There is no identifiable breed of "pit bull." There are collections of characteristics that people call "pit bulls" but the distribution and prevalence of characteristics is not uniform. OP, you adopted this dog and you have a responsibility to him/her. You are the dog's whole life. Try to be kindly if that's what you'd like back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My PG County rescue mix is 1/2 German Shepherd and 1/2 Belgian Malinois. Pit mixes are common, but you can find other rescues from time to time. However, it is beastly (pun intended) trying to adopt a non-Pit mix. There were hundreds of apps for my doggy. I’m lucky to have her.

Isn't a Belgian Malinois a dangerous breed?

Any large dog can be dangerous in the wrong situation.

Anonymous wrote:My PG County rescue mix is 1/2 German Shepherd and 1/2 Belgian Malinois. Pit mixes are common, but you can find other rescues from time to time. However, it is beastly (pun intended) trying to adopt a non-Pit mix. There were hundreds of apps for my doggy. I’m lucky to have her.

Isn't a Belgian Malinois a dangerous breed?

My PG County rescue mix is 1/2 German Shepherd and 1/2 Belgian Malinois. Pit mixes are common, but you can find other rescues from time to time. However, it is beastly (pun intended) trying to adopt a non-Pit mix. There were hundreds of apps for my doggy. I’m lucky to have her.

Anonymous wrote:Every rescue is a pit mix.

Not mine. I got one that's a purebred Lab (a throw-back because he's got a double coat, webbed feet and a solid but not blocky head) and a purebred Toy Poodle. One came from South Carolina and the other from Indiana. Because we don't have breeding papers, they are listed as 'mixed' on all our paperwork. FWIW, they did not come from a breed specific rescue. We've also fostered a lot of dogs for different rescue groups. The Pit Bull mixes were pretty obvious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why risk it. take it back to the rescue...

Agree.

Return it.

I'd take it back. But I have to say that I'm surprised that no-one has said that "A pet is a lifelong commitment. If you take the dog back you should never have another dog again etc". That's usually the sort of advice given on this forum.

OP here. I am struggling with this because honestly I am one of those “A pet is a lifetime commitment” type people. I am also the poster who is grappling with giving up my dog because I am allergic to him. More and more this is feeling like it was never meant to be.

Yes, but you are talking about a pitbull here.

DNA testing does not give particularly accurate breed determinations. A mixed breed dog is not a pit bull, it is a mixed breed dog. The OP should give the dog back if it is not a good dog for her, but a novelty DNA analysis should not be the basis for her decision.

Pit (mostly), Bassett, and a few random others.

Many dogs at shelters and rescues have pit mixed in.. as well as lab, beagle, etc. My own dog is a mix of 8 different breeds at least! A pit mix is much different from a purebred. What’s your dog mixed with? Also does the DNA test literally say pit mix? Most tests I’ve seen aren’t that specific and make it clear they are guessing to a large degree.

If you’re allergic and having second thoughts you should return the dog so they can find him a good home and before he gets more attached to you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why risk it. take it back to the rescue...

Agree.

Return it.

I'd take it back. But I have to say that I'm surprised that no-one has said that "A pet is a lifelong commitment. If you take the dog back you should never have another dog again etc". That's usually the sort of advice given on this forum.

OP here. I am struggling with this because honestly I am one of those “A pet is a lifetime commitment” type people. I am also the poster who is grappling with giving up my dog because I am allergic to him. More and more this is feeling like it was never meant to be.

Yes, but you are talking about a pitbull here.

Anonymous wrote:Every rescue is a pit mix.

Wrong. I suppose you can just come on here and post fake information to support your agenda, but you are factually incorrect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why risk it. take it back to the rescue...

Agree.

Return it.

I'd take it back. But I have to say that I'm surprised that no-one has said that "A pet is a lifelong commitment. If you take the dog back you should never have another dog again etc". That's usually the sort of advice given on this forum.

OP here. I am struggling with this because honestly I am one of those “A pet is a lifetime commitment” type people. I am also the poster who is grappling with giving up my dog because I am allergic to him. More and more this is feeling like it was never meant to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why risk it. take it back to the rescue...

Agree.

Return it.

I'd take it back. But I have to say that I'm surprised that no-one has said that "A pet is a lifelong commitment. If you take the dog back you should never have another dog again etc". That's usually the sort of advice given on this forum.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I am definitely a rule follower and so this made me a little nervous.

My husband for some reason sees no problem with telling people that it's a Pit Mix when we walk down the street. I have asked him to just say we don't know, we got him from a shelter, but he thinks it's fine. Argh.

As for why we got the test, honestly, we get a new guess every day from people on what he is, and our curiosity just got the better of us!

Not smart: getting a DNA test on a shelter dog in PG county.

Also not smart: telling people your dog is a pit bull.

Be smart!

-former pit mix owner. It was a beautiful dog, but seriously?!!

Anonymous wrote:Real question, as I am thinking about getting a shelter dog and I live in PG: why would you get a dna test on a dog? Thanks!

Go with a breeder, not a shelter and definitely not a rescue, unless you can completely identify the dog at a glance, like an obvious beagle or poodle.

That is the only way to safeguard you, your family and your neighbors from accidentally bringing a pitbull into your home and neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I am definitely a rule follower and so this made me a little nervous.

My husband for some reason sees no problem with telling people that it's a Pit Mix when we walk down the street. I have asked him to just say we don't know, we got him from a shelter, but he thinks it's fine. Argh.

As for why we got the test, honestly, we get a new guess every day from people on what he is, and our curiosity just got the better of us!

I don't get what your husband is thinking. He needs to stop that! I love my pit mix and if I were in your situation I wouldn't take any chances.