Bull Greyhounds

[amumwithapony]

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Hello all

I joined here a while ago and for one reason or another never really get time to post, but do enjoy reading your threads.

Have got a problem and don't quite know what to do. Its a bit of a long story so bear with me.

Over the last month or so there have been a group of young lads (about 15-17 yrs old I would guess) on the field and in the woods at the back of my house with a group of dogs (3-5 dogs depending). A couple are lurchers, and 2 of them are what I first thought were lurcher types, but both have big bull type heads.

Have had a couple of run ins over the last few weeks with them. The dogs are never on leads on the field and have chased Maggie a couple of times. When I have seen them I have kept her on the lead, even though her recall is pretty good, as if they chase her and get between her and me she bolts for home. So have told the lads in no uncertain terms that if they can't keep them under control they should be kept on leads. Even went as far to tell them how I got Maggie coming back to me (bit of ham in my pocket) but obviously they don't want to listen.

Anyhows, last night at about 8pm I let Maggie out for a wee, but she was going bonkers barking and crying at the gate so shouted her in and went to bed. She carried on barking downstairs which isn't like her so came down to find a very distressed little dog,barking, crying and shaking.

Could hear voices from the back of our garden so went and stood on the yard so see what was happening. Please don't read the rest of this if you are squeemish.

Could hear something screaming is the best way to describe it, and about 4 voices all shouting. It took me a minute to work out what was happening as all the dogs in the neighbourhood were barking. 2 dogs were fighting, or more to the point, 1 dog was being ripped to bits literally. Just at the bottom of my fence. At first I thought they had got a cat to be honest but it was another dog, who also belonged to these lads.

I know it was these lads as I recognise the names of the dogs they were shouting. I don't know whether it was an organised fight or things had just got out of hand. I heard them say 'you better get him now or he's going to end up dead', then one of them say 'he's dead, he has his guts hanging out' and then another say 'you better get your dog and move him, your dad will go mad'.

It all happened so quickly that by the time I had worked out what was happening (it was dark so couldn't see) it was over. I was pretty shalen up, I can't describe how horrible it was hearing that screaming and then working out what had happened.

The worst thing is that an hour before there had been kids playing where they were as I went down to get my washing in and told them to go home before it got dark and it was late (I knew a couple from frankies school).

I am not taking maggie on that field anymore when they are usually around, and am going to warn the dogs we see and are friendly with to be careful. Hopefully the Dog Warden will be able to do something if they are Pit bull types, and even if not have a chat with them.

I know there is nothing they can do about what happened last night as I wasn't quick enough to report it as it was happening, but even if I had they scarpered pretty quick anyway as doors were starting to be opened all the way down.

So I have had nightmares all night and am very nervous about taking Maggie out this morning. May even pop her in the car and go somewhere completley different. But did want to catch our dog walking friends and have a few quiet words

The dog warden has told me that they are having a massive problem at the moment with 'Bull greyhounds' which are apparntly the new trend with young lads. They are a lurcher type crossed with a tall bull type, then crossed again with another sighthound, usually a first generation greyhound x. They are built for speed but with a massive amount of power so can bring down large prey like deer. According to the dog warden they have a massive problem in our local rural areas with them at the moment. Lads setting dog on cats and small dogs in yards for the fun of it and also actually bringing down deer. They use the lurchers and terriers to flush them out, the when the deer are tired, let loose the big bull greyhounds.

How horrific it is. What sort of demented barstewards take pleasure in stuff like that. And its the younger lads that are doing it so people must be breeding dogs like this knowing what they are going to be used for.

The only consolation I can take from the phone call is that apparantly under the dangerous dogs act, because the bull greyhounds resemble those dogs banned under the act enough they can take them from them. Unfortunatly, unless the owners lodge an appeal within a certain amount of time (which they don't because of the cost involved, cheaper to buy another dog) the dogs are PTS.

The dog warden is also going to send a copy of my statement to the local police and also the community wardens. Because of where it happended they don't think it was an organised dog fight (which I agree with, theres a graveyard 5 minutes away much more secluded than at the back of our house), just something that got out of hand. She thinks it was more likely they were just off the lead and out of control, probably looking for squirrels or cats.

Will be keeping Maggie close by for now and have had a word with one or 2 others I see regularly and have told them what happened and to keep their dogs close too.

