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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this just sums up XL Bully owners?

717 replies

Ozarkz · 19/09/2023 16:15

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.

OP posts:
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Twistedex · 19/09/2023 17:38

I don't know, never having had to do it, thankfully. But I do carry a spare lead - if any dog is trying to attack, a lead around their neck, crossed over and pulled as hard as possible is the best way to stop them. And yes, I would absolutely do that to my dog if needs be.

Abbimae · 19/09/2023 17:38

Twistedex · 19/09/2023 16:19

Yes, that's right, because every single XL Bully owner must be exactly the same 🙄

Don't be so bloody offensive and ignorant.

But most are. They are dangerous. You cannot get away from that

DragonFly98 · 19/09/2023 17:39

Twistedex · 19/09/2023 16:41

No, we aren't all the same. To assume that all dogs of a certain breed because of a number of animals who have been dismally raised and not trained is absolutely moronic.

Yes, they're big, powerful dogs. Yes, that makes them more susceptible to be used as status symbols by some bottom-dwelling members of the human race. They're also extremely intelligent, loving dogs who are eager to please and easy to train if you put the time and effort in that you should put into owning any dog.

I'm university educated and work in a professional, skilled role. I was gifted my XL by some very good friends who had an accidental litter and who refused to let the pups go to anyone who wouldn't train them, love them, and be completely responsible. I've been around dogs my entire life and she's genuinely one of the best I've known. I also took the time to train my children in how to behave around dogs and how to read their behaviour, and they can handle her as well as I can.

She's been spayed, she's always on her lead in public - not because she's ever shown any threatening behaviour, but because I recognise that she can seem intimidating to people - and when the time comes I will always have a muzzle on her in public.

So there's your reason; no doubt you'll come back with some inane argument or unsubstantiated claim to try and prove me wrong, because that's what people like you do. But you're wrong.

By not muzzling now you have proved that academic and emotional intelligence are not the same thing.

ladeluge · 19/09/2023 17:40

My theory is that since we are encouraged to reduce populations to help climate change (amongst other things), then the dog population should be reduced also.

Urban areas can hardly fit humans in, let alone the numbers of dogs accompanying these humans as pets. Dogs should be one of two things -

  1. Working animals such as farming, sheepdogs, police support, security, drug smuggling, airports etc.
  1. Service dogs for those with a disability.

If a dig is neither 1or 2 above, they should should be banned.

Before anyone has a fainting fit thinking about the injustice of this theory and but, but, but, whataboutery and so on, remember that Artificial Intelligence could mock up a doggie robot of any breed, they would love you and lick you and play with your kids. They would not need walking, muzzling, feeding or the vet, nor would they ever get sick orneed to be euthanized.

I think that's a solution, and AI is here anyway.

Bellsbeachwaves · 19/09/2023 17:40

It's the staffie that is the nanny dog

Staffies generally much smaller but can still be trained to be aggressive

Absurd owning a dog bred to take down a puma or whatever it was they were bred to do, or maybe thats the doja or what have you

Your post has a little stereotyping underlying it but essentially I agree with you. They're too big and powerful and should be banned

moneyplantnation · 19/09/2023 17:40

Twistedex · 19/09/2023 17:38

I don't know, never having had to do it, thankfully. But I do carry a spare lead - if any dog is trying to attack, a lead around their neck, crossed over and pulled as hard as possible is the best way to stop them. And yes, I would absolutely do that to my dog if needs be.

Is that before or after it has ripped some ones face off and latched on. You honestly think your strong enough to pull it off with a 2nd lead if you can actually catch it or get near it.

crumblingschools · 19/09/2023 17:41

@Twistedex and how many injuries do you think you would get before you could get the lead round their neck?

GoryBory · 19/09/2023 17:41

whatwasthatgrandma · 19/09/2023 17:33

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.

What about the Labradors that make up many of the XL bullies?

But what about staffies and English bulldogs that kill people and there were calls to ban less than 10 years ago?

What about the German Shepards, Rottweilers and Dobermans, who were also responsible for so many deaths because they were the status dog at that time?

If we banned breeds over a certain weight then we’d still be left with staffies and jack Russells who have also killed people.

If I thought banning a breed would help then I would be 100% for it.
But it doesn’t because it makes the dog more cool and the status dog will just keep changing like it has been doing.

We banned a few dogs in this country already yet people are still dying from dog attacks.
In fact the amount of deaths keeps rising.

I think instead of focusing on different breeds every few years, we focus on making stricter rules about getting any breed.

There are too many dogs in this country and too many people who breed them for money and don’t look after them properly.

Cluckycluck · 19/09/2023 17:41

I am a firm believer of its the owner not the dog but a responsible owner wouldn't be buying a dog like an XL Bully as it is a breed thay should not exist. I'm certain that most of them likely are excellent family dogs but the fact of the matter is this is a dog breed that shouldn't exist and a responsible dog owner wouldn't be party to the creation of a breed that would otherwise not exist. For the exact same reason I wouldn't ever consider a cockapoo, labradoodle or other such breeds.

The ban will not help if there isn't anything in place to stop another breed to become the next status symbol.

I own two Staffies and they are fantastic dogs. Both are muzzle trained as every dog should be, are well trained and have excellent recall, although, I don't often let them off lead as I have space to let them run free at home. So many people keep dogs in unsuitable surroundings.

My child is never left alone with any dog as no dog can be trusted. Anyone that leaves their child with a dog is an idiot.

