Many people will cringe at the thought of adopting a Pit Bull due to the negative media frenzy every time a member of the breed does something bad. Research has been done to determine whether Pit Bulls have a higher rate of aggressiveness than other breeds, they actually pass on having non-aggressive temperaments at a higher rate than other breeds of dogs. Research conducted on dog attacks have shown it has been owner irresponsibility and bad dog owner management practices that almost always lead to dog attacks, including Pit Bull dog attacks. Some owners using their dogs for other purposes than just household pet companions cause their dogs to be aggressive in their treatment of them by using them for: dog fighting, guard dogs, protection, status (I’m tough I have a Pit Bull), irresponsible breeding practices (Used by some to breed bad dispositions into dogs that normally would be culled out of breeding stock bred for household pets.)
The facts are the Pit Bull was once the most beloved family dog in America early on in the 20th century and in Europe. The beloved dog in the famous series Little Rascals, Petey, was a Pit Bull. He was around all those children and was very well behaved. Helen Keller owned a Pit Bull, who else could have been more vulnerable to an attack than her? There is a great site on Pit Bulls that destroys the myths of Pit Bulls being a bad tempered, aggressive, and a unpredictable dog breed that can’t be trusted called Don’t Bully My Breed’s website. It is a great site and I suggest anyone who dislikes the Pit Bull breed look it over with an open mind. I used to be one who thought the Pit Bull breed should be outlawed, duped by negative media attention, until a Pit Bull landed in our lap who changed my outlook totally on the breed. The first photo that accompanies this article is of our Pit Bull, Casper, competing in dog agility at our daughter’s 4H Dog Show. He passed all criteria that her 4H dog club requires to allow a dog to participate and he was a perfect gentleman with all the people and other dogs there.
Louisville Metro Animal Services has a number of Pit Bulls up for adoption. This week we feature some of them in hopes of finding them their forever home with responsible owners who will look out for their welfare. I applaud LMAS for not adopting the no Pit Bull adoptions policy that some other shelters have adopted that does no evaluation on any dog that they think might have Pit Bull breeding in them and destroys the dogs without giving them any chance to prove they are not aggressive or dangerous, a very closed minded policy. Louisville Metro Animal Services evaluates all dogs that they have before putting them up for adoption to ensure a successful adoption. If you adopt a Pit Bull from them you can sign up for free obedience courses offered by Slugger City Bully Buddies aimed to provide all Pit Bull typed dogs with a foundation for basic manners and thier owners the tools to ensure their dogs become good ambassadors of the breed.
For those of you who know the breed’s devotion to their owners look over the following adoptable Pit Bull dogs. Are you the one to give them a chance at happiness to love and devote their life to you? These are not all the adoptable Pit Bull dogs available at Louisville Metro Animal Services, to see all of them go to the Petfinder website listed at the end of this article.
Aries is a 7-month-old Pit Bull Terrier. This little guy will need some serious TLC, seems he had a rough start in life but is still willing to give anyone the chance. He is super sweet and will not get very big. He is neutered, up-too-date on routine shots, with a short coat of beige, apricot, and white colors. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A467281) handy. Thanks.
Bubo is a one-year-old Pit Bull and he's the epitome of cool. He's got a level-headed dignity about him. If he had musical talent, he'd play in a jazz band and wear a little fedora and not look ridiculous. He's cool enough to pull it off. Bubo is pure pit and has that large head and handsome strength. He pulls a bit on the leash at first, but once he realizes he's out and has time to be free, he settles down quickly. One volunteer thinks his fur is the color of sand and the little white tip on his tail looks like a white cap. If you want a beach staycation, consider adding Bubo to your household. Bubo is neutered, up-to-date on routine shots, and has a short coat color of yellow, tan, white. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A462244) handy. Thanks.
Buddy is a one-year-old Pit Bull. Buddy is a friendly dog, very good about meeting new people. He's also young and energetic, ready to run and play. He has boundless energy. In terms of the leash, that means he pulls pretty hard but he'll learn quickly with some compassionate training. Buddy is responsive and interested in what humans tell him. To get his attention during the photo shoot, the photographer got out a squeaky toy. If you want Buddy's undivided attention, squeak a dog toy. He'll be in your thrall. Buddy is social and friendly and needing a buddy of his own. Buddy is neutered, up-to-date on routine shots, and has a short coat color of tan, beige, blonde, and white. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A466969) handy. Thanks.
Daisy is an 8-month-old Pit Bull mix. She's a pretty dog and gets along well with her kennelmate, but at this point is pretty uncomfortable with people she doesn't know well. A little TLC will surely make her a more social girl. Daisy is spayed, up-to-date on routine shots, and has a short coat color of apricot and white. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A451738) handy. Thanks.
Diesel is a two-and-a-half-year-old Pit Bull terrier. What a great looking guy. He looks like he's in his tuxedo and ready to go! He's had a series of training classes and knows many commands. This big handsome boy needs someone with a bit of strength to handle him but he does respond to commands he has learned. Diesel will probably be best in a home with no kids and probably no other dogs. Diesel is neutered, up-to-date on routine shots, and has a short coat color of black and white. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A440553) handy. Thanks.
Jasper is a 3-month-old Pit Bull/Beagle mix. He is very sweet. He's a laid-back guy for one so young. He's primed to be a willing student and a good learner with manners classes. He's going to be on the small side for a Pit Bull, so he's sort of like a Pocket Pittie. Jasper's friendly and gets along well with his kennelmate. His tail wags the whole time he's being held. He's got gorgeous, long lashes. Maybe it's Maybelline. No, it's just Jasper. Jasper is neutered, up-to-date on routine shots, and has a short coat color of chestnut and white. If you would like to contact Metro to ask about this dog, it is very helpful if you have the ID number (A467680) handy. Thanks.
For more information on all of these dogs, and the other adoptable dogs and cats, contact Metro Animal Services at: 502 473-PETS (7387), or by email at: Petfinder@louisvilleky.gov. You can see all the pets available for adoption from Louisville Metro Animals Services on their section of the Petfinder website here.
Metro Animal Services' Animal House Adoption Center is located at 3516 Newburg Road, Louisville KY.
Adoptable dog photos: Courtesy of Louisville Metro Animal Services
Pit Bull doing dog agility photo: Courtesy of Sandy Dolan
