Restricted Breeds - Pit Mix & Bullmastiff

Gessa

Hi All,

I have the possibility of moving to Ireland, Dublin - I am currently living in the US, but originally from London.

I have 2 dogs, 1 a pit mix, Rasta (picked him up in the Cayman Islands) and a bullmastiff, Kaya. Both are well trained. I am a 35 yr old female lawyer, so hardly yob like.

I did a search of this forum and found that life for owners of restricted breeds, is well...restricted.. (Aer Lingus won't let Rasta at 55lbs on the plane, but Kaya at 100lbs is fine.. so have to find some round about way for entry)

How bad is it really? Do you really get negative reactions from the public when walking your dogs? Are there any places at all where such dogs can run free?

The other problem I expect will come is trying to find a landlord willing to rent to us...I am willing to live further out, so that the dogs can have a decent garden, perhaps near to a beach. Am I right to expect it will be difficult to find somewhere to live? Are there any locations that I should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice, suggestions you may have.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Gessa wrote: »

Hi All,

I have the possibility of moving to Ireland, Dublin - I am currently living in the US, but originally from London.

I have 2 dogs, 1 a pit mix, Rasta (picked him up in the Cayman Islands) and a bullmastiff, Kaya. Both are well trained. I am a 35 yr old female lawyer, so hardly yob like.

I did a search of this forum and found that life for owners of restricted breeds, is well...restricted.. (Aer Lingus won't let Rasta at 55lbs on the plane, but Kaya at 100lbs is fine.. so have to find some round about way for entry)

How bad is it really? Do you really get negative reactions from the public when walking your dogs? Are there any places at all where such dogs can run free?

The other problem I expect will come is trying to find a landlord willing to rent to us...I am willing to live further out, so that the dogs can have a decent garden, perhaps near to a beach. Am I right to expect it will be difficult to find somewhere to live? Are there any locations that I should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice, suggestions you may have.

Hi Gessa, and welcome to the forum.

Life as an owner of a restricted breed here in Ireland can be a little fustrating to say the least.

Yes, you will receive a lot of negative reaction from people on the street. But you'll learn to live with it.

Legally there is no where you can let your dog run free, unless you own your own land I guess (I don't). What I do is visit the beach either early in the morning or late in the evening (and during winter when its mostly empty any hour).

Legally your obligied to muzzle your dog, I refuse to do this and I'll pay any amount of fines before I'll put a muzzle on my lads.

Honestly I've no idea about air transportation from the USA.

A little advice on the Pitbull, when your getting his licence register him as a mixed breed - then thats exactly what he is

Best of luck with the move if it happens.

.

BryanL

why can't a 55lb dog fly? I've seen people bringing in cats.
Bryan

LisaO

why can't a 55lb dog fly? I've seen people bringing in cats.
Bryan

As OP stated the larger dog is OK to fly, I presume it must be because of the breed?

Would a vet cert stating that the dog is a mixed breed of unknown parentage help to get around this problem?

Whispered

I think it's important to say though, that while you can get bad reactions from people, you also often meet people who make a point of smiling at you, or asking if they can pet him. It's not all bad.

I'm pretty ok, Harley is a cross, and is licensed as a cross, should we be asked, we simply don't know what he is as he was a rescue, but we think a boxer x

Really, when you find an area, chances are you will find somewhere to walk your dogs in peace. Or like Makikomi said, go for walks early or late.

Wicklow is fantastic if your dogs have good recall. Mile after mile of forests and hills to walk in. Chances of meeting people are slim. Walking in certain places, you're more likely to come across a fawn (as happened yesterday) than another person. And if people do come along, it's generally so quiet, you'll hear them before you see them. Just stick your dogs back on lead until the people go and continue your walk. Walking in wicklow is easily accesible from South Dublin and Kildare.

Gessa

Thanks everyone.

Wicklow - I like the sound of that. Did a google and it looks absolutely beautiful.

At the moment, living in Jersey City, NJ about 20 mins from NYC, I already take the dogs for a walk early or very late. For one, there are just soo many human idiots around and two the dogs can have free reign. For isn't that the reason to have a dog, so as to enjoy their dog like behaviour?!!:D

Do you think I will have a hard time getting a landlord to take us on?

Gessa

Just thought I'd share a pic of my two..

