Born Innocent

Tom Parker Bowles is quoted on The Times newspaper, describing how his dog, Maud, was attacked by an out of control dog, whose breed has not been formally identified but is suspected to be similar to a .

It is positive to see Tom, a responsible dog owner, stating how he believes emphasis should be placed on humans first, with dogs who need extra attention wearing a muzzle.

Likewise, and unlike a very poor quote stereotyping cane corsos in the article, we advocate for education and focus on handlers and owners; alongside severe restrictions and enforcement on irresponsible and over breeding.

All peer reviewed research by academically and empirically trained behaviour scientists show that breed is not a determinant of aggression. Rather, it’s the result of a complex mix of inputs which can be significantly prevented and, indeed, improved by the right combination of environmental factors.

Typecasting dogs leads nowhere and causes not only unnecessary fear, but can encourage over breeding when irresponsible people seek to make money with a potential “status dog”.

Any dog can bite and cause serious injury, independent of size or breed. The issue with larger dogs is not with their size per se, but how they are bred, handled, socialised, trained and cared for.

As with humans, larger size can potentially lead to greater injury in conflict.
But size is not a determinant of agression in any species. Not canine, not human.

Placing the emphasis on specific breeds prolongs the suffering of dogs and owners caused by the highly unjust and unscientific Dangerous Dogs Act in the UK. (and abroad)

If you wish to be a voice of change, help educate on good ownership and bite prevention.

Choose words that do not encourage fear. Encourage responsibility and respect for other dogs and humans.

And to show what good house pets cane corsos can be, we also share a post from an owner whose dog woke her up while her child struggled to breathe and a Tik Tok video of the fast action of another saving a baby from an electric shock with enormous care.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdEQhVqk/

Because dogs were not born to bite.




Article from The Times Newspaper; all rights reserved.

Social media posts shared are open posts.

Some of the questions we have had, which might help owners:

1. My dog is under the height of 20in for a male or 19in for female at the withers. Do I need to exempt it as an XL Bully? No

2. My bitch’s parents are Pedigree Rottweilers but she’s a puppy. Could she be an XL Bully type? No.

3. My dog / bitch is not spayed / neutered. OR it has been done but I cannot find the details. Can I still apply for the exemption if I think my dog fits the requirements?
YES!
Dogs under 12 months on 30.01.24 have until 31.12.24 to be spayed / neutered and those over that age until 30.06.24.

4. Can I apply under my name and then transfer it to my mum/ partner / friend, etc.?
NO.
An exempted dog cannot be gifted, sold, bred from nor transferred. Only under very exceptional circumstances such as terminal illness or death.

5. Can someone else take care of my dog? Yes.
Read your exemption certificate and accompanying details with care, but for a limited amount of time, your dog can be cared by someone over 16 - although some insurances may state over 18. Check with care.

6. My dog is exempted as a Pit bull type. Do I need to apply? No!
But you do need to remember to renew your insurance and certificate of exemption before it runs out!

7. I do not identify my dog as an XL Bully type because of …. (whatever) reasons.
Could my dog be seized at a later date?
It’s impossible to tell!
Our advice is, if your dog meets the height but you feel it does not meet the characteristics, only you can decide to exempt it or not.
Take photos with measurements and write down the reasons why you did not feel it met the criteria. Keep it safe.
Teach your dog to wear a muzzle and focus on their training. Never walk them without a leash unless in a private, fully secure field.