question about camping with a pittbull

[gpeade]

The wife and I just bought a camper and want to get back into camping. This time around we have two dogs. Both are rescue "mutts" and one is part Pitt. First campground I called to make a reservation won't allow him because he is a "dangerous" breed. If any of you own bulls you know the BS and aggravation that goes along with this.
My question for you guys is this...what is your experiences with different campgrounds? Now I know I can say he isn't a Pitt but do campgrounds generally ask for vaccination records? These state he is a Pitt-mix so I can't hide it then.

How do those of you with larger dogs deal with this issue?

Thanks

[camp-n-family]

Ed_Gee wrote:
Based on data regarding dog attacks in the U.S. and Canada between 1982 and 2014, the dogs most likely to bite humans are:

Pit bulls.
Rottweilers.
Pit bull mixes.
German shepherds.
Bullmastiffs.
Wolf hybrids.
Huskies.
Akitas.

I question how that list was compiled. Not all bites get reported. Bites from large breed dogs are more likely to be reported than those from small dogs. Who’s going to report getting bit by a chihuahua or poodle? Some of the most aggressive dogs that bite are small breeds, only the damage that is caused is less, so reports will be lower.

[azdryheat]

Been around too many unfriendly pits when I wore a badge and don't trust any of them. At an rv park, with so many bite-size dogs, they are just potential snacks to a pit. Keep the pit at home.

[D_E_Bishop]

When we owned a condo at a ski resort, we did not have any HOA restrictions on breeds and the list of restrictions were typical of most cities and towns. The most restrictive of these no dogs allowed in the common areas or shared common areas unless on a leash of 6' or less and strong enough to adequately control the dog.

A renter(the complex had several daily rental units) had his unrestrained dog on the deck of the condo he was renting. The decks are considered shared common area and so stated in the CC&Rs. The dog escaped from the deck and bit one of our renters, result, the HOA was sued by the renter and the HOA tried unsuccessfully to sue the dog owner.

The Board immediately enacted a rule that any owner, renter or visitor to the complex had to have proof of a million dollar liability rider on file in the complex's office.

A knee jerk reaction maybe, but legally enacted and all concerned parties notified. I do not remember the breed of the offending dog but it was less than ten pounds.

[theoldwizard1]

Get a comfortable muzzle. Brightly color so people can see it.

[Big_Katuna]

toedtoes wrote:
If people kept their dogs on leashes there would be far fewer incidents.

I've seen dog fights between longtime siblings/housemates. It has very little to do with the breed and much more to do with the temperaments of the individual dogs.

This. A friend kept a litter of mixed breed dogs and there were two male siblings that they could NEVER leave alone, even after neutering.

Individually, either was fine with the rest of the litter and other dogs, but together it might be 5, 10 or 15 minutes but it always ended in an attempt to fight.

[toedtoes]

If people kept their dogs on leashes there would be far fewer incidents.

I've seen dog fights between longtime siblings/housemates. It has very little to do with the breed and much more to do with the temperaments of the individual dogs.

[ford_truck_guy]

while in Sarasota last summer, the guy across from me had 2 pit mix's.. He kept saying how great they were.. I will admit that they stayed on BEST behavior...
UNTIL the 2nd to last day...
They were chasing sticks while off the leads... one looked at the other wrong and they went at it.... it was horrible, blood everywhere... the owner tried to pry them apart, darn near lost his hand in doing so... 15 minutes (we ran inside with our lab) seamed like an eternity.
Once it was all said and done the dogs were then locked inside the trailer, I was outside cleaning my truck and said something to the owner... evidently, it was my fault that his dogs turned aggressive... I don't understand them???

I understand that any breed can be trained to be that way, but this guy had them since birth... You will never convince me they don't have it in them already...

I politely walked away, drove up to the main office and reported him for allowing his dogs to run lose not on any leads.. Turns out, we were the 6th site to complain

[Pawz4me]

gpeade wrote:
do campgrounds generally ask for vaccination records?

Not generally, but occasionally we do encounter a campground that wants to see the rabies vaccination certificate. Those have almost always been county or state campgrounds. Rarely does a private campground ask to see proof of vaccination, although it's common for them to ask about breed when making reservations.

[BCSnob]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

BCSnob wrote:
There will be individuals that are not human aggressive and some that are.

