American Bulldogs.

[anneasquith]

via bbc news, an 8 year old girl will require 2 months stay in hospital following an attack by 2 American bulldogs, is this a dangerous breed ?

[woofgang]

No read the whole story, the dogs were kept cramped in a cage, never exercised or cared for....wouldn't that make you mentally unstable?

[society]

ALL bulldogs are dangerous.

[woofgang]

Oh crap society that's just crap

[Clanad]

We have friends here in the U.S. that have two American Bulldogs and I've been around them since they were puppies. They bear out Woof's observations... however, these dogs are rural dogs and gets lots ... LOTS of exercise. They are exuberant because of their strength and intelligence.

As puppies they'll drive you up the wall since their exuberance is usally displayed in vigorous jumping... not a lot running though. Additionally, while they're short coated and easel groomed, not given to excess shedding, they do drool and slobber, like most bulldog breeds. They are also gassy... all the jokes about blaming the dogs for the flatulence certainly fit these guys.

Protective to a fault, especially of young children. I got into a faux-wrestling match with their 8 year old and when he started yelling, I was suddenly confronted with a less than friendly looking brindle and white face very close to my own.

So, unless you can exercise them vigorously for at least half an hot and preferably more, every day and find it difficult to oversee them with a firm hand when young, I'd probably pass... but not because they're dangerous!

[lankeela]

I suspect the question is are one of the breeds deemed to be 'dangerous' under the -Dangerous -Dogs -Act, and the answer is no. -However they are not a breed that are recognised in this country and as this has proved yet again any breed or mix of breeds can be dangerous if not bred, reared, trained, exercised, handled and looked after properly. The breed specific legislation is long overdue to be replaced and any responsible dog owner would make sure their dogs were never put in this situation. However there are many dog owners who do not take the proper care of their dogs and these are the people who need legislating against.

[Booldawg]

the Am bulldog is yet another breed that attracts the wrong sort of owner. I'm not sure what the breeding lines are as they are not a KC reg breed. Maybe some undesirable genes in there from a less reliable source.

Like any bull/terrier breed. No good in the wrongs hands.

[hc4361]

The American Pitbull is one of the breeds specified in the Dangerous Dogs Act - this is not the same as the American Bulldog.

[RATTER15]

Pretty much any dog could be considered dangerous in the wrong hands. However, the bull breeds are so powerful that when they do attack they can cause immense damage, even death.

It all depends on the dogs upbringing, training etc.

[Booldawg]

wouldnt be totally surprised if theres alot of pit-bull terrier in the Am Bulldogs breeding.

[anneasquith]

it would appear the dogs were out walking with their owners .

[woofgang]

sorry anneasquith, I was thinking of another attack, have you got a link to your story?

[woofgang]

just found the story. the dogs are "believed to be American Bulldogs" There is no proof what breed they were, i wonder where the beeb got the info from.

[viv38]

@lankeela "However there are many dog owners who do not take the proper care of their dogs and these are the people who need legislating against" Couldn't agree more.