Should I keep my puppy?

My dogs had a litter a couple months ago and I just cant let go of the last one. Not because its the last one but because hes so cool and smart. I wouldnt have a problem at all keeping him but I can tell hes of a dominant personality, which isnt so bad , for me, except that my 2 yr. old male is also dominant over the female. In other words, Im afraid that when the puppy grows up, the males will fight over the territory. Mind you, theyre pitbulls so fighting isnt just growling and showing teeth with this breed. I have the 2 yr. old completely under control, but I dont want to disturb the peace in the yard that I have now by letting this dominating puppy stay. Am I being paranoid or is this truly a concern I should be worried about? EXPERIENCED DOG OWNERS ONLY, PLEASE.

Should I keep my puppy?
Intact males will generally have a problem with another male "competitor". If not now he will likely tru to engage the newcomer as your puppy grows towards reaching sexual maturity. It is not impossible but would require some intense supervision on your part. A lot of dividing living space and inside/outside time for your dogs. Not to mention the next time your female comes into season you will no doubt have some intense, possibly dangerous situations.





For all people reading this and having concerns about Pits - this is not an answer tailormade for the breed, Dalmatians or Cocker Spaniels would have the same problem with this situation.





I don't think you are being paranoid, it is a good thing you are these concerns and thoughts. I think it is not impossible and can definitly be managed but depending on your home, your lifestyle concerning the dogs (are the allowed to roam free indoors and the yard) keeping this pup might upset your balance greatly and impact your comfort and the comfort of your dogs.





Unless you are comfortable do a lot of locking away and keeping dogs apart you prbably should not keep this pup. A second female would still be easier that a second intact male. I would say find this puppy a great home and be happy and feel good about him having a loving home where he can have the whole family for himself.





Good Luck!





This said: I do hope you are at least taking care of the basic genetic screening for your dogs since you are breeding. For Pits I would definitly not breed without getting CERF clearance annually on the eyes and an OFA rating in hips and elbows of Good or Excellent. I would Thyroid test them as well. You can get more information at http://www.offa.org and http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html





Good Luck!
Reply:If you'd like to keep them, I suggest spaying and neutering all three. Otherwise, I recommend re-homing one.
Reply:Maybe, you should put an ad in the newspaper, or hand him down to a kennel, or shelter. Make sure he's in good hands.


Because two pitbulls fighting would NOT be a good thing.
Reply:This could be a very bad situation, but you might be able to work it out if you are willing to put in the time. BUT, you will need to deal with the fights for pecking order, and your best bet is to get BOTH dogs neutered. ALSO, A LOT of training will be required. Honestly, though, considering the danger of this breed, I would not do it. Find the puppy a good home, get your dogs ALL fixed, and enjoy what you have.
Reply:If the dog grows up with the other two, he will learn his place. His place may wind up being the top dog or he will learn to become submissive to the dog that is. Make sure all three are neutered to further even the playing field. By the way, Staffordshire terriers that are truly under control and balanced are no more inclined to fight than other dogs.
Reply:yes you should be worried..


infact all your dogs should be fixed unless they are registered dogs and are actively participating in going to dog shows to PROVE they are excellent examples of the breed - worthy of being bred....
Reply:I have three pits, 2 boys and one girl and I can tell you personally as long as you keep them seperated when your female comes in heat there shouldn't be a problem. It's the females that will fight with each other. I have 2 boys and a girl and I love them very much and they have never fought over my female. Any dog will fight when his territory is being invaded when a girl is in heat so just keep them seperated at this time and you should be fine.
Reply:get rid of it. Dominant dogs cannot live together. Makes it worse that they are pits. This breed has a propensity for being vicous. I know that you can train a pit to be sweet and all that. I know that it can be a good pet, but deep down inside those dogs have the violence in them and all it takes is one little spark to bring it out. Think about the scenario of when the ***** goes into heat again down the road. There could be a very strong fight for dominance then. You are so better off only keeping the one, or keep them penned up seperate and never have an opportunity to challenge each other.
Reply:Since you already know that it has a dominant personality, then I wouldn't take that chance, but that's just me. ☺





Here is some useful reading. WARNING: The first one is a video and is very graphic


http://www.winfights.com/fights/man-anim...


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/1...


http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbull-att...
Reply:I can understand your concern. Bringing a dominant pup in with a dominant male. But it is a pup and the dominant male can quickly put this pup into the correct place in the hierarchy. Most times if a mature pit is introduced to a pup it doesn't mean an instant fight, things could go smoothly. But leaving the two together unsupervised would not be something that I would advise till you actually see how they will interact with each other. Have you thought of keeping the pup and having him fixed as part of the solution? It may help.
Reply:You are right to be worried and you are right in thinking they will fight.





Re-home the pup. It sounds like you've done a good job with the male you have, don't wreck that.
Reply:Keep the pup, he will be submissive to the male. it's not in the puppies nature to try to dominate an older dog. I would definitely neuter thee pup and keep him away when th e female's in heat.
Reply:Pit bulls don't necessarily fight to the death as you seem to believe. Any two dominant males will engage to determine who is top dog. If you let it happen, then the dog is running the house. If you put a stop to it, then you are top dog. I would spay and neuter all three of them and that will really really really help the situation - or at the very least, neuter the two boys if you are intent on keeping the female for breeding. We have 3 dogs, two of them are pit mixes and we haven't had a problem. Sure they wrestle and play and what not to figure out who is top dog, but they don't kill one another!





PLEASE be careful and check with your shelter before dropping hte puppy off if you choose to get rid of him. Our Humane Society does NOT adopt out pit bulls and if one is dropped off, they euthanize it, no matter how cute, sweet, or even how old. So check that before signing him over to the shelter.
Reply:sorry ur question is too long so i didnt read it but u should keep it if its cute! :)



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