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Help? I Have a Labrador/ Pit-Bull Mix Temperament Question…?

I recently rescued a Chocolate Labrador/ Pit-bull mix male for my local shelter. He is 14 months old, I also have 13 month old pure breed Boston Terrier female. Both are fixed, and he seems to have a fairly docile temperament, but I get concerned when they play he goes for her neck. Granted, he is pretty gentle with her, but since he is much large than her, I am worried about him hurting her. When I leave them, i do not feel comfortable enough to leave them together unsupervised, so she goes in the kennel and he goes into a closed off kitchen. Am I just being paranoid? Has anyone had a Labrador/ Pit-bull mix? He looks like a lab except for the eyes, and ears, so he appears like a lab mostly. Does anyone have any tips, pointers or suggestions?
Thanks
Thank you everyone for all the input.
'Libertydogtraining', I wish you would have asked me a question, before you made the blanket statement 'You really should have done your research about pit bull dogs to get an idea of what kind of temperament your mix could possibly have.' And assume it was an impulse purchase. I actually researched quite a bit about Labs, and my brother has a 12 year old Lab. I also researched about my Boston Terrier before I adopted her. I view my pets as part of the family. I did not find out my new dog was a Pit-Bull mix until after I adopted him. I also spent quite a bit of time with him and asked the workers of the rescue about his temperament, as well as, observe his behavior with my Boston before the adoption. My question for this board was for tips not for condescension.
I can only assume you that you know only how to deal with animals, since your people skills leave much to be desired.

I had a lab/pit for ten years. She was the greatest dog! She rarely played rough and she wanted to mother out other dogs. She, too, would go for the neck but I think that's a natural dog instinct. She was never rough, and I can't tell you how many dog collars and harnesses I had to replace because she would chew them off everybody else's necks! It sounds like you've been doing the right things, but you don't say how long you've had the new dog. Anyway, keep supervising them for a while and be sure they don't get into any fights. I don't think they will as they are opposite sexes, but after a week or so you should pretty much know.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm and is filed under Boston Terrier Rescue. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • JR

    Boston terriers are used to begin training for pits. They are very mean and get pups ready for the fighting ring. I wouldn't worry about your boston terrier he will probably hurt the lab/pit. Second all dogs go for the throat. OPne of mine (flat coat retriever) If the dog is bigger than him he goes over the back to the back of the neck and once he has them down they all storm the dogs neck. Animal instinct all around doesn't matter that its pit mix. We have never had an issue with a pit lab mix. Labs oh yeah but the pit makes them the better dog contrary to popular belief.

    Added:
    Laurel – You raised dogs for years then you know pits are one of the most docile family loving breeds don't you?? One dog at a time for 50 years doesn't mean squat. Lab/pit mixes are a dime a dozen and very good dogs. If you have much experience with any of the three breeds mentioned here you would know the BT is the mean one in the bunch that needs the most supervision.
    References :

  • laurel g

    Pits can be really nice pets until something sets them off. Then, they become very aggressive. When a pit is mixed with any other type dog, the aggressive behavior can really be worse. I would not leave the pit-lab with my other dog. I would not have children playing near the pit-.lab. In CA, many Counties have made pit bulls illegal to have. There IS a reason for this, or it wouldn't have happened. Even worse, you do not know the background of this particular mix. It is important to always know the background of a potentially deadly dog. You have a very potentially dangerous pet.
    References :
    I raised dogs for years

  • JERILYN D

    I had a lab/pit for ten years. She was the greatest dog! She rarely played rough and she wanted to mother out other dogs. She, too, would go for the neck but I think that's a natural dog instinct. She was never rough, and I can't tell you how many dog collars and harnesses I had to replace because she would chew them off everybody else's necks! It sounds like you've been doing the right things, but you don't say how long you've had the new dog. Anyway, keep supervising them for a while and be sure they don't get into any fights. I don't think they will as they are opposite sexes, but after a week or so you should pretty much know.
    References :

  • Grayce

    As is the case with most Lab mixes, they generally inherit the majority of the Labrador temperment. Boston Terriers have a "little guy" complex, and think they're much bigger than they actually are. If your Boston was in any sort of pain, she'd let the other dog know– they are by no means docile! Dogs can play very gently at the neck– it is not near so vile as it looks! It is important to remember at at 14 months, your new dog is still a puppy! (The rule of thumb is that Labs are puppies till they're 3.) I'm sure they'd be fine to leave alone unsupervised.
    References :

  • libertydogtraining

    All dogs play like this. It is not "pit related."

    You really should have done your research about pit bull dogs to get an idea of what kind of temperment your mix could possibly have. I say possibly, because so many factors contribute to the temperment of a dog.

