XL Bully ban/ Staffy...

[namec1234]

Hi All,

Not sure if anyone is able to shed some light at all?

Aware the XL Bully breed is now being banned in the UK and I'm just wondering what this means for Staffordshire Bull Terriers and other similar breeds? I own a lovely Staffy and I'd be lying if I said this isn't concerning me. He is pure breed, KC registered etc so not a cross breed of any sort if that makes any difference.

Our family would be heartbroken.

Thanks in advance.

@TolkiensFallow That's reassuring, thank you. By papers assuming you mean pedigree papers? We have all of that plus training certificates. I'm a worrier and sometimes become irrational when I start to overthink.

Staffs were not included in the pitbull ban and they are one of THE most popular (owned) family dogs in the UK. I’d be very surprised if they were included in any unilateral ban.

Staffs come from a cross of the bulldog and a terrier hence why they do have a lot of power but also have the intelligence and good nature of terriers.

what needs banning is the relentless breeding and selling of ALL dogs. Not just bull breeds but all dogs.

My friend has some ridiculous GSD cross Belgium working dog - god knows what it is but it legitimately looks like a grizzly bear and is the size of a small sofa. I’d take a staff over that thing any day, staffs have a long history of being family dogs in this country. Her dog is made to live in the fucking mountains and she’s got it in a 2 bed semi.

im sure it’ll be OK OP

Yes you're right @StorminanDcup. I've screenshotted your reply to re-read when I feel a little anxious. Your part about your friend with the 2 bed semi did make me chuckle I'll admit!

Yes pedigree papers will help to prove the dogs heritage.

Aside from the issue of dangerous dogs, I think off-lead should be banned for any dog unless on fenced-in private property or dedicated, fenced-in dog parks, and if you are caught, the fines should be very, very steep. People have got to start being held accountable for their out of control dogs.

Dogs are an easy target.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/xl-bully-owner-feels-sick-27722286?utmsource=linkCopy&utmmmedium=social&utmcampaign=sharebar

@Aquamarine1029 I agree if I'm honest. My partner would happily walk our Staffordshire off lead but I refuse it, personally don't see the need unless at private field.

My friend has a rescue staffiethat her daughter brought home- Friend was extremely wary, but the dog is well trained and neutered- he's massive- but he's very gentle with my small Whippet- and I HAVE had a terrifying incident with an out of control XL Bully -it's owner was hopeless. It was very dog aggressive- I had to release my dog and friend's dog so they could get away , but the Dog warden was involved - the XL owner managed to get it away, and I was too shaken and bruised {broken finger} to think of taking a picture of them.

I'm so happy the proposed ban is in place, but if your Staffy is well trained I can't see why he should be euthanised rather than muzzled.

The Dog warden said XLB's are causing a lot of problems- quite a lot of owner surrenders recently. They are taken, as Council doesn't want them falling into wrong hands.

Stunned Sophie Coulthard, 39, who has a one-year-old dog called Billy, branded the Government’s announcement a “populist decision to get votes”.

I agree with this from the article linked above. The government has had plenty of reports and studies issued to them from various organisations regarding the ineffectiveness of BSL and the continuing rise of dog attacks. They have continuously ignored all of the advice given to them including the suggestions offered by EFRA, one of their own departments.

These studies have been going on since 1996, in other words, they have had almost 2 decades to act upon evidence offered regarding the failure of the DDA and BSL.

Had they followed even a handful of the suggestions offered to them the current situation with XL Bullies would never have happened.

Agree with this.

DDA and BSL does not work. It never has. This time however there is more at stake as more owners are getting inappropriate dogs.

A proper traditional Staffy weighs 16-20 kg

An American Bulldog XL is three times that.

It shouldn't be difficult to distinguish them

@wetotter Woah I didn't realise how big they were if I'm completely honest.

I wish all Bull breeds were banned. They were bred to fight bulls, then other dogs.

Some were, but not all of them.

At least try to be factually correct with your hysteria.

Not unpopular, just stupid.

