our boxer mix

[kennyj]

we were all set to get a boxer from a breeder, but we found a boxer rescue that had boxer/lab mix puppies, and our heart went out to them..the owner dumped the dog pregnant to the rescue and walked away...so off our little girl zoey came to our house, she is now 6 month old and a member of our family..she loves her trips to the dog park and has many dog friends, and all the people at the dog park love her to pieces...the problem is we get alot of stares when were out for our family walks as some of the non-dog people mistake her as a pitbull, and they cross the road and give us dirty looks....so with us being in ontario we have to carry around her vet paperwork that states she is indeed a boxer/lab..zoey looks like a real boxer except she has a lab snout..a few of the boxers owners have told me this also happens to them....i have heard that any dog that even looks like it might be a pitbull can be forced to be muzzled and it makes me mad.....or even worse they can take your dog and destroy it.......

 

[kayboxer]

Unfortunately, the fear of pits by people stem from bad owners abusing a good breed. A well-bred pit can be a wonderful dog. We have one that lives down the street in a beautiful home with older people. Totally opposite of who you might think would own a pit. But, unfortunately the people who breed them to fight and attack have ruined it for the "good breeders" (thank you Michael Vick). It is hard to blame people for being afraid, althought they do need to learn to ask before assuming that a dog is a pit. I have to admit, even I am extremely weary when I see a pit bull. I try to have an open mind, but that stereotype is stuck in my mind unfortunately.
I do not see how they can take a dog and destroy it if you have proof it is not a pit. I think if I ever got a pit cross I would take it to the vet such as you have and get papers prooving it. That was smart on your part. Again, we can thank the bad breeders for this indiscretion against dogs that look like pits.

 

[angleheart]

1.) Cheers to you for adopting Zoey from the shelter, and 2.) I know what you mean about those "non-dog" people. Harley was 100% Boxer and I would hear people comment, "look at that pitt" and such and grab their childen as we walked by. I would be a little offended ya know? You just have to learn to ignore them and protect Zoey from those kind of people .

 

[dafzichu]

I get a ton of pit comments, even I think Mindy looks like a pit from some angles, but I also know that she is the sweetest thing ever. To make matters worse, when she sees a dog, she immediately wants to play and starts barking and carrying on, if you don't know her, you might think she is a dog aggressive pitbull, but really she is just excited and wants to play (we are working on that behavior).

I get extremely offended when people act ignorantly towards her. I normally say something nasty to them, she is my baby and she wouldn't hurt a fly, so I just can't help myself. Once a vet we don't normally see at our normal practice not only thought she was a pit, but lectured me on how they are bred to produce fighters. Needless to say, I had some nasty words for her, plus we will never see that vet again!

I am cautious around any medium to large dog and I would never approach or touch a dog without asking the owner if it was okay first (if no owner is there, I generally wouldn't approach it).

I am sorry you have to fear for your dog, it isn't fair :(

 

[taryndanae]

We have had pitt comments as well. In fact, when I was 6 months pregnant, I had a gentleman ask me why someone like me would have a dog like that, just to teach them to hurt others. I told him that Cassius was a boxer not a pitt, and he was super friendly (like dafzichu). It is frustrating; however, like kayboxer, I too have the same stereotype (mine stems from seeing a pitt attack a poodle that sniffed its bottom at the dog park).

I am sorry that you have to carry around your paperwork rather than simply enjoying the time out with your pup. As well, thank you for rescueing your little angel.

 

[jimseabee]

you must remember, there are a lot of stupid people out there, and most of them work for the government. (no offense I spent 20 yrs, 18 days, 8 hrs working for the USA federal Government) So most of the ones making the rules are not the sharpest tool in the shed.

I just tell the ones who make comments which bridge to go jump off of.

 

[kennyj]

zoey

thanks guys....we were just at the dog park with zoey and a guy with a lab was telling me that he was challenged that his dog was a pitbull.....i'm guessing your all right that some people have to be ignored....but i realize that i have to keep in mind that the thought of a angry pitbull hurting them is really scary to people....but with all that said our family loves zoey to bits so that's what counts...........cheers everyone

 

[fireangel]

Listen don't let those people bother you. It is just ignorance anyway. I myself have owned two pure breed pits and they were the most amazing pups. You will get used to the stares and if you have to carry the paperwork then fine. Hey I have a wonderful idea....get you fur baby a shirt that says "I am not a pit bull, even if I was I still need love." That would get you really funny looks. hehehe The people that would believe that your pup is bad just because she looks like something other then what she is aren't worth your time anyway!

 

[elindave]

I also live in Ontario and am aware of the law of pittbulls having to wear muzzles. Nikita has a wonderful pittbull friend at her daycare and he's so sweet. I have been stopped by a police officer as I was walking, she rolled down her window to make sure it was not a pittbull who wasn't muzzled. If I'm walking her I notice sometimes people with other breeds will turn and walk another way. One of my neighbours suggested I return her to the breeder because she said 'the breed' looks so vicious...and then commented "that's why I got a lab, because they're the safest with kids". I've just learned to dust it off....

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

 

[Karen & Rick]

We have two rescued white , deaf, boxers, that are both confused for being pit bulls as well from time to time. I think the people just really don't know the appearance of the pit bull as much as they think as I personally don't think they do look THAT much alike,but that is because I am more aware of the differences. The real shame is there are so many pit bulls that are in shelters or rescues and are not going to be agressive that will never find a home because of the bad rap they have been given . Try not to let it bother you, unfortunately it will happen from time to time. Bless you for rescuing your new family member :*)