How much will I have to pay on insurance if I got a pitbull?

Why? Why get a dog that is potentially harmful to others?

@skfinkel shutup it’s only dangerous if you don’t know how to train them.

back to the question it depends on the insurance company you are planning to go with, call them to get a quote.

Here’s some info on insurance companies that are pit-friendly.

Please, if you really want a pit bull, consider adoption of a rescue dog rather than getting a puppy from a breeder. Every shelter and rescue in the US is filled with homeless pit bulls.

@skfinkel

ANY dog is potentially harmful to others.

@skfinkel

I want to get a pitbull because a lot of them are put to sleep everyday because no one wants them. They’re breed is in danger. Yes, they CAN be harmful dogs if they are brought up on their own. That is their breed. If you train it when its a puppy and show it love it will act differently. It’s the same for humans. If you are treated bad when you’re younger, you could end up being bad when you’re older. If you’re treated good, you have a better attitude on life.

Although, pitbulls have small heads and can nap, but I don’t think they will snap if you bring them up right.

@skfinkel

“I want to get a pitbull because a lot of them are put to sleep everyday because no one wants them. ”

So you are going to rescue one, then? Here’s a great resource.

@MrGeneVan “shut up”?? that’s not a very productive comment. And it’s rude.

@crisw: I realize that all dogs can be trained to be bad, or if you surprise them, they could snap, but aren’t pit bulls notorious for killing people? getting out of their yards and attacking neighbors and such. I don’t recall other dogs being known for that behavior. Granted, they may love their owners if they are trained well.

There’s a charming story in last week’s New Yorker about a pit bull: Ava’s Room by Jonathan Lechem.

@skfinkel

A well-trained and well-bred pit bull is less likely to attack humans than most other breeds.

Pit bulls were bred for generations to fight other dogs, and dog aggression is an issue for pit owners. However, the “pit dogs” were in the ring with their human handlers, and any dog that showed aggression to humans was killed. Statistics by organizations that test dogs for temperament, such as the American Temperament Testing Society, consistently find pits to be stable dogs, and most bite surveys rank many breeds far above pits.

Yes, lots of “pit attacks” make the news. These dogs are often not pit bulls at all, but a mix of mutts bred for viciousness.

@crisw I appreciate the explanation. The original question was about insurance. Are people required to get insurance for pit bulls? and if so, is that the only breed that does require insurance?

@skfinkel

I read that pit bulls represent 2% of the dog population in America but are responsible for about 33% of dog-related fatalities. Rotweilers, doberman pinschers, and german shepherds are also ones known to be responsible.

@MrGeneVan, I’m surprised at your exceedingly rude response to skfinkel. Surely we can disagree without forgetting ordinary courtesy.

Were you wondering about homeowner’s insurance or health insurance? While the above comments demonstrate the variety of opinions on pit bulls and their owners, I didn’t see much on health insurance. A bit of research showed that a “standard” plan for a newborn pit bull will cost about 25/mo, but varies based on location and breed. I admire the thought you are putting into the decision to adopt: too many people will get a pet on a whim and are then unable to afford proper pet care.

@crisw

No, insurance companies discriminate against many breeds, including German shepherds, Dobermans, and even Great Danes.

Great Danes, What?!?!? I can’t believe that they won’t insure Great Danes, their such sweet dogs. It must be because they are so big.

Having had to pull a pit off of my shi tzu before, I know first hand what pits are capable of and the thing about them is not that they just are bad dogs thirsting for human blood, its the culture and type of people that tend to own them. There are too many wanabe gangster, drug dealing, quasi-Michael Vick types that own pits.These dogs are usually rewarded for aggressive behavior and are not always treated very well themselves. We all know the outcome of pits with these types of owners.

I don’t think all pits should be put down (although many of their owners should be), but I do think anyone that owns one should be required to prove they are capable of training them. Until we get control of pit bull owners I will always be ready for a fight when I see one in the park, on the street, or around my home.

We have a rescued pit bull. We didn’t get health insurance on him, preferring to be self-insured, but we did send him (and ourselves) to doggie boot camp so he would be a good citizen. Our homeowner’s insurance didn’t change at all due to taking him in.

However, that is something that varies by locality. In our area there are no laws banning specific breeds of dog. There are ordinances dealing with “dangerous animals,” venomous animals, native species, and dogs with a history of biting, but nothing specifically against pit-bulls.

He is a sweet dog who is lovely to have around us in the house, but he does change when outside the yard and does not like strangers, so he will never go out not on a leash. He would most likely be death on four feet to any cats he saw outside as well, although he is good about our inside cats now. He sometimes comes close to forgetting but he always remembers that I am alpha and stops in his tracks when I say “No cat!” or “Leave it!” He is also a dog that cannot live with small children.

And if you ever come to visit me, do not reach out and try to open the storm door. Let me open it from inside. If you do it, you are an aggressor and he will protect me. If I do it you are a welcome guest and he will greet you with lots of sniffing and tail wagging.

However you come by your pit-bull, bear in mind that training is vital, for yourself, the members of your household, and the dog itself. He will want with all his heart to please you but you need to be sure that you are all speaking the same language.