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American Bully

(124 Posts)
varian Mon 28-Aug-23 13:20:21

"The American bully has quickly become one of the more visible dog breeds in the UK in recent years.

The breed is not recognised by any of the main dog associations in the UK, meaning there are no figures on ownership rates in the country. However, the dogs’ frequent appearance in the news, often under tragic circumstances, suggests they are more prevalent than ever.

The American bully, a newer version of the American bulldog, commonly comes in four variations, standard, pocket, classic and XL. They vary in size, with those taller than 50cm (20 inches) being classified as an XL.

It is the larger American bully that has been responsible for half of all dog-related deaths in the UK since 2021, killing nine people including three children.

While it is not recommended to own an American bully as a first-time dog owner or if there are children in the household, the two people killed this year by the breed were experienced dog handlers."

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/04/american-bully-dog-breed-spotlight-uk-fatal-attacks

Please warn anyone you know who may be planning to get one of these dogs.

MayBee70 Sat 16-Sept-23 18:20:13

I don’t understand why the dog that attacked my dog a few years ago wasn’t made to wear a muzzle given that it had been visited by the police and the safe neighbourhood officer and had hospitalised another dog. Or why it’s owner didn’t have the decency to muzzle it on walks because it used to snarl and lunge at other dogs.

bevisp1 Sat 16-Sept-23 17:49:09

As with all dangerous dogs or breeds, has no one else ever suggested them having to wear a muzzle! It’s a long time to wait till government pass this as a law that these dogs are dangerous breed and to be banned maybe a muzzle would be best in the meantime

Quokka Sat 16-Sept-23 16:11:18

Primrose I presume you are talking about specific breeds. You can change dogs’ behaviour. It takes time and experience. But experience should also teach you that some breeds have this aggressive potential inbred.

I have rehabilitated many rescue dogs. But I’d never touch any with bullish genes. Nature v nurture? Nature wins too often.

Quokka Sat 16-Sept-23 16:05:29

lemsip

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12524419/How-dog-walker-savaged-death-Surrey-beauty-spot-pounced-giant-pit-bull-rescued-weeks-DAVID-JONES-reveals.html

Nuzzling together, tender cheek by chestnut brown jowl, this is the first photograph of dog walker Natasha Johnston with Stan - the humungous bull terrier that savaged her to death in January, after turning on her as she exercised him in the Surrey countryside with seven other pets under her care.

And that’s the scary part….the way these dogs can just suddenly turn.

Primrose53 Sat 16-Sept-23 09:14:12

lemsip

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12524419/How-dog-walker-savaged-death-Surrey-beauty-spot-pounced-giant-pit-bull-rescued-weeks-DAVID-JONES-reveals.html

Nuzzling together, tender cheek by chestnut brown jowl, this is the first photograph of dog walker Natasha Johnston with Stan - the humungous bull terrier that savaged her to death in January, after turning on her as she exercised him in the Surrey countryside with seven other pets under her care.

These idiots who think they can change dogs behaviour!!

It’s like women who marry murderers in jail or women who think they can change alcoholics who have already ruined a couple of marriages. It’s never going to work.

MayBee70 Sat 16-Sept-23 08:04:13

Why on earth did she think she could control so many dogs: most of them, apart from the dachshunds were large breeds, too, a Leonberger, Labradoodle and a couple of Labradors. I still don’t understand why, in that puppy programme, they advised that woman to have a Leonberger when she lived in a flat. For one thing, walking up and down steps when a puppy would have been bad for it’s joints and would have been an even bigger problem as it got old if it suffered from arthritis as many large breeds do. Thank goodness it didn’t have to be pts though.

Iam64 Sat 16-Sept-23 07:50:23

MayBee70, press reports the police visited after the dogs were out of control having escaped from the garden. The owner was co-operative, the dogs calm and non aggressive round the police officers. If this is accurate, nothing the police could have done but ‘give advice’.

lemsip Fri 15-Sept-23 22:41:00

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12524419/How-dog-walker-savaged-death-Surrey-beauty-spot-pounced-giant-pit-bull-rescued-weeks-DAVID-JONES-reveals.html

Nuzzling together, tender cheek by chestnut brown jowl, this is the first photograph of dog walker Natasha Johnston with Stan - the humungous bull terrier that savaged her to death in January, after turning on her as she exercised him in the Surrey countryside with seven other pets under her care.

Primrose53 Fri 15-Sept-23 22:25:15

Several weeks ago I posted about a woman near us who bought a Cane Corso. They are great big brutes and she is just on 5ft tall and maybe a size 8 and I don’t think she could hold one back if she had to. Hardly any garden and a very small house.

Since I heard that I have been nowhere near her house because I am terrified it might get out when she is opening the door or when taking it in or out if her car.

I think these should be on the banned dogs list.

MayBee70 Fri 15-Sept-23 22:16:59

It said on the news just now that the dogs that killed the man the other day had previously ran around terrorising people. Why was nothing done about them then?

Quokka Fri 15-Sept-23 22:15:45

Iam64

MayBee there is a code of conduct for dog owners. It’s published by the Kennel Club. My last 5 dogs plus fosters have attended training groups run by qualified trainers. They offer training to kennel club bronze, silver, gold obedience standard. Classes are fun, help build the bond between handler and dog . No one who has committed to these classes will eg, allow their dog to run up to a person or an on lead dog.

Yes, I’ve always taken mine to KC training classes. I’m not a fan of the KC per se but these classes are well thought out

Louella12 Fri 15-Sept-23 22:14:33

From what I know of the Dangerous Dogs Act, owners are supposed to register their pet . However, in 1991 when this act was introduced,3 out of 4 owners of pit bulls failed to register.

