What's the situation with pitbulls in England?

[Comrade 86]

On 26/02/2021 at 11:22, Tyler Durden said:

Nice to see that even Channel 4 uses our forum ?

[Day]

I'l be honest, I wouldn't dream of having a dog in the house that could overpower me. I don't doubt for a second that @Alphas Bull Mastiffs are soft as owt for example, but I would be sleeping with one eye open with just one of them prowling round the house.

Staffies don't appeal to me either really, seen some mega cute Blue ones as pups but up here they are seen as the drug dealers dogs, you don't see many outside the undesirable areas and they get dressed up in what looks like bike chains as collars or these leather things with gold medallions.

Not the dogs fault, bit like these football wannabe thugs wearing Stone Island. 

You see some horror stories in the press, it's more than likely down to poor training, but some of these dogs I feel would be taking on a HUGE responsibility and as well as I have done with mine, not sure I would ever feel comfortable taking that on. It's probably my loss and I'll deal with that.

I doubt I'll have another dog for a long time after Jax passes, love the guy to bits, but would like to try and travel a bit more before my knees give out so wouldn't be fair.

[uttoxram75]

On 26/02/2021 at 14:19, Mucker1884 said:

We have a couple of Cane Corso's (aka Italian Mastiff) in the wider family (together in the same household).

Absolute dopes!  Brainless! Soft as poo!  Great with the grandkids and their friends.

But they are massive.  They are very slobbery.  And VERY, VERY STRONG/POWERFUL!

(We're not dog owners ourselves, and doubt we ever will be, as we couldn't commit our time and efforts to them in the way dog owners should).

 

The problem I have with dogs... if indeed I do actually have a problem with them, which I'm not convinced I have... is that whether they are labelled "dangerous" or not, every time we hear of an attack, be that with other dogs, owners, passers-by, or worst of all, the families kids/babies, it always seems to be a case of "Well, they've never done that before!  We are responsible owners.  The dog has been well trained, and has always been part of the family, surrounded by kids" etc.

I guess that ultimately, regardless of how good a dog-owner folk think they are, they need to keep on the ball, with one eye permanently on the dog(s), and be prepared for the worse, because when that happens, it is more often than not, too late!  

I had a Chocolate Labrador retriever for 14 years, I often walked him with a group of others round the local park and surrounding fields, a varied mix of dogs with mostly sensible owners and the dogs became socialised with each other and walked themselves off lead while we  strolled behind chewing the cud.

The pack mentality of the dogs was interesting, at one point the leader of a pack including my Lab, an Alsatian, a French Mastiff, a Dalmatian, a couple of mongrels, a Staffie, a yorkie and a rotweiller, was a Jack Russell called "Tiny"....it was hilarious to see the smallest one growl at the others if they stepped out of line.

We used to discuss the different breeds and their backgrounds and the consensus was that all dogs could turn in the right circumstances but most would only nip or bite to defend, pitbulls, staffies etc were bred to fight so would do more damage once started. Labs were bred to retrieve and carry, even though they have extremely strong jaws they don't tend to maul.

The most vicious dog I ever saw was a Patterdale that would attack any dog on sight but was soft as grease with humans.

 

[1of4]

It's not dogs I dislike, it's their owners. When I'm out walking I don't want to be accosted by an untrained dog. While being told by it's owner, it's very friendly it won't harm you. When this happens when I'm out walking with my grandchildren, it takes a lot of self control, not to tell the owners that if they don't control their animal, I'll be launching it over the nearest fence with a size nine boot.

[Day]

Annoys other dog walkers as well, one being myself. I have mine on a lead, close control when they come flying at us out of nowhere with the owners paying no attention at all.

Pretty much why I avoid all main parks now.

I understand dogs need off lead time, mine gets it but I make sure we go somewhere quiet and if I see anyone around in the distance coming towards us, back on the lead he goes. 

It’s just polite, not everyone likes dogs and it’s ok shouting he’s friendly, if I hear that and I’m with my dog I’ll shout back we’ll mine is super aggressive, they come over quickly then.

Doesn’t help when he then rolls over, all submissive wanting his belly tickled by the new human.

