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Original poster

Neighbour’s XL Bully

427 replies

Dente · 26/12/2022 21:33

My neighbour has one of these dogs, which to be fair I always on a lead, but I’m so bloody scared of it when I am out walking my dog. He says it’s friendly and our dogs have sniffed each other and he while on leads, but I just feel so uneasy. I feel that if he slipped and that dog got loose it would be such a danger to everyone around. The area I live in is mainly families with young children and I just can’t understand why someone would get this kind of dog?

I understand all dogs can be aggressive, but all dogs don’t have this power and muscle that means they can easily kill!

OP posts:
Hazless · 26/12/2022 23:25

People that own these dogs are always the same. When you read about fatal dog stories the stories all merge into one as they are so similar.

there is no need to own these quite honestly ugly and aggressive dogs. Bull breeds are bloody ugly. They always say the phrase “my staffie is a softie, he wouldn’t hurt a fly” for example and “they are nanny dogs…. So good with kids” 🙄

Nameneeded · 26/12/2022 23:25

TwoBoyMamma · 26/12/2022 21:46

These poor dogs ! Such bad press from scaremongering it’s unfair they aren’t all the same like humans they have Individual personalities & behaviours .

Why is it almost always this breed in the news for killing another child/adult then ? Are you suggesting that all the deaths caused by poodles and labradors are not reported on, in some weird conspiracy ?

redflowerbluethorns · 26/12/2022 23:26

*It’s not really surprising at all.

The type of owners who have the breeds you regularly see are not the sort of people who would value having a poorly behaved and dangerous dog. So will seek to correct undesirable behaviour.

Surprised that as a professional, it hadn’t crossed your mind.*

Many people bring the breeds I see so regularly in to their lives, because they are viewed as "pre-trained" (collie) and nobody realises the high level needs of the dog, that intelligence comes with capacity for overwhelm, and can result in aggression. Medical needs are also a large factor.

Labradors are seen as doting family dogs and are expected to be tolerant of everything. They are also suspectable to things like hip dysplasia.

Cockerpoos are a bit of a mess of a breed known for resource guarding, touch sensitivity, high working drive, but people want them to be fluffy teddies for their children.

There's a lot that feeds in to aggression including genetics, trauma, learning, psychological and emotional wellbeing, and physical health.

I am not denying that there are some people who are attracted to the appearance of muscular breeds but there are a huge amount of factors that play in to aggression - its not all about the human end of the lead.

It has of course crossed my mind many times, however, I am trying to highlight to the OP that she may not worry when she sees a lab or cockerpoo passing on lead as she is with this dog who appears to have no history of concerning behaviour.

ThePoshUns · 26/12/2022 23:27

ThePoshUns · 26/12/2022 23:21

This XL bully was called Beast according to the article. It killed an innocent child. This thread shows you can't argue with stupid. So I'll just leave it there.

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:27

Enforcing a licence would be almost impossible.
The responsible would buy one, but heck, microchipping is a legal requirement in England, and there are plenty of un~chipped dogs about,{Picked up as strays} belonging to people who don't want to be ''Responsible''.

BorderlineBagpuss · 26/12/2022 23:29

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redflowerbluethorns · 26/12/2022 23:30

there is no need to own these quite honestly ugly and aggressive dogs. Bull breeds are bloody ugly. They always say the phrase “my staffie is a softie, he wouldn’t hurt a fly” for example and “they are nanny dogs…. So good with kids” 🙄

There's always somebody that decides to bring staffies in to it.

SemperIdem · 26/12/2022 23:31

Hazless · 26/12/2022 23:25

People that own these dogs are always the same. When you read about fatal dog stories the stories all merge into one as they are so similar.

there is no need to own these quite honestly ugly and aggressive dogs. Bull breeds are bloody ugly. They always say the phrase “my staffie is a softie, he wouldn’t hurt a fly” for example and “they are nanny dogs…. So good with kids” 🙄

It’s interesting you mention staffies - increasingly I see a daintier version of the breed around the city I live in, they look like seals facially, lack the musculature I’m used to seeing on the breed. My understanding is that they are a truer representation of what the breed is meant to look like, originally.

In the late 00’s the lines between Staffies and pitbulls were very deliberately blurred by a certain type of person. The XL bully’s are a more extreme version of that.

XenoBitch · 26/12/2022 23:31

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And I hope OP would get arrested and charged for doing so.

You can't go round killing people's pets because you don't like the look of them.

