To be a bit worried about going to someone's house where they have massive dogs?

I wouldn’t go either, OP.

If they ARE XLs it seems madness to me that they need to be muzzled out in the street but not with loads of friends and family just the other side of their fence.

And so many of these attacks take place within the dogs’ homes or gardens.

The likelihood is that the party will go ahead without incident, but you wouldn’t feel relaxed so what’s the point?

Someone who knows a leonberger 😃😃

In answer to the OP. No I wouldn’t go.
I also wouldn’t be offended if someone didn’t come to mine because of my dogs, that’s the price you pay for choosing a big breed. Surely she will understand.

You are not obliged to go. Life is too short to be doing crap that we don't want to. Just say no. The world will keep turning .......

When you consider the millions of car journeys per day, vs the extremely small amount of 20 person parties around xl bullies the statistics would likely be more chance at the party. Obviously hard to calculate but fatal car crashes are not at all common compared to the amount of cars whereas dog attacks compares to amount of dangerous dog breeds is a fairly high amount, especially when you add in riskier circumstances like the stress of lots of unfamiliar people and noise.

I asked about if the dogs are going to be locked away, and they're not, so I decided to let her know that I wouldn't be able to go

By the look of the voting it doesn't seem you'll be the only one.

I'd only go if they are going to be securely separated from everyone. Definitely wouldn't if they're going to be out around people.

HARD disagree.

It is not your fault if you are walking along a path and an out of control labradoodlecockapoo thing jumps all over you "being friendly" and scratches you. It is the fault of the owner. Similarly, you cannot possibly blame the people who are attacked by one of these bully breed things, that was not their fault either. (Unless they were one of the deluded fools who are the owners of these beasts).

Well done for speaking to her op, people need to accept that sometimes people don’t want to be subject to their choices.

No, I wouldn’t go. I used to live next door to a family who had a Rottweiler. They kept it in the porch ( insanely cruel!) One day, it was off its lead with owner. The dog made a bee line for myself and my mum. It wouldn’t respond to its owners calls; mum and I thought we were done for! The owner said “ Oh she won’t hurt you, she’s very gentle”! Like fuck!! No, gentle the dog most definitely wasn’t!

I would not go. YANBU.

I wouldn't go

Gosh, don’t go. I have a Labrador among others and she’s dappy and sweet and wouldn’t hurt a fly but because she’s massive, she goes to her bed when we have company.

You got a vomiting bug the day before the party I think.

I think the only response is to not go.

But if people are nervous of their dogs, surely if having a party of 20 odd people, they will be secured elsewhere during the party? Why not just ask her if that will be the case.

As an aside, I stopped counting and how many times the word massive could be used in one thread.

(I bet they are not even that big really)

Oh - and I wouldn't be bothered about offending her. If you choose to have these types of animals in your life you are going to get these sorts of reactions.

I wouldn't go either. I dislike dogs at the best of times, most of the dogs round here are yappy, jumpy, poorly trained things. A nuisance rather than a danger. But large powerful dogs ARE a danger, especially in a situation where there are lots of people, kids, noise and food.

Unless the person hosting the party could guarantee that the animals would be locked away safely in the house/garage I would be declining.

Do not go. My friend has a pocket bully and I have not visited her since she got it and she knows my reason. Surprise surprise, she’s now trying to get rid of it as it’s unpredictable, nobody wants it and it looks likely it’s getting PTS.

I wouldn't go, I do like dogs and did work in a place that they often came into, loved giving them a fuss and a treat.
But certain big dogs I still avoided.

The chance of being mauled to death is very small but as proven in recent years some dogs are quite capable of doing so.

I would also avoid even more if the owner calls them babies, just shows what an ignorant owner they have.

You are more likely to die in a car accident on the way to the party than you are to be killed by the dogs.

Honestly, OP, you don't have to adopt such a conciliatory and apologetic tone on this thread. I would feel exactly the same in your position, and I speak as someone who has been around dogs all my life. If you're uncomfortable, which is completely understandable, just make some excuse as a clash of events on that date. If there wasn't a problem with some dogs, then we wouldn't be hearing about the horrendous incidents happening. You'd never forgive yourself if you went and something happened. You won't enjoy it anyway.

I would ask my friend upfront about the dogs. I wouldn't mention "bully breed" when talking about them. If they aren't a bully then you friend will just say "they aren't bully" and you are no further forward.

Tell her you are scared of large dogs, it concerned you last time but there was only one, but now there is two you will struggle to be in close proximity.

She can then either make arrangements to keep them separate or not, and you can decide to go, or not. And if you do go and they make an unexpected appearance, you can leave without fuss because she knows why you left.