Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Met an XL Bully today for the first time

226 replies

Woahyeahyeahyeah · 29/12/2023 16:08

Was out for a Family walk earlier today at a NT site and met an XL bully for the first time, he was 9 months old and 8 stone! Although I've seen pictures and obviously the news reports, but to meet one in person I was absolutely astounded at the sheer size and power behind him. The strength and muscles! Wow! My Young DC said he was more like a Lion than a Dog.
Don't get me wrong, he was beautiful, friendly and had the character of just a normal over excited Pup - we also have a puppy and they played for a few minutes. His Family were really nice people with young children, they spoke of how sad they feel about the muzzle enforcement in the New Year. Not sure where I'm going with this post but wondered, does the Law also include at Home? Or is it just in public places?

OP posts:
Jojobees · 29/12/2023 18:51

I’m not clutching at straws, you’ll see from my previous post I am in favour of the legislation. But to say they are the only dogs that bite is wrong.

369damnshesfine · 29/12/2023 18:51

Therainfallingdownonme · 29/12/2023 18:17

I think the problem is that the pro bull breed lobby is quite powerful. I follow a handful of Z listers on instagram who had babies at a similar time to me and for whatever reason a lot of them seem to be dog people - Kate Lawler and Gemma Atkinson are two who spring to mind - and they’ve both shared things about how awful this law is. They have thousands of followers and lives that are ‘aspirational.’ So people follow them, assume all is well with the breed and get one.

It is awful but I wish they could actually see the aftermath of a fatal dog attack distressing detail

Rottweilers aren’t bull breeds though, so there are no restrictions on them.

DyslexicPoster · 29/12/2023 18:55

I met a full grown one in a pub. Sitting nicely but on a very tight lead. The owner seemed normal but wouldn't give it any slack and kept telling it to sit if it stood up. It made me feel more nervous. I walked around the bar for the next drink in case I trod on its paw. I was quite shocked at it's build. It almost had a six pack! I don't belive for a second it's owner could have overpowered it. But poor dog, seemed fine, very alert but well behaved

BethDuttonsTwin · 29/12/2023 18:55

There’s a lovely girl XL I know whose owner has her muzzled already and has for a year or two now. She says she doesn’t need it but prefers to be safe than sorry and not let there be even the slightest opportunity for trouble. If only all owners were like that. I have to say she’s lovely and I make a point of speaking to the owner and stroking her dog whenever I see her. I think it has become very isolating to have these breeds but it’s clear she’s trying hard to do the right thing.

369damnshesfine · 29/12/2023 18:55

Bolloxforsure · 29/12/2023 17:34

The XL was only defined in November this year.
I have a 20”, 28kg American bulldog cross. Rescue. I’ve had to get an exemption certificate for him, he’s now muzzled outdoors and in the car (as that counts as a public space), I can no longer insure him other than third party, he can no longer see his trainer and he can no longer be exercised in the secure field we’ve used for 18 months … because he meets some of the stats listed under the government’s recent definition.

That’s awful!

That was my biggest worry because how many dogs are going to be labelled as XL bullies, even though they’re not.

I just hope you look a certain way because I remember watching a undercover programme and the police were trying to crack down on pit bulls (a few years ago) and it was shocking how they would target certain individuals, whilst walking straight past another person with an almost identical looking dog.

Unluckycat1 · 29/12/2023 18:59

Icelandic9 · 29/12/2023 18:28

I'm aware that the media has made attacks seem more likely than they actually are

No, they've just reported on attacks that have actually happened, which are sadly very frequent.

Show quote history

The availability bias leads us to assign a high probability of something happening when there is in fact a low probability, and is often the result of the media focusing on a particular issue. So the choice to hyper-report on xl bullies will lead people to think there is a higher probability of being attacked by one than there in fact is. Thankfully most are not attacking and killing people.

I say that as someone who really doesn't like xl bullies and supports the ban.

Wherearemybooks · 29/12/2023 19:01

That was my biggest worry because how many dogs are going to be labelled as XL bullies, even though they’re not

Sorry, but if a dog is big enough to be mistaken for an XL bully then I am happy that it comes under the same restrictions.

Peasand · 29/12/2023 19:05

Wherearemybooks · 29/12/2023 19:01

That was my biggest worry because how many dogs are going to be labelled as XL bullies, even though they’re not

Sorry, but if a dog is big enough to be mistaken for an XL bully then I am happy that it comes under the same restrictions.

Quite agree with this

Tawlk · 29/12/2023 19:06

They scare me so much, I completely understand the good owners/good dog theory, however I 100% believe they should be bred out of existence. And I’m an animal loving vegan of 30 years!