[Mucker1884]

36 minutes ago, 1of4 said:

It's not dogs I dislike, it's their owners. When I'm out walking I don't want to be accosted by an untrained dog. While being told by it's owner, it's very friendly it won't harm you. When this happens when I'm out walking with my grandchildren, it takes a lot of self control, not to tell the owners that if they don't control their animal, I'll be launching it over the nearest fence with a size nine boot.

My favourites are those really cute fluffy ones that come over to lick your scotch eggs and sausage roll (Not a euphemism!) whilst the owner strolls 30m away calling "Ooh, come away Sebastian. They're trying to have a picnic"!

It's the owner I feel like launching over the fence... and I'm a size ten! (Also not a euphemism, sadly!  ? )

[Sith Happens]

1 hour ago, 1of4 said:

It's not dogs I dislike, it's their owners. When I'm out walking I don't want to be accosted by an untrained dog. While being told by it's owner, it's very friendly it won't harm you. When this happens when I'm out walking with my grandchildren, it takes a lot of self control, not to tell the owners that if they don't control their animal, I'll be launching it over the nearest fence with a size nine boot.

The problem for me is too many owners think their dog is fine to let off the lead.

I love dogs but don't want its muddy paws all over me, or its nose in my picnic.

 

[Sith Happens]

42 minutes ago, David said:

Annoys other dog walkers as well, one being myself. I have mine on a lead, close control when they come flying at us out of nowhere with the owners paying no attention at all.

Pretty much why I avoid all main parks now.

I understand dogs need off lead time, mine gets it but I make sure we go somewhere quiet and if I see anyone around in the distance coming towards us, back on the lead he goes. 

It’s just polite, not everyone likes dogs and it’s ok shouting he’s friendly, if I hear that and I’m with my dog I’ll shout back we’ll mine is super aggressive, they come over quickly then.

Doesn’t help when he then rolls over, all submissive wanting his belly tickled by the new human.

its other dog owners too they affect. 

My sister was walking her little dog a while back, it was attacked by 3 big dogs who were off the lead.

My sister maintains the only reason the dog wasn't killed was she put herself between them, putting herself at risk. 

It did cost her a few hundred in vets bills but she was too upset to get the other persons details.

 

[Sith Happens]

I personally think the dog licence should be reintroduced. If you want a dog it's a massive cost, or should be anyway, with provison for vets fees etc, so in my opinion a couple of hundred pounds to get a licence would be a demonstration of your willingness to ensure that you will be prepared to spend on things like vets fees.

perhaps even make veterinary fee insurance mandatory. 

maybe it might make some who rush in to dog ownership without proper consideration of the ongoing costs think twice

 

[Day]

3 minutes ago, Sith Happens said:

its other dog owners too they affect. 

My sister was walking her little dog a while back, it was attacked by 3 big dogs who were off the lead.

My sister maintains the only reason the dog wasn't killed was she put herself between them, putting herself at risk. 

It did cost her a few hundred in vets bills but she was too upset to get the other persons details.

 

Happens all too often unfortunately, was in the news up here, some tool is letting 2 Rottweilers run mayhem along the North Sea Wall. Attacked numerous dogs now, left some scared to go out. 

Sad really, is it they just don’t care, or take some proud in letting these dogs being aggressive towards others, the security/status thing.

[Sith Happens]

Just now, David said:

Happens all too often unfortunately, was in the news up here, some tool is letting 2 Rottweilers run mayhem along the North Sea Wall. Attacked numerous dogs now, left some scared to go out. 

Sad really, is it they just don’t care, or take some proud in letting these dogs being aggressive towards others, the security/status thing.

I just don't feel all dog owners appreciate the responsibility that comes with ownership whether its making sure the dog is cared for,  and trained properly,  to understanding that not everyone loves dogs,or wants them invading their space.

it's no doubt one reason so many are abandoned. 

[Day]

2 minutes ago, Sith Happens said:

I just don't feel all dog owners appreciate the responsibility that comes with ownership whether its making sure the dog is cared for,  and trained properly,  to understanding that not everyone loves dogs,or wants them invading their space.

it's no doubt one reason so many are abandoned. 

They don’t, but you could say the same about parents having kids when they don’t have the house or finances for them.

There’s irresponsible people all over, just how it is.

[Cisse]

A dangerous pit bull in action

 

[Day]

16 hours ago, Cisse said:

A dangerous pit bull in action

 

Don’t think this goes anyway to prove that Pitbulls are not dangerous dogs, they are.

