Should we buy a house with aggressive dog next door?

The sellers should be told about the neighbour's remarks and that DD is reluctant to complete. Perhaps DD should also approach other neighbours for their views on the dog situation. If DD does go ahead then a fence would be essential. Can a staffie jump a 2 mtr high fence this being the height limit I think but a bit of trellising could be added to increase the height. The dog won't live forever,you're DD needs to be comfortable with the actual the actual neighbour though never mind the dog.

Talk to the estate agent.

eazybee

Staffies like people but hate other dogs.
The neighbours' remark would give me cause for concern.

Our lovely staffie not only didn't hate other dogs, but was known locally as the peacemaker - when any fights erupted between other dogs she would get in between them & lick them until they stopped!
How I miss that gorgeous beautiful girl.

I'd ask lots of other neighbours near the house to see what they have to say. A vicious dog won't just affect the next-door neighbours, everyone else with a dog or cat living nearby will be aware of it. Then they can at least find out if it was a poor taste joke made by someone lacking social graces or an accurate description made by a wholly unpleasant household.

The sellers are obliged to declare if there have been difficulties with neighbours - perhaps your DD could specifically clarify this with the solicitors. No matter how much they love their new home nasty neighbours will ruin everything.

Whoops didn’t mean to cross that out
The owner died and it’s being sold by a son who probably never lived there or knew the neighbours

I m never sure why people don’t read threads if not all of them at least any updates by the author so to all those saying perhaps that’s why the owners moved
The owner died and it’s being sold by a son who probably knows nothing about the neighbours

I agree with poshpaws. In addition to worries about the dog's safety, this would be a serious concern to me because the warning signs are there: these could be the "neigbours from hell". If the prospective buyers aren't yet committted, then my advice to them would be: "No, don't!!"

I’m also wondering if it was said in jest. I have a staffie and he is the most wonderful dog ever, he’s affectionate, loving and a big softie. Stafford are no more vicious than any other dog, in fact my sons Poojion (don’t know how you spell it) is a much more snappy dog.

Not a chance, I wouldn't be moving there. I had little gaps between the planks in my fencing at my last house and found cocktail sausages hidden in flowerpots I had along it. My Chinese neighbours next door hated my little dog, she's the friendliest little thing too, but from the day I moved in the kids tortured her through the fence. The final straw was the hidden sausages, I honestly think they were trying to poison her cos why would you hide them and why would you feed a little dog you didn't like.

MollyG

It may be why the current owners are wanting to move! I’d steer well clear

The current owner is deceased.

Do not move there A problem before you get there will only increase when you do its an expensive mistake

Absolutely a no from me. The neighbours sound dreadful - if what they said was true they're utterly irresponsible, if not they have an atrocious sense of humour but would either way make problematic neighbours. Secondly, I just wouldn't be prepared to take tiniest risk with one of my dogs. I think that your DD and SIL have had a very lucky pre-warning and a narrow escape from a life of worry and upset.

Has your DD spoken to the present owners of the house she wants to buy about the dog. Could that be a reason they want to sell. I certainly would avoid moving next door to an aggressive dog. How many times have we read about the awful tragedies that have occurred with neighbours’ dogs.

I know what I’d have replied to such a comment! What a horrible thing to say. I’d be inclined to ask present owners if they have problems with them. They’re obliged to disclose if there are issues.

Don’t move there. You will regret it.

It may be why the current owners are wanting to move! I’d steer well clear

No I would not think of moving in next to an aggressive dog.
A dear friend and I agreed to water each other's gardens when either of us went on holiday. I did a couple of times and then she told me her neighbour's alsation had got into the habit of leaving it's own garden and chasing her cats even to the extent of chasing them up the stairs in her house. My friend is lovely and afraid of nothing. She managed to get hold of the dog's collar and keep him held to the ground whilst her husband went next door and got the neighbours to retrieve their dog. It has happened twice since then until her husband was very clear that it must never happen again. I had to admit that I would possibly have a heart attack if a very lively alsation trapped me in my friends garden. Sadly we had to suspend the watering arrangement. I do actually love dogs but not fierce ones.

To be honest it would probably be the neighbour who would put me off!! Unless as others say he meant it in jest!! I'd have advised quick enquieies with the vendor about the neighbour but I guess as it is his heir who is selling he wont be able to tell them

Did you view through an agent ?Then what ever you decide and I would be reluctant to live next door to any one with what sounds an aggressive dog (what's it's owners like) then make the Agent /Seller aware of what was said to you .

I love the answers that say dogs don’t live for ever of course but it could be 2 years old and live 15 years!!! Would feel like forever if it was a nightmare
My biggest concern would be if the neighbours think that’s a funny thing to say what else might they find hilarious

Did your daughter etc see or hear their agressive dog ?

Sounds like a recipe for neighbour problems...drop it like a hot potato....no house is worth that

Not all staffers are aggressive. Perhaps your daughter and son-in-law should ask other neighbours if they have any concerns.

Oh dear, I really think I’d rethink if they have time! maybe try to talk to other neighbours to see if the dog has ever caused any problems, or if they were just joking!

I would explain to the proposed neighbours that it is an offence to own an out of control dog.