American XL bullies

[Omegstrat6]

See the government have moved to ban the breed by the end of the year. I get that it's the breeders and owners rather than the dog itself but very clearly something has to be done and banning them is, sadly, probably the easiest and quickest way of tackling the problem.

Of course not all of these dogs are as dangerous or prey driven as those involved in these attacks but far too many are deliberately bred to be like this because criminals and unscrupulous breeders know there is money to be made from dick heads who want them because it makes them look hard.

Banning any breed of dog is difficult and it is the breeders/owners not the animal at fault. Breeds like Staffies, Rottweilers or Ridgebacks for example, have all had bad reputations at some point but I know more than a few of these who are soft and well behaved. These reputations came about mostly through the behaviour of certain owners and how the dogs had been encouraged to behave by them. It is true that certain breeds have a propensity towards certain behaviours (e.g. Prey driven) but owners should be aware of this and only select dogs that suit their lifestyle. Sadly too many do not which is where a lot of problems come in. A border collie, for example, cooped up in a flat most of the day with no mental stimulation and little exercise may still look cute but will soon turn anxious and potentially aggressive because it's needs aren't being met.

As a rule, I have always personally found big dogs far less yappy/snappy than little ones but, of course, they are also far more likely to cause more damage/injury if they do turn because of their size/strength. At the end of the day, however soft your dog may be, whatever the breed, they are still animals and owners should not forget that and children in particular may not be able to "read" a dog's warning signs. Our own boxer-mastiff cross loves little people and is very kissy and protective of our grandchildren but he is 8 stone and could hurt them even accidentally so would never leave him alone with them.

What gets me is the number of people who have American XL bullies who have come out recently and claim that they are soft and lovely (which they may generally be) but then you see them walking them with a long lead attached to a collar (often walking more than one dog) and, in one instance, a split lead for two dogs. These are large 50kg plus dogs FFS, how can they possibly control them like this? Not seen one yet in a harness rather than collar and lead.

I certainly have sympathy for the "owners not breed" argument (put forward by organizations that should know) but clearly the government needed to act.

[baggieal]

See the government have moved to ban the breed by the end of the year. I get that it's the breeders and owners rather than the dog itself but very clearly something has to be done and banning them is, sadly, probably the easiest and quickest way of tackling the problem.

Of course not all of these dogs are as dangerous or prey driven as those involved in these attacks but far too many are deliberately bred to be like this because criminals and unscrupulous breeders know there is money to be made from dick heads who want them because it makes them look hard.

Banning any breed of dog is difficult and it is the breeders/owners not the animal at fault. Breeds like Staffies, Rottweilers or Ridgebacks for example, have all had bad reputations at some point but I know more than a few of these who are soft and well behaved. These reputations came about mostly through the behaviour of certain owners and how the dogs had been encouraged to behave by them. It is true that certain breeds have a propensity towards certain behaviours (e.g. Prey driven) but owners should be aware of this and only select dogs that suit their lifestyle. Sadly too many do not which is where a lot of problems come in. A border collie, for example, cooped up in a flat most of the day with no mental stimulation and little exercise may still look cute but will soon turn anxious and potentially aggressive because it's needs aren't being met.

As a rule, I have always personally found big dogs far less yappy/snappy than little ones but, of course, they are also far more likely to cause more damage/injury if they do turn because of their size/strength. At the end of the day, however soft your dog may be, whatever the breed, they are still animals and owners should not forget that and children in particular may not be able to "read" a dog's warning signs. Our own boxer-mastiff cross loves little people and is very kissy and protective of our grandchildren but he is 8 stone and could hurt them even accidentally so would never leave him alone with them.

What gets me is the number of people who have American XL bullies who have come out recently and claim that they are soft and lovely (which they may generally be) but then you see them walking them with a long lead attached to a collar (often walking more than one dog) and, in one instance, a split lead for two dogs. These are large 50kg plus dogs FFS, how can they possibly control them like this? Not seen one yet in a harness rather than collar and lead.

I certainly have sympathy for the "owners not breed" argument (put forward by organizations that should know) but clearly the government needed to act.

Blame the owners every time! That said some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others. One of the calmest breeds and lovely are Golden Retrievers!

Some owners need to be hammered with huge fines/imprisonment though for making dogs vicious or not keeping them under control. For example - I don’t blame farmers shooting dogs chasing after their sheep. Why should a farmer lose pregnant sheep costing many thousands of pounds because of a dog and it’s owner letting it run wild!

About a year ago a bull dog sank its teeth into our golden retriever and I shouted at the old boy to put his dog on a lead - he ignored the request and the dog sank its teeth into my dog again and she was in pain. I kicked his dog in the head really hard and had no other option!

