I spend time in Greenwich Park usually every morning either walking or running for an hour. Understandably, There are always a lot of dogs there most of which are not on leads. I do not have an irrational fear of dogs as I am perfectly calm around most breeds and large dogs do not necessarily frighten me at all. But lately I've usually been seeing at least three English Bull Terriers on any given morning and they are seldom on leads. These dogs really frighten me. I try to avoid them altogether and change my path. If forced, I find it difficult to cross their path, my heart starts racing, my breath literally shortens, I can barely contain my fear.

I understand that my fear of this breed is bordering on the irrational. I am looking for information to try and overcome it, to try and learn more about the breed itself. On several occassions, these dogs do growl at me and often seem disobedient (the master will have to command them repeatedly, etc.). Wondering whether the dog is going to obey its master or attack me gives me great anxiety.

I am male, 6' tall, if that makes any difference. As I said, I never approach these dogs directly, I just try to go on my way. In fact, someone once told me that when you look a dog in the eye, they interpret that as putting you on the same level or thinking that you are one of them or something, so I never even look at dogs in the park, I just stare off into the distance and focus on my own path.

How much should I fear English bull terriers? What can you tell me to lessen my fear? And what precautions should I take to protect myself? Thank you for any information you can provide. I am not a dog hater but I am terrified of this particular breed. I want to feel safe so please don't attack me for my fear. Thanks.

Hi Guest........ why don't you take a few minutes to sign up...... i am also frightened of these dogs.

Once i saw one jump in to the back of someone's car..... and try to attack there children, it was just roaming the streets and this family were going out and had put there children in the car and gone back in the house as they had forgotten something...... but they had left the car door open and the dog jumped in.

The police were called in the end and had to remove this dog.... and take it away.

That is why i am scared of this breed now...... i'm sure someone will come on later to answer your questions because i don't have any answers for you..... i would say stay away from the park if your so frightened of them..... but then again, why change your lifestyle.

Take care

kerry

justlou...Once i saw one jump in to the back of someone's car..... and try to attack there children, it was just roaming the streets and this family were going out and had put there children in the car and gone back in the house as they had forgotten something...... but they had left the car door open and the dog jumped in.

Thats helpful... lots of dogs would jump into cars, and it physically tried to attack the children... not just a typical boisterous/clumsy bully... it actually attacked????? Somehow doubt it and now after witnessing one incident you fear the breed :rolleyes:

it only takes 1 incedent to make you scared of a breed! happystaffy,just because it wouldnt scare you dusnt meen to say it wouldnt scare some1 else! :)

justlou and MiniMeg do you both own a set of ladders... if you do, get them out, climb to the top, look up... now see if you grasp the point.

Bye forum its been fun ;)

No happy we dont....... but ur the one who needs to get ur head out of the clouds!!!!!!!

the point is you were very rude happy staffy to justlou,there was no need she was scared by wat she saw. and as  a conciquence she is now scared of the breed! so dont go giving it all that wen you obviosly dont have a clue wat your talking about!

Well said Mini..... and thanks!!!!!!

Happystaffy..... what would you know.... i know what i saw, so are you calling me a liar?

It's people like you that spoil it for everyone else.... i didn't ask you to reply to my post.... so back off!!!!!

justlou does have a point,there rearly was no need for you to respond to her post in the way you did!

Thanks Mini...... i'm fuming!!!!!!

i dont blame you,it was uncalled for! :(

I would suspect it just wanted to be with the kids and perhaps have some of the sticky things most kids seem to have in their hands.  My dogs are prone to think an open car an invite for a ride and have actually tried to jump in one at the supermarket (fortunately the lead was too short) and actually did in the Park Car Park.  I put it sown to not driving myself so the dogs get to go in lots of other peoples cars :D

There is no more need to be frightened of this breed than any other.  They are not inherently dangerous.  There are individuals of ALL breeds that can be dangerous and the owners should be in control of their dogs or have them on a lead.

My friend has two -and 5 children -yes they are powerfull dogs but brought up right they are lovely friendly dogs -her two love nothing more than dressing up ( Thunderbirds is the latest ;) ) 

I would be more scared of jack russells or one of the smaller breeds of dog :D

Guest if you are so scared why do you hang out at the park when you know there are going to be lots of dogs there?

I must admit it annoys the hell out of me when i'm walking my dogs,offlead, and a person that is terrified of dogs freaks out.I take my dogs to places that are frequented by many,many dogs and their owners,if  a person that is scared of dogs decides to walk around a well known dog walking area and then has a hissy fit everytime a dog walks past and screeches out "get your dogs on a lead"(happened to me on a few occasions) well then thats their problem and i will not put my well behaved dogs on a lead because of someone elses irrational fear of them.I must add i never let my dogs approach other people i keep them to a close heel when we walk past other folk :)

Guest it would help greatly if you joined and explain a little more of why you think you have this fear.

