Should we ban specific dog breeds?

[blackbirdbluebottle]

I love dogs but I have always been wary of particular breeds such as pit bulls, staffies and breeds that are banned. It's been in the news about banning certain breeds. Do you think we should be banning certain breeds or should we ban the dog on a dog by dog basis?

Staffies are one of my favourite breeds. I wouldn't have one as they are LOONS too high energy for me.

They are out of vogue with the twat dog owners . Now they want dogs that look like wolves. Thats a time bomb right there - those breeds are highly intelligent WORKING dogs with complex needs. Stunningly beautiful but pets? Other than the most commited dog owner absolutely not. Breaks my heart.

So no i dont think banning breeds is useful.

Education and dog licencing is the way forward

Btw Staffie’s teeth don’t lock. That’s a myth. But they do have incredibly poweful jaws. wonders how much I’ve spent on so called indestructible toys over the years

Staffies are lovely dogs and are not by nature aggressive.

i think some breeds should be banned, the ones that the poor dog has a shite life due to breeding , english bulldog is a example of bad breeding.

They are so ridiculously strong arent they sure? Lol how many vet nurses does it take to clip a staffies claws? As many as you can spare everything is a game to a staff

Samcro that is an excellent point actually. Leaving aside the aggression issues which is what the ops post was about. I would happily see a ban on further breeding of brachycephalic dogs.

I agree with all the PPs that suggest a dog license. Dogs aren't dangerous, irresponsible owners are.

Agree - poor bloody dogs that can’t breathe. Why, just why?
Maybe a national licensing scheme would be good- but hard to enforce.

There's a few reasons why bsl is a bad idea. A big reason is miseducation. There's no such breed as a Pitbull, it's a collective term for dogs of any bull breed, including staffs, that share some traits. This means that it's possible and has happened that one pup could test as a Pitbull while another from the same litter tests as a staff. And like a pp said, the lockjaw is a complete myth. It simply doesn't exist.

And yet these myths continue, driving the idea of bsl. It's completely insane. Proper education around dogs, breeds, traits, characteristics, training and ownership is needed far more than any kind of breed specific legislation.

No I don't think any particular breed should be banned, well i suppose I do as I'd also like to see an end to the breeding of brachycephalics. I'd like to see licencing reintroduced but I think you should have to pass a test in order to get one, like a driving licence, showing you have a basic understanding of your chosen pet's needs.

The Pit Bull Terrier is a breed. As is Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. These are the four banned breeds in the UK. However they are identified as being 'of type'. So those with the power to remove individual dogs only have to believe they look or behave as the banned breed does. Often taking staffy x labradors or similar mixed breeds/mutts.

Most of the general public mix Pit Bulls and BBM (Bully Breed Mixed, or other names) thinking a Pit Bull is a type rather than a breed in similar to Lurchers (mix of a sight hounds with another breed).

Whilst I don't support adding any dogs to BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) I worry about the removal of the banned breeds as IMO most of the people who will then own one of these powerful dogs will the be types to use them as status symbols or props. Much in the way I've known people use staffies, BBM, Rotties, Akitas, or the other latest breed.

Also wanted to add there are many wonderful owners of the above breeds or crosses, just seems the majority are the 'bad' type of owners.

Having training and a 'test' for a licence for dog ownership is a great idea, but what would this test and training entail. It's not like driving where we all have to do the same thing, it's more like parenting. Would what sort of food be on there? For example, some think raw is best whilst others think feeding raw turns pets aggressive and gives them a taste for blood. What about training, since that's the biggest thing really for unruly dogs, Ceaser Millan style vs treats and toys? Again like parenting, you can't train people or have a test before having a child, because some swear by smacking, some swear by natural consequences and some swear by rewards only, and all those inbetween.

I don't think any breed should be banned.

I do think that not just anyone should be able to breed dogs though.

There are far too many dogs (and cats)4 being bred for people to just make money, and there are a number of breeders who keep dogs in terrible conditions.

