Bull breeds 'Nanny Dog' myth

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This dangerous myth that bull breeds, originally bred for fighting, were historically known as 'Nanny Dogs' has to be countered. It is unfair on inexperienced owners and unfair on the dogs, who may not be cared for properly/dumped.

The 'Nanny Dog' myth came from Colby, a US breeder of fighting dogs, seeking to broaden his market. His dogs killed his nephew, so weren't exactly nannying him: https://blog.dogsbite.org/2010/05/1909-fatality-john-p-colbys-fighting.html

The 'Nanny Dog' myth is perpetuated by Pitbull advocates in the US and is occasionally also seen in the UK, with Battersea among those promoting it for Staffordshire Bull Terriers: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/finding-right-dog-you/staffies

There is now a social media campaign with owners seeking to 'show the soft side' of their XL Bullies. Some very inexperienced owners who got XL Bullies as their first dogs are speaking out on their dogs being 'misunderstood': https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12519333/My-American-Bully-XL-look-scary-trust-nine-month-old-heartbroken-owners-defend-giant-breed-banned-UK-spate-vicious-dog-attacks.html

Bull breeds are fighting dogs, with the instincts and capabilities to fight, putting children, adults and other animals at risk. Retrievers retrieve, pointers point, herders herd. An animal charity would not have a campaign describing border collies as couch potatoes that can be left alone all day in a flat. So why are bull breeds pushed as 'Nanny Dogs'. There needs to be pressure on those (particularly organisations and media) repeating the 'Nanny Dog' myth to be honest about the origins and capabilities of these dogs, as well as the requirements and responsibilities of owning them.

Anyone who has ever read white fang and the full description of him being hung off of by a bulldog slowly suffocating and bleeding him to death would not even consider getting one of those dogs.

Which is why it is disturbing to see organisations like Battersea pushing the 'Nanny Dog' myth. For all other dog types the messaging is about children behaving responsibly around dogs. Somehow fighting dogs are supposed to magically forget their heritage and look after children.

It is particularly idiotic to pose a small child next to a Pitbull or XL Bully that could easily fit the child's head in its mouth.

White Fang is fictional, you do realise that, right?

Also, there would be very little chance of a bulldog, a breed that can scarcely breathe, being able to take down a wolf-hybrid.

@oakleaffy There is guidance on how eye contact can be taken as a challenge by dogs. It just does not make sense to pose a baby face to face with a fighting dog. When this rubbish is spread by advocacy groups there is a danger it is copied.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-you-shouldnt-stare-down-a-dog/

This absolutely!
I have a 7 year old westie and a 18 month old granddaughter. When my granddaughter is here, my westie is put on a lead. Despite all the puppy classes, socialisation and training we did with him, he is still an overexcitable prick around new people in the house and is a bit scared of children. I will not take a chance on him biting my granddaughter if she squeals and it startles or frightens him. It is not fair to either of them.

Can we stop the war on staffies please. 'Nanny' dogs is the wrong term to use. It gives off the implication you can leave them unsupervised with small children which you absolutely shouldn't do with any dog. But the vast majority of them are not dangerous and do make good pets.

But they are quite capable of killing geese by this method. I know someone whose staffie did just that,he bit and gripped until the goose was dead. The owner could not pull him off, neither did striking him stop the attack.

A staffie as in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, so not a Bulldog?

If we are going demonise dogs based on fictional books and what a random bloke's dog at the park did can we at least get the breed right?

I’m actually a bit fan of Staffies, I think the “proper” ones (not the staffy type cross breeds) are lovely dogs.

Me too but as you said there's a big difference between a proper Staffy and a lot of these other things.

And I'd never leave a child alone with any breed, even a tiny one.

Images used in the DM article. At least one of the dogs is clearly stressed as it is showing white in the eye.

Fighting breed of dog kills children. Advocates pose children with this type of fighting dog...

I just reported the post I made above as some instagram addresses show - not the one posting the picture, but accounts they have tagged.

I’m not the poster who said that but we got a Staffie when I was a young child. My mum bought a book about them at the same time. I was too young to read it all, but one page did, indeed, say they were known as ‘nanny dogs’ and were excellent with children. Our Staffie was a pedigree from a licensed breeder. Modern Staffies have been overbred and have suffered hugely from being popular with knuckleheads.

Why are you allowing children in the same house as a dog you know is scared of children? I would never subject ANY dog to this kind of treatment. Children are unpredictable and no dog should be put in a position where it feels scared or vulnerable like this. I'm happy to reiterate that I trusted my Staffie completely - this does NOT mean I trusted any child enough to allow them access to my dog - for the very reasons you have described.

Something deeper and psychological is going on here, I don't know what. It's a desire to prove these dogs are sweet but using your ie flesh and blood as bait to prove it tomorrow random

I was thinking about this earlier, and I think that Cane Corso will be the next go to breed for the people with XL Bullys. They scare the shit out of me and have been responsible for recent fatalities. Not sure how many would need to look it up but remember seeing their name and thinking I wasn't surprised

On another note people all over Tik Tok filming themselves in tears or ranting about the ban, and no surprise they are exactly the kind of people you would expect to own XL BULLIES. Stereotypes exist for a reason!

@HeffyAgain The frightening thing is how XL Bullies have also been pushed as family dogs. The article includes a first-time dog owner who got an XL bully when her baby was months old. Her sister owns four of them.

I am experienced with dogs and have two of a highly trainable, gentle breed. Cannot imagine having four as family pets. On the adverts so many are sold as 'perfect family dogs'

I was making the point that any dog can and will kill, that dog was supposed to be 'soft' . Lots of people think' oh my dog wouldn't be capable of that' and then it does. One bite in the wrong place and that is it.

I personally think we should ban all guns. Except for the very few exceptions test require one.

The trouble with the larger stronger dogs is supervising will do fuck all. If one of these goes for a child right next to you there is still nothing you can do. Child is dead.

The media are partly responsible for this misinformation , they always post photos of Staffordshire bull terriers alongside the xl bully headlines.!!
It confuses the public’s and gives the impression that anything that looks the a ‘bull’ breed will be banned. That is not the case, you can’t use the xl bully ban to pedal your hatred of Staffies in the hope that they will also end up on the banned list. It won’t happen.

I thought staffies were known as the Nanny dog? They're totally different to these XL bullies.

I don't care for any dogs BTW but they're really not the same are they?

We had a gorgeous little bichon mix, fluffy little white ball of excitement and love. Dd was 5 i would never leave them alone.

There was a video online with a GSD on a rug and a little girl (about 4ish) climbs on its back.

The dog is very restrained but giving out clear Get Knotted signs . Ears , eyes, hunched shoulders ., tail flat
Dad is filmimg chuckling at hoe cute his daughter is .
Daughter then bounces on the dog's back.
The GSD turns her head and the hackles are raised , bit of lip curling . Immediately told to "Be Nice" and "Be Quiet"

So GSD is waving all her red flags and being told off . On day the child will do it and the dog will snap with no warning because its be told not to react ,.
This was commented on by loads of the followers , nt as cute as they thought !

Hopefully the utter dickhead Dad will had read the reviews before the girl loses her face and the dog its life .