FlyingCherub · 29/12/2023 19:10

There are no doubt some very genuine and decent owners out there. But they're not the problem, it's the idiots that breed and own them as status symbols that are the problem. They don't walk, exercise or stimulate these dogs properly, and keep them in unsuitable housing. These sorts of people shouldn't be allowed to own any sort of dog, let alone one that's a deadly weapon.

WHALESURPRISE · 29/12/2023 19:13

It's so bizarre when people say "It's the owners, not the dogs!" as if that means ask the drugs who've killed people should be considered innocent. There are plenty of terrible dog owners with cockapoos, collies, and daschinds but strangely those particular bad owners don't end up with their dogs killing anyone.

In my opinion these drugs are exactly like lions, as pp have said. Big, powerful animals that shouldn't be kept as pets.

Fartooold · 29/12/2023 19:15

A bit off piste, I know, but I have two well trained, older labradors. I walk them on a split lead, with no issues at all.
They follow my commands,walk past barking , yappy dogs etc., but if they find abandoned chips/pizza/ FOOD of any sort, they can be a fecking nightmare to move. These dogs who I THOUGHT I was controlling are actually just allowing me to think that......🙄
The point I'm ( badly) trying to make is that any dog -too big to pick up and carry- at any time can become an immovable object, whether we like to admit it or not. Add in to that any, even slightly, aggressive nature, whether driven by genetics, breeding or upbringing and it will always end in disaster.
I'm lucky in that mine are more interested in licking pavements if given the opportunity.
Any big, strong dog should be evaluated and treated accordingly, whether that be by managing, muzzling, or euthanasia.

The owners need to be licensed, not the dog.

TheaBrandt · 29/12/2023 19:24

Is it just the owners though? I’ve read they are bred for fighting and killing so however “lovely” the owner of it is if it turns and attacks what are they actually able to do? Also who would want to invite that stress into your life? Surely as an owner if your dog attacks you are liable for that and could go to prison ? What’s the motivation for these “lovely” people to get one? I assume they were for drug dealers tbh.

oneflewoverthe · 29/12/2023 19:26

These dogs weigh almost as much as I do. They are terrifying. I'm glad these monsters have to have muzzles soon. I tense up and lift my toddler up as soon as I see one of these. The owners often look like they struggle to keep up with them. If they decide to pounce no one can stop them. Same goes for any dog of this size and strength. They really should be muzzled.

hattie43 · 29/12/2023 19:38

margotrose · 29/12/2023 16:45

In an ideal world, all owners would be vetted and licensed but that's never going to happen. I feel sorry for all the well-behaved, well socialised XL's who will be negatively impacted by this shitshow.

Me too .

itsgettingweird · 29/12/2023 19:41

FlyingCherub · 29/12/2023 19:10

There are no doubt some very genuine and decent owners out there. But they're not the problem, it's the idiots that breed and own them as status symbols that are the problem. They don't walk, exercise or stimulate these dogs properly, and keep them in unsuitable housing. These sorts of people shouldn't be allowed to own any sort of dog, let alone one that's a deadly weapon.

This.

And I have no concerns that when the law comes in the sensible owners will muzzle their dogs, follow the law and keep their dogs well and socialised.

I'm scared that those who own them for the wrong reasons will deliberately walk them unmuzzled and off lead in busy places "to prove a point".

hattie43 · 29/12/2023 19:44

I think what sways it for me is that the well known animal charities are against this legislation . It's completely a knee jerk reaction effecting all owners but rather than tackle bad owners they have a blanket approach . It won't work , it'll be the XL bully today and another breed tomorrow.

CheekyLittleElf · 29/12/2023 19:46

Why anyone would want to keep any animal that has the strength to overpower and maim/kill a person is beyond me. And it's not just dogs. Plenty of animals shouldn't be kept as pets.

Ibex22 · 29/12/2023 19:58

Charlie2121 · 29/12/2023 18:38

They are ugly, dangerous animals. They should all be put down.

Agreed. Foul aren't they!

MissingMoominMamma · 29/12/2023 20:03

Charlie2121 · 29/12/2023 18:38

They are ugly, dangerous animals. They should all be put down.

If that’s your argument, so should a lot of humans.

Therainfallingdownonme · 29/12/2023 20:05

There are no fatalities attributed to labradors in the UK. So the nine deaths in a fifteen year period must be outside the UK.

There have been eleven deaths from XL Bullies in the UK alone since 2021.

Peacheroo · 29/12/2023 20:22

Such a shame. This started as a nice thread and as usual Mumsnet have demonised these dogs.