I would like to see only licensed breeders, who are regularly checked upon by the dog warden. All dogs sold ought to be subject to castration, and this should also be checked. Failure to do so should incur removal of the dog and a fine.

That would all be stuff that would be worked out in the process rafiki Like every single other new regulatory process does. Eg, not everyone agrees with what constitutes the national curriculum. Doesn’t mean we don’t bother having one though.

I’ve got a pit bull cross (they’re not banned here) and hand on heart he’s the dumbest dog I’ve ever met. He’s got the sweetest nature and adores people. His litter brother was pts before he was 12mths old as he was nasty and very aggressive.

It’s not the breed that’s the issue - it’s the individual dog or their owners.

I would much prefer if brachycephalic breeds were banned. Announce it now and give 20 or so years so breeders can establish themselves with another breed and allow existing dogs to pass away.

Pitbulls, etc have the potential to be dangerous. Pugs, bulldog, etc will have respiratory problems.

Don't believe in banning the breed but I do not understand why this growing problem isn't being addressed. We need proper regulations in place regards the breeding and selling of puppies and dogs (and other animals but that's less likely and harder to police)
I'm so sick of how many dogs we are seeing through the rescue (breed specific and not a typically popular breed so our numbers are lower than some)
The worst are the ex breeders - just take a look at the many tears website to see the condition these dogs are in.
The problem is only getting worse as fashion breeds change so old breeding dogs get dumped and they start churning out the new ones.
The dogs aren't being bred to any standard and are being bred from dogs that aren't cared for so each breed is being weakened. And even those who do claim to be breeding to a standard are often only kc registered which means jack shit.

I'm generally a pretty placid person but dog breeding is one thing that gets me angry!

No, it's lazy and dangerous to only ban certain breeds. There is no such thing as a dangerous breed, only dangerous handling and treatment which leads to a dangerous temperament.

I'd like to ban morons from keeping dogs.

The only issue isn’t the dog or the breed it’s the owners. The only reason some dogs have a bad reputation is because a lot of them are owned by people who have no interest in training a dog appropriately.

So rather than ban breeds, would we be better coming down harder on owners with aggressive out of control dogs? Any aggressive or out of control dog is put down, fine and/or community service and the owner is banned from keeping a dog for life. You could maybe introduce a responsible owners scheme where you can earn back your right to keep a dog.

Stafford were one of only two breeds recommended as family dogs (by Kennel club I.think?)

The aggressive dogs are nearly always due to stupid or violent owners. People who don't train or treat their dog correctly, or people who train their dog to be aggressive.

There are banned breeds in this country - because they are breeds prone to aggression. Staffies aren't. I felt the same as you, since getting a dog however, I've realised it really isn't so much breed as owner.

My dog was attacked by an instantly aggressive dog. He ran over to mine and started attacking him - my boy was only 18 WEEKS old. We were in a field which was empty but for the two of us - we weren't in an on lead area. The owner stood there and sneered that his dog didn't like mine because he was still intact. Of course he was, he was a young puppy! His was intact too. The owner didn't apologise or put his dog on the lead. His attitude seemed to be that he supported his dog attacking others. I picked up my dog and left. He seemed more dangerous than his dog.

The owner was a very middle-class, well dressed man in his 60's. The aggressive dog? A very beautiful, biscuit coloured, smallish cocker spaniel.

There are some terrible, dangerous dog owners, more than you'd imagine. There are some reactive and nervous dogs but they are usually due to abuse by humans.

Staffies. Not Stafford.

Agree with @CatOwned

Breeders are killing the snub nosed dogs. They need to be banned and a responsible, healthy breeding scheme initiated.

Sorry I'm not a dog owner but happy to be corrected.

My parents had dogs before I was born to present day, the first dogs they had was back when you had to have a license. I was about 12 when she got another dog and there was no license then. So why did they stop it? Surely that was what was regulating dogs and their owners?

Imho every dog should be registers with a vet, microchipped and insured.