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:32

stormywaves · 26/12/2022 23:23

Tbh all dogs are potentially dangerous. The kennel clubs view is

However, we believe that breed-specific legislation ignores the most important factors that contribute to biting incidents – primarily anti-social behaviour by irresponsible dog owners who train their dogs to be aggressive or do not train their dogs adequately.

Labs are just as dangerous as any other breeds when trained by irresponsible owners. Bully breeds just tend to attract these idiots. Look at the husky which killed a baby a while ago.

I would quite happily see some form of licensing for all dog owners - regardless of breed to control the irresponsible owners.

@stormywaves But labs are not just as dangerous. Not even statistically more liable to bite. If they do bite its unlikely it will kill anyone. They are a gundog not a guarding breed. Big difference in outcome.

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:33

SemperIdem · 26/12/2022 23:31

It’s interesting you mention staffies - increasingly I see a daintier version of the breed around the city I live in, they look like seals facially, lack the musculature I’m used to seeing on the breed. My understanding is that they are a truer representation of what the breed is meant to look like, originally.

In the late 00’s the lines between Staffies and pitbulls were very deliberately blurred by a certain type of person. The XL bully’s are a more extreme version of that.

Show quote history

Yep I see these too. I think a pitbull/ Staffy cross. Quite muscular but small.

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:34

@redflowerbluethorns
My SIL deliberately bought {and paid a lot, £4k} for a working bred border collie.
The Greeder knew it would end up in London, in a small flat, left alone most of the day.
I weep for that poor dog, who is sound sensitive and paces constantly with deep frustration.

SIL refused to listen , her attitude was ''You can't tell me what to do, Collies are intelligent''

They have potential for great intelligence, but they don't train themselves.

The Greeder should never have sold it to her.
But £4k cash for a ''Pretty colour, innit'' {Merle} was too good to turn down.

Depressing.

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:35

Sure, you go to bed now with that big intellectual win now.

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:36

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:34

@redflowerbluethorns
My SIL deliberately bought {and paid a lot, £4k} for a working bred border collie.
The Greeder knew it would end up in London, in a small flat, left alone most of the day.
I weep for that poor dog, who is sound sensitive and paces constantly with deep frustration.

SIL refused to listen , her attitude was ''You can't tell me what to do, Collies are intelligent''

They have potential for great intelligence, but they don't train themselves.

The Greeder should never have sold it to her.
But £4k cash for a ''Pretty colour, innit'' {Merle} was too good to turn down.

Depressing.

So sad. The merles are gorgeous. A friend has two that she competed in crufts- both rescue.

redflowerbluethorns · 26/12/2022 23:38

oakleaffy that is really sad. Very unethical breeder too as you say. Poor dog.

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:38

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:27

Enforcing a licence would be almost impossible.
The responsible would buy one, but heck, microchipping is a legal requirement in England, and there are plenty of un~chipped dogs about,{Picked up as strays} belonging to people who don't want to be ''Responsible''.

It should be charged at breeds level with every owner recorded and charged like car history. That's the only way to stamp out indiscriminate breeding.

redflowerbluethorns · 26/12/2022 23:42

OP, from revisiting your first post, your worry seems to come from your fear of the dogs size.
Why don't you ask your neighbour about the dog one day when you don't have your dog there? Find out about the dog a bit. My mum is not a dog person at all and always worries about dogs based on breed, but once she gets to know the dog, she realises that she has nothing to worry about.

mattyprice4004 · 26/12/2022 23:43

You’ll likely never have any bother with it, but if you’re really worried leave a hammer by the front and back door in case a situation ever arises where you need to defend yourself.

You’ll likely never need to though, as they’re really not overly aggressive unless trained that way.

SemperIdem · 26/12/2022 23:44

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:34

@redflowerbluethorns
My SIL deliberately bought {and paid a lot, £4k} for a working bred border collie.
The Greeder knew it would end up in London, in a small flat, left alone most of the day.
I weep for that poor dog, who is sound sensitive and paces constantly with deep frustration.

SIL refused to listen , her attitude was ''You can't tell me what to do, Collies are intelligent''

They have potential for great intelligence, but they don't train themselves.

The Greeder should never have sold it to her.
But £4k cash for a ''Pretty colour, innit'' {Merle} was too good to turn down.

Depressing.

That’s idiotic of your SIL (as you clearly know!) a high energy/intelligence/needs breed like a collie will never be happy in that living arrangement. They need so much mental and physical stimulation!

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:45

redflowerbluethorns · 26/12/2022 23:26

*It’s not really surprising at all.

The type of owners who have the breeds you regularly see are not the sort of people who would value having a poorly behaved and dangerous dog. So will seek to correct undesirable behaviour.

