Just my opinion, but if your friend really wants kavik, I think it would be a good move to do the trial period and see if it would work. Worst case scenario your friend just got an awesome pet with no preexisting problems- and that's not a bad scenario at all.

Is there any chance that Ivan may eventually move on to another family/owner? Is he more of a foster, or is this his 'forever home'? Those are more rhetorical questions- but I think they might help you decide what you feel is best. Write down the pluses and minuses for both you and the dogs, see where that takes you.

Good luck!

Another thought to go along with what Carolyn said, which dog would be more tolerant (less upset) of having a new dog added to your home?
You know, I'm pretty sure that there are bully type dogs used in Schutzhund and other dog sports. Why do they say "no way" to you? Is it because the pit used to be a fighter?

Either dog is tolerant of new dogs, I have had two training boards here for a weekend or so which went beautifully.
Kavik is very stable in a family as a pet, including being very neutral to children. Ivan wants to jump and lick anything that seems alive in any way (even toys that move)
As to the guy that said no way, it's because they believe that pit bulls cannot be safely used. According to him, no club in the tri state area will say any different, because several of them also train with him.
The fact that he used to be a fighter never even had a chance of coming up.
Worse case scenario, yes, my friend would get a fantastic dog for life.
They are on the final stages of pancreatic cancer with their 16 year old boxer mix. They are not sure how they are going to deal with it, and not sure how to explain to a 4 year old either. I'm not saying they are immediately getting a replacement, it's just an idea I'm throwing around. I think it would be a best case for everyone... it would take Kavik a little getting used to (me too) but she would be able to snooze most of the day with my friend, and possibly go to work with her (as she prefers to do) with a frisbe game or two in the evening as opposed to being in my truck in a crate while I work the other dog, but don't want to leave her at home all day long.

Cameron,

It sounds like you have made up your mind, and just need reassurance. If you have found a great home where Kavik would be better suited, and very happy, and have the final “say so” as to anything that happens to her situation in the feature… I say do a trial run. Let them “board” her for a two-month period. See where that goes.

And that is stupid about the ban on pit breeds in your area. We have an adorable female pit at our club that is a blast to watch. She is awesome! We also have a ‘ban-dog’ (pit/mastif/AB) that is not as driven, but still enjoys coming out to train twice a week. We also have multiple Schnauzers and Rotts, as well as GSDs and a Mal or two. A shame that more people can’t be open to things outside their comfort zone…

You are always welcome to come out to Cali!!

LOL I just MIGHT come out to Cali!

I wish it were as easy as just making up my mind.
I don't like the idea of her being so far away... But maybe it would be better for her to not see me all the time... I just don't know. I've never rehomed a personal dog before, and I never thought that I would. The only dogs I've rehomed have been rescues, and they were with me for training only.

And how did they generally do?

I think that there is a bigger human emotional issue than the dogs being OK. You obviously trust this person or you would not even consider it. Board the dog with your friend, and see how EVERYONE does.

And I agree with not going to visit too much. Kavik and your friend need to bond on their own. A visit later would be better for all IMHO…

Generally, the dogs seem to adapt very quickly, and accept the new home with minimum stress or anxiety. Usually about a week, total. I'm sure that I would be the one needing longer...

Good luck. I know it is a hard decision. You will make the choice that is best for you (and your pup) in the long run…

A friend of mine who lives in MN, and has a GSD from Germany and came to her with a level 1 Schutzhund, and she looked into trying to continue on and she felt the same way and said that in her opinion that the group she had considered was very much like a 'good ole boy club as well.
I think that my friend just wasn't the type of person who could handle the politics of it. But that is neither here nor there.

I can see your difficult conflict. You are a very thoughtful person and when you are ready, you will make the right choice for yourself. Good luck to you!