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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

To think getting this type of dog is a bad idea?

42 replies

thesailsaflow · 26/12/2021 14:56

Me and my ex have an 8 year old daughter together. We have had our moments but get along very well now, I'd say we are friends, we confide in each other and I can rely on him and he me.

We have been in talks for the past few months about getting a dog that we will share. He recently lost his dog - a Rottweiler - she was lovely and very well trained and whilst I would look after her on occasion, he bought it with his ex girlfriend so it was not a shared dog with me.

The kind of dog I would like is a cockapoo or Labrador. However, he called me this morning and said he had found an English bull terrier pup for sale and was going to get it next week. He asked if I'd be okay to help out with it - no financial responsibility but watching/training/walking it whilst he is at work (I am a student and work at night, he works during the day). I said I'd have a think.

My concern is number one, having read up on these types of dogs, they aren't for novice owners. So although my ex did own one previous dog I don't think he realised how difficult these types are to train, also I have absolutely no experience of dogs or training them. Secondly, and this may be a stereotype, but I've read these dogs can be quite aggressive. My ex claims this is all in the way they are raised. However, after speaking to a vet (my aunt) she says there is something in their brains that can make them turn without warning no matter how well trained or raised the dog is.

I know I am absolutely within my rights to say I don't feel comfortable helping out with the dog. But then the worry comes with when my daughter is at his house, what if it attacks her? She is with him 50 percent of the time and it has really worried me.

I wish he could just be into the stereotypical 'family dogs' but he's not and he is adamant he is not changing his mind and going ahead with it.

AIBU to have these reservations? Am I buying into the stereotype? Is there just as much risk with a Labrador?

If not, what do I do?

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 26/12/2021 15:22

What stereotype are you worried about, exactly? I'm a bit confused as I've never really heard of EBT's as being an especially aggressive or dangerous breed.

They're stubborn (like any terrier) but generally good with people and children, and are lively and fun too. I wouldn't think there was a reason to worry about them any more than any other breed?

Aworldofmyown · 26/12/2021 15:27

No I wouldn't. Gorgeous lovely dogs, however, they are stubborn need consistent good training.
Labrodors are keen to please, Bull terriers will want to know what's in it for them and weigh up the benefits first 😆

SmallGreenStripes · 26/12/2021 15:27

Yanbu

thickthighs73 · 26/12/2021 15:30

There’s only bad owners not bad dogs

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 26/12/2021 15:33

Your aunt isn't very knowledgeable imo.
After a rotty I would say you can successfully manage any breed...
*we lost our rotty last year. Our other ddogs are a breeze in comparison..

villainousbroodmare · 26/12/2021 15:34

I'm a vet. I see quite a few of them as they are popular where I live. They are not typical terriers. They are immensely powerful. They are usually dog-aggressive but generally good with their own families. I wouldn't let my kids visit a house with one. They tend to have a lot of chronic health issues.

sweetheartyparty · 26/12/2021 15:34

We have a 6 month old miniature bull terrier and he isvery stubborn and a handful. He's also very comical and affectionate. We had miniature schnauzers before and I sometimes wish we got another one of those.

alwayswrighty · 26/12/2021 15:40

EBTs are a handful. I own 2 x SBTs and my friends EBT is 3 x as stubborn and naughty as mine!

All the EBTs I've known are fantastic with children/family but really hard work and there is no way I'd have one.

Thatldo · 26/12/2021 15:40

@villainousbroodmare

I'm a vet. I see quite a few of them as they are popular where I live. They are not typical terriers. They are immensely powerful. They are usually dog-aggressive but generally good with their own families. I wouldn't let my kids visit a house with one. They tend to have a lot of chronic health issues.
This^. I would not make a commitment to look after this dog with having a young daughter.they are very very powerful dogs.
KirstenBlest · 26/12/2021 15:42

Check that the pup can hear.

They are pretty soft but strong-willed. If one wants to go through a fence it will jump through it

wheresmymojo · 26/12/2021 15:58

I'm not sure this is helpful as I don't have experience with EBTs however if that's the kind that of dog he'd like then perhaps a Staffy could be a good compromise?

They make super family dogs, they used to be known as 'Nanny dogs' because they're generally very good with children. I grew up with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they were just the loveliest characters.

Again...don't particularly like other dogs but extremely loyal and affectionate with their family.