Not all bull breeds are born equal. Look at the English bull terrier for example, another strong, powerful dog but notoriously gentle. How many cases do you hear of them attacking people?

If we're looking at it in terms of weight/size/power then why aren't we banning German shepherds, huskies, boxers?

I don't like XL bully's and it's always them that seem to be in the press but banning all bull breeds is nigh on impossible.

My female stafford (full pedigree, KC registered) weighs just 12.5kg
she is silver award trained, neutered, micro chipped, insured and registered with a vet for her annual vaccinations and health checks.
people comment all the time thinking she is a puppy as she is ‘so small’ for a staff, actually she is the perfect breed standard size.
when people say ‘big’ staffie, it’s NOT a true staffie at all, not a pure bred one but a cross, that is when problems occur in my experience.

If it’s a staffy in or even anywhere vaguely near breed standard size it’s hugely unlikely to be covered by whatever they decide includes xl bullies. So no, op you’ll be fine.

But if it works like the pit bull one, and it’s very probably going to because they’re not an actual breed of dog, it’ll go on a set of measurements and what a dog looks like - and it won’t matter at all what a dog actually is.

As in, it won’t matter at all if a dog is KC registered anything or actually an xl bully or a cross of completely different breeds, that’s how the pit bull ban works, if behavioural traits can be passed on by looking a bit like them....

Well said. That man who was killed was my neighbour and I saw it happen. It was horrifying. I know lots are trained but the potential is there and I'm sorry but human life is more important than a dogs imo

You be funning Ban all bull breeds, what they do to you like I've had mine 9 years doesn't so much as bark so why should he be banned cause of your opinion. I've got 3 sisters which 2 of them have 2 XL Bullies and the other has 4. I've been around them all and not once have the shown an ounce 9f aggression. My dog warned one of them and she sat there and turned her head away from him XL bully wasn't even interest in a staffy warning it. Its nit the breed its the other idiot at the end of thr lesh. Why don't we ban people like that's idea

There is still a large problem remaining that there will still be dangerous dogs out there owned by people who do not care as the 'dog' is their weapon of choice.

Not chipping or registering a dog will continue unless there is more rigorous enforcement that acts as a deterrent. My take on it is that if a person's dog is out of control and kills or injures someone else - it is a weapon and the law should be enforced as if the dog-oowner had attacked someone with a knife or a baseball bat.

Your dog is your responsibility to control

The problem with that is that you punish all the dogs who are not out of control. My two have excellent recall, can be called to sit next to me to let bikes, joggers and pushchairs past - not that they bother the bikes, joggers and pushchair occupants, but to save people worrying that they might.

The vast majority of dogs are not problem the vast majority of the time.

I think a licence and proof of extensive training is more than fair and I think people would find that the majority of owners would be more than happy to comply! I know I would.

Given how many dogs there are locally, and how hard my local dog trainer has to work to get enough signed up to make her classes viable, I suspect you're in the minority.

I remember one of those "how much does your dog cost" threads a year or two ago. Noone but noone included the cost of regular training classes in their costs. Insurance, food, boarding, yes. Training? Not mentioned.

All the research shows that at most half of dogs are walked daily. Extensive training? I have no idea of the figures, but it's a tiny minority.

@Tiredjoanna How absolutely horrific. I am so sorry .

Your lovely Staffie will be safe. 😊

@Barbz1 Thank you🥺

I think staffie's will be ok. I do think many owners of ALL dogs are incredibly entitled. I have no idea why dogs are suddenly allowed everywhere. I have 2 dogs. I choose to have dogs and should expect to be limited by my choice. Other people have every right to enjoy their lives as they choose without dogs around them everywhere they go ! I actually have no issue with all dogs being muzzled and on leads in public. Well fitting muzzles if introduced well are comfortable humane and safe. I walk one of my rescue whippets on lead in a muzzle as they are very anxious and reactive due to prior abuse and poor socialisation. Never ever bitten but I couldn't say 100 % wouldn't when idiots let their badly controlled dogs run up to him. I take them to secure fields to run.