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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:
whatsitcalledwhen · 30/12/2023 14:20

Megifer · 30/12/2023 14:10

RSPCA and dog warden take hours and I certainly wasn't going to leave a strange dog in my house! Maybe I was lucky he wasn't a dangerous one, the dog was very lucky I happened to have the window open so he heard his owner (had to open it to let his farts escape).

Pocket bully's particularly cruel IMO they look like they struggle to breathe and walk.

Yes you were incredibly lucky.

Megifer · 30/12/2023 14:25

whatsitcalledwhen · 30/12/2023 14:20

Yes you were incredibly lucky.

Show quote history

👍

Megifer · 30/12/2023 14:30

Bolloxforsure · 30/12/2023 14:16

For what it’s worth, I’d have done the same as you @Megifer.

I'd do the same again, for any dog or animal for that matter tbh.

It's my pigeon rescues that causes the most fury IRL, strangely! Have nursed 3 back to health this year much to DPs disgust 😬

MUM2TJ · 30/12/2023 15:34

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.

I agree with this.

I also have an American akita and yes he can pull and sometimes bounce around and get excited but I know how to handle him.

I also see a lady with xl bully when we're out and about and the dog has never once shown aggression towards me or my dog..it is very well behaved and very loving.
It is actually the dogs with " small dog syndrome" that try to get at us, barking, showing teeth while thier owners laugh it off as being cute and fun
I also had one little dog, who was on the loose, enter my garden and bark and snarl at dog..luckily my dog just looked at the little creature all confused. Owner walked along didn't bother apologising, just laughed and called his dogs name. Same dog chases every child in the street..Does anything get done, no!
Now turn that situation around if it had of been my akita it would of been branded a dangerous dog on the loose and most likely took away.
All I'm trying to say is not long ago akitas we're in the media for dog attacks, it only takes one attack to brand them all.
So don't think all xl bully's are the same and just out to attack, when some are just family pets

redhatwhitebeard · 30/12/2023 15:56

I agree @MUM2TJ all dogs should be kept on leads and controlled! However, the difference is that many small dogs are easily restrained and controlled if they turn vicious! With XL Bullies you can't do this! As mentioned below have seen horrendous attacks by XL bully breeds on smaller dogs and cats! I'd rather they were banned than children and adults being mauled to death! It's a bit like the gun argument 'guns are safe in the right hands.'

OdeToBarney · 30/12/2023 16:03

Megifer · 30/12/2023 14:10

RSPCA and dog warden take hours and I certainly wasn't going to leave a strange dog in my house! Maybe I was lucky he wasn't a dangerous one, the dog was very lucky I happened to have the window open so he heard his owner (had to open it to let his farts escape).

Pocket bully's particularly cruel IMO they look like they struggle to breathe and walk.

I've never seen it in real life thankfully, but you're probably right. And it's original owner is a dickhead who, unsurprisingly, hasn't bothered to train it at all.

Feralgremlin · 30/12/2023 16:19

The issue in my opinion is the reason people are getting these dogs in the first place. I’ve come across two recently who have been (badly) trained as protection dogs and are aggressive, and one person looking to get one…to train as a protection dog. When you combine that with how big, strong, and powerful these dogs are, it’s a recipe for disaster. Lots (not all) XL bully owners have got these dogs because they look a certain way and portray a certain image, they aren’t the kind of people who would be seen walking a highland terrier or a spaniel for example, and the dogs were bred to fit this “aesthetic”. I am devastated that healthy dogs are going to inevitably be put to sleep, but lets not pretend that unchecked ownership of these dogs can continue. The blame isn’t with the dogs, or the government, it’s with those who bought or bred these dogs as a status symbol, who didn’t put in the work to raise well socialised, even tempered animals, but instead put them to work as “protection” and are now kicking up a stink over the consequences.

forgotmyusername1 · 31/12/2023 07:55

I saw this earlier. I get the sentiment and really feel for the dogs in shelters but this lady has rehomed an unknown powerful dog on a whim with no checks on either her, her home or the dog into a house with children. WTF? I hope those kids are safe.

Met an XL Bully today for the first time
whatsitcalledwhen · 31/12/2023 08:19

forgotmyusername1 · 31/12/2023 07:55

I saw this earlier. I get the sentiment and really feel for the dogs in shelters but this lady has rehomed an unknown powerful dog on a whim with no checks on either her, her home or the dog into a house with children. WTF? I hope those kids are safe.

She doesn't care about the fact there must be a reason they aren't allowed in homes with children.

Frankly what an idiot. What a selfish idiot.

What a risk to take.

Poor kids not being prioritised.

forgotmyusername1 · 31/12/2023 08:32

She knows nothing of the dogs history - not even if it is vaccinated.

A lot of the dogs which have been abandoned to shelters are the ones who didn't have good owners, those whose owners didn't care enough about the dogs to pay £100 to get them registered.

For all she knows she has just rehomed a fighting dog.

I can't understand why anyone would take that risk with children in the house.