TBH i'm finding it hard to take you seriously...a 6ft tall man named Kerry who is terrified of dogs

Please forgive if i am way off track but like i said your concerns will be taken much more seriously if you took the one to two minutes it takes to join :)

Frodo, where does the op say his name is Kerry?

Frodo   Why shouldn't a 6ft man be called Kerry and why shouldn't he be scared of dogs?  Plus he asked not to be ridiculed for his fear.  Why on earth should he have to register to have his post taken seriously?  I thought he clearly set out what his problem is and the way he is trying to address it.

OP, I am not sure how you can address your fear, but would like to reassure you that as others say the breed is not inherently dangerous.  We've had an English Bull Terrier in the past and he was extremely good natured.

Good luck and I hope you can overcome this fear.

Lesley

Edited to say; he didn't KayC!   Frodo picked up the Kerry from the first reply to the guest's post and I picked up on the Kerry from Frodo's post :rolleyes:

Kerry is the signature of Justlou, not the op. lines crossed somewhere here.

I agree with Lesley, I know a 6ft plus man who suffers from Arachnaphobia,(spiders). This is very distressing and in no way amusing. 

We all have our fears.

Guest, I only know 2 Bull Terriers which I met at ringcraft.  These 2 particular dogs were very friendly and sociable, with both humans and other dogs. Apart from that I dont know the breed particularly well.

Kay

>

Edited to say; he didn't KayC!   Frodo picked up the Kerry from the first reply to the guest's post and I picked up on the Kerry from Frodo's post >

Oops so sorry guest,i dont know how i got mixed up with name :o

LF Kerry is  inheritantly a girls name :) Obviously there are questions that the guest will have to answer so we can get the full scope on his problem,he cant expect to get the answers to his problems with just one anonymous post,dont you think? The reason i am suspicious is because he mentioned he is a 6 ft tall man,he didnt have to tell us this,it has no bearing on his problem.

For the record i dont think i ridiculed him at all :)

Kerry is no more "inherently" a girl's name than Marion is a girl's name.

Marion Morrison was John Wayne's real name; there are hundreds of other examples...........

Must admit, I know of 2 blokes called Kerry! :-)

i know a bloke called kerry,& hes lovely

Fully agree with LF.

Many of us have fears, rational or irrational.

Having a fear of tigers is generally not a problem, as one can easily avoid them.  One cannot easily avoid dogs/cats etc.

Everyone has a right to walk/run/jog etc anywhere and not be molested/approached by other people/children/dogs.  As far as I know there are no areas where dog walkers have "right of way"!

Extending to others the courtesy we expect for ourselves is just good manners.

I am always extremely careful NEVER to allow my dogs to interfere/intimidate others who may dislike/fear or even not want to be bothered with other dogs.

Size has nothing to do with fear.

Frodo, are you afraid of nothing...............

Or perhaps you have just not yet met your nemesis.

If and when you do, no doubt you will expect (welcome and enjoy) the same ridicule that you have demonstrated.

Tohme i will pm you,i would really like to know what your problem with me is.
I have asked you many questions as of late or asked you to explain some of your statements,all of which have been ignored by you!

i realise you are also a raw feeder ,dont worry i have no intention of stepping on your toes or overiding your advice,if thats what the problem is :)

The guest asked for advice and i simply asked for more details,i wasnt talking to any of you,nor am i trying to impress anyone.You have every right to disagree with everything or anything i say,but please dont turn this thread into a slanging/GANGING up match because you dont agree with what i said!

There are plenty of posts here that i dont particularly agree with but i have no intention of treating the posters like a child and telling them off just because i dont agree with them

Do me a favour,concentrate on the guests post and stop picking on mine and wasting everyone elses time :)

I'm the guest, I'm now registered.

I don't have any problem with dogs. I have a problem with other people knowingly putting me in potential danger. I'm not sure your post applies to my situation. I've utilised this park for over nine years and I've never had any problem with dogs. Dogs, in general, do not frighten me. This breed does. My understanding is that they are prone to attack and I'm not sure I appreciate other people knowingly putting me in potential danger.

