Should we buy a house with aggressive dog next door?

It might be worth trying to have a word with the vendor although he may well deny any knowledge especially as it was his father's house.
Apart from the comment, did your DD get any other impression of the neighbours? I think that must be taken into account too....
If they love the house and it's right for them, they could look at fencing or possibly a wall being built.
There's also the issue is that even if they bought another property, who can tell if someone with an aggressive dog is living in that location or buy's the next door house in the future?
I'd also be curious about how the topic of aggression came up...did the neighbours say it, did your DD witness / hear anything?

It is possible that the neighbours were being open and genuine and ensuring that they notified your DD and SiL of the danger.

Often, accidents happen when two unexpected events occur simultaneously.

A high wind damages the fence, DD and SiL don't notice.

Inquisitive little dog explores small hole and meets other dog in other dog's own garden.

Far too risky for me.

If they find their dog injured or worse, how would they feel about the move then?

Time machines to go back in time and do something different are not available.

The problem is that, if they are on the point of exchanging contracts, could they stand to lose money?

I think I'd try to find out whether this was just a ridiculous joke or if the dog really is aggressive. If they could ask or find out via their solicitor it might be a sensible move.
Even if they moved in and put up strong fences, the dog could cause a problem if it was aggressive and the neighbour may be unpleasant too, or just someone making an unfortunate joke.

I can see where the strong fence could be fine but what if it’s a barker too and as others have said are they nice neighbours to have?
How many people would introduce their dog by telling their new neighbours its aggressive most people would try to tone it down
I think neighbours make or break a house and it’s a shame their dream has been tarnished because if they move now they will be on tenterhooks and wary of these people
If you take the dog and the ‘joke’ (if it was one) out of the equation did they feel at ease talking to these people ?

BlueBelle they were so excited about buying their first home and this has knocked the wind out of their sails. They are undecided between putting up a strong fence and not going ahead. The majority view on here seems to be not to go ahead. I really think Gransnetters have a lot of credibility due to their collective life experience. I’m waiting to talk it over with them

maybe she should ask the other neighbours what the dog owners are really like .?.... this would give me cause for concern ...

Actually, the most aggressive dogs we have ever lived next door to were two dachshunds. They actually broke the fence between our two houses, when they were trying to get to our dog (collie x - placid as anything)

We were quite relieved when their dogs finally died. But lo and behold, they've replaced them with another two. Fortunately, these two are not aggressive, but oh my! do they bark! The neighbours both work full time, and from the minute they go out in the morning until the minute they come back in the evening, those dogs are yap yap yapping.

It could have been said in tongue and cheek.
If not i wouldn`t want to live in fear of a dog attack.
I know loads of staffies and never had a problem with one tbh.

chardy that’s not even relevant We probably all know lovely staffies but this particular household have a not only aggressive dog but have said either joking or in earnest that it could kill the new neighbours dog
Their silly comments would put me off for a start what sort of neighbours would they be?
My family member who has a staffie, loving and kind with people but so territorial with dogs that it barks at the wind when out in the garden much less smelling a tiny dog over the fence The possible noise let alone the threats would put me off
What do your son and family think about it pigsmayfly

I have lovely neighbours who have a staffie.

No way could I ever live there. I'd rather live in a tent.

I definitely wouldn't go looking for trouble I'm afraid. No move for me. Perhaps that's why the house is for sale.

Perhaps a chat with the neighbour next to the house with a Staffie if there is one would be a good idea. Somebody said they would lose their deposit if they pulled out but except for new builds I think it is unusual here in the UK to pay a deposit these days but they would of course lose fees paid for surveys, searches and other legal work carried out. Definitely some more investigation is needed before proceeding to completion stage.

I suspect a chain link fence is more protection than wooden panels. however some dogs can dig under a fence, and it is a good idea to lay solid slabs along the fence line, or bury some chicken wire there.

mokryna and others... pigsmayfly says the elderly owner has died.

They haven't just moved because of the dog - or the neighbours!

The staffie owners in the house next door to where your DD and SIL would be buying sound aggressive, never mind their fierce dog, very unpleasant. It could’ve been a throw-away remark, but it would put me right off as it sounds threatening. These people sound as if they’re trying to put your DD and SIL off from buying, but is it just their sense of humour, warped as it is? I wouldn’t be happy about moving into that house. Perhaps have a few walk-by’s/rethinks before signing the contract.

Would be more concerned with the neighbours, they sound quite agressive and unwelcoming

I wouldn’t be too happy moving there but not because of the dog, more the neighbours. Who would make such a comment ? Insensitive, rude and unfriendly. Trouble up ahead.

Pigsmayfly..I don't think that's s very nice thing to say regarding " my dog will kill your dog "comment. Th neighbours sound as aggressive as the dog. I wouldn't get too involved with that particular neighbour , killing a dog is not a good thing to say to anyone, I hope it's not a threat. Be wary or don't move in

At the very least do some checking in the area though the Vendors are unlikely to divulge very much if they are moving to get away from these people.

When our children were very young we moved from a flat to a house with a garden that we cold barely use because of a Weimaraner living next door. I went to hang washing out and the dog came out barking, snarling and throwing himself at the waist height fence. Terrifying! Our neighbour tried to reassure us and insisted the dog was harmless.

Fortunately he returned home one morning and saw the dog in full flow. He had the grace to apologise and the dog was kept inside when the family were out in the following years.

(buy the house)

Owners of aggressive dogs would probably keep very quiet about it - and deny it. If it wasn't just a silly remark, think about motive. I can imagine three:

They want you to pay to replace their fence.

They know somebody who'd like to but the house, cheap.

They hate the present owners - and want to cause them problems.

If my 'surface friendly' neighbours ever moved, I'd fall into the last category. I'd be very up front and honest about their planning breaches, damp problems and misconnected drains!

No way ever! Why would they say that anyway - saying that is aggressive! What if they have a baby? You could never relax in the garden!

You cannot put a price on having good neighbours. It's not possible to control who moves in over the years but there is no way I would choose to live next door to those Staffie owners - what a horrid thing to say, if in jest, but what a horrid fear to live with if they weren't joking.

Of course any larger dog can kill a tiny dog in seconds, but a large golden retriever, for example, is less likely to induce an atmosphere of tension than any bull breed, however soppy an individual Staffie might be with its own family.

I hate bull breeds though, as a young dog of mine was mauled by a bull mastiff who ran out of its open garden gate and attacked my dog, who was on a lead and walking politely beside my year-old daughter in her pushchair. My dog survived but needed stitches behind his elbow. It was over 30 years ago and I still tense up whenever I see any bull breed off leash or without a muzzle. Owners that joke about their 'killer' dogs aren't people I'd like as neighbours.

A strong fence should prevent any problems. I'd make sure that it was solid, though, so that the neighbour's dog couldn't see through it. My dog is very territorial and dislikes other dogs (loud but not aggressive). When next door got a dog, she barked herself hoarse when outside - for a couple of weeks - then, seeing no result or reaction whatsoever, decided to ignore it completely!

Logically, it makes little sense to choose (or not) according to the neighbours. People often move away, others move in - and you can decide how much, or how little, interaction you have with them.

Initial judgement can be way off and misleading too. For instance, I have some very polite and (surface) friendly neighbours - who have behaved appallingly and made my life hell.

Others, who first struck me as rough, loud and common, have been absolutely brilliant.

This chap's stupid, offhand remark could just be a case of 'mouth before brain', after all.