what's the rule on dogs that look like illegal breeds ?

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Just curious we are browsing through dogs thinking of having another four legged friend to add to our pack of two, have been looking on a few rescue sites, preloved etc and have noticed a lot of American bulldog cross staffies, boxer X staffie etc. A lot of them do look pitbullish, is it a case of only if the animal is aggressive it becomes an issue or could people report you even dog is a soppy sod out walking ? Thanks :)
 
CaveCanem said:
https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Whether your dog is a banned type depends on what it looks like, rather than its breed or name.

Example: If your dog matches many of the characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type.
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Ah that's rubbish, the Boxer X staffy really does look like a banned breed ( this isn't the one we were looking at but an example)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=b...kenkai.com%2Fseo-blog-article-138.htm;500;447
 
As I said on the Staffie attack thread, if a dog conforms to certain measurements, then the dog becomes a Pit Bull type and can be seized and killed. It matters not if the dog isn't a mix of or a pure illegal breed. A dog can be exempted if it passes stringent behavioural tests, but if there is even the slightest doubt about the dog, then the dog will be killed. An exempted dog however will have to wear a muzzle and kept on a lead at all times when out in public (even in the car as when a car is out and about the inside of the car is considered as being a public place). The thing about the measurements is that they are the exact same as what the American Dog Breeders Association uses to determine if an American Pit Bull Terrier is up to the breed standard. An array of legal mixes can also conform to those measurements. It is beyond ridiculous! There is no need for BSL anyway. It has done nothing to stop the number of bites and attacks. The only thing that will is to educate dog owners about responsible ownership and the general public about how to stay safe around dogs. A well trained and socialised Pit is just as sweet and lovely as a well trained and socialised Lab! In fact Pits tend to be better as they have a higher pain threshold which means they will better tolerate a kid pulling and climbing on them. However I do not advocate that kids do such things.

There is some interesting and thought provoking information on http://www.adbadog.com/p_home.asp.
 
Love_my_Lurcher said:
It matters not if the dog isn't a mix of or a pure illegal breed. QUOTE]

But there is no way of proving any of the four banned breeds as a 'pure' breed as none of the breeds are recognised by the UK kennel club, therefore there is no breed standard, no registry, no DNA database etc in the UK.

To be exempted, the dog still has to be seized and go through a legal process.
The idea of the DDA was to prevent APBTs and such from breeding, if they were all impounded, neutered etc, it was hoped they would 'die out' and people would no longer be able to buy them.
Now people just breed dogs that look like them, instead, risking many more dogs being seized :(
The law on the issue is a bit of a mess, but as it stands, it is the law.

Does anyone know if the other breeds on the list were ever present in any great number in the UK? I don't actually think they were.
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I would say the one in that picture link doesn't have the head to look like a pitbull type. It's too narrow and weak.

Although some of the dogs pictures I've seen that have been posted as classed as type are a joke. It's a stupid law.
 
I'm sure there was one a few years ago that was seized and it was a lovely family pet, staffie x lab or something.

Bite inhibition should be taught at puppy classes, that is what help stop serious injuries.
 
At the risk of being shouted at....if it looks like a pitbull and acts like a pitbull then it is a pitbull !
 
bonny said:
At the risk of being shouted at....if it looks like a pitbull and acts like a pitbull then it is a pitbull !
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It doesn't have to act like anything - the look is all that counts. That is why the DDA is a by-word for bad legislation. It's a bit of law that is poorly worded, very wide in scope, and which singularly fails to achieve the thing it was supposed to...
 
BSL has failed miserabley and hasnt stopped or reduced dog to human attacks, other Countries have repealed the law whilst others like Denmark is upping the banning of more breeds. Pitbulls in the right hands are no more dangerous than a lot of dog breeds, I remember a time when Rotties were vilified for the same reasons the wrong dog in the wrong hands.

Im on a rare breed group and some of the dogs from Pakistan,Tibet,Mongolia etc are real man eaters, god help us all if they fall into the wrong hands.

I think if I was owning a Pitbull now I would make sure it was registered on my vax card as Lab x Mastiff or something similar, I would also make sure it had its gold Good Citizen KC award and was a model citizen in every sense of the word.
 
Wouldn't matter DG - if it had the measurements that have been set out for a Pit, it would be a Pit and therefore would either be destroyed, or made an exemption dog, requiring special insurance, and to be kept on a short lead and in a mesh muzzle at all times. :(
 
Very true Spud up to a point, walk around any city and you can see them, police are only interested if they cause trouble. If attention is drawn to them then show them your vax card and your obedience certs and police have enough on their hands, they might suggest muzzling etc but in a lot of cases (depends on the police force) they dont want to get involved.
 
And a lot of people will say their dog is a Stafford to try to circumvent the law. There are rules which will indicate a "type" but as others have said it is poorly defined and open to abuse. In terms of having the dog registered, this happens if the dog has been seized and then has to pass pretty stringent tests before being returned.

If I was considering a dog which "might" fall under the "type" I would contact someone like endangereddog.com for advise on how to avoid conflict.
 
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Dizzle said:
I'm sure there was one a few years ago that was seized and it was a lovely family pet, staffie x lab or something.

Bite inhibition should be taught at puppy classes, that is what help stop serious injuries.
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Lennox - Belfast City Council.

If you really want the low down on DDA etc then Sarah Fisher is your woman. She was involved with the case and the convos I've had with her regarding my dog who is a Staff x is downright scary! To the point that even if you do everything in your power to protect your dog, muzzle, yellow band, harness etc... The very fact that you have done all these things to deter people from approaching your dog in an inappropriate manner mean nothing. In the eyes of the law, you have as good as admitted that your dog may or may not have a problem - even if it doesn't.... If someone takes objection to your dog and reports it then the very fact it looks like any on the list means you do not have a leg to stand on.

If any dog wounds a burglar, they can be seized.....

It is truly scary stuff!
 
Annette4 said:
My accidental cross breed looks like a pitbull to some...she doesn't act like one but I constantly worry about her being seized!! The whole thing irritates me!
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I get the same comments from some people about my dog, and he is a rather slender albeit tall Staff x Border Collie! Yes you can see he has a Staffy face, but looks nothing like a pittie, nor fits the "type". It can get a bit irritating, and as others have said, worrying. Not that he would show any aggression towards any dogs or people - you're more in danger of being licked to death lol!
 
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