I know that some of my fear is completely irrational and that there is a lot of confusion surrounding these breeds. Frankly, the visceral nature of my fear is that I think they are so ugly with those odd shaped heads, they look like mutant dogs--add to that the thought that I could be attacked by one and I'm already shivering with fear! :0)

Honestly, I'm here because I want to be put at ease so the next time I have to pass one I can just go on with my own business. I'm not out to place limitations on dogs though responses like yours do make me wonder about their owners. For the record, I've never said anything to anyone about their dog.

I mentioned my height because I wasn't sure if this had any effect on the dog--I honestly don't know what bull terriers are thinking but I would like to know. Being 6' tall doesn't mean that a dog can't attack me, btw.

>I know that some of my fear is completely irrational

Fears are only irrational because they are not fully understood.

Is there maybe a possibility of actually talking to one or more of the owners and being gently intoduced to the dogs? 

Dogs generally tend to chase moving objects, and as a jogger you will be seen as a fun thing to chase. Unfortunately.  If you maybe slowed down to a normal walking pace, until further away, the dog would have no interest in you, and seek fun elswhere.   

JG, thats why I never reply, I always get there after everyone else :D 

Great minds though, Kay! :D

People can be scared of particular dogs for all sorts of 'irrational' reasons, so don't worry about that. In reality bull terriers are no more likely to attack you than other other breed.
:)

I am interested where you have got the idea that English Bull Terriers are likely to attackmore than any other breed. 

A lot of thwe Bull breeds can be a bit off with other dogs but theya ll seem to invartibalby be good with people.

The English Bulls I have met have not been the sharpest pencil in the box and tend to be rather daft, big clowns really.  Any harm they are likely to cause would be accidental as they tend not to engage what little brain they have :D

Sorry to any EBT owners :D

LOLOL Barbara not  the sharpest pencil in the box actually that is what the lady near us tells me about her two :D her words were thick as two short planks but lovely with it !

    catweazle i agree with you. i own 3 bull terriers. i wouldnt own any other dog.  they have had bad press. i breed and show mine. they love people and other dogs. i used to dress mine up as "baywatch bullies".    ;-)

  couldnt put it better my self tohme.  :-)

Frodo..... i am Kerry..... you have your wires crossed somewhere!!!!!!

I think the rule for anyone jogging should be if a dog starts chasing you - stop !  The reason they chase is because you are running, they generally lose interest if you stop :)

So Claire, is it all right just to pass them as I would any other dog? I'm mostly frightened that any sudden movements or something will set them off. Or if I pass too close to their owner they will attack.

Also, no one has said: does this breed attack or bite? I know this is going to seem terribly naive of me but...do their jaws lock? It's hard to find info that counters the myths.

Many people who love dogs are wary of certain breeds, so don't think you're alone in this. A lot of it has to do with stories you read as a child, what you've read in the media, etc etc. Bull terriers as a whole are no more dangerous than any other breed; but just like any other breed (or crossbreed, or mongrel) some are better trained or have quieter temperaments than others.

It's worth remembering that dogs are genetically programmed to chase moving objects (which is why people throw balls for them) and people on bikes or running can trigger the chase instinct - it's not necessarily bad temperament, just innate dog behaviour. Collies and other herding breeds are especially prone to this  - after all, that's what they've been bred to do for hundreds of years! You're right not to stare them in the eye - in canine body language that's seen as a threat or challenge.

If it's any help, all the bull terriers I've met have been very friendly dogs. Perhaps you could talk to the owner of these dogs and ask if you could make friends with them - one at a time is probably easiest for you. Good luck - I hope you can overcome this.

Soneil, there is no evidence to suggest that any  dog's jaws lock - ever :)

I do understand your fear but hope it will reassure you to know the above.
The correct info can be found in various places: those who say a dog's jaws can lock are either under misapprehension, or trying to make a breed appear very "macho". The reason for the myth is that some dogs have been bred to hang on, and this has given way to the lock jaw myth :) It does seem to be a very common myth.

It may help you to read Dogs Today which has a monthly article in it about the (true) exploits of an English bull terrier; it's actually quite comical and may help you to see another side to the breed. Also,how about getting avery up to date book on them from a bookshop -one that explains about owning them as a pet.

I actuallyrather like them - they are not to everyone's taste, and not similar at all to my chosen breed, but i can see a rather endearing side to them!

