Hi all,
Id just like too say the world is getting low and sad.
When i walk my american bulldog NO ONE has said too me beatiful dog with out following how much he cost or they are a great deal of money to buy aint there?
Ive also been warned by EVERY ONE i shouldnt walk the dog without my dad as there are dog thefts.

I live opposite a park and ive had a man follow me and mum and try to call my dog.He was walking down we was walking up as he got too the corner he was wistleing saying here boy so i put my dog on the leash and rang with my mum as the man started to run.
Ive also had 4 men going around asking dog walkers where does the family with the american bulldog live.

In all the films and what you read people wish there dog was a puppy,i wish my dog was a big dog now so im able to walk him on my own and walk him and feel safe that no one is going to robb him.Some one would have to kill me to get him of me even if they had a knife ora  gun i wouldnt let him go you'd have to kill me 1st.All they use the dog for is breeding or they lock it up and beat it to make it vicious.
I just thaught id let you know how sick and sad the world is,men robbing puppies of children aged 14.

Thanks Max

Hello Max :-)

I'm sorry that you are feeling so disillusioned with the world at the moment. You have had some very unsettling and upsetting experiences. Unfortunately we have to be very careful with our dogs these days as there are a few nasty people about, but perhaps several of those that were saying how beautiful your dog is and asking how much he cost were admiring him simply because he IS so beautiful, and not because they had an ulterior motive? However, even when your pup is grown up it would be a good idea to always have someone else with you when you are walking him. Not only has it been known for adult dogs to be stolen, but he is going to be a big, strong, boy and it will take a lot to control him if the worst happens and he gets into an argument with another dog.

Chin up. The world can be a nice place too sometimes :-)

As shadowboxer says People often ask about the price of a dog...it doesn't mean they want to steal it thankfully.
You are being sensible not walking your dog on your own....however please don't think the danger of your dog being stolen stops whan they become an adult and so if you are uncomfortable walking him because of the way you feel people look at your dog I would suggest you continue to walk with supervision.I'm afraid IMO a 14 year old should not be allowed to walk a large powerful dog such as an AB...not because they are dangerous but urely because you are not an adult.
Archer

Hi Dog Lover

It's horrible when this happens, but just take good care of your pup and yourself, and make sure he is chipped!!

Yesterday I went out with my 10 week old pup, there was a drunk homeless guy who came up to me and started making the usual fuss, aww he's lovely, what's his name, blablabla.  Then he said , 'wow I'm in love with that dog, I want to steal it'.  Well you should have seen my face!

We then got the bus to a place a good 20min walk from where we met that guy, and sat down outside a cafe to have a coffee.  Well guess what happened 5 minutes later?  "Oh wow, I'm following you around cos I want your dog, I want to go on holiday to America, if I nicked your dog I would probably get £500 or £1000 for my holiday..... don't worry  I'm only joking!"

I couldn't believe it...

Are you in the UK or States?
I know there are areas in UK where people will specifically steal dogs such as yours, there's no getting around the problem sadly. People will also steal other dogs, all breeds, as bait for training fighting dogs. I really do believe these people are absolutely disgusting and I do think you have to be very careful. Be aware, take care, and remember many people are genuine dog lovers and just interested. It's not always easy to tell the difference and that's where the problem lies :)

Lindsayi
X

hi agree with you it is a sad scummy world  especially where our pets are concerned,as you can see from the replys you had you will not be only one approached by toatal strangers taking an interest in your dog,i have two male blue merle pups and because where i am from there are no others about in the distict so to people they look strange and because they have odd coloured eyes this makes the people pay more interest,the other week some fella approached me asking what they were were they chipped what there names was i didnt know what to do i just stood and froze thinking of the worse just as i was about to answer my brother came out to see where i was and this fella walked away who knows what could of happened from now on i go for a walk with my brother cant take any more chances

I'm sorry you have had to put up with such worry for your little pup, it says a lot about the state of this place at the moment.

Both my dogs are adults now (well, physically anyway :P) but I do still worry about them being stolen - regardless of the fact they are both neutered.  Dogs are still stolen for pets, sadly.  It's sick really, taking someone's beloved pet to make a few quid.  I do walk mine by myself, but luckily I'm not in a big dog theft area (with the exception of a couple pups and a Yorkie to my knowledge).  Plus, they are a male doberman and a female rottweiler X - I'm sure they would protect me if anyone tried to hurt me to get at them, and whilst they are both very friendly with strangers, I know they'd kick up a hell of a stink if someone tried to take them away from me, the rott X especially.  I'm still careful though - I don't leave them in the car unless I can't help it, and then I make the time as short as possible, and I never leave them outside a shop, even if I can always see them.  I worry the most about the dobie - he is a fawn, so a "rare" colour to most people.  The future holds more of the same I fear - I am looking at Utonagans at the moment (wolf lookilikes), and I suspect they will be of great interest to many people who will probably assume they are wolfdogs.  Sigh.

As was suggested, do keep someone else with you, and get pup chipped - both mine are, they also have a tag on their collar (as well as the normal one) saying "I require daily medication" - I've heard of that putting off potential stealers before, as medical problems obviously detract the value of a resale dog.