Maybe when you call places instead of asking them questions about the temperments of the dogs, you should just ask if the parents are on the premesis and go see them. Then you will know for sure how the dogs really act, exspecially around a stranger.

Or you could take it as the people who think that you want to the dog to fight it, are actually good breeders becuase they dont want their pet to go to that type of home.

I work at a Vet and see a lot of Pits. Another thing i can tell you that might help is if you search for "American Staffordshire Terriers"....that is the AKC name for pit bulls, which most snobby (non fighting breeders) will use.

There are rich people who come into my work and I"ll ask them so you have a Pit Bull, and they will say NO!! I have an American Stafforshire Terrier...and in my head im thinking "Ugh lady you own a Pit"

I actually use that name myself but since not most people know that they are one and the same, I used pit here so we're all on the same page. There are no reputable breeders near me so all the places that I'm dealing with are hours away. Going there more than once is just out of the question.

good luck finding one. I think you'll find one that's just perfect and it will be totally worth the wait.

Ohh i see now...Hmm maybe you should ask how they are around children. Then they might know that you are not interested in fighting them.

Be very careful when looking for pitbulls!

Even if the puppies' parents weren't bred for fighting, an aggressive temperament could be acquired through many, many generations.... Like if the puppies' great grandparents were fighters, the puppy could have temperament issues...

Honestly I think it is all up to the owner whether or not the dog is aggresive. It has nothing to do with the breed. Pit Bulls are charged with all attacks made on children, when really it is other breeds that resemble a pit bull. I have seen the sweetest pits come into my work and I have seen the most evil little chihuahua's and wiener dogs come in. Actually the little dogs are more mean then they bigger ones. Besides great danes.

I don't think the temperament is bred into them, it's how their raised. They have to train fighting dogs, just as you have to train them to have manners.

I totally agree

Actually it is a combination of both.

I have seen dogs that were bred from fighting pit bulls, and other people take the ones they dont want, and they turn out to be very loving and non-agressive animals

But would you trust that around a baby?

If I got it as a puppy..honestly I would. Raising a puppy in a loving home with children is wonderful, and you would be amazed at how much that dog would love that baby and protect them.

I don't trust any dog around a baby. All dogs are unpredictable. I don't care how gentle and kind Fido is around people, they are still animals. I've got 2 small dogs that are awesome and well behaved, but I still don't leave them unattended with my daughter. I know she loves her puppies, but she's 1 1/2, she's bound to hurt them by accident and in return possibly get bitten. So I always have them in my sights.

Maybe you could try a different breed? Or what about a pitbull rescue place? They euthinase the aggressive ones because they know they wont find homes for them. Have you owned a dog previously?

I wouldn't ask questions such as "how do they act?". I would try to be more specific. Tell them your story. Mention how you have children and that you want to make sure that the dog would be okay around them. By being more specific, breeders won't think that you are using their dogs for the wrong reason.

Same here. They are still animals no matter how much you love them or how affectionate and friendly they are.

Maybe start by saying you are looking for a family dog that will interact with your son (and future children).

i would definitely start by telling them you have a small child and you're looking for a gentle family dog.

good luck! i hope you find a nice one soon!

im sorry but ive got to throw his out there

its completely how you raise them. all dogs have the instinct and abbility to be mean and have a mean backround depending on how they were trained

if you breed two fighting dogs, the puppies you get will NOT have "fighting genes" in them or whatever you want to call it. they will not have any more agressive traits than a normal bred pit bull would have
pit bulls do NOT have lock jaw
and there is NO real such thing as a "pit bull"
pit bulls actually come from 8 different breeds all catagorized into the name "pit bull"

ALL dogs come from the same ancestry. pit bulls are no different than any other dog at all.

kay- if youd like some help i can offer you lots of good tips on how to adopt and ask these questions.
also on my site i have a page specifically designated to pit bull fact vs. fiction and lots of great tips for adopting a pit bull too that may be able to help you