Whispered

Yes I do think you will to be honest. Most state no pets allowed at all. Maybe you could contact a letting agency here, tell them you are moving to ireland, professional, have references etc and see if they have anything there suitable. It would give you some idea of how easy or hard it would be to find a place.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Gessa, honestly - they are amazing looking dogs.

Wow, your Pitbull is simply stunning.

.

Gessa

Thanks Makikomi - but upon advice taken from this thread, it is not a Pitbull but a cross breed LOL.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Gessa wrote: »

Thanks Makikomi - but upon advice taken from this thread, it is not a Pitbull but a cross breed LOL.

Woops, my bad

Seriously thats a stunning looking dog.

.

joyce2009

oh my god absolutley fantastic dogs there,,i bet they're big slobs too ,, i hate the bad press these beauties have gotten..I lived in phillly and worked in a vets for a few years in the nineties and fell in love with the american pit bulls they're great dogs,,,,,,where in ireland are you moving to?

arybvtcw0eolkf

joyce2009 wrote: »

oh my god absolutley fantastic dogs there

I keep opening the link to look at the Pitbull again!.

Vel

Gorgeous dogs, just stunning. Good luck with your move if you decide to join us here! Another thing I would say is, your dogs may attract the attention of dodgy people. While I don't have a dog on the restricted breed list, I do have a lurcher who attracts lots of attention from undesirables, not 100% sure if its the same for the people with certain restricted breeds but I'd guess it could be.

Any restricted dog owners ever get unwanted attention from people whose interest in their dogs may not be above board?

arybvtcw0eolkf

Vel wrote: »

Gorgeous dogs, just stunning. Good luck with your move if you decide to join us here! Another thing I would say is, your dogs may attract the attention of dodgy people. While I don't have a dog on the restricted breed list, I do have a lurcher who attracts lots of attention from undesirables, not 100% sure if its the same for the people with certain restricted breeds but I'd guess it could be.

Any restricted dog owners ever get unwanted attention from people whose interest in their dogs may not be above board?

Yes, absolutely YES.

And we all know who too, although they've friends on high horses so best left at that!.

Gessa, I can't get over the coat on your Pitbull. I've said it, and I'll repeat it - its stunning.

He's a lovely face too, when I showed my daughter the photo is said "Aww he has a face like Richo" - (Richo is my older dog).

.

joyce2009

Heidi Savory Suit wrote: »

I keep opening the link to look at the Pitbull again!.

I know i just showed my kids the pics they're all oohing and ahhing:D

Gessa

Ah, thanks everybody. Rasta seems to be gathering quite a fan club. Couldn't be prouder even if I gave birth to him myself. So, I have added the 2009 Official Portrait:D

http://s412.photobucket.com/albums/pp208/gessa88/2009%20Official%20Portrait/

Not too sure where I will end up in Ireland, but I am pretty tired of the US - no proper pubs, no proper cider , bacon, tv, healthcare etc.

However, I can't return to England as they wouldn't let Rasta in, although Kaya the bullmastiff is not a dangerous dog over there, although she would be a restricted breed in Ireland. It all so very silly and based on the hysteria and bad ownership of a few!

Rasta (Kaya is a Bob Marley song - get the reggae connection?) was brought up on a tourist horse farm in the Caymans, so he is the most loving and well socialised dog you could wish to meet. So, Kaya will have to join him in the restricted category, because I could not leave either one behind - can leave the (ex) husband but not my dogs!!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Stunner's.

Vel

If you do decide to move, people can advise you where might be a good or not so good place to live with your dogs. There's no point moving somewhere close to a load of boyos who want to steal your dog. I've been in that situation and believe me its horrendous.

Gessa

Val - that is horrible. It that a real possibility? So, I'll be moving from the gun culture to the yobo culture...?

Lauragoesmad

Hi Gessa,
Your pair are beautiful!! I have a "staffie", think she has a tiny bit of pit mixed in from talking to lots of other owners in the last three months.(Looks like a staff to me but what would I know?:D) Ireland is a very hard place for bull breeds. I know some people who think that german shepperds, doberman' and akitas are lovely dogs but mention a bull breed and they see them as devil dogs and killers. Lots of sh*t to put up with but its worth it to prove them wrong with these great dogs. I knew from reading Maikomi's threads how loyal and friendly they can be but never realised the extent of it until I got Bessie. If you do move to Ireland, be prepared for the evil looks but every time I bring Bessie for a walk I change someones opinion of her.:) All these breeds need are more responsible owners to take them on and show that a dogs character is determined by their treatment and upbringing rather than their breed.
Here Bessie is with her best friend, Phoebe.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Is that St.Annes park?.