I have a 60kg American Akita and if he pulls, I can hold him back easily. I use my body weight and hold the lead appropriately. PP struggling with a 5 stone lab is either incredibly small or incredibly weak.

These dogs are not the problem. They have fantastic personalities naturally and a well trained and socialised bully breed is a dream boat. The owners and backyard breeders are the problem - that goes for all breeds and not just these. The entitlement of them now is shocking. I'm fed up of being jumped all over and attacked by dogs. Never once a bully breed of any variety. Always a lab, doodle or a rat on a lead because people think these dogs don't need the same level of training. They do!

This law has been rushed through that everyone with a bully breed could be affected and I can't find one professional who is in agreement.

All dogs should be licenced and trained to a certain level and the owners too!

What breaks my heart more is all the XLs I'm currently seeing up for rehoming for all sorts of bullshit excuses which are clearly made up because they can't be bothered to do the right thing by the dog. If they'd done right by the dog in the first instance we wouldn't be in this mess. It proves all the naysayers right about the type of owners they can have. I wish I could take them all in.

bozzabollix · 29/12/2023 20:23

I have a Labrador lying across me as I type, I’d trust her with my life. I also know that my capacity to control her and my other Labrador is there, even if I have to sit on the ground they can’t drag my weight even as a pair. So ok there may have been deaths attributed to Labradors but it’s less than the number of fingers I have over 12 years across the world, we don’t know anything about the circumstances (what had happened to these dogs?). There’s a clear difference between the capability of a Labrador and an XL bully.

So I disagree with the current XL bully owners campaigning by saying all other dogs are dangerous, they just don’t have the same strength, power and genetics. My dogs have been bred to retrieve - not to fight. If you watch a collie you can clearly see their herding instincts from a young age. Genetics does have a huge influence.

But I do have sympathy for responsible owners, because I think the government have got it wrong with the criteria. It seems all the consequences are visited on the dog rather than the bad owners of the breed. I read today some people are rescuing them just to get the £250 compensation for euthanising them. That’s just sick and absolutely heartbreaking. At the end of the day it’s the breeders fault, not the dogs, but they are paying the ultimate price. It’s very sad. I also feel for the vets having to carry this out. The term is moral injury for what they’re being asked to do.

Unluckycat1 · 29/12/2023 20:26

hattie43 · 29/12/2023 19:44

I think what sways it for me is that the well known animal charities are against this legislation . It's completely a knee jerk reaction effecting all owners but rather than tackle bad owners they have a blanket approach . It won't work , it'll be the XL bully today and another breed tomorrow.

Do you not think this might in part be explained by the impact on said charities if they agreed with the ban? More dogs given up that they are left to deal with, being unable to put up for adoption the xl bullies already in their care when the ban was announced, possibly a drop in donations etc.

All the other solutions I've seen have been unworkable. It would be very nice if breeding was closely scrutinised, all owners took their dogs to obedience classes etc, but the logistics make these options frankly impossible. Banning isn't perfect, but it will reduce the amount of dangerous dogs openly for sale, and so should reduce the number overall. When wannabe thugs move on to the next dangerous dog capable of killing (as I keep hearing will inevitably happen), ban that too 🤷‍♀️

Peacheroo · 29/12/2023 20:31

bozzabollix · 29/12/2023 20:23

I have a Labrador lying across me as I type, I’d trust her with my life. I also know that my capacity to control her and my other Labrador is there, even if I have to sit on the ground they can’t drag my weight even as a pair. So ok there may have been deaths attributed to Labradors but it’s less than the number of fingers I have over 12 years across the world, we don’t know anything about the circumstances (what had happened to these dogs?). There’s a clear difference between the capability of a Labrador and an XL bully.

So I disagree with the current XL bully owners campaigning by saying all other dogs are dangerous, they just don’t have the same strength, power and genetics. My dogs have been bred to retrieve - not to fight. If you watch a collie you can clearly see their herding instincts from a young age. Genetics does have a huge influence.

But I do have sympathy for responsible owners, because I think the government have got it wrong with the criteria. It seems all the consequences are visited on the dog rather than the bad owners of the breed. I read today some people are rescuing them just to get the £250 compensation for euthanising them. That’s just sick and absolutely heartbreaking. At the end of the day it’s the breeders fault, not the dogs, but they are paying the ultimate price. It’s very sad. I also feel for the vets having to carry this out. The term is moral injury for what they’re being asked to do.

A Labrador attacked me and my dog. I didn't die but it hurt us both and my clothes had to be replaced. I think that dog and its owners should be held accountable as much as any other, including XLs.