I have cut and paste the above account of what happened from another forum I am a member of to save typing it out.

what I am basically trying to say is don't be fooled if you see one of these dogs out walking. I assumed that as they look like lurchers (albeit quite unusual looking ones) that they would have the same tempremants and be socialble to other dogs. I'm so glad that my little whippet is a bitch and I suppose less at risk of being attacked by a male dog, but still very worrying. I hope the above makes sense. As I said I C & P and it was over 2 posts so may not make flowing reading. But I guess you will get the jist of it.

 

[willows]

Hello all
I joined here a while ago and for one reason or another never really get time to post, but do enjoy reading your threads.

Have got a problem and don't quite know what to do. Its a bit of a long story so bear with me.

Over the last month or so there have been a group of young lads (about 15-17 yrs old I would guess) on the field and in the woods at the back of my house with a group of dogs (3-5 dogs depending). A couple are lurchers, and 2 of them are what I first thought were lurcher types, but both have big bull type heads.

Have had a couple of run ins over the last few weeks with them. The dogs are never on leads on the field and have chased Maggie a couple of times. When I have seen them I have kept her on the lead, even though her recall is pretty good, as if they chase her and get between her and me she bolts for home. So have told the lads in no uncertain terms that if they can't keep them under control they should be kept on leads. Even went as far to tell them how I got Maggie coming back to me (bit of ham in my pocket) but obviously they don't want to listen.

Anyhows, last night at about 8pm I let Maggie out for a wee, but she was going bonkers barking and crying at the gate so shouted her in and went to bed. She carried on barking downstairs which isn't like her so came down to find a very distressed little dog,barking, crying and shaking.

Could hear voices from the back of our garden so went and stood on the yard so see what was happening. Please don't read the rest of this if you are squeemish.

Could hear something screaming is the best way to describe it, and about 4 voices all shouting. It took me a minute to work out what was happening as all the dogs in the neighbourhood were barking. 2 dogs were fighting, or more to the point, 1 dog was being ripped to bits literally. Just at the bottom of my fence. At first I thought they had got a cat to be honest but it was another dog, who also belonged to these lads.

I know it was these lads as I recognise the names of the dogs they were shouting. I don't know whether it was an organised fight or things had just got out of hand. I heard them say 'you better get him now or he's going to end up dead', then one of them say 'he's dead, he has his guts hanging out' and then another say 'you better get your dog and move him, your dad will go mad'.

It all happened so quickly that by the time I had worked out what was happening (it was dark so couldn't see) it was over. I was pretty shalen up, I can't describe how horrible it was hearing that screaming and then working out what had happened.

The worst thing is that an hour before there had been kids playing where they were as I went down to get my washing in and told them to go home before it got dark and it was late (I knew a couple from frankies school).

I am not taking maggie on that field anymore when they are usually around, and am going to warn the dogs we see and are friendly with to be careful. Hopefully the Dog Warden will be able to do something if they are Pit bull types, and even if not have a chat with them.

I know there is nothing they can do about what happened last night as I wasn't quick enough to report it as it was happening, but even if I had they scarpered pretty quick anyway as doors were starting to be opened all the way down.

So I have had nightmares all night and am very nervous about taking Maggie out this morning. May even pop her in the car and go somewhere completley different. But did want to catch our dog walking friends and have a few quiet words

The dog warden has told me that they are having a massive problem at the moment with 'Bull greyhounds' which are apparntly the new trend with young lads. They are a lurcher type crossed with a tall bull type, then crossed again with another sighthound, usually a first generation greyhound x. They are built for speed but with a massive amount of power so can bring down large prey like deer. According to the dog warden they have a massive problem in our local rural areas with them at the moment. Lads setting dog on cats and small dogs in yards for the fun of it and also actually bringing down deer. They use the lurchers and terriers to flush them out, the when the deer are tired, let loose the big bull greyhounds.

How horrific it is. What sort of demented barstewards take pleasure in stuff like that. And its the younger lads that are doing it so people must be breeding dogs like this knowing what they are going to be used for.

The only consolation I can take from the phone call is that apparantly under the dangerous dogs act, because the bull greyhounds resemble those dogs banned under the act enough they can take them from them. Unfortunatly, unless the owners lodge an appeal within a certain amount of time (which they don't because of the cost involved, cheaper to buy another dog) the dogs are PTS.

