Are XL Bullies deserving of their reputation?

[Novaron]

I met a bloke, completely randomly in my local Spar. And he had a beautiful Golden pup about 18 months old. And he was sniffing around my ankles and wagging his tail.So bent down to stroke him and pet him. Such a gorgeous little creature. So happy and excited to see me. I thought he was a Staffie but no. XL Bully. I know it's none of my business but I said, he's so sweet. You're not breeding him for dog .fighting are you? No he's not. And I know I was rude.But I just can't see a happy, friendly, gorgeous little puppy being abused.

This happened just the day before yesterday!

Dog that injured 12-year-old girl was XL bully, police say (yahoo.com)

In a word, yes.

Did you see that poor girl in Ireland who came home drunk from a night out and her XL Bully ripped her arm off and started to eat her?

Lion cubs are cute but there is a very good reason why it’s illegal to keep lions as pets. It’s because no matter how gently and kindly they are hand reared, they will ALWAYS be unpredictable and have the capacity to maim and kill if it goes wrong. IMO it is the same with XL bullies. I’m sure there are thousands of lovely ones out there who will never hurt a fly, but the problem is that you can never be 100% sure as example after example is proving. The consequences when it goes awry are catastrophic. These dogs have no place in family homes.

They’re lovely dogs in the main, every one I’ve met has been friendly and soppy. But sadly that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve also been bred for extreme strength and violence. The switch from soppy to killer is unpredictable (though the chances can increase depending on how it is owned, exercised, trained, etc), and that is why they cannot be allowed to continue to breed.

I have only met one in real life. At the local dog park. Muzzled, on lead, but straining to get to every other creature there. Quite what the owner was trying to achieve by taking it to a field with lots of off lead dogs was beyond me.

I think breeding these dogs is inherently cruel. They seem to be so very stressed when out among other dogs and have necessary restrictions on their movements.

Have no idea how this ‘puppy’ came about legally if this is the UK?

That's awful. Did she survive?

An 18 month old XL is not a cute little puppy. It’s a huge, perfectly designed killing machine.

They are as deserving of their reputation as lions and tigers. Not suitable as pets or loose on the streets.

The problem with the XLs is a bloodline problem, no matter how they're brought up they can't stay sane. They all need culled, they're far too inbred.

It's outrageous what's been done to those dogs.

They are deserving of their reputation as land sharks.

18 weeks* surely? If so, where did he get it - as breeding them is now illegal?

If you mean 18 months, then there is no way it would have been a 'cute little thing'. It would be the size and shape of a grown XLB, with the teenage hormones to boot. A killing machine.

An 18month old XL Bully is not a wee puppy. It is the size of an adult staffy, sometimes larger.

Absolute dog lover here, preference for big dogs. I would not consider an XL bully. The genetic predisposition to aggression is well documented and has been discussed many times on Mumsnet. The documented attacks have usually been without any warning signs - unlike most dogs. This is because the signs have been bred out of them .
There is no need to own a dog of this size and temperament. There may be some lovely ones but the risk is far too great.
These dogs in attack mode cannot stop. They can be hit with metal bars, kicked, punched etc but will continue to fight to their death

No, she died in the most horrific way https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/06/05/woman-23-who-died-after-dog-attack-at-her-home-in-co-limerick-named-locally/

Puppies are often more amenable to others than grown dogs. Puberty for dogs is when a lot of their underlying proclivities show up. So do they deserve their reputation? Yes.

Yes of course they are deserving of the reputation.

Why do we find it so easy it make the link between a sheepdog being bred to herd, a gun dog being bred to point or retrieve, a terrier being bred to be an excellent ratter, etc, but when it’s bred for fighting - aggression and unpredictability - ‘oh it’s the bad owners’ ?

It’s not, I can feel sorry for these poor dogs as individuals but they are and were bred for aggressive, unpredictable, volatile behaviour and that’s what they do. Hence the stats. I imagine the stats for sheepdogs instinctively herding are the same.

We saw one on our walk today and he was as wearing a bright green collar saying friendly and he was . That's not to say I wouldn't be hugely concerned about him because he was built of solid muscle with a head like a boulder . You can absolutely see how a rogue one would be a killer .

Saw one recently at a cash point at Morrisons. Owner was using the machine and I was queuing. At one point it turned and stared straight into my eyes for a good 20 seconds. Absolutely terrifying. It lost interest in me when I looked away but the thought of what the bloody great thing could do if it wanted to really gave me the chills.
Its owner was a slight young woman who’d have no chance of controlling it if it decided to go for someone.

I have also had the experience of being stared down by one of these creatures, they have no fear of humans, we are prey.

On days when my anxiety is peaking, I have mini panics on the dog walk, especially if I have the kids with me, that if I came across one, we would have no chance.

I've had a dog bound out of a house at us randomly before, and I've read about XLs escaping a house that they should be locked in, and I get overwhelmed.

I'd love to see even an approximate map of where all the registered Bullies are, but not sure if that exists? (Just found one on the spectator, though!)

They aren’t rogue ones, though. That’s the thing. There can be rogue dogs of all breeds. The very many bullies that have attacked and killed - they’re not rogue, they’ve been bred to do exactly that and it isn’t unusual behaviour for them.

No, she died at the scene and I believe her dogs were shot. Horrendous.

The issue is that the ones who kill aren't "rogue" - it's the vast majority of them that can snap.

Look up "Killer Kimbo".

Agreed I think it's up to an owner if they keep them but certain breeds should be muzzled a staff X bully attacked my shihtzu with no provocation or warning recently, I was injured I do blame the owner she has no control and it's happened before with other dogs so she's aware. Police are very involved. She should muzzle. I think a licence needs bringing back with more provision and the owners to be held more accountable for any dog in their care. I did cross the path of an off lead cane corso recently they look scary though and I crapped myself after what happened with my dog it's really put me off powerful breeds that are left to run without control. Sad too because my pooch goes out with a staff that has been socialised but I do wonder if it's safe now I guess it's normally owner dependant and training but also breed because the XL has been bred as a fighter. I would never ever have a dog like that near my dog or family no way a man near me was killed by his own XL recently.