We must hook up with the dogs someday.

.

DBCyc

I have yet to experience any real negative reaction from other people when I'm out with our staff. We only have her a year though.

You do hear people saying that the breeds are viscous etc. but they don't have a clue. When they meet her, they change their mind...

star-pants

I think all those dogs are gorgeous.
I don't look at a dog and become afraid because of it's breed. I *love* meeting new dogs when I'm out and saying hello. My aunt has a rottweiler and he's just a dote, he's got a new pal who's a golden cocker spaniel and she rules the roost despite his size.
My mother who's terrified of nearly all dogs, this rott loves her for some reason, always makes a beeline for her, pushes her into the house and tries to sit on her lap. She knows he won't hurt her, even though she's terrified.

I hate that so many breeds get a bad name and then people cross the road to get away from them just because of what they are. I've met lots of different dogs whilst out and almost all of them are so lovely. The smaller dogs can be the ones that'll go for you.

cowzerp

Gessa wrote: »

Thanks Makikomi - but upon advice taken from this thread, it is not a Pitbull but a cross breed LOL.

Why dont you say its a bulldog-lab cross, there not going to test it!

that should get you around the stupid rules..

IvySlayer

Your dogs are beautiful.

Anyone who thinks there are 'danergous' breeds are the typical Save Our Children, PC, knee-jerkers, OTT crowd.

Sure there's plenty of people on here to socalise and do walks with.

Lauragoesmad

Heidi Savory Suit wrote: »

Is that St.Annes park?.

We must hook up with the dogs someday.

Yea, it is St Annes. I love that place so much. Bessie is in Leitrim on her holidays at the moment. As soon as she gets back we should let the dogs get to know each other.:) And I have my car back so I'm not stuck with the smelly seafront for walks anymore.:D

arybvtcw0eolkf

Lauragoesmad wrote: »

Yea, it is St Annes. I love that place so much. Bessie is in Leitrim on her holidays at the moment. As soon as she gets back we should let the dogs get to know each other.:) And I have my car back so I'm not stuck with the smelly seafront for walks anymore.:D

I love the sea front for walks tbh, however Dolly'er is a little messy these day.

I love Portmarnock beach, however St. Annes is grand too - I just hate it that I can't let the guys take a free run there and do what dogs do best, ie free free and love life for just a few minutes.

.

pitbull_fanatic

yup unfortunatly u'l get negative reactions. until people meet ur fellas. people are changin their mind about my fellas every day. i dont agree with the muzzle laws though. a responsible owner should no if their dogs need a muzzle or not. not have to muzzle the friendliest dogs in the world because of breed. the laws in this country are so wrong regarding dogs. and they do prosicute for no muzzles. i'm due in court next month for my 2 not being muzzled...

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Colm/Pictures/Dogs/S5000898.JPG[/IMG]

DBCyc

pitbull_fanatic wrote: »

yup unfortunatly u'l get negative reactions. until people meet ur fellas. people are changin their mind about my fellas every day. i dont agree with the muzzle laws though. a responsible owner should no if their dogs need a muzzle or not. not have to muzzle the friendliest dogs in the world because of breed. the laws in this country are so wrong regarding dogs. and they do prosicute for no muzzles. i'm due in court next month for my 2 not being muzzled...

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Colm/Pictures/Dogs/S5000898.JPG[/IMG]

wow - your dogs are amazing

crotalus667

LisaO wrote: »

As OP stated the larger dog is OK to fly, I presume it must be because of the breed?

iirc some one posted before that the airlines have had one or two chew threw crates during the flight

Whispered wrote: »

Yes I do think you will to be honest. Most state no pets allowed at all. Maybe you could contact a letting agency here, tell them you are moving to ireland, professional, have references etc and see if they have anything there suitable. It would give you some idea of how easy or hard it would be to find a place.

Always contact the landlord in person , I have heard of one or two people being told by the letting agency “it’s fine” and then the landlord turning around and saying “O no it’s not”