The dog warden is also going to send a copy of my statement to the local police and also the community wardens. Because of where it happended they don't think it was an organised dog fight (which I agree with, theres a graveyard 5 minutes away much more secluded than at the back of our house), just something that got out of hand. She thinks it was more likely they were just off the lead and out of control, probably looking for squirrels or cats.

Will be keeping Maggie close by for now and have had a word with one or 2 others I see regularly and have told them what happened and to keep their dogs close too.

I have cut and paste the above account of what happened from another forum I am a member of to save typing it out.

what I am basically trying to say is don't be fooled if you see one of these dogs out walking. I assumed that as they look like lurchers (albeit quite unusual looking ones) that they would have the same tempremants and be socialble to other dogs. I'm so glad that my little whippet is a bitch and I suppose less at risk of being attacked by a male dog, but still very worrying. I hope the above makes sense. As I said I C & P and it was over 2 posts so may not make flowing reading. But I guess you will get the jist of it.

Sorry but as bad as this sounds it's not the fault of the type of dog involved but the moronic trash that own the dogs involved, it's a shame one of the dogs didn't miss a bite aimed at the other dog and castrate one of them instead. Bull terriers and Bull greyhound crosses have been given a bad name because of some of the idiots who own them and encourage aggression. They can be the most loving, obedient and loyal dog in the right hands who are a pleasure to own. Unfortunately because of the name they have been branded with the local moron looking for a status symbol decides they have to have one, which then impacts on the dog breeds reputation even more. Unfortunately unless people are vetted as to who is and who isn't suitable to own a dog this will continue. In your position I would keep calling both the police and the dog warden as they are obviously up to no good, the owners that is not the dogs.

 

[amumwithapony]

Hello all
I joined here a while ago and for one reason or another never really get time to post, but do enjoy reading your threads.

Have got a problem and don't quite know what to do. Its a bit of a long story so bear with me.

Over the last month or so there have been a group of young lads (about 15-17 yrs old I would guess) on the field and in the woods at the back of my house with a group of dogs (3-5 dogs depending). A couple are lurchers, and 2 of them are what I first thought were lurcher types, but both have big bull type heads.

Have had a couple of run ins over the last few weeks with them. The dogs are never on leads on the field and have chased Maggie a couple of times. When I have seen them I have kept her on the lead, even though her recall is pretty good, as if they chase her and get between her and me she bolts for home. So have told the lads in no uncertain terms that if they can't keep them under control they should be kept on leads. Even went as far to tell them how I got Maggie coming back to me (bit of ham in my pocket) but obviously they don't want to listen.

Anyhows, last night at about 8pm I let Maggie out for a wee, but she was going bonkers barking and crying at the gate so shouted her in and went to bed. She carried on barking downstairs which isn't like her so came down to find a very distressed little dog,barking, crying and shaking.

Could hear voices from the back of our garden so went and stood on the yard so see what was happening. Please don't read the rest of this if you are squeemish.

Could hear something screaming is the best way to describe it, and about 4 voices all shouting. It took me a minute to work out what was happening as all the dogs in the neighbourhood were barking. 2 dogs were fighting, or more to the point, 1 dog was being ripped to bits literally. Just at the bottom of my fence. At first I thought they had got a cat to be honest but it was another dog, who also belonged to these lads.

I know it was these lads as I recognise the names of the dogs they were shouting. I don't know whether it was an organised fight or things had just got out of hand. I heard them say 'you better get him now or he's going to end up dead', then one of them say 'he's dead, he has his guts hanging out' and then another say 'you better get your dog and move him, your dad will go mad'.

It all happened so quickly that by the time I had worked out what was happening (it was dark so couldn't see) it was over. I was pretty shalen up, I can't describe how horrible it was hearing that screaming and then working out what had happened.

The worst thing is that an hour before there had been kids playing where they were as I went down to get my washing in and told them to go home before it got dark and it was late (I knew a couple from frankies school).

I am not taking maggie on that field anymore when they are usually around, and am going to warn the dogs we see and are friendly with to be careful. Hopefully the Dog Warden will be able to do something if they are Pit bull types, and even if not have a chat with them.

