Profile of the 'Ideal' Pit Bull Owner A Printable Hand Out for Shelters and Others Looking for Find Responsible Homes for Pit Bulls Profile of the Ideal Pit bull Adopter:

Has already done good breed research. Asks good questions. Shows willingness to learn more.
Is realistic about breed challenges: Dog-on-dog aggression, high energy level, strong willed personalities, pulls on leash, strong and pushy, need to keep socialized to dogs, attracts negative attentions from some public.
Shows a stable, mature, open-minded personality.
Happy to be interviewed and receive a home visit
Physically capable of handling a strong dog and has a calm, confident way with the dog
Wants an indoor pet as a companion animal/family member Has had some dog experience, including basic obedience training
Has a reasonably active lifestyle
Owns a home or has a secure rental that will allow a pit bull (check those leases!)
If they have a yard, it has a tall, secure fence
The whole household is involved in the decision and is able to help manage the dog (roommates, children, seniors too)
If there are other pets at home, they're a good match (no same sex pit bull placements and home understands that pit bull must be separated from other pets when not supervised)

Profile of the 'Less than Ideal' Adopter:

1. Insists that a pit bull's behavior is "all in how you raise them"
2. Expresses romanticism about the breed but seems surprised or unrealistic about breed challenges
3. Wants to do a lot of off-leash and/or wants a Dog Park dog
4. Insists they already understand the breed, not comfortable with being interviewed or having a home visit
5. Seems overly 'macho', surly, impatient and/or wants the biggest 'baddest' pit bull in the shelter
6. Wants a "guard dog" or yard dog
7. Seems like a 'push over'- is timid, scared or maybe frail
8. Insists on same-gender match ups or other poor matches (high drive dog in home with cats, etc)
9. Seems resistant or frightened by the prospect of dog-on-dog aggression
10. Has moved numerous times in the past 5 years, has rotating roommates and/or an unstable living situation
11. Plans to leave a young puppy home alone for long hours or is not able to keep adult pit bull socialized to other dogs

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