Should we buy a house with aggressive dog next door?

It may have been a throw-away, jokey remark but rather daft, admittedly.

Staffies are not usually aggressive, however, tiny dogs, particularly terriers, can often be aggressive.

Why don’t your daughter and her husband have a word with other close neighbours to try to gauge their opinion of the man with the dog ?

I agree that it was a strange thing to have said and it could be a warning of a potentially troublesome man or it may just have been a rather silly throw away comment from a rather childish man.

Regarding barking, or concerns about any possible noise problem, it’s always recommended that potential buyers walk past the house on various days of the week, and different times of the day and just listen.

Why are the present owners selling? Shouldn’t they, by law have to legally inform the buyers, if there is something bad about the neighborhood.

Will the neighbours dog start barking every time you walk out of the door or your dog goes into the garden?
Nothing worse than living next to a dog that barks at you even if it’s on the other side of the fence and nothin as scary as a large powerful dog hurling itself at a fence with you on the other side of it.

Delila

I have a little dog & I’ve had owners of large dogs say to me, jokingly, “my dog would eat yours for breakfast”, when actually there was no danger of any such thing, it was just intended as a comment on the contrast in size.

The use of the word “kill” suggests otherwise, but perhaps it was said in jest?

I agree.A house we once moved to had a neighbour next door who commented with a grin, that if our cat went into his garden his dog would kill it. He was a strange character, and his dog never did anything, though no doubt ( like all dogs) would have chased any cat that did venture in.
It’s an unpleasant thing to say to a new neighbour, but I wouldn’t pull out of buying a house close to exchanging contracts because of it.

What a peculiar thing to say.
As others have said, the vendor has to declare any conflict with neighbours.

I bought a place where a staffie lived next door but it wasn't until I moved in that I knew that. Next door dog then became aware that I had a dog when we met it with it's owner in the road outside after I'd been there a couple of days...and straightaway growled and lunged at mine. Both on leads luckily.

From then on every time the dogs were in their respective back gardens there would be lots of barking and the staffie would throw itself at the fencing every day to get at mine. I was really worried as my dog was so small. I rehomed her with my sister [my dog eventually forgot the chaos she'd been through as it had been making her nervous and hyperalert, upsetting to see]...as I could see the fence would give way one day.

The owners were not a nice couple, very territorial and interfering with others in the street. I moved in the end.

So I would say do not buy this house, from bitter experience. I wouldn't take the risk.

It's quite possible the dog is fine, but the neighbours are not! I definitely wouldn't want people like that living next door to me. What a ridiculous way to speak about your own dog. As others have said, they possibly have a reason for not wanting the house next door to them sold. But who cares, there are loads of houses and you'll find far better, I would think, so give these idiots a wide berth. There may be a sum to pay to the Solicitors for abortive work, but far better than exchanging on something that is going to make your family concerned about the future - and probably not just worry about a dog.

People who will have a nice dog and think of it like a weapon are often a few sandwiches short of a picnic. To speak like that to prospective neighbours? Do they sound even half reasonable human beings? Avoid at all costs.

We had a staffie. She was a lovely gentle dog. It might well have been said in jest

‘Good fences make good neighbours.’

Absolutely, any cash spent to maintain good relations will pay dividends in so many ways

counsel council

Katie is right. They are legally obliged to tell you of any issues, which is why we won't contact the counsel about the noisy dog next door. As we plan to move at some stage.

Do consider that some dogs will dig under a fence.

I assume they were joking. Hopefully.

Were your DD and SiL upset by this encounter with their new neighbours? If they got bad vibes might be worth asking people they are buying off if they have any issues with neighbours.If they know their names you could check out Facebook or Instagram to get a feel for them. If they feel fine about them then carry on and build that fence. As the saying goes ‘Good fences make good neighbours.’

Thank you for all your responses. They went round by arrangement just to have an extra look. An elderly man lived there before and had died so his son is selling. They met the neighbour over the garden fence. I agree it’s very off putting. I will share your views gransnetters. There is a whole wealth of experience on here. Thanks for checking my instincts

I would certainly ask the vendors formally if they have had issues with the neighbours or their dogs. They have a legal obligation to to declare any such issues.
Also I would speak to the neighbour about the character of his dog. It may well be just a stupid comment made thoughtlessly, at the same time you can judge just how compatable you are with that neighbour.

Both the above are quick and easy to do.

No, you’re right to be worried, I would be. So many things are important in a new house aren’t they? The house itself can pale into insignificance if the area isn’t quite right for example. If the neighbours aren’t right, there’s a potential for disaster.

Could they re think the house? It’s just not worth it.

Not if they were going to have to worry about the dog next door every time they left the house. I would look for something else to buy unless it was said in jest and that maybe the two dogs could meet before any exchange of contracts to see how they get on.

It’s a very strange thing to say to someone who was going to be their new neighbours. They should be asking some serious questions.

Definitely does not sound like a good move!

I think I'd want context around the comment - if it was said whilst smiling, and making a (very inappropriate) joke, or if there was any sense of negativity towards your daughter and son in law.

Nevertheless, it would definitely make me think twice about moving in.

Maybe they had someone in mind to move in next door, and were trying to put prospective buyers off.

Whatever the reason, I'd be very cautious about moving in next door to them.

These potential neighbours are not very friendly are they? I'd forgo that house and buy somewhere else if it were my choice.

Grandmabatty

I've never popped round to meet the neighbours when I've bought a house. Is this a thing now? If they like the house then put up a strong fence. The dog won't be around forever

I have always done this prior to a move.
Even when renting in the “early days” have asked about the area, anything really, just to see how they seem.

It doesn’t stop them moving away and being replaced by the “neighbours from hell” but you do at least have a first impression.

It sounds to me as if they are trying to sabotage the sale. If they are, that rings just as many alarm bells as their claim!

Are they considering pulling out of the sale OP from what you are saying ? I most certainly would!