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 08:40

uclpp · 29/12/2023 16:33

Owners should be vetted and monitored for dogs that are so large and powerful IMO. You ought to have a licence, insurance, home visits and everything.

I've learned this from Judge Judy, so i know it's correct.

In America you insure your pets through your home insurance policy, and lots of them refuse to insure that breed of dog.

I think that's a sobering lesson.

I loathe (almost all) dogs, but my opinion on the XL Bullies is even lower.
Even the twee name troubles me, because it's designed to conceal that they're pit bulls.

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 08:50

ancientpants · 29/12/2023 18:33

XL bullys, pitbull crosses, staffie crosses and Rottweilers are all varieties of dogs who have been subject to scrutiny. And for good reason. Show me the multiple headlines in a 12 month period of a spaniel or a Labrador killing people? And all the people spouting "it's not the breed it's the owner" are just thick.

That is a bloody ridiculous statement, i completely agree^.

So, whenever anyone says it to me on Twitter, i say 'yeah, the dog definitely^ helps though'

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 08:53

Charlie2121 · 29/12/2023 18:38

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

Amen!

People are daft about their dogs.

Barleycat · 31/12/2023 08:58

Horrible ugly slobbering things. Law doesn't go far enough to be honest as the scum bags who use these dogs as weapons aren't going to take any notice of it. They should all be confiscated and pts.

Therainfallingdownonme · 31/12/2023 08:59

I don’t care what they look like. It isn’t their appearance that’s the problem.

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 09:00

TheaBrandt · 29/12/2023 18:42

Why are the owners all described as “lovely” ? 🙄 Surely choosing a potentially vicious breed like that means you are by definition not particularly “lovely” yourself.

Absolutely, the PP's want to make it clear that these owners aren't 'chavs'. That's the subtext there.

And I question the motives of any who chooses this dog.
The world's your oyster when getting a dog, and you pick something that could very easily kill you and your family.

Why not get something less murder-y??

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 09:02

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

What makes you say 'poor dog'?

doriangraybutimthepaintingintheattic · 31/12/2023 09:16

@LadySylviaMcCordle a lot of dogs are refused insurance for lots of reasons. I just came to renew my insurance and asked to start as a new customer to see if cheaper. My insurance said no as they no longer insure American Akitas but do honour old policies. He then listed a load of "normal" dogs they don't insure including whippets, greyhounds, lurchers, French bulldogs etc. so I wouldn't pay lack of insurance availability much mind.

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 09:50

Wateroverwine · 30/12/2023 03:38

I've met about 7/8 XL bullies they're either over friendly or lazy. No aggression and give good cuddles.
It's weird how people who have never met these dogs have such an opinion on them (based off the news)

They are very powerful though and in the wrong hands (unfortunately due to scummy back yard breeders) they cause damage

It would take considerable sang froid for the XLB's who are solely owned by the 'awful people' only to attack others.

It is the dog, not the owners.

LadySylviaMcCordle · 31/12/2023 09:53

MintyfreshSW · 30/12/2023 08:13

Not sure what your argument is here? You have just confirmed these dogs are a danger. There is no way of knowing it the one in the park with you is just lazy and soft or if their owner is ragingly incompetent.

This is the same as when Americans say the problem is people, not guns.

its the guns.

Like I always say: the gun helps!

WingingItSince1973 · 31/12/2023 09:54

Just seen this on local group. Looks like young lad who lives in a flat. Why does he need a dog like this? 😭

Met an XL Bully today for the first time
doriangraybutimthepaintingintheattic · 31/12/2023 09:56

WingingItSince1973 · 31/12/2023 09:54

Just seen this on local group. Looks like young lad who lives in a flat. Why does he need a dog like this? 😭

Why does anyone need a dog as a pet? We like what we like and that's ok! You don't have to like it. Put your judgement away.

raindropsonatinroof · 31/12/2023 10:00

MintyfreshSW · 29/12/2023 17:50

I personally wouldn’t want to go near any animal that had the capacity to kill me and I couldn’t fight off. No matter how well trained, it’s still an animal with potential to kill grown adults.

people always say “it’s the owner, not the dog” but… have you SEEN people? People are largely terrible as a species too and I have no idea if the person walking their eight stone dog was good or bad.

I agree. I adore dogs but I've seen so many people struggling to control or even hold their large powerful dogs on a lead that it scares me. I saw a woman out just last week who had a dog that large/heavy and she absolutely couldn't control it, it was dragging her along as if she was a rag doll behind her. If that dog decided to take off there was nothing she could have done about it. It's very concerning. If you choose to have a large powerful dog then you MUST be able to control it.

OdeToBarney · 31/12/2023 10:01

doriangraybutimthepaintingintheattic · 31/12/2023 09:56

Why does anyone need a dog as a pet? We like what we like and that's ok! You don't have to like it. Put your judgement away.

Show quote history

But a responsible owner will not have a pet in unsuitable living conditions. And a flat is wholly unsuitable for a dog of this size and type.