Suspected Pitbull Terrier Puppy

Just home from our evening walk where we met what I suspect was a Pitbull puppy.

Now, it was in the later part of our walk and it was getting dark so I don't for sure if it was as I couldn't see it's features properly, so it's only suspected for now.

However, it was with - and I hate to say it - a typical young guy who might keep these dogs. (Sorry, I hate to stereotype them but you know the type I'm trying to describe).

Anyway, I could see him in the distance, the dog was on a lead trotting along quite happily, pulling occasionally to get to where it wanted to go and sniff. Nothing new there then. When I met him on the way round, he said hello and instantly said it was a Staffie pup and within the space of a minute or so had said that about three times.

He also said it was 4 months old. No way was this puppy 4 months/16 weeks old, if indeed it was a Staffie. It was huge, with big paws but it's head did not look Staffie-ish and neither did it's legs or tail. It was absolutely solid looking. As I said though, I couldn't see it's features clearly enough.

It was a silver blue colour (not sure of the exact name for this colour) with white toe tips.

If it is a Staffie, the only thing I can think of that wherever he got it from and whoever gave him it could may well have lied about it's age, as it was already the size of an adolescent bitch, I kid you not. He is a male dog.

I didn't want to ask him anything there and then, but I may gently enquire about it's background if I see him again. For example, 'he's lovely, where did you get him?' type of things!

The pup mingled happily with my two, tail going like a whip and reaching out it's front paws wanting to play, so no problems there as yet.

I've never seen this guy before but I'll certainly be keeping my wits about me and keeping an eye on him and the pup, just in case.

I'm no expert in either breed, but could this be a Pitbull or a very large Staffie right enough?

there are of course variations on pet Staffies these days because of byb, but the blue type in particular are being bred to look taller and more athletic than your average staff. I think what you saw was probably what people call an 'Irish' staff. No actually pit in in but defo of 'type'. I see loads round here that could be described as pits. I think in my area they are being left alone for now as they aren't causing any real problems. All the pit bull type dogs I see regularly are very friendly.

Thanks for this, Gill. Yes, I understand that there are many different variations of pet Staffies and I don't condemn this puppy for a second. It's a lovely pup, very outgoing and friendly, I'm just concerned that there may be things going on behind the scenes, ie. dog fighting.

And also that I'd never seen a 4 month old Staffie puppy that was his size!

I was just a bit concerned when I seen him and I'll still be keeping my beady eye on him (the guy), just incase!

yes, it's best to be wary, BUT most people who own these dogs have no interest in fighting them, they just love the look of them. He may be wrong about the age too. A girl came in the shop with a pup which she said was a pit, six months old. The pup still had his baby teeth and no way was he six months. More like three months I reckon. TBH I'm wary of any dog I don't know but if I had smaller dogs like yours I would be even more wary! Nothing wrong with being careful IMO.

At 4 months many dogs are well on toward their adult size. I don't think he will be too outsized at maturity.

You wonder about some folk, don't you.

I will definitely be aware of him, Roxy being the socialite that she is thinks every dog is her best mate, regardless of it's size. One of he best mates is a Rottweiler, she loves the big 'uns.

Molly however, is less sociable with dogs she doesn't know and will try to suss them out first before making friends and quite rightly so, too.

Seriously though, yes, it's best to be wary if you have suspicions, even more so if you have small dogs.

It may we be one of these 'Irish' Staffs, I hadn't thought of that at the time. I'll try and have a better look next time if I see him again.

I seriously doubt this one was 4 months though, I suspect he has been lied to regarding it's age or he's lying to me about it. I would say he's about 6 months at least. He was massive.

as said, there can be a huge variation within a breed,

remember back to how much bigger beau was to vinnie and holly, people used to laugh at me when I said he was 4/5 months old, and that that was his bro and sister with him, he just looked so much bigger.

*if* (it think you said this?) the dog was friendly to you and was was interacting with your dogs nicely (i think you said this?), why are you fretting?

for example, you wrote:
which is good, isn't it?

so why add:
?

why.....you have just said they were fine?

............of what?
This size criteria is because................?

I don't mean to be mean, but i think you ought to examine what you are saying and how you are saying it?
It does read as if you have abandoned the logic of your own admission that the dog was fine, based upon some arbitrary/unscientific breed preconceptions, and an equally illogic unscientific assessment of 'i have small dogs, he has a big dog, so that means his dog might eat mine in the near future'?

No offence intended, but it does come across that way, in a kind of general public uninformed tabloid influenced styleee.

I wasn't even sure if I was going to dignify this response with an answer. However, here I am.

I think you'll find that I am not of the opinion that, as you state, "I have small dogs, he has a big dog, so that means his dog might eat mine in the near future". Far from it.

And let me tell you that I am in no way influenced by the media on subjects such as this one, "it does come across that way, in a kind of general public uninformed tabloid influenced styleee".

I like Staffies etc a lot and don't go by the media interpretation on them, ie. "devil dogs" if something happens. Those who know me know that this makes me very angry indeed.

However, when you live in an area such as mine, you might just begin to undersand where I'm coming from on this one. Not long ago my grandfather and other regular dog walkers found a dead dog at the side of the path at the edge of the bushes. I won't go in to detail of how it ended up there. Actually, it doesn't matter where you live, if you are unsure it's always best to keep your wits about you, as the damage would be generally more serious.

I was actually only picking up on something Loki's mum said, that it's best to be aware of the situation, especially if you have smaller dogs. Now, I am well aware that any dog can cause damage, regardless of the size or breed.

If I meet the guy again, in order to help socialise the pup I intend to ask him if he'd perhaps like to give the puppy a run from time to time with mine as socialisation at the stage in very important, as I do with any puppy owner that I see, as mine are very well behaved and outgoing, especially Roxy who is great with puppies and helps teach them a lot, which has got to help.

The size criteria was because I have never seen a 4 month old Staffie this size in my life, I was just wondering if it is indeed a Staffie or maybe something else. It was also to try and accurately describe the size of the puppy, NOT the fact that it was huge and therefore, as you put it, that I think it will "eat my dogs".

For your information, I don't indend to put mine on a lead and go in the other direction when I see this guy, or anyone else who I see with "big dogs who might just eat my small dogs eventually".

Oh, and I'm not fretting, as you also put it. I wasn't worried about my dogs in the slightest. I'm just curous and would like to know what breed it is, so please do not turn this in to the fact that you think I am being precious with my dogs, as let me tell you, I am not. If you ever meet me or my dogs, you might just realise that.

Please do not turn this thread in to a war, as you appear to be in the habit of doing at times, that's not what it's intended to be.