Will my dog be classed as a ‘type’?

[Worried2024]

Hi. So I have a staffie cross called Nova. She’s a lovely dog, I got her through a rescue 6 years ago and she lives happily alongside my 10 free ranging chickens, 3 cats and a wild toddler. I am concerned she will fall into the XL bully type classification because she’s large for a staffie and she obviously has bull breed characteristics. She measures in at 49cm whereas the gov.uk says a minimum of 48cm alongside a list of characteristics which I feel would fit lots of bull breeds generally speaking.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog/official-definition-of-an-xl-bully-dog

I feel like we are in limbo and it sucks because I don’t know what to do. If we apply for an excemption then she loses her ability to walk off the lead, etc which would be a shame. She has excellent recall and I seldom require a lead so would be a big change for her. Whereas if we don’t apply and she is deemed a type, we risk losing her and her safety is paramount to us at the end of the day. Is there anyone I could go to who could clarify whether or not she would be classed as a type? I did consider a vet but I feel like they would just be reading the same guidance as me and she’s such an in-between case. Any advice? Thanks

Aww… I love the loved Lola page and seeing her embark on her adventures. Such a lovely dog and family ❤️

No, it’s just a photo of her and her buddies. You need to get a hobby. Adopt a dog. Take it for a walk.

@Worried2024 The faux naivety won’t wash, OP. You posted that photo to try and prove it was “not a ticking time bomb” because you think it’s cute (it’s not, FYI).

@Worried2024 your dog is very cute, FYI.

If you want an XL bully showdown this isn't going to be it.

@Mitherations

It's a discussion, not a 'showdown'. It's a dialogue. If you see asking and answering questions as a 'showdown' that's up to you 🤷🏻‍♀️

What are you going on about.

You honestly sound quite unhinged, but it’s giving me a much needed laugh and some great mental imagery. So thank you.

PS: OP isn’t asking “do you think my dog is safe” here’s a shot of pups on the sofa.
Is this a new Defra xl requirement? ‘Please post photos of your dog on a sofa’ 🤣

Good luck OP, the loved Lola dog isn’t xl either- she is just ‘of type’ and the owner wishes to keep her safe. To me your dog looks like a staffie but I know photos can be misleading.

No OP isn’t being nasty.OP’s thread is being hijacked. Responses are nothing to do with the question. It’s annoying. That’s all.

@ThisOldThang
@BananasInThreePieceSuits
@whatsitcalledwhen
Do any of you even have a dog?

I love dogs OP. Genuinely, I do.

I posted upthread that your dog is absolutely gorgeous.

What in my posts suggests I have an issue with dogs, rather than an issue with people who proactively choose XL bullies as a family pet?

Do you believe that it can ever be a responsible decision to own an XL bully as a family pet in a home with children. If not, we agree 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think you're struggling to follow what's been written.

I suggested that the OP be very wary of letting her 3-year old child near her pitbull and the OP responded with a picture of her dog sat on a sofa to ridicule the idea that there could be any risk to her child.

Not currently. My last dog was a Black Labrador.

The brutal attack by Pitbulls on children and adults and other dogs is hard fact.
The fact that many media outlets report these brutal attacks doesn’t make them untrue.

Sensationalist?
look at the scars on this boy
he was scalped.
He had a hole in his throat.

These are the dogs you are seeking to whitewash.

I think you’re struggling to comprehend the question in the first instance.
What you’re saying is irrelevant. You can’t possibly know, can you? but you’re clearly obsessed with giving your unsolicited advice. Repeatedly.

What exactly qualifies you to give your advice to the OP?

If the OP only wanted advice from qualified professionals, she would have contacted the local police / dog wardens to get her dog assessed...

Something tells me she won't bother.

You cannot do those things. Neither will assist you in typing your dog. Only Defra, after you’ve exempted the dog, if not classed as type then they’ll reverse the decision.

The government has now confirmed that there will be a way of leaving the exemption scheme. You’ll still have to have an exemption certificate if your dog meets “a substantial number” of the criteria of an XL bully type.

But if you apply as a precaution and find out your dog does not need to be exempted, you will be able to apply to leave.

We are waiting for more details from Defra on this process, but it's unlikely your fee will be refunded. Source - Blue Cross.

Something tells me that some people getting het up about this don't know what they're on about.