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Big_G Nov 2023 2:14pm, 17 Nov 2023 3,065 posts	0 Big_G Wasn’t sure whether to bring this to really, but it’s related to a topic in the news recently. Not trying to be contentious in any way here. My girlfriend, a vet, has to spay an XL Bully today, and another one next week. She saw the dogs a couple of weeks ago, as the owner brought them in, and girlfriend said they were lovely dogs, friendly, playful etc. But she said they have a huge head, and jaws, and I suppose one worry is what would happen if they ever ‘turned’. She and her colleagues also had to euthanise some in the recent past, confiscated by the police, and those dogs often had their ears cropped, and were clearly aggressive etc. Based on just her personal experience, and from chatting with the police, the dogs that were euthanised were trained to be aggressive, and were indeed potentially extremely dangerous dogs. But there are some nice ones out there too, with responsible owners, in her experience. She said the owner of the good natured dogs has taken to wearing a body cam, as she’s been getting abuse from members of the public whilst walking her (muzzled and on a lead) dogs, which is a sad thought. Obviously the headlines, stories and footage of these aggressive dogs are horrendous and on the one hand I can understand and agree with the proposals around these dogs. But, as I suppose with all breeds, not all of the dogs are bad dogs. I confess I’ve seen a couple out, and worry a bit when I see them. There is one guy who walks his off the lead and I wouldn’t trust that dog, but mainly because I don’t trust the owner. When I was out with my dog and he’s on a lead, the XL Bully has run up to us and started sniffing around my dog, and my dog looked to be on the verge of reacting (maybe my dog sensed me tensing up?), but I’m glad he didn’t as I worry how that may have ended. But possibly the other one I see on occasion may be good natured. Who knows. I don’t know the new forthcoming legislation well at all, but I think basically the dogs will be phased out over the coming years through neutering as although the nicer dogs are being saved currently (I don’t know how whether or not a dog is dangerous is assessed), breeding will be prohibited. But whatever the process, it can be a stressful time for owners of well behaved/trained dogs. Years ago my friend had a Rottweiler and that was a lovely dog too, but then my friend is a lovely person and trained it properly. Chatting with partner about it last night brought things to light I hadn’t really considered (especially around the owner feeling the need to wear a body cam), so thought I’d share it here.
Winniefree Nov 2023 2:30pm, 17 Nov 2023 5,899 posts	0 Winniefree It’s really hard Big_G. My daughter has an XL bully. She was rescued from people who had bred her specifically for her size and she was given a hysterectomy almost still as a pup to enhance her growth. Her health as a result of this is poor, her hips aren’t strong enough to support her weight. But, she’s loving and gentle and I’m not at all afraid of her. I can see why people who don’t know specific dogs would be frightened, and of course there is always the ‘what if’. Having said that we’ve been out walking today and come across a very aggressive Alsatian-cross who had to be restrained by two people. Breed-specific edicts are difficult as they demonise particular breeds. This is Saffy (on the left obvs)
Mandymoo Nov 2023 2:40pm, 17 Nov 2023 17,748 posts	0 Mandymoo It is a very sad situation especially for those who own XL Bully dogs. Dog I like them - no, do I trust them - no but then I don't like a lot of dogs, and I don't trust most dogs. I would never leave a dog alone with a child, not even my soppy old boy, as you never know what could happen or when a dog can be pushed to its limits. We often meat many aggressive dogs on our walks, a lot of them are little ankle snappers as I call them and that's the difference- they are small bit still as aggressive as ..... I also totally agree it is a lot to do with owners and how dogs are brought up
Raemond Nov 2023 3:14pm, 17 Nov 2023 11,099 posts	0 Raemond It's much more nurture than nature, I believe, that makes any dog dangerous, but unfortunately some breeds do have more potential to cause harm when they've been trained to be aggressive due to their size or bite strength. Breed specific bans get difficult to enforce, though, as people will always try to get around them, so I feel like there's probably a better solution out there, I'm just not sure what it would be. Maybe bringing back dog licences, and making it more like a driving or firearms licence where there's an element of testing for fitness to be responsible for the dog before you're allowed to get one. It would be a huge administrative burden, of course, but could lead to happier and safer dogs all round if owners were better trained.
BaronessBL Nov 2023 3:33pm, 17 Nov 2023 10,478 posts	0 BaronessBL Breeding plays a part too - in some cases dogs may be bred for their 'guarding' abilities or worse. People breeding dogs simply to make as much money as possible may give no thought to any health or personality issues they may be causing through breeding. The more responsible breeders will look at health and other issues like temperament as part of the picture.
Grast_girl Nov 2023 9:15pm, 18 Nov 2023 3,017 posts	0 Grast_girl The most problematic dog near us is an akita. The owner has tried to train them well, but they still need them on a close lead all the time and they are very aggressive towards other male dogs.
D2 Nov 2023 3:27pm, 24 Nov 2023 13,193 posts	0 D2 on a lighter note........ come on own up, is this you?
RunningRonnie Nov 2023 3:33pm, 24 Nov 2023 2,860 posts	0 RunningRonnie We have: Walnut --> Wally --> Nutterbutter George --> Georgie Peorgie --> Pudding
D2 Nov 2023 3:43pm, 24 Nov 2023 13,194 posts	0 D2 I meant to post this; Indi Indi Pindy Indi Pindy Poo Pants ...... ("we are not allowed to say poo grandma") Indi Pindy Poodle Poodley
Metro_Nome Nov 2023 3:44pm, 24 Nov 2023 7,243 posts	0 Metro_Nome Chester Chester chops Chopstick