What’s with these XL Bullies?

[wonderr]

Have just read that another of these dogs is responsible for a death.

I haven’t heard of them - what breed is this, a new one? Surely they should be banned?

Not just "chavs". There's a small but real subculture in America of young liberal "woke" women who have a saviour complex around poor misunderstood pitbulls who are then surprised when genetics come out.

They're just hideous. A guy on the estate we live on has one. I saw him walking it when it was a cute little waggy puppy. Fast forward a year and it's now an enormous ball of muscle and is extremely reactive towards other dogs. The guy looks like a normal functioning member of society, not a wannabe gangster so I would assume its treated well. Thankfully I've never seen it off the lead but I have no doubt it would attack and probably kill if it got away.

People say it's not the breed - it is!!! Of course bad ownership makes it worse, but they can just turn in an instant and for seemingly no reason. There are so many stories not just from the UK, but across the world of these dogs being raised in loving homes from puppies and they go on to kill family members. This is NOT normal canine behaviour!

The fact remains that fatalities are usually linked to bull breeds. People might not like it, but the truth hurts.

Loving homes just aren't what some breeds need. They need training, and they need it from a very young age. They need owners who understand specific terrier behaviours and triggers, and who can manage problem behaviours.

God, this is awful. And she's fully expecting to be sold to have pups, the fact the owner is clear she isn't neutered and will be coming into season next month.

I love dogs. I've never really gone in for BSL. But seeing these dogs and knowing how powerful they are I really think something needs to be done.

They are killing adult humans. You don't stand a chance with them if they turn.

I love dogs and have had them all my life, always big dogs.

There is an XL bully on the street behind me, just a pup and already huge. It's a lovely thing and enjoys a play with my dog but I don't like being around it and keep my DC away. There is just something about that breed that I don't like.

Tell me about it! I went to buy two goldfish from Pets at Home, it was harder to get them than ANY other pet, hands down (and we've had, all at once, cats, dogs, saltwater/freshwater fish, guinea pigs, rabbits. We're experienced pet owners). It was like Checkpoint Charlie antics for goldfish purchasing, but aggressive genetically altered thug for a dog? Oh here you go... have a Sherman Tank/Jaws cross for a pet, no questions asked. Take it! It's yours, gumtree guy.

What really needs to happen is for being a dickhead to be banned, which is never going to happen.

I don't know what the answer is, but dickheads who want status symbol dogs will always find a new must-have breed. How do you change that mindset? In the meantime, people - mostly children - will get hurt, and dogs mistreated, blamed and killed. It's fucking depressing.

Unfortunately the law doesn't tend to put dogs down for a sole bite. There tends to need to be a pattern of biting or attacking before anything is done, unless it's a fatal attack or one that requires hospitalisation.

The owner will probably be "required" to have it on lead and muzzled for life, but whether they'll be made to comply is another matter.

I'm not saying I agree with any of that, btw, but that's sadly where the law stands.

My cousin has one it is lovely but I still get slightly nervous taking it out for a walk. Because they are massive and very powerful if they attack you are in trouble. Also one killed a boy in a caravan and also another man got attacked by two. Also other people get nervous around it.

@GreenWasTheColour it was a bite to the foot as I tried to kick his jaw off her neck. It has needed stitches and is badly bruised. I have reported it to the police and the dog warden. Assume I will hear back today.

Wow. Basically, it's similar to the hysteria around rotties when I was tiny (80's and living with one), gsd's and staffies. In the wrong hands ANY dog should be banned.
Any dog could turn on someone due to poor socialisation or health issues but it's worth looking at each dog's potential. If they are hugely muscled with jaws designed not to let go, coupled with breeding lines that contain certain characteristics like high prey drive or guarding etc then statistically they're far more likely to cause death or injury than a smaller dog or soft mouthed retriever type. Thugs that breed dogs for power and aggression rarely choose chihuahuas or Labradors.

Yankey812 Do you think walking a powerful dog that you are nervous of is a good idea?

There could be a public safety information campaign - not a tabloidy demon dog thing that only increases the notoriety of the breed. But something about the dangers of buying dogs online, disreputable breeders etc. Perhaps a debunking of dangerous myths like the 'nanny dog' crap that gets bandied about. Guidance on how to choose a suitable dog for your home and family situation. It's not going to deter the drug-dealing hard men who will always get dangerous dogs but a really clear, comprehensive campaign to raise awareness of the tragedies and the dangers could put off some of the hopelessly naive buyers who get in over their heads.