I know there is nothing they can do about what happened last night as I wasn't quick enough to report it as it was happening, but even if I had they scarpered pretty quick anyway as doors were starting to be opened all the way down.

So I have had nightmares all night and am very nervous about taking Maggie out this morning. May even pop her in the car and go somewhere completley different. But did want to catch our dog walking friends and have a few quiet words

The dog warden has told me that they are having a massive problem at the moment with 'Bull greyhounds' which are apparntly the new trend with young lads. They are a lurcher type crossed with a tall bull type, then crossed again with another sighthound, usually a first generation greyhound x. They are built for speed but with a massive amount of power so can bring down large prey like deer. According to the dog warden they have a massive problem in our local rural areas with them at the moment. Lads setting dog on cats and small dogs in yards for the fun of it and also actually bringing down deer. They use the lurchers and terriers to flush them out, the when the deer are tired, let loose the big bull greyhounds.

How horrific it is. What sort of demented barstewards take pleasure in stuff like that. And its the younger lads that are doing it so people must be breeding dogs like this knowing what they are going to be used for.

The only consolation I can take from the phone call is that apparantly under the dangerous dogs act, because the bull greyhounds resemble those dogs banned under the act enough they can take them from them. Unfortunatly, unless the owners lodge an appeal within a certain amount of time (which they don't because of the cost involved, cheaper to buy another dog) the dogs are PTS.

The dog warden is also going to send a copy of my statement to the local police and also the community wardens. Because of where it happended they don't think it was an organised dog fight (which I agree with, theres a graveyard 5 minutes away much more secluded than at the back of our house), just something that got out of hand. She thinks it was more likely they were just off the lead and out of control, probably looking for squirrels or cats.

Will be keeping Maggie close by for now and have had a word with one or 2 others I see regularly and have told them what happened and to keep their dogs close too.

I have cut and paste the above account of what happened from another forum I am a member of to save typing it out.

what I am basically trying to say is don't be fooled if you see one of these dogs out walking. I assumed that as they look like lurchers (albeit quite unusual looking ones) that they would have the same tempremants and be socialble to other dogs. I'm so glad that my little whippet is a bitch and I suppose less at risk of being attacked by a male dog, but still very worrying. I hope the above makes sense. As I said I C & P and it was over 2 posts so may not make flowing reading. But I guess you will get the jist of it.

Sorry but as bad as this sounds it's not the fault of the type of dog involved but the moronic trash that own the dogs involved, it's a shame one of the dogs didn't miss a bite aimed at the other dog and castrate one of them instead. Bull terriers and Bull greyhound crosses have been given a bad name because of some of the idiots who own them and encourage aggression. They can be the most loving, obedient and loyal dog in the right hands who are a pleasure to own. Unfortunately because of the name they have been branded with the local moron looking for a status symbol decides they have to have one, which then impacts on the dog breeds reputation even more. Unfortunately unless people are vetted as to who is and who isn't suitable to own a dog this will continue. In your position I would keep calling both the police and the dog warden as they are obviously up to no good, the owners that is not the dogs.

 

[amumwithapony]

I agree Willow 100%. How they take something that could be as gentle as a greyhound x bullbreed and make it aggressive I have no idea. I'm sure there are some of these x's out there that are gentle and kind and obiedient. But like any animal if you raise it and train it in the wrong way it can become something completely different. I am always wary of staffys when loose around Maggie (and my daughter for that matter), not because 1 has ever done anything wrong to me, but because of their reputation. I know that probably 99.9% of these dogs are kind, fun loving and affectionate. However there will always be the 0.1% that could hurt me or mine, so I am careful around them. I wasn't as careful around this particular group of dogs (until they chased her the 1st time and then it was more worry that she would run on the road than anything else) as I would have been had they been a group of staffys, rather than lurchers.

The point of my thread wasn't to malign a certain type of dog, good and bad in all of them, just to warn people that though they may look like lurchers, they may have been brought up by the tosspots that own them to be aggressive towards other dogs and animals. I'd always assume (rightly or wrongly) that sighthounds are pretty unlikely to attack another dog. I'd be wary of staffy/some bull breeds because of the way people bring them up to be aggressive, but another sighthound I would have no problem with Maggie saying hello to and playing with. Her recall is more or less 100% now (not saying it would be if she gave chase to something but never had a chance to test it out yet) so I let her run on the field as even if she did chase something the way we walk it would be to the woods at the back of our house rather than across a road and I wouldn't call her back if I saw a lurcher playing as well.

