To think this just sums up XL Bully owners?

[Ozarkz]

Look North last night. Peter Levy is interviewing a woman who owns two XL Bullys. Both cropped and docked which she says happened in another country before she got them (yeah, course it did).

Peter asks her “so why do people want these dogs in the first place, what’s the attraction for you?”

She replies “well I wanted dogs that were good with kids and famines and stuff so we got XL Bully’s cos they’re great with kids”

Wtf? If I didn’t know better I’d swear this was a spoof interview. Good with kids and families?? These dogs have been responsible for the most human deaths in dog attacks in the UK in recent years!!! Just last week an 11 year CHILD was attacked by one of these dogs … so when looking for a child friendly dog she bypasses the golden retriever etc and goes for the breed with the biggest track record of killing humans …

He then asked her if she will comply with the muzzle when the laws are changed - she said NO.

Then the cherry on the cake … he asked her “would you leave your child alone with these dogs?” And she said “yes, absolutely. I leave my two year old alone with them all the time whilst I’m busy making dinner etc”

Honestly the interview couldn’t have been any more gobsmacking.

This just sums up XL bully owners doesn’t it? Thick as pig shit with no regard to their own safety or the safety of others.

EmpressSoliel, I agree and it's odd that anyone who know about dog behaviour thinks like that - I wonder how they train the dog to know the difference between a serious attack by an adult and a couple of kids playing, screaming with excitement or even scrapping loudly... certainly my child wouldn't be going round there for tea....

Fantastic another thread full of nasty comments by people who have zero knowledge 🤦‍♀️

Can we not have a board for this?!? I’m fed up of it coming up on chat/aibu

By the way I’m not thick or uneducated…

It might actually if it means you're smart enough to train it properly. They're no doubt dangerous but the lack of training is unbelievable too.

I was in a queu the other day and overheard a chavvy guy with a massive XL saying how he'd come in to find it pissing on the carpet so 'gave it a good lick'. 100% that dog will be fearful and likely unpredictable.

Every time I see these owners they don’t seem to have a clue about body language, genetics or behaviour. I just want to scream are you deluded when they spout the inevitable ‘deed not breed’ or ‘nanny dog’

Of all of the hundreds of dogs they want a mutant frog looking creature, usually with its ears cut off with scissors in some scum bags backyard. Why?

If they want to risk their own lives fine but keep it well away from my family, I don’t want to pay for your stupidity.

When I looked into getting a dog from a dog's home most of the ones on offer were bulldog types. You could only adopt them if you fitted certain criteria (basically no children and plenty of time to give them).

So maybe some of the owners of these types of dogs are actually very kind people who just want to rescue a dog.

That's a fair question. I'm confident that a) her lead is strong and sturdy enough that there's no danger of her breaking it and b) I hold her lead in such a way that if she did suddenly lunge at something, the biggest risk would be damage to my arm and hand from my hand being through the lead and then having it looped around.

I see so many dogs on completely unsuitable leads, with owners who aren't paying attention to their animals... they're just accidents waiting to happen (including a dog running off, getting by a car, etc.)

I've never yet been pulled over by her or lost control of her, even when there are tasty looking squirrels at the park 😁

I don't know if it's typical, but there is a certain sort of person who, well-meaningly but dimly, wants to sort of rehabilitate the reputation of some very tough breed, so they make a point of going 'but they're so loving and gentle', and I'm sure they can be.

But also you never know when something small, fast moving and high pitched, like a small child, for example, might set off an instinct that puts that child in extreme danger, even from dog you've only ever known to be gentle. It doesn't have to be a 'killer' instinct, a large, strong dog could kill a child while 'playing'. Which is why I'd say if you have small kids, you should never have a dog that you couldn't see off in a fight, even if as far as you know it's never shown aggression at all.

Guess nobody remembers the babies who were killed by Jack Russells or the many people killed by Rotties/Huskies/Chowchows or British bulldogs?. Or the many people mailed by Goldens, Labs, Collies ect?.

I remember them but there are also distinct differences. JRTs I often think would be very dangerous if they were scaled up - and I don't think it's coincidence that the biggest terrier is an Airedale. It's not just that they were bred to go to ground and so need to be small, it's because they're bred to kill and you don't want a large killing machine in your home.

As for the others, yes, they are also a risk and this isn't just about XL bullies. But bullies are more dangerous than most of the other breeds you cite because of their strength and their instincts. Plus they're poorly bred and being the size they are, are probably often in pain. So yes, other dog breeds are a problem, but the bully magnifies those problems.

the two XL Bully dogs near me are owned by a guy who frequents the methadone clinic near me. If I see him coming I point my pram in another direction.

they aren’t lead train and I’ve seen him eat shit when they spot squirrels, they pulled him over and dragged him to get at a disappearing squirrel. I hate to think this happened if they went for my baby.

You aren’t wrong @Ozarkz he also looks a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

Fun fact for you - most XL bullies in this country are Labrador crosses 😁

In America the pit bull was created from a bulldog x terrier like a jack Russell.

Then the American XL bullies were created by mixing the pit bull and other breeds such as American bulldogs.

In this country American pitbulls are illegal. You can obviously still get them but they’re usually created by mixing other breeds, as they’re so difficult to import.

So our XL bullies don’t often actually have American pit bull in them at all, as they’ve only been popular in the last few years.

