whats the law regarding pitbulls/pitbull cross etc

around me there are quite a few pitbull staffy x dogs whats the law regarding these dogs i know pits are illegal in the uk but what about crosses i heard they can be taken away and put to sleep!! im concerned s ive kust found out that my staffy boys dad is a staffy x pitbull.mother full staffy any advice please?

As i've been told as long as your dog is well behaved and kept under control there shud'nt be a problem,also any dog that looks like an american pitbull terrier can be deemed one in the eyes of the law.They are often called american pitbull terrier TYPE dogs so there's alot of cross breeds around that can be mistaken for pitbulls etc.Have a look on direct gov all uk dog laws are listed on there hope this helps a little.

nick h wrote:As i've been told as long as your dog is well behaved and kept under control there shud'nt be a problem,also any dog that looks like an american pitbull terrier can be deemed one in the eyes of the law.They are often called american pitbull terrier TYPE dogs so there's alot of cross breeds around that can be mistaken for pitbulls etc.Have a look on direct gov all uk dog laws are listed on there hope this helps a little.

Yes, I'm afraid that's true.

However, if your dog is well trained & friendly, you don't go round shouting that he's a pitbull cross and you don't upset the neighbours, there should be no reason to worry.

Unfortantly any dog that looks pitbull type dosnt have too be a pitbull but if it has a certain amount of pitbull characteristics then your dog can be seized, even if your dog has done nothing wrong. sorry but this is how it is and there are court cases going on at the moment. Lennox & venus for example. its so sad even kc reg staffs have been taken.
if they are seized they can then be put on the dog exempt (i think thats what its called bit late) list which means they will have too be on lead at all times and muzzled.

Its really sad because it isnt the dog its the * bag at the end of the lead, just dont go telling people he has pit in him.

I agree with making sure he is a well behaved individual and well socialised, that way it raises no concerns about his breed. But seriously just keep it quiet that he has pit in him or suspicions can be raised.

The 1991 dangerous dog act states..." a dog appearing to be bred for fighting or appears to have characteristics intended for fighting" this includes 4 breeds of dog, including the pit bull terrier.
But there is also a section within the dog act which covers any breed of dog and that is "any dog dangerously out of control in a public place".

So my thoughts on this are that as long as a dog is well socialised and trained and is under control at all times in a public place (common sense you would think for most dog owners) then there is no problem really. But I do agree that you shouldn't mention the pit in him or that will just cause trouble if that information falls into the wrong hands.

thanks everyone for your replies,whwn i bought my dog i was told he was actually 15 weeks old and was told he was pure staffy,but kane is actully 2 months older than i was told,in previous posts i wrote that a xouple of people thought he was possibly crossed with a boxer as he was big for his age.why on earth would someone lie about a dogs age? i will post up some more pics of kane and see what you guys think.he is very good with with people including kids and great on his lead although he does jump on people a bit.kane is nearly 7 months old.he is a beautiful,loving and loyal boy and i would hate for anything to happen to him.

If anyone asks, just say he's a cross breed. Otherwise, don't say anything!

someone did suggest he was crossed with a boxer so i will stick to that is the american pitbull an actual breed over there or are they bred specially for fighting ? as im sure i read somewhere that theyre called 'pit' bulls as thats what they call the plac where they fight them? so much stuff about pitbulls that its rather confusing

It's a distinct breed, although it isn't registered with the American Kennel Club. The American Staffordshire Terrier is the 'show' version, if you like, and is registered with the AKC (please correct me if I'm wrong, the USA memebers here!).

Yes, they were originally caleed 'pit' because they fought in a pit, but it's just a name! Like Bulldogs don't bait bulls any more!

does he look like hes got pitbull in him?

Headwise not really. He is big though but the pics arent very clear so cant tell really.. just say hes crossed with a dalmation ;]

lol yes i could say that lol,