Justletpeopleenjoythings · 19/09/2023 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Notpooryet · 19/09/2023 17:42

Twistedex · 19/09/2023 16:19

Yes, that's right, because every single XL Bully owner must be exactly the same 🙄

Don't be so bloody offensive and ignorant.

The nerve, she is touched

whatwasthatgrandma · 19/09/2023 17:42

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

Oh please! ENOUGH with this bullshit. Certain dog types ARE dangerous, we all know that. You know it, however deluded you have managed to make yourself. They are not delightful docile placid pups.
Nobody is buying your spiel, give it up

Sureaseggs44 · 19/09/2023 17:42

Of course sometimes it’s the breed , that’s why different working dogs are used for different jobs . It’s why the police use German shepherds and not poodles .

interestingly a very well respected dog trainer did a 20 minute interview about alternative solutions to the problem . Unfortunately itv chose to cut it to 30 seconds and ignore his very relevant comments . Wonder why ?

SemperIdem · 19/09/2023 17:42

I think the intelligent xl bully owners are a rarity.

I agree with the poster who pointed out that JRT’s would be very dangerous indeed if they weren’t so small. Terriers in general would be.

Too many working dogs, with genetic traits that make them unsuitable to be house pets, are popular “family dogs” now.

Why anyone would want a breed specifically bred to fight is beyond me. People can cite Rottweiler/Doberman/GSD attacks to compare to XL Bully’s all they like, those are all working dog breeds. XL Bully’s are more similar in every way to the Dogo Argentino, another massively powerful breed, bred to fight. They are incidentally also banned in the UK.

There are so many breeds that were actually bred to be family pets to choose from instead!

Twistedex · 19/09/2023 17:43

I'm not deluded at all, thank you. A breed having a greater potential for a certain trait does not mean that every dog of that breed will consistently display that trait. I've known gundogs who are frightened of loud bangs and who couldn't use their noses to track a scent to save their lives, as one example.

And yes, I can trace her bloodline, thank you for asking. Not all XL owners are the same.

SlashBeef · 19/09/2023 17:43

I've never met a nice upstanding citizen type of XL bully owner. That's not me making the generalisation. They're conforming to a stereotype all on their own.

Mamai90 · 19/09/2023 17:45

whatwasthatgrandma · 19/09/2023 17:25

Find me one piano playing Tate gallery visiting redbrick educated woman with an XL bully with cropped ears and tail.

I bet my house that you can't find one.

On the other hand, I do know a drug dealing wife beating twat with two of them. Go figure.

On the other hand, I do know a drug dealing wife beating twat with two of them. Go figure.

This describes one of the owners I know and I'll bet it's not the same person you know!

Ozarkz · 19/09/2023 17:45

GoryBory · 19/09/2023 17:41

What about the Labradors that make up many of the XL bullies?

But what about staffies and English bulldogs that kill people and there were calls to ban less than 10 years ago?

What about the German Shepards, Rottweilers and Dobermans, who were also responsible for so many deaths because they were the status dog at that time?

If we banned breeds over a certain weight then we’d still be left with staffies and jack Russells who have also killed people.

If I thought banning a breed would help then I would be 100% for it.
But it doesn’t because it makes the dog more cool and the status dog will just keep changing like it has been doing.

We banned a few dogs in this country already yet people are still dying from dog attacks.
In fact the amount of deaths keeps rising.

I think instead of focusing on different breeds every few years, we focus on making stricter rules about getting any breed.

There are too many dogs in this country and too many people who breed them for money and don’t look after them properly.

Do you have the stats for human deaths caused by Dobermanns? It’s a very short list (boxers have killed more)

OP posts:
Tara336 · 19/09/2023 17:45

I was on a pet site earlier as looking for a dog for DM (bonefide rescues advertise on there) there were lots of XL bullies up for rehoming with one owner admitting it had already bitten a family member! Yet there they are trying to palm the damm dog off on another home. It is truly ridiculous

MrTiddlesTheCat · 19/09/2023 17:46

Owners of bully xls who deny the inate danger these dogs pose are a massive part of the problem. If you're incapable of recognising the risk how can you properly mitigate it?

VeloVixen · 19/09/2023 17:46

Has someone really been killed by a Jack Russell? Have to say, that would be an extraordinary bit of bad luck, did they trip up over it and bang their head?

GoryBory · 19/09/2023 17:47

@Twistedex
You will not be able to get your point across on here, as some people are gullible and swallow everything that the media or some random person off Facebook says.

There was a reason they interviewed this woman and not the teacher or doctor who also owns them.

Whats ironic is that these people obviously can’t remember the hysteria of the staffy just a few years ago.
Every newspaper had someone wearing a tracksuit, smoking a joint with a staffy on a chain, saying how they should be banned etc.

When I was younger it was the same for German shepherds.

nopenotplaying · 19/09/2023 17:47

Every XL bully owner I have met fits that description.

But that is only the ones ive 'met' in passing.

However, I'm a Doberman owner. How would you describe me and my lifestyle?

Waystation · 19/09/2023 17:47

Whatever the reason for having these dogs - good or bad owners - animals that you cannot physically restrain should not be in the home or on the streets (and I just don’t believe anyone who says they can 100% control these dogs) I’m a dog lover but I would never have one that I could not control. If my dog decided to attack someone while I may well get bitten I could pull him off and restrain him. As for leaving a child alone with any dog it’s just plain stupidity.

wasaloner · 19/09/2023 17:48

Saw this post in the comments on a Facebook petition share. This also sums them up I guess. Couldn't believe it!

To think this just sums up XL Bully owners?