If you Google Labrador x staffy you will see how many look like XL bullies and then the ones that look like XL bullies are then bred together (selective breeding).
(Also labs x mastiffs/American bulldogs x staffys ).

This is another reason why people are against the ban, as so many dogs resemble them (especially lab crosses) and as they’re not an actual breed there’s nothing to say that their own dog won’t be banned.

These dogs are strong, powerful dogs without a doubt.
But so are cane corso, dogue de Bordeaux, akitas, American bulldogs etc - these can do as much damage as XL bullies but they’re not being banned because they’re not seen as status dogs (yet).

People get these dogs to look hard.

The end.

There are hundreds of dogs that are better breeds that also won’t murder your children

These dogs are literally Arnold Schwarzenneger on 4 legs (sorry Arnie 😉)

Any owner on the news should be visited by social services and that soevific woman either put the dig down or take the kids into care. Anyone who watches and doesn't complain to ofcom and also report to nspcc / social services is complicit in this. Her kids are in danger ffs.

These dogs are strong, powerful dogs without a doubt.
But so are cane corso, dogue de Bordeaux, akitas, American bulldogs etc - these can do as much damage as XL bullies but they’re not being banned because they’re not seen as status dogs (yet).

Ban them all too.

Only those who never leave their house and never watch/read the news have no knowledge of the breed unfortunately. And far, far too much exposure to idiots people bleating "its not the breed its the owner" while the body count climbs

Any animal capable of killing you if it wanted to, is not a "great family pet". I love dogs and have two myself, but they're very sweet and tiny, and even if they "turned" they could never inflict much damage as you can pick them up in one hand! I'm sick of people saying "Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, are worse, snappy, vicious etc" as it's just not comparable! Yes, I've known some Chihuahuas who can be pretty mean, but they aren't capable of taking down a grown adult and ripping them to pieces, as these bully breeds have been shown to be capable of doing. For the record, when my children were babies and toddlers, I never left them alone with the dogs, as wouldn't want to put baby or dog at any sort of risk. Anyone who would leave their young defenceless child in a room with an animal that is clearly capable of killing them, (presumably to prove a point of how "great" their dog is) is an irresponsible idiot, who doesn't deserve to own a dog or have a child.

These types of dogs and staffies have always been heavily represented in rescues as those with less structured/secure lifestyles are attracted to them. “Decent” people regularly end up owning them.

I’ve fostered them before and it’s as simple as I’m a fosterer who takes the dog that needs fostering. They’ve all been placid docile lumps.

It’s ridiculous to write off an entire sub set of dogs due to a handful of idiot owners. These people will always be attracted to dogs that can be weaponised.

You should never leave any breed of dog alone with a child.

This person isn’t very bright. As such you would expect her to have some rather idiotic ideas. She will have made a lifetime of stupid decisions because she isn’t like you. She probably hasn’t had anything like your upbringing or opportunities. Sneering at those who clearly don’t know any better is pointless. Her view isn’t respected or valued in the real world so who cares what she is spouting.

It’s more concerning that you feel you are intelligent and yet are perpetuating this nonsense that certain dog types are dangerous and there are no “decent” owners of what is a very gentle breed in general.

Retrievers are notorious for biting and often have quite a high intensity disposition. Bull breeds tend not to. But obviously if abused - be that lack of exercise/stimulation/socialisation/positive training - their behaviour can be dangerous. Like any dog.

Good article with scientific research on the pointlessness of banning them:

https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/11/banning-some-dog-breeds-in-the-uk-wont-stop-attacks-on-humans

At the end of the day we need tough laws on dog breeding and dog ownership. All breeders must be licensed with clear documentation on what traits the dogs are being bred for. Example - I know a Dobermann breeder who is working towards eradicating DCM from the breed - this comes secondary to temperament of course, reducing prey drive whilst also maintaining the breeds desire to work.

Secondly - owners. License for all dog owners with applications to own a dog with clear documentation on why you want a certain breed and what that dog’s life will look like - Example -

“I want a Dobermann as I’m looking for an intelligent working dog I can work with in obedience trials (insert potential trainer with credentials). I have x y and z experience and can provide 3 character references”

This is an extreme example but this is the ideal way forward.

Now imagine the XL bully version of this scenario …

“I’m breeding for the following traits … errr … I want them as big as possible and errr … good at guarding and ummm … built like a brick shit house … “

“I want to own an XL bully because … errr … they make me look well ‘ard”

I mean come on … what possible reason would you want an xl bully

This!!!

@Twistedex what do you think would happen if your dog snapped at your child? Are you happy owning a dog that is capable of killing an adult and no-one would have a chance of stopping them attacking once they got a grip

To say all XL owners are the same as one example indicates to me you are horribly narrow minded.

I agree.

An Akita near me wasn’t put down until it killed its 4th dog.

Ban every dog for all I care

Simple question to defenders of these large dogs, if they attack can you stop them, with your bare hands?

YES OR NO.

No one gives a shit if your a good owner or a chav or posh or trained them well or how they are bred.

For once I agree with Rishi and Braverman. I also think neutering should be compulsory if people already keep these dogs. Two reasons, fewer of them can be bred accidentally or on purpose while people can keep their much loved pets. Incidentally, it's hardly a macho status symbol any more if the dog has no nuts. The possibility of using large dogs to intimidate is not what we should be accepting in a civilized society.