Meet Brisco.
He is an adorable and loving American Standard Pit Bull pup that we rescued last week and he is looking for a kind family to provide him with a loving home. If you know anyone in the Twin Cities who is looking for a dog let me know!
He came from this litter of pups that a neighbor down the street had. He was sold to another neighbor who had to move last week and her new apartment didn't allow dogs. She didn't want to take him to the humane society or any place like that because they immediately terminate pit bulls so we agreed to be his foster family and find him a new home.
He is six months old and very loving. As soon as you meet him he tries to cover you in kisses. He has been well-loved but not necessarily well-cared for. He seems to be slightly malnourished and he is housebroken but that is about as far as his training has gone.
He is in exactly the same spot that our sweet Rogue (or "Roguers" as she is often referred to) was in when we took her in two years ago. We also got her from a neighbor and they loved her very much but just didn't have the money or knowledge to care for and train her like they should have. With just a little bit of work she has come to be the best dog that we have ever had.
Some things you might not know about Pit Bulls:
They are natural people-pleasers which makes them very easy to train. Rogue loves Jeremy like he is her own kid and follows him everywhere. She is very gentle with him and he often uses her as a pillow when he is watching tv. Whenever we take her out in public places the designer lapdogs go crazy trying to attack her while she stays calm and quietly sits by our side.
The American Standard Pit Bull Terrier (like Rogue and Brisco) was originally bred to be a companion dog. In fact, even the United Kennel Club says that "aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed." Actually, Golden Retrievers are more aggressive than pits! Pit bulls were popular household pets (remember Pete from the Little Rascals?) until after WWII when people began to favor other breeds.
Also, quite often dogs that attack are identified as pit bulls when they are not. There are 20+ breeds that are commonly incorrectly identified as pit bulls. Just for fun check out this Find The Pitbull Game. It is a lot harder than you think!
This PSA about pit bulls really sums everything up:
This is so true! Especially the part about thinking they are a lap dog! :)
This video is hilarious and shows the true character of pit bulls:
So if you were nervous about pit bulls before, I hope that this clears things up for you. If you or someone you know is interested in providing a loving home to Brisco, let me know and I will get you more details! :)
I absolutely ADORE this post! ADORE! ADORE! ADORE! I have four children and two pit bulls and I could not have asked for a better bunch. Pit Bulls are by far the sweetest, most loving, loyal animal anyone who can take care of them can ask for. I absolutely LOVE that you posted this.
ReplyDeleteHave you contemplated keeping the pup? Pitties do so much better as a pair.
He is cute but DON"T ever think he is cute and cuddly and incapable of being mean. I'm a pediatric nurse practitioner and I've seen Golden Retrievers rip a kids face off. All dogs are animals and all animals have the potential to be dangerous. Pit Bulls are often bred to be mean and that behavior is encouraged. Just always remember it is an animal and all that entails. I know it sounds stupid and obvious but every year we hear tragic stories about someone who forgot that a white tiger is a wild cat, a gorilla isn't a child, and a crocodile isn't an appropriate indoor pet.
ReplyDeleteHe's adorable I hope you find him a wonderful home!
ReplyDeleteDanee, I agree and I never said that pit bulls are completely incapable of hurting people. I was just explaining that well cared for pit bulls are no more likely to attack than any other dog. Like you said, a *Golden Retriever* ripped a kid's face off. My friend's *German Shepherd* caused a girl permanent facial scars. My aunt is blind in one eye because of a *Cat*. It's true...all animals are capable of doing people harm but pit bulls are no more likely to do so than any other household pet and while it is always possible that a pet will turn violent the percentage is extremely low. Also, in my experience, animals start showing signs of aggression long before they actually attack someone. From the very beginning, my husband and I have agreed that we would put Rogue down at the first sign of aggression. I don't know of any way to be safer than that other then refusing to ever come in contact with animals of any kind...which would be about as ridiculous as refusing to cross the street because there is a chance we could get hit by a car. :)
ReplyDeleteOhh! I love pit bulls. I did a report in my english class in college about their bad reps and it strongly depends on who raises them and whether they take the time to actually train and love them. I wish I could adopt a bullie but unfortunately no dogs in the rental.
ReplyDeleteMegan! I love you for this post! I worked with a bully rescue for a few years in the Twin Cities with adoptions, fostering and even education with the Burnsville humane society. I also adopted two myself while with them. They are now with my ex, but still very loved and well cared for. If I could I would snatch that boy up in a second, I miss my kids so much! I had no idea you were located in the Twin Cities! Fist bump from another TC girl ;)
ReplyDeleteAfter thought, sorry. I will do some asking around, as I know many Bully lovers (and knowledgeable about the breed) out there. Not promising anything, but I am more than happy to do what I can. Enjoy him while he's there, he is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy family owned pit bulls and I thoroughly loved them. Only one ever had any problem and it was that when she turned five, she developed a sudden hatred of cats. Other than that, all of our pitties thought they were lap dogs! One used to sleep ON TOP of my brother under his covers. When you'd call to the single lump on his bed, the dog would peek out to acknowledge you then go right back under the covers.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I'm glad you're advocating is RESPONSIBLE pet ownership, which does entail thorough training, including social, as well as everything else you think of (proper nutrition, exercise, vet, etc). I hope Brisco finds a loving home with people as educated and responsible as your family is. He looks like an absolute doll!
i wish we were closer and had room for another dog!! with a face like that you can't help but fall in love!!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post... I feel a little ignorant because I have always been a little scared of pitbulls when I see them, while I run around town. This makes me feel better, that is so great that you are taking the opportunity to care for one, I hope it finds a great home!
ReplyDeleteCarlee
www.ladybirdln.com
Sure you don't want to keep him? You deserve him, and he deserves you. PitBulls are frowened upon in Germany and the UK, too, looked as chav accessoires. Not the poor dogs' fault, is it *sigh* I'd love to have one or two of them, perfect dogs if trained well (as every other dog) He's so sweet, I see heartbreak at the horizon when you have to wave goodbye to him! Now go and pat yourselves on the backs for being immensely lovely folks taking it upon yourselves to make sure the little Mister is safe and sound. There should be more folks like you in the world.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dog-we have a pit too-as well as other dogs and she is by far the best behaved, best temperament, most patient dog of them all~Pits get such a bad rap when they are such great dogs~
ReplyDelete