You don’t end up on a dangerous dog act and banned from a country for no reason.

In the wrong hands they are extremely dangerous. In the right hands as with any dog though, train it well and you can no doubt have a great family pet.

As with any dog though, unfortunately some can just “snap” in the head for no apparent reason, mental disorders are not limited to humans only.

Would I want a pitbull in my house, knowing the dangers? I personally wouldn’t, others would and fair play to them.

[kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong]

Pitbulls aren't actually a breed they are a type that possess certain characteristics that define them as such.

Unfortunately,due to various detrimental incidents caused by the ownership (more often than not,idiots who shouldn't have these dogs in the first place) and care of these dogs they became classed as a dangerous dog type and as such ownership of them was outlawed in this country.

 

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong

[Miggins]

I know this is all about pitbulls but I'd just like to put in a kindly word for staffies. Brought up in a firm but loving family they are soft and loving dogs and very entertaining. They are wonderfully vocal and they leave you in no doubt about what they are trying to say. They even answer you back in a teenage kind of way if you tell them off. I might be wrong but I've heard that they one of the most vocally expressive dogs. My sister looks after a staffie and she says it is true! Having said that, they are very powerful dogs and all dogs can be unpredictable. Clare is always kept on a very stout lead just in case. People should only own a strong dog if they can physically cope with it and it should be brought up in a calm, firm, responsible loving home and even then it shouldn't be totally trusted in any situation. Caution and commonsense.

[Cisse]

5 hours ago, David said:

Don’t think this goes anyway to prove that Pitbulls are not dangerous dogs, they are.

You don’t end up on a dangerous dog act and banned from a country for no reason.

In the wrong hands they are extremely dangerous. In the right hands as with any dog though, train it well and you can no doubt have a great family pet.

As with any dog though, unfortunately some can just “snap” in the head for no apparent reason, mental disorders are not limited to humans only.

Would I want a pitbull in my house, knowing the dangers? I personally wouldn’t, others would and fair play to them.

I agree with you. I just hate that some dog breeds get the bad rap because the type of people that buy those breeds for exactly wrong reasons.

My parents had a Yorkie and my neighbors have one too, lovely dogs both of them. However I've met several Yorkies that were dangerous. They can't kill you but they can send you to hospital with your ankle trashed. And in all of those cases the guilty party has been on the other end of the leash. Every dog can be dangerous with a wrong owner.

[B4ev6is]

On 05/03/2021 at 19:56, David said:

I'l be honest, I wouldn't dream of having a dog in the house that could overpower me. I don't doubt for a second that @Alphas Bull Mastiffs are soft as owt for example, but I would be sleeping with one eye open with just one of them prowling round the house.

Staffies don't appeal to me either really, seen some mega cute Blue ones as pups but up here they are seen as the drug dealers dogs, you don't see many outside the undesirable areas and they get dressed up in what looks like bike chains as collars or these leather things with gold medallions.

Not the dogs fault, bit like these football wannabe thugs wearing Stone Island. 

You see some horror stories in the press, it's more than likely down to poor training, but some of these dogs I feel would be taking on a HUGE responsibility and as well as I have done with mine, not sure I would ever feel comfortable taking that on. It's probably my loss and I'll deal with that.

I doubt I'll have another dog for a long time after Jax passes, love the guy to bits, but would like to try and travel a bit more before my knees give out so wouldn't be fair.

Well staffies are really friendly most of the time my little dog best friend are staffies and my best mate sister dog a staffie and she went to sleep in my arms having a snuggle.

[B4ev6is]

1 hour ago, Cisse said:

I agree with you. I just hate that some dog breeds get the bad rap because the type of people that buy those breeds for exactly wrong reasons.

My parents had a Yorkie and my neighbors have one too, lovely dogs both of them. However I've met several Yorkies that were dangerous. They can't kill you but they can send you to hospital with your ankle trashed. And in all of those cases the guilty part has been on the other end of the leash. Every dog can be dangerous with a wrong owner.

We had yorkshire terriers they not nasty dogs but rough tough little things big dogs never dare mess with him sent running back to there owners.

[EtoileSportiveDeDerby]

They often say you can tell a lot about the owner from the dog. A few days ago in the paper there was a story about Dilin, Bojo's rescue dog, apparently he has been causing havoc at 10 downing street by trying to mount everything on sight. Nuff said