Dog coach Fredrik Steen about American XL Bully being banned

American XL bully is a little simplified a mixed breed of bulldog, pit bull, amstaff and similar dogs. For it to be an XL variant, it must be over 51 centimeters in height at the withers.

In September of this year, a person was killed in England by the fighting dog breed American XL bully. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak then called the dog breed “a danger to the public”.

– It is clear that this is not about a handful of poorly trained dogs, it is a pattern of behavior and it cannot continue, Sunak said during a press conference.

“Education and responsibility are what matter”

Dog coach Fredrik Steen agrees that the dog breed is problematic, but does not believe that banning is the right way to go.

– It is for several reasons. This is a mixed breed and I don’t know how to separate one bun from another. England seems to be going for looks. I am afraid, and it has been seen in other countries, if this type is banned, you move on to the next one. Then you have to ban it as well, and that is not successful. Education and responsibility are what matter.

He continues:

– If you could conjure with your rod so that all dog owners always have their dogs on a leash and the dog owners would take their responsibility, there would be no accidents.

The dog breeder: “Very tragic”

Breeding of the breed is permitted in Sweden. There are 4,600 American XL bullies registered with the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Dog breeder Tomas Fredriksson thinks it is deplorable that the breed is banned, and hopes that Sweden does not follow the same path.

– I think it is very tragic. Above all for everyone who has one and who really loves their animals. It’s a small clique that has failed where it runs wild and attacks like this happen.

Fredriksson believes instead that the focus is in the wrong place.

– I personally do not think that bullying in itself is the problem. It is big dogs mixed with bullies that are the problem. Then it becomes, for example, a fighting dog mixed with a guard dog. Then it will be very wrong. I have chosen american bullies because they are super nice dogs.

Stop talking about dogs like that

Fredrik Steen agrees that we should shift the focus. Above all, he doesn’t think we should talk about dogs as “please”.

– Dogs cannot be kind, dogs cannot be mean. Dogs are driven by traits. When we romanticize this, this is a problem in itself. If you google these dogs, everyone says that they are kind. Then you get the wrong setting. These dogs have quite a lot of resources. Together with an irresponsible owner, there will be problems.

The ban on dogs comes into force at the turn of the year. Dog owners who choose to euthanize their dog are compensated with 200 pounds, equivalent to 2,700 kroner.