Truckers Having A Pit Bull OTR

Hello all. I'm going to be starting the company-sponsored training program at Prime on November 5th. This site is by far the best resource I've found in learning about trucking. I've managed to find answers to most of my questions without having to ask. But one thing I haven't seen much about here or anywhere else on the web is experiences regarding having a pit bull with you when you're driving around the country.

One of the reasons I was initially attracted to Prime is that they have a pet policy. My dog is my baby girl, and there's no way I'm going a whole year without her. She'll be staying with my parents until I get through training, then I plan to take her with me.

My question is, does anyone have any personal experience or know of anyone else who has a pit on the road? My concern is about driving through places with breed-specific legislation. I've seen truckers on the internet that have pits, so obviously people do it, but I haven't found anyone that talks about the issue of places than ban pit bulls. Nobody mentions having a problem with it. Is a cop in a place with BSL going to mess with a truck driver that has a pit? What about weigh stations? She's not an intimidating-looking dog. The daintiest pit bull I've ever seen, actually. Some people don't even think she's a pit. She's not going to attract negative attention.

This might seem like an odd first question to ever ask on this forum, but like I said, pretty much everything else I wanted to know I've already read on here. Any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

This website has a list of trucking companies that allow pets so check that out.

List of Trucking Companies That Allow Pets

Paul, I've come across several pit bulls in trucks in my travels. I've never heard anyone say anything about your concerns. Those ordinances are usually in place for residents of certain communities, they can't control the people who are just passing through. You shouldn't have any problems transporting your dog wherever you like. I'm not that familiar with D.O.T. officers handling of a dog on board, but I do know that sometimes local law enforcement in my hometown will sometimes give a little more thorough going over when they see someone with a pit bull with them.

It's unfortunate that such a gentle natured breed of dog has gotten such a bum rap due to the fact that thugs and drug dealers, not to mention the cruel dog fighters, have chosen them as their mascots and companions.

You go ahead and take your dog with you, you'll both enjoy it.

Thank you Old School, that's reassuring. I'm really looking forward to it. Yes, they definitely have a bum rap. My dog is a sweetheart. But I am counting on her bark to scare off any knocking lot lizards. :-)

Old School nailed it.

But also, keep in mind that a lot of companies have a weight limit on your pet. I'm not saying that your dog is heavy but I know for a fact that a lot of companies do restrict your dogs weight. I haven't looked into it myself, but from what others drive told me in our conversations is that Central pet policy states that the pet cannot exceed 50 pounds. Prime's policy is most likely different.

Just to be safe though I would call up a Prime recruiter and make sure that everything will be okay with your pitbull. I would verify their policy just to be on the safe side.

Yes, that's another issue that slipped my mind. Prime's policy is 40 pounds, my dog is 45. Are they actually going to weigh my dog, do you think? I wouldn't think five pounds would be a big deal. She's smallish-medium, slender (classic pit bull, not one of those big behemoths they breed nowadays). If they don't put her on a scale, or if they aren't too hardcore about the weight limit, I think she could slide by. You're right, I should ask the recruiter.

Yes, that's another issue that slipped my mind. Prime's policy is 40 pounds, my dog is 45. Are they actually going to weigh my dog, do you think? I wouldn't think five pounds would be a big deal. She's smallish-medium, slender (classic pit bull, not one of those big behemoths they breed nowadays). If they don't put her on a scale, or if they aren't too hardcore about the weight limit, I think she could slide by. You're right, I should ask the recruiter.

Glad to help! There's always other people here reading the topics and thinking of what they can add in. I can't count how many times Old School has complimented my post with some of his feedback or even corrected it! Too many!

I haven't actually signed up for the pet policy before but I doubt they'll literally take her and put her on a scale to get her exact weight.

However. You have to remember that its a policy. There's a chance they won't take it too kindly to find out that you've been breaking their policy. Its impossible to say. So I think your best bet is a recruiter.

There are companies now, that are getting harder on specific breeds. So be sure and clear your pit with Prime. I say this because the liability for your dog transfers THRU you to the trucking company. Why do I know this ?? TSB was at a truck stop, and had Mr Shorty( our Jack Russel terrier truck dog) on a leash, in the grass in the back. A pit came from nowhere, grabbed Mr Shorty by the neck, and had TSB been any slower, would have snapped his neck. In the ensuing fight, TSB got bit 3-4 times by the pit before the owner got there ( yes the pit was not on a leash). TSB got the driver's truck information from another driver who had seen it all. TSB and Mr Shorty both needed stitches, Mr Shorty 22...TSB over 60. I contacted the trucking company, who gave us the information on the driver...who basically blew us off. So, since the trucking company was in the same state that TSB's cousin is an attorney...he filed suit against the trucking company, who the guy drove for. We were successful, and all our bills were paid, plus downtime and my airplane flight to go drive the truck, since TSB couldn't. So be sure and let them know that you will have a pit....and were I you, I'd keep a HARNESS and muzzle in the truck with you...we did, even for our little JR's..

I drive for Prime, have not seen any issues with having Pit Bull's on the truck. In fact, I know of at least 1 driver that has 2 large dogs on his truck.

Ernie

Yeah, I didn't see anything about breed restrictions with Prime, just the weight limit. I guess a muzzle would be good if we were in a sketchy place and I wanted to make her look scary, like Hannibal Lecter! She's great with other dogs, but I would never let her run around off leash unless it's a dog park (which I've read a lot of truck stops have now). That's terrible what happened with that dog, Starcar. People with dogs like that shouldn't be driving around with them, and definitely shouldn't be letting them run around off leash. Ridiculous.

Thanks for your input, everyone. Every single reply has been a great help!

Great discussion, I have a Staff-Pit he prob definitely too big for a company willing to allow me to take him, but I have another mutt I'd like to bring when I go. I assume O/Os have more lee-way?