Shmithecat2 · 26/12/2021 16:04

My friend had an EBT that I used to dogsit for. She was adorable, so affectionate and gentle with humans, particularly the 2 small dds that my friend had. She was also however massively stubborn, bordering on ignorant when on the lead if something took her attention.

TheBearBones · 26/12/2021 16:41

From my experience, EBTs are rather stubborn and boisterous, especially when they're young. And whilst breeders have mostly been breeding away from their original purpose - bloodsports/dog fighting and most these days are bred for appearance (i.e. for those egg-shaped heads), they are still a powerful, muscular breed that can have an innate aggression towards other animals. Temperament-wise, they're really not anything like the eager-to-please and biddable breeds like Labradors, cocker spaniels and poodles.

Breed aside, I'd be more concerned about how he's managed to find a pup for sale (so quickly that he's only given you a week's notice) and plans to pick it up in a week - have there been no discussions about getting a new puppy, no preparation, no careful search to vet out a responsible breeder? I'd be very worried about the source of this puppy.

With an EBT especially, you'll want to be very wary about getting it from a good breeder, that breeds for health and a stable temperament. Getting it from a crap backyard breeder or puppy farm is a recipe for disaster. They have a lot of genetic health issues that need to be tested for, or have their lines closely monitored for to ensure it is not carried (epilepsy, eye conditions, deafness, rage syndrome, skin allergies, hip and joint conditions come to mind), sadly they are not a particularly healthy breed.

Redburnett · 26/12/2021 16:46

Listen to your Aunt. This type of dog is very strong, difficult to train and has very strong jaws. I would be very wary of having such a dog in an environment with a child.

Arren12 · 26/12/2021 16:47

I wouldn't get one but then I have to say even labs can be stubborn and every dog needs consistent training. People will often be fooled with typical 'easy' dogs like labs, yes they are often keen to please but they are strong and powerful too. Even small dogs can have 'bad' behavior if not trained or stimulated properly. Two aggressive dogs live near me one is a ABT and one a lab.

Grumpyosaurus · 26/12/2021 16:52

Dogs were historically bred to have particular drives. Some breeds, as a result, are more prone to dog aggression. Put your hand into that to fish your dog out, and you'll get bitten yourself. EBTs, in my limited experience of them, tend to dog aggression. It's not just down to the owner: genetics can be incredibly powerful. This is why pointers point and collies herd.

Also, no dog is a nanny. Staffies were not known as nanny dogs back in the distant past. This was cooked up in the 1970s.

As regards health issues etc in EBTs, @villainousbroodmare is talking sense.

HirplesWithHaggis · 26/12/2021 17:02

Sounds like you, OP, will be landed with most of the training and socialisation of this puppy, if your ex is going to be out all day. How are you going to do that when you're working nights?

itwasntaparty · 26/12/2021 17:04

Sharing a dog with an ex is a terrible idea.

I live next door to an EBT, he's lovely but A powerhouse, he's knocked my kids over a few times just being friendly.

LBF2020 · 26/12/2021 17:06

I have always admired EBTs from afar. However, a friends previously friendly EBT turned on his partner with no obvious warning. The injuries were pretty bad. Fortunately the breeder was happy to take the dog back. Although the chances are the dog would be fine I'm not sure it's worth the risk Sad

Branleuse · 26/12/2021 17:06

No, if i was going to commit to a dog in anyway which sharing a puppy and training it is, then id want more say in the type of dog. I would have a staffie over an EBT

Uninterested · 26/12/2021 17:08

I’d have thought that the argument about it being a breed which comes with a lot of health issues is a strong one.

Uninterested · 26/12/2021 17:09

If he had a rott before then the aggression issues might not hit home with him.

Elieza · 26/12/2021 17:12

Don’t do it.

It will not end well.

He seems to like, er, manly dogs. Not what I’d suggest as a ‘family’ dog.

But that’s my opinion and many would disagree. I’d just say no and reconsider in the spring or whatever.

SantaPaws1 · 26/12/2021 17:13

As you are looking after it half the time, your opinion matters. Tell him you can't help if it's a dog you're uncomfortable with - doesn't matter whether that dog might be what you think or not - the fact is you are uncomfortable and that should be enough for him to not buy it.

WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 26/12/2021 18:37

Any dog can be aggressive. Spaniels (and therefore cockerpoos) are known for cocker rage syndrome. The difference is most adults would have a fair chance of being able to kick off a crazy cocker if it went for a child but an EBT is very very strong and they have jaws that are built to never let go. Saying that most EBT’s are not people aggressive but they are often difficult with other dogs.