Although your son will likely contribute to the dog's care, he is only 11 years old, so you have to decide whether you want and can handle a bully breed.
They need firm, consistent leadership and training, more socialisation and adequate exercise than your average dog breed.
However, as long as you are willing to do this, there is no reason a bully breed can't make an excellent family pet.
we have two pitbulls we raised from puppies. I have had all kinds of dogs in my time here but have never had a more affectionant dog than these two.My son wants a bully breed of dog?
Thats cool...bully breeds are awesome. If you get a pup and train it properly, it won't bother your cats. Make sure you crate train the pup and provide LOTS of exercise once you get home....they have lots of energy. A dog with pent up energy=a bad dog!
Put your foot down %26amp; say "NO". If he wants a bully breed let him wait until he is old enough to be responsible for it. Like when he is old enough to leave home.
These dogs need to be ruled by a very stiff hand %26amp; he is not old enough to do that. You will he held liable for any issues that come up. Plus if you are renting there may be restrictions on what kind of dog you have.My son wants a bully breed of dog?
WHY does he want a "bully breed" to begin with? Any particular reason?
YOU have had experience with two dogs, two different breeds. He has probably had zero experience with any dogs in terms of him being sole handler/owner. I do not consider this to be "experienced" enough to deal with a bully breed unless you get serious professional help from someone who KNOWS bullies.
YOU would be the one in control of this dog, not your son - you DO realize this, yes? That it would be highly irresponsible for HIM to be the sole caretaker, let alone trainer/walker? So can YOU handle a 60lb dog capable of pulling 5x their weight when they want to go one way and you want to go the other?
A lot of bullies are also animal/dog aggressive - their original purpose was along the lines of dog fighting, bull baiting, and hunting/ratting. Which means you would have to be experienced enough to stop, correct, and prevent incidents with your cats.
Wouldn't suggest it, myself, unless YOU have the money/time to dedicate to PROPER training and socialization.
I'm not opposed to bully breeds (are we talking Pit Bulls or Bull dogs?), but I think your son is a little young to care for such a pit bull type. They are large and strong dogs. Mine is a pit bull mix and weighs 70 lbs at 1 year old; she can drag me around the neighborhood if she wanted to and requires lots of exercise or gets destructive! There are smaller breeds of pit bulls... the Staffordshire Terrier is a pit bull breed and is smaller and lean (and very cute.)
Other than that, that is the most discouragement I would have to give that you should consider. Your son will love any dog that becomes part of the family I hope; plus you are the parent and make the decisions. Also remember that you will be doing most of the care I bet, so you have a say in it too.
As to the cats, I adopted my pit at about 8 weeks old and already had an older cat at home (12 years old) and taught my pit to keep away or "be nice" and they ended up being great friends. Even have pics of them sleeping together many times. My biggest concern is when my dog was playing and my cat was nearby because my dog is a klutz and would crush my cat by mistake, so I was always watchful of that.
American Pit Bull Terrier puppy all the way. They are extremely loyal, and love kids. It will protect your son no matter what it has to do. No matter how old your son is, he can be the pack leader for any breed. I was GREAT handling my first Pit at 9 years old. He is getting older, and it is important that he has somrthing he can call 'his own', and if it is a little puffy dog, he may not want to care for it as much. You and your son watch Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel. Cesar Milan gives lots of advice on bullies.
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