No I'm not nervous of it just I kind of don't feel as relaxed as if it were a labrador but I can still walk it etc

Also other people get nervous around it.

People don't like them. Full stop. Nobody but nobody is going to get into a friendly doggy chat with the guy who owns the XL bully. And the owners- there are a couple around me- don't get it. They think they can let their dog off lead for a nice sniff and a hello with my dog. FTS. I'm gone. If I see one on my walk, I just leave the area. I don't stick around to find out if they'll like my dog or not. I get terribly nervous around them. As mentioned, my neighbour has 3. Over the past couple of years. my neighbour's gone from from guy walking his cute pups off lead to guy walking his 3 thugs on lead to guy walking his 3 thugs late at night to guy not walking his 3 thugs at all. They're just super reactive.

It's not the case now because the dogs are never out (maybe they're in the garden, but I am across the road and don't know) but when they were walked, if they so much as saw my dog across the road, they'd react, pull on their leads, growl. Terrifying! Because I knew if they broke free, the wheels would come off and my dog would be a goner. 3 of those thugs up against my dog? And I have a big gun dog. Doesn't bear thinking about.

They're repulsive. For whatever reason, I see lots of ads for them on social media - functionally illiterate 'breeders' dribbling on about their gawjus gal or super thicc big boy, the latest inbred offspring from chanel x kalashnikov or whatever.

Agree that there's a subculture of women who love these dogs, it's the 'I can fix him' mentality but with a dog that looks like an upholstered sherman tank rather than a violent man.

How much of a cross over is there between the type of people who think massive XL bullies are a status symbol, those who do little or no training on their dogs and those aren't strict on maintaining supervision of small children around dogs.
Ultimately people are responsible for this.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do if one goes for you? (I have reasons for asking) I'd be knocked down instantly.and currently can only think try to cover my neck and face.

My brother has an American Bully, it's a standard size not the XL as far as I know and it weighs 9 stone.

The dog lives with his girlfriend in a small house with a tiny courtyard type garden. It can only be walked late at night or early morning in a place where it can be off the lead away from others as it is so strong they can't control it on it a lead, it takes them for a walk. It is a terrifying dog.

Thankfully my brothers 2 young children don't live with the dog, they are 6 and 10, but his girlfriends 13 year old does live with the dog.

As other PP have said these dogs are used as status dogs and are the 'tough' dog of the moment, they are exceptionally strong, muscular dogs and can weigh more than some adults. They have a wide jaw, meaning their bite can be fatal. As with other wide jaw dog breeds once they bite, they don't let go.

Of course all dogs can attack and be dangerous if not handled correctly but only select dog breeds can kill an adult by mauling and biting.

This is the Wikipedia site that lists dog deaths.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofffataldoggattacksinntheUniteddKingdom

It makes for interesting if disturbing and sad reading. It also kind of speaks for itself too.

'Rehomed' American bullies that then attack a child seem to be far too frequent.

It is the owners not the dogs.

If you're attacked by a dog, kneel on the floor and tuck your head down to your knees, covering it your hands and arms - basically, protect your neck and face as a bite there is much more serious than a bitten leg or hand.

Before that, stand as still as possible, don't move your hands, don't make loud noise and avoid eye contact. If possible put something in between you (an umbrella, a car door) and get up high - on a bench, wall etc.

You could, if possible, try walking towards the dog and using a familiar command (like sit or stay) in the hopes that they listen to you. Don't be tempted to run as they will just chase you!

It isn’t always the owner. I was bit by a collie dog when I was a child, I was about 5 metres ahead, the dog was off-lead with the owner, it ran over to me and locked its jaws around my ankle, the owner managed to get the dog off. She was shocked because the dog had never shown any aggression before, her husband offered to euthanise the dog but we said there was no need. The dog passed away a few months later with cancer, so I wonder if that caused the change in behaviour.

@Findingmypast put you hand down it's throat and choke it.

Maybe good in theory but impossible in practice? Maybe also an urban myth.

It is the owners not the dogs.

This is too simplistic. Yes, poor owners don't help, but a 9 stone dog that is bred to be aggressive is always going to be much, much more dangerous than a chihuahua or a labrador.

Just to add, there are an awful lot of irresponsible owners out there, so the majority of attacks are likely caused by this. I see many poorly untrained dogs on walks, so I can see why these things happen. It’s all good and well getting a dog but they require stimulation and consistent training.