What could have happened to her doesn't bear thinking about. And the only reason I shared what I posted wasn't to give a group of dogs a bad reputation, or to say you shouldn't do a particular x (though I can't see any call for that x in this day and age personally,too many prue bred staffys in rescue already) just to let people know that though these dogs look like sighthounds, they may behave aggressively towards your dog because of the way they have been trained.

 

[storm1]

its whos at the end of the lead whos at fault you can get most types of dogs to attack/fight

but if theres bull in there and it wants to fight its harder to stop them

 

[tinabow]

dont matter what breed of dog

it the owners (if you can call them that)

brought up wrong poor dog dont stand a chance

over the years have had run in with all breeds of dogs

i never blame the dog only the owner

years ago it was gsd breed my dad had 2 while we were growing up

bring them up right and you can have a best friend that gives 100%

all they ask is to be loved

 

[Jumpin'Jack]

My dad has a rescue bull x lurcher pup and he is the most loving dog ever - even gets on with with the cat

It's not the breed, its the owner to blame.

 

[pat cope]

Lovely photos.

 

[Jumpin'Jack]

Thanks

 

[Breeze mum]

Thank you amumwithapony for bringing this to everyone's attention. I live in an area where there are some people who use dogs for "street cred" and bring them up to be aggressive but like you, i would not have expected such aggressive behaviour from a greyhound cross towards other dogs. Cats yes! I'm so sorry you had to go through such a nightmare experience and I'm glad to hear that you reported it to the authorities. It's quite likely the police will already know the young people involved and will keep an eye on the situation. Try not to think about it any more.

 

[lurcherman]

we all agree its the owner nearly all the time but but and its a small but, some dogs are just up for a fight so if its got bull mainly staffie then you could have e wee problem, dont give me grief but thays my view, in the main yes owner at fault, remember you cant trust a dog 100 per cent,

 

[whippetsrus]

Have to say that I agree with what's posted above. It's the owner of the dog(s) that is at fault not the dog itself. However, I do find it worrying that there is so little that can be done about these people. I hope that you are feeling somewhat better and less shaken than when you posted. What an horrible thing to have to witness

 

[turbotyke]

its not the owners thats going to be really punished is it ... its the poor dogs :rant: i own a bull greyhound and she is fantastic bomb proof even and i have 5 dogs and 2 children just turned 3 and 4 she brilliant with my kids very gentle round them... and yes i hunt with my dogs thats what they were bred for !!! ..... these dogs same as most lurchers have a very high pray drive so most would yes attack cats small animals ect ... but these young not so clever lads/ lasses get these dogs and think its funny and hard to make these dogs nasty its very sad to see a lovely breed go down the pan for these numptys ....its not funny or hard its a nightmare waiting to happen ...and someone or someones pet will get hurt but who will pay the price ... the dog ... imo the owner should get the same treatment as the dog ....

 

[rm1]

responsibility lies with the owners to train socialise and control their dogs BUT a bull/greyhound especially if it is bred from a fighting strain of bull is more likely to be dog aggressive than say a pure greyhound, that is not to say it necessarily will but it is more likely to be also iff it has been used for say fox work that is not likely to improve its behaviour to other dogs. These are just facts having said that it does come down to the individual dog i had a bull/greyhound bred from an APBT to a track greyhound and it was the most equable animal I have ever owned and absolutely reliable around other dogs and all humans.

 

[Blue wrecking it]

as has been said. its the owner and not the dog.

i read today that a working lurcher had been shot and the vets immediatley suspected a dog fight as "lurchers are soft and cry easily'....what a load of tosh. most lurchers are pretty tough and have a LOT of power.

adding a bull type dog to the mix (staff, pit, american bull) adds an incredible amount of power and muscle which can appeal to some people.

bull x dogs can be great dogs and usefull for pest controll but its like everything, dogs in the wrong hands can put the breed in a bad light.

try not to stereotype these dogs as theres enough people out there (rspca, anti fieldsports) doing that for us.

WE need to stand together and fight for our right to work our dogs within the law and stand against thos that give it a bad name.