No excuse for vicious dogs and they should be put down and owners hammered!

[mickd1961]

A dog is an animal, not one of them can be 100% trusted not to bite.

My daughter recently lost her wonderful 13 year old labradoodle who was the softest dog I’ve ever known but even he surprised her by giving her a sharp nip in his last year.

Old age and bad health can understandably affect any of us and any animal.

Those Ridgbacks are f kin horrible dogs and I’ve never met a Rottweiler that I’d trust.

The very minimum has to be that all of these types of dogs have to be muzzled in public.

[baggieal]

A dog is an animal, not one of them can be 100% trusted not to bite.

My daughter recently lost her wonderful 13 year old labradoodle who was the softest dog I’ve ever known but even he surprised her by giving her a sharp nip in his last year.

Old age and bad health can understandably affect any of us and any animal.

Those Ridgbacks are f kin horrible dogs and I’ve never met a Rottweiler that I’d trust.

The very minimum has to be that all of these types of dogs have to be muzzled in public.

I would trust any breed of dog more so than those f uckers arriving on masse in dinghies!

[On Balance]

This breed of dog needs to be banned. They do not fit the criteria of being a family pet. I have lived with dogs all my life and have never had any issues with our own. I did get bitten by a dog, a black lab, as a kid when I tried to pick some hailstones from it thinking I was helping. That experience did not put me off of dogs though. They are lovely animals but you should always have the understanding that they are animals and therefore, no matter how much you love and trust them, they could be unpredictable.

These XL dogs are not what the average person wants as a pet. They are a trophy dog perhaps, if you get my meaning.

[On Balance]

I would trust any breed of dog more so than those f uckers arriving on masse in dinghies!

Shocking comment.

Off topic and racist.

No surprise really.

[baggieal]

A dog is an animal, not one of them can be 100% trusted not to bite.

My daughter recently lost her wonderful 13 year old labradoodle who was the softest dog I’ve ever known but even he surprised her by giving her a sharp nip in his last year.

Old age and bad health can understandably affect any of us and any animal.

Those Ridgbacks are f kin horrible dogs and I’ve never met a Rottweiler that I’d trust.

The very minimum has to be that all of these types of dogs have to be muzzled in public.

I know our dog wouldn’t have it in her to bite. Almost every time it’s the people not the dogs. Aggression in any circumstance whether it’s a human or a dog leads to violence. Drink, drugs and violent films can make many humans aggressive but usually a dog will only be aggressive if hurt or trained to be like that.

[baggiematt]

I know our dog wouldn’t have it in her to bite. Almost every time it’s the people not the dogs. Aggression in any circumstance whether it’s a human or a dog leads to violence. Drink, drugs and violent films can make many humans aggressive but usually a dog will only be aggressive if hurt or trained to be like that.

Dogs have mental health issues though Al. My old dog wouldn’t have bitten a thing, but he started going a bit daft one year and he bit several people. He had to be put down and the vet said it may have been to do with early dementia.

He was only a little one so wouldn’t have caused much damage, but I always thought what if that’s a dog that could cause serious damage.

[boingy]

I’ve always found it strange how different breeds are highlighted in different time periods as if they are targeted. In my life it started with Alsatian’s, then Doberman’s, Rottweilers then Staffordshire bull terriers (which I own) now the focus is on XL bullies. Obviously if a dog is so big and so aggressive I can see why something is felt has to be done but there will be some owners of these dogs who have no issues with them whatsoever. Incidentally I was bitten several times by a Jack Russell I owned but never in the 14 years of owning a Staffy. He hardly opens his mouth. The owners have to be targeted not the breed, and the inter breeders who try to create a vicious dog have to be targeted. Dogs are dogs. Treat them well and they are the best companions you will ever have, treat them wrong and even a handbag dog will have your finger off.

[baggieal]

I’ve always found it strange how different breeds are highlighted in different time periods as if they are targeted. In my life it started with Alsatian’s, then Doberman’s, Rottweilers then Staffordshire bull terriers (which I own) now the focus is on XL bullies. Obviously if a dog is so big and so aggressive I can see why something is felt has to be done but there will be some owners of these dogs who have no issues with them whatsoever. Incidentally I was bitten several times by a Jack Russell I owned but never in the 14 years of owning a Staffy. He hardly opens his mouth. The owners have to be targeted not the breed, and the inter breeders who try to create a vicious dog have to be targeted. Dogs are dogs. Treat them well and they are the best companions you will ever have, treat them wrong and even a handbag dog will have your finger off.

Top post Boingy and totally agree with you. It’s about mutual respect and your last sentence is spot on!