    I can tell you, however, not to ever leave these two dogs alone unsupervised, if he is indeed a "pit mix." Pit bulls that have been known to get along for years have suddenly got into a squabble that escalated into a severe, even deadly fight. Err on the side of caution, and keep them separated when you can not watch their play.
    References :
    http://www.libertydogtraining.com

  • dallas

    i almost never leave my apbt alone with our lab mix. the lab is older, and does not always want to play, and the pit is 1 year old and runs the lab over. i have always been told to never leave a pit and another dog alone. the pit goes in a large kennel.
    References :

  • terrificsphynx

    If he is being gentle with your boston terrier dont worry about it. If he is being aggresive then you would know and then I would say dont leave them together. It is a natural instinct for a pitbull to go for the neck even when playing. My rottie does it too. Its no big deal as long as they are just playing and he isnt being aggresive to the little dog. The boston terrier would give signs that she is scared and in that case you should worry about them being together.
    References :

  • Kristie

    Please understand that it has been bred into Pitbulls to be dog aggressive so supervise the two whenever they are together and NEVER leave them alone together. I’m not saying that your mix is going to most definatly hurt your Boston but it just isn’t really a risk you want to take right?

    Oh and Laurel G, pitbulls aren’t the only breeds outlawed in certain states and countries. Malamutes, German Shepherds and Rottweilers are others that have been deemed as dangerous breeds. If you look in to breed legislation you will learn that it’s really only a band-aid for irresponsable ownership and some places (the Netherlands for ex.) are now lifting their breed bans because they simply do not work. Pitbulls are not inherently aggressive to humans and have above average scores in temperament tests, however as I mentioned they can tend to be dog or small animal aggressive and always need to be closely watched when around other pets. Please do some research before perpetuating the stigma about this breed.

  • J Brand

    My Dog a Lab Pit Bull that weighed over 100 pounds died at the age of twelve. The only aggressive behavior he ever showed was to take away anything my Bearded Collie had. Otherwise he
    was extremely friendly with other dogs and people (a lousy watch dog). For the most part he did get along well with my Bearded Collie. He would love to grab the rope that hung from a tree branch in our back yard and swing back and forth with my Bearded Collie who would jump on his back and they would be swinging together. It was quite a sight. He was a gentle giant. Never heard him growl. However, He would always jump on strangers and try and lick their face.

  • virginia@hotmail.com

    i have a lab/pitt mix, he is very gentle, loving, loyal, and intelligent. i do nto see any need to worry when dealing with this mix breed. if people were educated on the breed they are buying/adopting and they are alpha (pack leaders) themselves and set boundaries for their animals and allow their animals to BE animals then there is no need to worry about aggression, all animals can be trained. know your breed before you buy and always assert dominance over any breed dog (not punishment, dominance!). i rescue animals in greenville, sc and i have trained every animal i have rescued by myself… i’ve never had a problem with any animal i allow into my home.

    -peace

  • libertydogtraining

    I am sorry if you took offense to my reply. It was not meant to be condescending, and I did not mean to offend.

    I work with so many people who do not research the breeds they get, and then have a hard time with them. I apologize that I did not ask you for more information.

    I did give advice, however, as to not ever leave them alone unsupervised. I have a pit bull, a pit/lab mix, and a yorkshire terrier. I have worked with many pit bulls and mixes, and even worked with a pit bull rescue for some time.

    I hope things are going great and thank you for adopting!

  • coleen

    I adopted a lab/pit mix when she was prob 8mths …she is now fixed and 2yrs. She looks
    like a small lab. Her eyes are pit and when she sits and looks up at me her jaw looks like
    a pit. I would never have wanted anything with pitbull in it. However she has turned out to
    be the most loving wonderful dog ever! She gets along with all dogs and our cat (if you can
    believe that) However if another dog gets aggressive with her she will Not back down and
    is not intimidated instead acting like “you wanna fight….its on” So I do have to watch her
    with any “alpha type” dog. But even though I trust her….I always take precautions as you
    are too.

  • Richard Kirkwood

    I have a 10 month old male lab/ pit mix, and he is the most gentle of dogs that i have ever owned. Now mind you he is very playful and loves to run from one end of the house to the other and he loves playing with his toys. He has a very mild temperment and seems to love everyone. My next door neighbors have a small kitten and they both are the best of friends. My only concern with Adonis is that he likes to chew on blankets and pillows pulling the stuffing out. But he has never once touched any of the furniture, but i cannot leave a blanket or pillow anywhere in his sight with him being alone or it will be destroyed. It seems to me that Lab mixes tend to be very gentle and happy dogs. I once also owned a Lab/Great Dane female who was the best dog i have ever owned, she never ever gave me any sort of problems, she would not even harm a bird in the yard.

  • Thomas

    Some People have no idea what they are taking about. Like any dog your dog does have potential for aggression, However it’s entirly up to you. I have a Pit MIx That is a rescue and is the best dog I have ever seen. the one difference is he goes through Raw Hides alot faster than Most dogs. Watch the two dogs and Make sure the other one doesn’t start anything because your pit mix will react to protect himself if it feels threatened. But i think you have a great dog and you shouldn’t loose any sleep over it.

  • http://what? edwin

    what is there to worry about it being mixed with a pitbull. you automatically assume that a pitbull is a killing machine, altough it can be you have to teach it to be that way.a pittbull is a very loyal and loving family dog.look it up under tempermants of a pittbull they will all tell you the same.i just got a lab and pit mix but mine is more of a lab than pitt.i wouldnt worry about your mix attacking your other dog if they have grown around each other but just like any other breed if the dog is new to the house and didn’t grow up around your other dogs its a good idea to keep watch wether it has pitt in it or not.