If the dog is seen out and about a policeman can remove the dog immediately. Then they come to a decision about allowing the dog home or euthanasia.

All dangerous dogs need to be neutered and microchipped. Muzzles need to be worn and they must not be allowed off lead.

This is all very difficult to police but it's a start.

I don't think that all XL Bullies will be euthanized though.

MayBee70 Fri 15-Sept-23 22:00:53

Iam64

MayBee there is a code of conduct for dog owners. It’s published by the Kennel Club. My last 5 dogs plus fosters have attended training groups run by qualified trainers. They offer training to kennel club bronze, silver, gold obedience standard. Classes are fun, help build the bond between handler and dog . No one who has committed to these classes will eg, allow their dog to run up to a person or an on lead dog.

We took Winnie to three training classes and I don’t remember ever being given a guidance like that. I think the best thing she was taught was ‘leave it’ because whatever the situation she will stop whatever she’s doing. It was very rare that people, when seeing our dog is on a lead, put theirs on one, too, but it is happening more often. It will be so sad if this results in all dogs being muzzled.

Iam64 Fri 15-Sept-23 18:57:36

Oreo, yes many more dogs since the pandemic. Sadly many of them not trained or socialised

Iam64 Fri 15-Sept-23 18:56:43

MayBee there is a code of conduct for dog owners. It’s published by the Kennel Club. My last 5 dogs plus fosters have attended training groups run by qualified trainers. They offer training to kennel club bronze, silver, gold obedience standard. Classes are fun, help build the bond between handler and dog . No one who has committed to these classes will eg, allow their dog to run up to a person or an on lead dog.

Oreo Fri 15-Sept-23 18:53:42

MayBee70

I think it would be better, when talking to dog owners to say you’re afraid of them. Too many dog owners don’t understand that many people are afraid of dogs. Ever since the attack on our dog by a Staffie we’re scared when a dog runs towards us. My SIL and grandson, even though they now have a dog of their own, are still scared of other dogs. Dog owners need to understand that many people are afraid of dogs, many dogs are afraid of other dogs. There needs to be some sort of code of conduct when it comes to dog ownership.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
There are so many more dogs around now since the pandemic.

Oreo Fri 15-Sept-23 18:52:17

varian

My friend, who has an American Bully puppy says hers is not XL but later in the conversation, told me just how big this young puppy is and it has still has a lot of growing to do.

XL= Extra Large

It will have to be put down next year.

Oreo Fri 15-Sept-23 18:50:51

karmalady

My lovely dog. a medium sized quiet obedient female, was out on a walk with us at ogmore by sea. She was on a lead then a `gentle giant` great dane bounded over to her and before we could do anything our dog had a terrible slashed underbelly.

The owner did nothing, just walked away. She was stitched from back to front. We had her until she died at 14 but never had a dog since because of all those `well-trained` large status-symbol dogs. Going for a walk with a pet dog must be nerve-wracking these days

The exact same happened to Mum’s dog a few years ago only it was a horrible Boxer that did it.It was off lead with an uncaring owner.angry

varian Fri 15-Sept-23 18:46:29

My friend, who has an American Bully puppy says hers is not XL but later in the conversation, told me just how big this young puppy is and it has still has a lot of growing to do.

XL= Extra Large

MayBee70 Fri 15-Sept-23 18:03:24

I think it would be better, when talking to dog owners to say you’re afraid of them. Too many dog owners don’t understand that many people are afraid of dogs. Ever since the attack on our dog by a Staffie we’re scared when a dog runs towards us. My SIL and grandson, even though they now have a dog of their own, are still scared of other dogs. Dog owners need to understand that many people are afraid of dogs, many dogs are afraid of other dogs. There needs to be some sort of code of conduct when it comes to dog ownership.

Iam64 Fri 15-Sept-23 17:41:41

Karmalady , it is much more difficult to socialise, or walk dogs now.
As part of his training/ socialisation I took my young dog to an outdoor cafe. He lay down as instructed. Around us we had yappy dogs, barking, lunging to other dogs. Mine coped really well but having such badly behaved dogs meant relaxing wasn’t easy

karmalady Fri 15-Sept-23 17:26:11

My lovely dog. a medium sized quiet obedient female, was out on a walk with us at ogmore by sea. She was on a lead then a `gentle giant` great dane bounded over to her and before we could do anything our dog had a terrible slashed underbelly.

The owner did nothing, just walked away. She was stitched from back to front. We had her until she died at 14 but never had a dog since because of all those `well-trained` large status-symbol dogs. Going for a walk with a pet dog must be nerve-wracking these days

Iam64 Fri 15-Sept-23 17:16:15

No argument from me tickingbird, it’s a discussion. I agree with you, irresponsible people inter bred and created monsters.
I grew up with a mastiff, lovely big gentle giant. My child minder had 3 lovely staffies. There’s a cane corso I meet on walks. He’s 14 months huge powerful but his owner is training him well. Remains to be seen how the dog matures.

Kate1949 Fri 15-Sept-23 17:03:20

It's not so ridiculous Quokka. An exaggeration obviously but, as I have posted before, I have had people say to me on the odd occasion that I've said I don't like dogs 'Oh and I thought you were a nice person' or imply that I'm untrustworthy. It's hurtful and insulting. So now I pretend that I like them when talking to dog owners. It's easier.

tickingbird Fri 15-Sept-23 16:54:30

The man in charge of the two dogs has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Quite right too.