I was thinking about putting Jester and Sidney in daycare one day a week when I get back to CA so they learn some social skills, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. PetsMart was all fine and dandy about me bringing in my dogs until she asked what breed my pups were. I told her lab/pit mix and all of the sudden she's not willing to have them there. When I asked her why, she told me that the pit breed, and even half breeds, are not allowed because they are :quote too violent and aggressive :quote That's total BS! She doesn't even know my dogs. While they may have some pit features, they act like a total lab. Shouldn't they take the time to meet the dogs before they ban them from going to daycare? I think if they took the time to get to know them, they'd see that their are good dogs. I just hope this isn't the general rule with all daycares in CA ... although I have a feeling that it might be :sadeyes

Perhaps its wrong to deceive them, but in the future, just say a lab mix. People get all worked up about pits and generalize anything that has to do with them. If you've got good dogs - and they have shown no sign of being dog-aggressive, then give them the opportunity to be judged by their own behavior. Do they have strong pit features? If not, I'd play ignorant.

I hope that doesn't sound too irresponsible, but ignorance can be just as bad sometimes.

Preventing pits from learning social skills young by banning them from socializing environments is only fueling the problem rather than helping it, imo.

Well, I think thats crap they won't take them! I hate that people always form a generalized opinion on a breed not the individual dog. :no
I had a super super sweet rott/lab mix and a viscious chihuahua. :screwy
I go with the dog itself not what breed it is.
And I also agree with Shannon... it's not really deceptive to say Lab mix unles they are stricking pit resemblences ;)

I had thought about just saying it's a lab mix. Actually their papers say they are Shepard mix, which is an obvious mistake on the shelters part, but I can play dumb as hell and say I don't know anything about breeds. I was thinking about just walking them into Petsmart to ask some general questions and see what they say about my pups after they have met them. I mean, how can you say no to these faces :giggle

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y187/CherLyn817/Furry%20Friends/JesterMyGoodBoy.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y187/CherLyn817/Furry%20Friends/SidneyBegging.jpg

Awww they look alot lab!!! (L)
And I love the brindle on your one puppy! They have sweet lab faces!

I'd do a quick check on what breeds have a brindle variety, just so you can throw something out there to explain the brindle. :giggle But feature-wise, I wouldn't have guessed pit.

Im with Shannon... I would not have guessed pit either.
If it wasn't for the brindle I doubt anything would ever be said... and HELL I had a brindle colored Chihuahua so any breed can through a brindle apparently! That was the UGLIEST dog I have ever seen! She was so ugly she was cute... that was a mean little runt though :teehee

I did some searching on the net and called their vet as well. From what the vet assistant told me and what I found on the net, I can get away with calling them Lab/Shepherd and that will explain the brindle in Sidney. The vets office told me that when I bring them in next week, they will give me some papers that reflect their breed, so if Petsmart or any other daycare has any question of their breed I can show them that :yahoo She said normally she wouldn't do something like that, but the pit is so subtle that it can be easily explained away. I'm so happy, girls! Now my pups can get into a daycare! :woohoo Thanks for all your help, ladies!

Im with Shannon... I would not have guessed pit either.
If it wasn't for the brindle I doubt anything would ever be said... and HELL I had a brindle colored Chihuahua so any breed can through a brindle apparently! That was the UGLIEST dog I have ever seen! She was so ugly she was cute... that was a mean little runt though :teehee
I've never seen a brindle chihuahua. Just one more thing for me to make fun of when it comes to those dogs. As it is I call them kick-ables, bite size and snacks :lol

A lot of the BETTER kennels should offer day care...You should just lie and say lab mix unless they have the Pitt Head features...

yay, I'm so glad your vet is helping you out!

yay! i'm glad you can get your doggies into daycare now.