Surprised that as a professional, it hadn’t crossed your mind.*

Many people bring the breeds I see so regularly in to their lives, because they are viewed as "pre-trained" (collie) and nobody realises the high level needs of the dog, that intelligence comes with capacity for overwhelm, and can result in aggression. Medical needs are also a large factor.

Labradors are seen as doting family dogs and are expected to be tolerant of everything. They are also suspectable to things like hip dysplasia.

Cockerpoos are a bit of a mess of a breed known for resource guarding, touch sensitivity, high working drive, but people want them to be fluffy teddies for their children.

There's a lot that feeds in to aggression including genetics, trauma, learning, psychological and emotional wellbeing, and physical health.

I am not denying that there are some people who are attracted to the appearance of muscular breeds but there are a huge amount of factors that play in to aggression - its not all about the human end of the lead.

It has of course crossed my mind many times, however, I am trying to highlight to the OP that she may not worry when she sees a lab or cockerpoo passing on lead as she is with this dog who appears to have no history of concerning behaviour.

Good post @redflowerbluethorns I agree with lots. However most of these breeds are not going to cause damage like an XL Bully. They are not going to give a warning growl or a nip, they get stuck right in. The other breeds you mention- that's true- lots of cocketpoos I know are absolutely unhinged, scattered behaviour and resource guard like crazy. Not a good cross.
Collies absolutely overthink and need a very experienced owner and brilliant boundaries. I'm experienced but constantly learning with my GSD who is working line and thinks around corners- I dread to think of him going to an inexperienced home....lots of things impact a dogs behaviour but XL are an awful thing.

oakleaffy · 26/12/2022 23:49

Onceuponawhileago · 26/12/2022 23:36

So sad. The merles are gorgeous. A friend has two that she competed in crufts- both rescue.

Show quote history

I did suggest that SIL trains the dog and does agility or even 'dancing' with the dog..But she works, has a busy social life, her DC do too..so no time for the poor dog.

I live too far away, {100 miles} otherwise I'd walk her.
She is a beautiful dog, so focussed on her ball.
Son works where there are two working bred BC's and they work!
The difference is immense.

Angliski · 26/12/2022 23:50

Bigdamnheroes · 26/12/2022 21:45

So let me get this straight. This dog has never shown any aggression towards you or your dog, has never done anything to make you think it has anything but a stable temperament?

It is always on a lead or otherwise contained on your neighbours property? The only thing it has done is exist, basically?

You are scared of it because it is large and muscular and living near you? Jesus Christ, I hope you don't live in the countryside. Cows, horses, you'd be a nervous wreck.

You’re mistaken here XL bullies are a cross with American Pits. My brother had one. Huge powerful, scary. In the end, when he started growling at their newborn, they sadly had to have him put to sleep as it was clear he would attack given the chance. They police wouldn’t take him, nor any rescues because they are extraordinarily powerful and dangerous. They are not like any other breed. And they attract extremely arrogant and stupid owners.

KiwiMum2023 · 26/12/2022 23:50

I don’t blame you in the least for being nervous. Dogs like that are an abomination. I have no idea why anyone would choose one. Grim.

TiredBunny1 · 26/12/2022 23:52

YANBU. My spaniel was attacked by one as I was walking across a park. The owner was nowhere to be seen (it was a late evening this summer).

My dog ran from it but, circled back to me for protection!

I panicked (was petrified)and tried to pick the dog up and got knocked over and bitten in the process - (luckily the other dog was only interested in my dog and not me!). Also, luckily a passer by(well built man) came to our rescue and detered the dog physically from doing much more servere damage. My dog was yelping like I'd never heard before. It was all quick and the dog immediately left to the mystery owner in the woods as soon as he'd whistled! It all happened so quickly but if it wasn't for the passer by and the owner whistling then I dread to think what would've happened. I was lucky and only needed a tetanus but, my dog had multiple wounds, but, he too has made a full recovery apart from a scar on his nose and ear. He is also very wary now of all large dogs.

I get that in this case it was an irresponsible owner but, still this dog had the ability to kill. He definitely would've killed my dog and after doing that what would it have done then? If's and buts I know..

The police did their best but, there were no cameras etc in that area. They did bring me a picture of a couple of dogs but I couldn't identify from those, as it all happened so quickly. They reckon it's the criminals dog of choice.

Weepachu · 26/12/2022 23:53

An XL Bully? Yeesh! There goes the neighbourhood. I’d put your house on the market as it sounds like things are starting to slide. Anyone who would want one of those beasts needs their head looked - and you don’t want them as a neighbour.