I want to start off by saying the vast majority of people that we pass either love him or appear neutral. I never really experienced the discrimination people have towards pits until the past 2 weeks during a couple instances.. and I don't just mean people crossing the street, hes a big, muscular dog I'd cross the street if I wasn't a dog person or had a small dog too. I mean people actually saying something. First at this massive outdoor dog area. It's acres big and a ton of people bring their dogs here to play and run around. this ladies dog comes up to Potter, they start chasing each other. they're roughly the same size, the other dog looks like a st bernard. as soon as her dog passes by she grabs him by the collar, pushes out to keep Potter at bay, and asks me to call my dog which I did, he has pretty good recall + an e collar. I figured she thought her dog was the problem. she then goes on saying "maybe they were playing but it was starting to get rough". it was about 5 seconds of running neither of them even touched each other. She then released her dog to go play with other dogs again.

Same park, another lady does the same thing. I said "If your dog isn't friendly you probably shouldn't bring him to an off leash park mine is very well trained but I know everyone isn't like that."

Then yesterday I took him to his first dog sport event. He did NASDA Urban Location and Lost Item. Once again, most people were neutral, that's fine. but he's maybe 12in off my hip while in line waiting for our turn and this lady with a similar sized dalmation yells "please pull your dogs back!! " as she struggles to control hers. So I immediately do, once again thinking her dog is reactive. but then they pass by and she lets her dog interact with other "softer dogs". Potter wasn't even paying attention to her dog lol.

The first few times I was so angry. I've had him 5 months so maybe I was just oblivious prior. But now I definitely notice it.. I find it hilarious, and I will absolutely make it known that if someone is uncomfortable with their dog being around mine, that is a them problem. We've worked very hard on impulse control, he understands boundaries and what's expected of him. Yeah, he's a black, 65lb pit bull, but if you feel some type of way take your dog and go. Do not ask me to move him, recall him from playing, etc. Handle your discrimination yourself and do it quietly.

Enjoy some pics of him!

EDIT: We must also continue to do a good job as velvet hippo owners to train them well and show the world that they are great dogs! The better of an example that we set the more we'll see people saving them from overcrowded shelters!

EDIT2: All you guys in the comments are awesome and yeah that doberman is his friend no idea why he was looking at him like he said something crazy lol! And this is by no means a "feel sorry for us" post. Potter has no idea any of this is even happening he's happy so that's all that matters! Just sharing my pit bull owner experience, he's my first dog.

Employee of the month, every month, at the frito factory.

You would think but I am just leaving for the weekend and he is staying with his loving father.

Hi friends with hippos! I’ve had my guy since 2020 and unfortunately he gets chronic ear infections. We were just back at the vet yesterday for his latest. The vet said it could be a chicken allergy. I do my best to feed him non-chicken food but unfortunately these companies still stick some type of chicken product in the ingredients.

He’s mainly eaten blue buffalo and currently he’s eating purina pro plan (which has “poultry byproduct as the 4th ingredient when it’s a lamb flavor food). I am doing my research to see if there’s anything with truly no chicken in it and figured I’d ask if any of you all have been successful. Thanks!