Another XL bully death

Are XL Bully dogs the same as American pit bulls? They are illegal here and also Japanese tosa dogs and Argentinian and Brazilian fighting dogs. Personally I don’t trust or like any pit bulls ,I avoid going near them. They are so very restrictive with dogs here it isn’t worth having them these days, poor things are always on leads.

No Nanna8 they are not actually Pitbulls but they have been bred with Pitbulls and other American Bull types to make them bigger, stronger and more aggressive.
Some dogs are illegal here too but because the XLBully isn’t actually a breed it is not easy to ban it as it isn’t black and white ( I don’t mean the dog isn’t black and white 🤣) to fit into a box
Personally I think anything that looks like an XL bully should be banned automatically

DrWarson what country are you referring to when you say ‘in my country they would be jailed’ sounds like they have a much stricter policy than here which is interesting

Thanks BlueBelle I didn’t know that. I just feel sorry for some of these horrible looking dogs and even more sorry that people want to own them. So many lovely ones around,too.

It’s no secret I’m a dog lover, I’ve posted on similar threads about the changes I’ve seen in dog ownership over recent years and especially since lock down.
I do believe breed characteristics are important when people choose a dog as a family pet. Get a cockapoo because they look like Disney designed them but cross a lively working cocker with a mini poodle and don’t expect always to get the best of both breeds. Do expect to commit to training classes, finding a ‘job’ (agility maybe) and giving your dog plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Leave it alone while you work and fail to meet its needs, you’ll likely have a highly anxious dog with behavioural problems

Breed characteristics - my big young lab responds well in obedience training, retrieves from water, is good at scent work. He was 16 months when my husband’s diagnosis turned our lives upside down. Adolescent, sensitive boy, id to find a dog Walker as we were often 3 days a week at the hospital.

When my husband died, six months later, he tuned in to my vulnerability. He’d never shown any aggression, other than in response to a Jack Russell terrorist attacking him. Both my dogs showed anxiety, no doubt the result of me being vulnerable and our usually happy atmosphere being replaced by weeping visitors and family.
My lab took to guarding me. He was growling, snarling if any man came close to me. We dealt with this and within a week he was back to Mr Softy. But if I hadn’t had lots of experience and support from good behaviourists I dread to think what this huge boy could have become.
I’m beginning to believe all dogs should be on lead unless in a safe enclosed field.
I wish owners would commit to proper training classes

Iam64your Labrador sounds lovely. I got my dog after my husband died. The breeder was a widow and lived on her own as do I, consequently she hasn’t come into contact with many men and is shy of them. Even the dog trainer was a woman. She’s very protective if I’m near or talking to a male. Perhaps she’s just got good taste.

The person who is now living opposite me has a pitbull/staffie cross.

True to form, it is being fetched put just to poo crap outside the flat...

Presumably it spends a lot of time shut in the kitchen.

You know what Iam64 - if all dog owners were like you, with your breadth of knowledge and understanding - and sense of responsibility...

... we wouldn't have any problems with any dogs.

Dickens

You know what Iam64 - if all dog owners were like you, with your breadth of knowledge and understanding - and sense of responsibility...

... we wouldn't have any problems with any dogs.

I agree

meddijess

I read that the owner of these dogs never exercised them. Apparently she had 'cages' for them. I would imagine the poor things just went mad. Should never be keeping them, but the owners of these dogs always seem to be extremely stupid!

I read that the owner of these dogs never exercised them. Apparently she had 'cages' for them.

If that is actually true and not just hear-say from a neighbour, then it's absolutely appalling.

Keeping one of those dogs (two in this case) caged and not giving it any exercise - I suppose she used her back garden for them to pee in - is IMO tantamount to animal abuse.

She paid a heavy price for it.

It seems to be, frequently, people who live in very small properties with tiny back gardens who take a fancy to these dogs. I do wonder why.

We've been adopted by a stray cat and even tho' cats don't need a huge amount of room, I've given over most of my small conservatory for his comfort and convenience, with a bed next to the radiator in winter, and got my disabled partner to crawl around installing a cat-door... spent a small fortune at the vets having him checked over and treated for a minor condition.

If you own an animal, you have got to look after it, properly, no half measures. Not that I had much choice in the matter of ownership in this case. He spent days and nights in our garden, even tho' we didn't fee him originally - we thought he'd find his way home (we found out later that he did actually have a home) but after one very wet and windy night when he came from under a tree looking miserable, and meowing at us, we relented and gave in to his 'demand' to be our pet.

Training classes for puppies should be compulsory imo. I’ve learned so much from going to them. Also getting my dog from a breeder that had already done all of the groundwork for me and offering lifelong support.

Totally agree. Don't get a pet - any kind of pet - unless you are prepared to commit to that animal for life, train it properly and look after it properly. And it can be hard work at times, especially with dogs - you need to put in the time and effort with training, give them the proper amount of exercise they need, in all weathers, give them a good diet and proper healthcare. But the rewards are so very, very worthwhile...

Some years ago a friend had a rottweiler/mastiff cross. My friend said he was always calmest around me (probably because I was very calm around him and somewhat apprehensive, his head was huge!)

However one time another friend called round when I was there, it started growling at her as she stood in the doorway.
My friend told her quietly, to leave the room and close the door behind her.

She was shocked, it had never done that before. I wonder how that might have played out!