Play date in XL Bully house

[Bonneylass]

School mum has invited my son over to play. They own an XL bully. Apparently it’s a lovely dog and they have 3 kids at home. I really don’t want him to go, I just don’t think it’s worth the risk. Is it best to make up an excuse or just be honest? Interested to hear from owners of XL bullies how you would react to this. She’s a lovely lady and ideally I don’t want to piss her off.

I'd just say "No, thank you, but I'd be too worried about the dog. Does your DC want to come here on Tursday instead?" She must surely know that opinions and fears run high around these breeds and for good reason.

Nah.
Can you explain (given the history of XL Bullies) why you think anyone would choose to own one?

IMO, "nice families" don't own buy these dogs.

I totally agree with you. Nice families don't own these dogs. They should never have been domesticated. Also, attending with the child wouldn't make a scrap of difference, it is regularly reported that these dogs have taken down and killed fully grown adults, this is not a breed you can protect your child from, if it attacks, you're as useless to your child as a limp piece of asparagus, as is anyone else in the room.

It may be useless but to add to your post, there is literally one thing that lay people can do in the event of an attack by a dog like this which is worth knowing, and that is to form a choke using anything available (eg any lead turns into a choke lead by pulling the end through the handle) and attempting to choke the dog out. Hitting, poking the eyes, poking the bum/genitals are all mostly ineffective as fighting breeds were bred for gameness. If you saw an attack happen on a human or animal, this is what you can try to do.

I certainly wouldn’t knowingly get my child in a situation where I might need to use this, though.

Be honest & say how you feel & that's it's no reflection of them as dog owners it's just your anxiety about it that's stopping you form allowing your Son to go. Ask if they'd be happy for their child to have a play date at your house instead.

Ask if they'd be happy for their child to have a play date at your house instead.

But first reassure them that your pet alligator is very well trained and a big softy.

there is literally one thing that lay people can do in the event of an attack by a dog like this which is worth knowing, and that is to form a choke using anything available (eg any lead turns into a choke lead by pulling the end through the handle) and attempting to choke the dog out.

You first.