Banned dog breeds in the UK

[DerektheGoose]

Where I live there are a few people with Pit Bull terriers ie they openly admit they are pure Pit Bull and cost thousands of pounds. Are they no longer banned then?

They are banned, but most so-called "pitbulls" in this country are not pit bulls - they're a mixture or various other bully breeds - XL bullies, staffies, American bullies, English Bull Terriers, boxers etc.

Anyone can say they have a pitbull - it doesn't mean they actually do.

They just say it for effect to give themselves a "bad image".
Such people are best ignored.

God those XL bullies are terrifying things, just bred for egomaniacs.

If you are worried about the dogs being genuine banned breeds, report them to your local council dog warden.

Thanks for your replies all. Was just curious why these seemingly nice people would want to say they own a banned breed and brag about how much they paid for it!

I can't think of one good reason to want to own one of these banned breeds. So many other nicer temperament dogs to.cjoose from. I would report if you are suspicious they are a banned breed.

Just the name XL Bullies wants me to throw up.why on gods earth do people get these type of dogs?

@Chuechebache

Just the name XL Bullies wants me to throw up.why on gods earth do people get these type of dogs?

The breeding of the poor things is so cruel too, they can barely move they’re so bulky

I've only ever met one xl bully as a puppy, it was still huge. I have a friend who loves them and I just don't get the aesthetic appeal.

The puppy was lovely and the owner was working with a specialist trainer which was great. I'm a massive dog lover but I just don't think I'd ever feel safe around them.

Luckily the owner has lots of common sense, but friend insists the dog be allowed off lead before it's even learned recall, I hope they never get one.

@Chuechebache

Just the name XL Bullies wants me to throw up.why on gods earth do people get these type of dogs?

Because they think it's cool to own a big, muscly dog. It's a status thing, though I'm sure people will be along soon to tell me they make lovely family pets, lol.

I mean, if you want a family pet, get a staffy - you don't need to pick a breed that can barely walk or breathe because of how deformed it is.

One died here fairly recently because it's owner walked it in 18 degree heat for less than an hour - it just couldn't cope and keeled over. It was only young (less than three I believe), but he just couldn't see that his poor dog was so deformed that it really didn't stand a chance.

The ones I know (which are lovely btw) are small and staffy sized.
Been offered a pup today and she's not even close to being old enough to be pregnant yet

There is no such thing as a "pure pitbull". Pitbull is not a breed. It is a type.

Are you actually looking for a dog?

@Frequency American Pitbull Terrier absolutely is a purebred dog. And they are great family pets if raised well.

@Frequency

There is no such thing as a "pure pitbull". Pitbull is not a breed. It is a type.

You're confusing two different issues.

There is a breed called the American Pitbull Terrier. This is an actual breed that's registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club). This breed is technically banned in the UK (along with the Filo Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa).

However, the law in the UK confuses things as it actually states that all pitbull "type" dogs are illegal - so, any dog that fits the physical characteristics can be seized even if they're not actually a pitbull by DNA.

American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull terrier and American Bull terrier are all "pitbulls" and all good, family dogs.

The law as it stands in the UK refers to a set of measurements which is just as likely to fit a working lab cross as they are any of the pitbull breeds.

all good, family dogs
I'm sure that many of them are, but these breeds are also responsible for a significant proportion of fatal attacks on people. They were developed for dog-fighting (hence the 'pit' part of the name) and are known to have a higher chance of being dog-aggressive.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda
Nope not at all. But that hasn't stopped offers from people we know of puppies of other breeds either.

I like dogs but have no current inclination to own one since losing my much loved girl in 2019

I must say I love the look of the American Pocket Bully I find them very cute - like big cuddly monsters. But I would never own one. There is no way that anyone can be 100% safe with a dog of that size and strength. We own a toy breed who is the perfect lap dog I don't see the appeal in owning a dog I could never control if it wanted to attack

This thread is absolutely ridiculous. I genuinely cannot believe what I am reading. You cannot paint every breed of XL bully with the same brush. It’s like saying that every human is dangerous as there are convicted murderers and rapists. A dogs behaviour and personality is a reflection of how you raise your dog! I have 2 XL bullies, both are around 4 children. They have never hurt my children nor been in fights with other dogs.Other smaller breeds bite and nip them yet they’ve never once reacted. The dogs are definitely not deformed either. My dogs are both 55kg and massively functional and fit. All of the children in the local park adore them. I have raised my dogs as though they are my children and they are incredible family pets. It makes me massively angry to read some of these comments. Any breed of dog can be aggressive and I’m fed up of people putting labels on these big breeds. I’ve had Jack Russells attack my ankles!

A dogs behaviour and personality is a reflection of how you raise your dog!
It's also a reflection of the dog's genetics. This is why collies nip and attempt to herd and spaniels bramble-bash in search of game. They've been bred for these traits for hundreds of years.

Any breed of dog can be aggressive and I’m fed up of people putting labels on these big breeds. I’ve had Jack Russells attack my ankles!

Yep, so have I.

But I'd rather be bitten by a Jack Russell than a pitbull.

My point here is that you cannot paint every XL bully with the same brush. That’s not to say there aren’t aggressive bullies because of course they are just as there is in every single breed! It’s completely unfair to the breed to put a label on all of them. I am involved in an enormous bully community and the temperament of all of the dogs are second to none, majority of them in the company of young children on a day to day. The breed is completely and utterly misunderstood. Yes, it’s clear a bully can do damage if they wanted to but you cannot label the entire breed as vicious and aggressive, I know otherwise as do the 100s of thousands of people in the bully community. It is also a massive responsibility as an owner to understand and be responsible for your dog.

The biggest issue with American Bullies is that their image can attract some absolute nonces to own them purely for "image". You just have to read some of the sales ads - talking about "amazing pedigrees" (usually phrased as "stacked Peds" urgh), listing off a bunch of random dog names as a badge of honor, showing pictures of the dogs muscles, usually posed next to expensive cars, with no mention of the dogs temperaments.

That's the issue. Sure, raised correctly with good socialisation, even the biggest of dogs should be able to be a loving family member. But there are way too many status symbol dog-owning nonces who are buying these dogs without any consideration to behaviour. Which has led to all those poor kids being attacked by this breed type.

Most overly muscled XL Bullies don't get typed as Pit Bull as, well, they're too chonky. Extreme Pocket Bullies can barely walk. Pit Bull types are more athletic - actually able to walk and run. I've also known two puppies in the same litter - being Staffy x Labrador types - one was fine, the other was typed as a Pit Bull and had to be PTS.

BSL needs to go in the bin, and the Dangerous Dogs Act needs the overhaul (I think it's currently getting) to focus in on terrible dog owners and not breed types.

My point here is that you cannot paint every XL bully with the same brush. That’s not to say there aren’t aggressive bullies because of course they are just as there is in every single breed! It’s completely unfair to the breed to put a label on all of them.

Whether it's fair or not is pretty irrelevant.

Those dogs are pure muscle and if one decided to attack - which any dog, no matter how well socialised has the ability to do, the average adult stands absolutely no chance - let alone a small child.

Did you see the recent case in America where a dog sitter had her face ripped off by a pitbull and a German Shepherd? I would far rather take my chances against a Jack Russell or a Chihuahua.

If you think that's "unfair" so be it but I know I don't have the physical strength to hold back a dog of that size, therefore it would be hugely irresponsible of me to have one around children. If one of those dogs attacks a person, what chance does that person stand of coming out unharmed?

Someone actually talking sense