And sadly, they both look alike.

Yep, just like you cannot tell by appearance if a dog carries a genetic disease like CEA (for example). One must test for these genetically controlled traits. Perhaps what is needed is a more extensive test than the canine good citizen; one that includes bits of Schutzhund to assess for aggression and self control when presented with stimuli that would trigger human aggression.

[westernrvparkow]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Rose by any other name is still a rose


CG Staff/Owner determines whether or not they want to take the chance and violate the terms of their Insurance Carriers restrictions.
If it LOOKS like it has Pit/Rottie/Mastif/Shepherd etc etc etc they CAN deny the dog ......
It is THEIR business, their Investments, their livelihood and their Insurance that can be cancelled/denied.

The Insurance Aggressive Breed List exists and any CG that is under those restrictions by their Insurance Carrier would be a fool to ignore it.

State/National CGs and many public CGs available so check with them, don't lie/mislead and do business with them.
Simple........

Absolutely how I feel. The one thing left out is campground owners are not complete idiots. Most of us can see thru the smokescreens of "terrier mix", "staffordshire terrier" and dozens other attempts to get us to risk our businesses so your pet, that our insurance specifically specifies is not a covered risk, can stay with you. We are very clear on our dog policies, it won't come as a surprise.

[toedtoes]

Old-biscuit, I agree to an extent. When my sibling bought her house, the insurance company asked about her dog. She said it was a "shepherd mix" which it was (and the shepherd was the only distinctive breed). They were not happy and asked "what is the other breed". My sibling told them she didn't know. They insisted that she identify the "second breed".

They would not accept "mix" in the identification, but also only wanted two breeds identified. Very few mixed breeds are half and half. Most have three or more breeds. And it is not always possible to know what those breeds are. My sibling ended up picking a second breed at random because the insurance was insistent on that second breed.

This makes it very difficult to be honest. Honest would be the "shepherd mix". Insisting on a second (and only second) breed is trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. More than likely it won't work.

My Moose-dog was identified as a shepherd rottie as a puppy. When he grew up, he was "obviously" a shepherd Dobie. Had him tested and he is a shepherd poodle newfie. Without a test, he would have been misidentified as a "dangerous" dog by looks.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

BCSnob wrote:
There will be individuals that are not human aggressive and some that are.

And sadly, they both look alike. I know there are sweetheart pitties; but their ability to do MASSIVE damage when they do bite is why I avoid them.

I just was shown a picture of an "Aussie/cocker spaniel" mix. I just smiled and said "cute dog" - the markings/chest width/jaw width/short coat screamed pitbull....

Back to the OP: KOA campgrounds tend to be dog-friendly; and our experience is that state parks seldom have restrictions?

[Old-Biscuit]

Rose by any other name is still a rose


CG Staff/Owner determines whether or not they want to take the chance and violate the terms of their Insurance Carriers restrictions.
If it LOOKS like it has Pit/Rottie/Mastif/Shepherd etc etc etc they CAN deny the dog ......
It is THEIR business, their Investments, their livelihood and their Insurance that can be cancelled/denied.

The Insurance Aggressive Breed List exists and any CG that is under those restrictions by their Insurance Carrier would be a fool to ignore it.

State/National CGs and many public CGs available so check with them, don't lie/mislead and do business with them.
Simple........

[Catrider1]

That's right. Cheat the system. We have had lovable "Pits" in northern arizona attack, kill and start to eat the worthless human. Owners went to prison. Just where they need to be.

[Beverley_Ken]

I think that it is the parks, insurance even towns and cities trying to make a one rule to cover all.
As previously stated, does not necessarily affect a specific breed, but why they were bred, service dog, guard or working dog or just to be one persons special ?? pet. Probably even more important how and why they are raised and trained.
I am more concerned with one neighbours dog biting me, it comes through the hedge to do his business in my yard. When I approach the dog, in my yard, he snarls, growls and bares his teeth to the point I think that they will fall out. If he jumped he might get to my knee. Another neighbour has a Shepherd who I dog sit for. But now getting older and more aggressive, also lost a master a few years ago. When a walk her, I have to use a very short leash. and at the other end of the leash is a friends Pitbull, very playful but strong. I have pictures of the Pitbull giving me kisses and her tongue and teeth literally around my throat. Personally I have a cat.

Ken