur and red |
| breeder. | | | | spots that could be mange. |
| 3.Make sure you do a lot of research on how to raise | | | | 15. You should not see discharge coming from the |
| a Pitbull and the responsibilities that being a Pitbull | | | | eyes, ears, or nose. No red tracks by the eyes. This |
| owner entails. All dogs are cute when they are | | | | could be signs of Parvo virus and it is very dangerous |
| puppies, especially Pitbulls! That is one of their curses, | | | | and a lot of dogs die from this each day. Don't let |
| but when they get older and bigger, people don't | | | | the breeder tell you that its normal, and the puppy |
| know how to handle all that energy and give it to a | | | | was just crying or something. |
| shelter. | | | | 16. Puppies should have a clean living area where they |
| 4.Ask for references to other people that have | | | | spend their time. |
| purchased puppies, call them up and go visit them to | | | | 17.Puppies should walk and run without any problems. |
| see what kind of puppies are produced. | | | | Otherwise it can indicate hip dysplasia. |
| 5. Talk to the breeders, call them up, email them, and | | | | 18. You should not see the ribs sticking out from the |
| go visit their houses. | | | | skin, that can indicate malnourishment. Puppies should |
| If they take too long to answer your calls, or emails, | | | | have formed stool and no diarrhea. Their bellies |
| then you dont need that kind of breeder. Imagine | | | | shouldn't be distended (both signs of worms). |
| when they already have your money, do you think | | | | 19. Look for temperament in both parents. Can they |
| they will answer your phone call?! Or when you get | | | | both be around people; even strangers and behave |
| your puppy, will he be willing to help you raise it with | | | | appropriately. At the age of 2, dogs sometimes show |
| tips and suggestions? | | | | signs of aggression and become biters. |
| 6. Don't put down deposits on your puppy before | | | | 20. Make sure the parents aren't too heavy because |
| going to see the puppy! | | | | that can cause ACL and heart problems among other |
| 7. Make sure you meet the parents of the puppy | | | | issues. |
| and see their health records. Check for diseases, | | | | 21. Make sure the breeder feeds them quality food, |
| illnesses, hernias, ACL problems, and other things that | | | | Make sure its not supermarket food or food you see |
| your vet can tell you to check for. Make sure he | | | | commercials for on TV. If he feeds them RAW that |
| gives you references to the vet and health | | | | is definitely a plus. |
| clearances are there for you to see. | | | | 22. Ask the breeder if he stands behind his pups, if |
| 8. Being registered with the UKC and/or the ADBA | | | | the puppy gets a puppy illness if he will take it back |
| isn't usually that big of a deal because almost anyone | | | | or pay for its medical bills. |
| can do it. They don't require any genetic testing. | | | | These tips are the things that helped me get the |
| 9.When looking at the Pedigree, "CH" Champion and | | | | puppy of my dreams, and it will help you get a puppy |
| "GRCH" signify strong blood lines. With Champion | | | | of your dreams as well. |