Best of luck,
Lindsay
X

Soneil

Bull Terriers are a breed that are more of a people dog than a dog dog in many cases, we have a lady who used to breed them near here & she has two & softer dogs with people it would be hard to imagine. They are possible along with Staffies victims of the Pit Bull Terrier fiasco were all bull terrier breeds were clubbed together & in the media classed as dangerous dogs towards people. Staffies & Bull terriers years ago were one of the favourite family dogs being great with kids(Staffies nickname is the Nanny dog)

I worked for a long time with a girl who had been brought up with bull terriers & they are in many respects one of the canine world's comedians One of her familys once shredded a feather pillow when left on his on, when the family got home there was the cat in the middle of the mess The cat was about to get told off when in strolled the bullie spitting feathers out of his mouth & still having some ostuck on his body & on closer inspection the cat was soaking wet. A neighbour called over the fence that she had seen the dog ripping up the cushion & then coming outside & chasing the cat indoors !(via the fish pond). The dog had a what me ?? look on his face & the incident has gone down into the families dog stories

I can understand that media hype & possible the Bull Terriers unusual head shape could be a concern, however especially if you don't have a dog with you I would not worry about the Bullies(unless they knock you over whilst charging madly about like the two who live here. they are actually lovely with other dogs as they were well socialized when young & being show dogs they welcome being talked to & stroked. We had one that for many years came to our obedience club & he would regularly try sitting on people's laps at during the tea break

Some SBT's & BT's aren't good with other dogs, but this is true with many dogs(my GSD loves little dogs, puppies & BCs but hates bigger dogs due to something that must have happened before we rescued her, she is OTT with people & she too thinks visitors knees are to be sat on at all times !)

Soneil -I'll be honest they are not my choice of dog -but my mates two are lovely -yes they have big gobs -which seem to be permenantly open -Maybe you don't percieve them as 'friendly' dogs because of their looks -a labrador for example has a much 'softer' expression ( please don't shoot me Bullie Peeps;) )
But you're in no more danger from this breed as a whole than any other breed
The two I know are not the brightest candles in the box :rolleyes: but are very sociable ,friendly cross-dressing dogs :D
-maybe you've been unlucky  with the ones you've met -Somewhere like discover dogs might be good for you -or a local dog show -where you can meet dogs and owners who will be only too happy to enthuse about their breed
hth  

Bull Terriers tend to be dogs that vocalise quite a bit, lots of gruffles, growls, yodels whines and snorts.  This is normally just being freindly.  The dogs not wanting to come away may be down to you having scared body language and the dogs wondering what yur problem is, again curiosity not aggression :D

Again as others have said not my cup of tea at all, but as regards people not a dog I would be worrying about.

Give me a bull terrrier any day but don't expect me to walk past a corgi that isn't tied to a lead!

We've ALL got dogs we like less than others for personal reasons but that doesn't make our fears any less valid.

We come in all shapes and sizes and with all sorts of names, but we can all suffer from fear - rational or irrational.

This isn't much in the way of advice, just reassurance I know where you are coming from.

Hi Soneil,

I understand where you are coming from on the EBT's looks!  The one we had came as a package with my husband and when I first met them I was quite wary as I didn't know anything about the breed, bar what I had heard in the way of "horror stories".  It has to be said that they are quite ugly, but it might help to think of them as being so ugly they're lovable :)  Plus, try to think of that big mouth as grinning all the time instead of as an open mouth full of teeth ;)  I soon discovered that my view of the EBT was completely wrong and I was able to walk ours on my own with no worries whatsoever.  This one had been rescued by my husband from very difficult circumstances and was totally deaf, but he was still the sweetest natured dog imaginable - totally devoted to people and full of fun.  It's also true that he was as thick as two short planks :D

I think it's a very good idea if you could meet one just to see how friendly they really are, but if you don't feel up to that that's fair enough :)  Hopefully we have reassured you that the Bullies you meet are highly unlikely to attack and that will go some way to helping you feel reassured when you are enjoying your runs :)

Lesley

PS My OH is 6 feet plus and he is terrified of Spiders :D

Thats really sad you feel this way.
Bull Terrier are in no way more likely to attack you than other breeds..... infact id say the opposite in most cases.
Sure there are bad'un's as there are in any breed but......
Bullies have a wicked sense of humour..... they know full well you don't like them and use it to their full advantage!!
Bullies chat - I can well understand how this could seem like a growl if your afraid of them.
I have 9 of them living in my home full time, ive also take welfare in........ none of mine have ever so much as raised a wisker at anyone!! However when people visit who don't like them they always sit on their lap :@)
Why not see if you can visit a show and see them where they will be under controll and on a lead?
This is a quote from the kennel club breed standard for BT's ''Although obstinate is particularly good with people''
Take a look round the KC site and see how many breeds have that written in their standards.

Good Luck
Jo

Admin:url snipped

i owned two english bull terriers and raised them with my four children,they were both fantastic and i kept them till they passed on,id reccomend them to any family.
hope you overcome your fears.

We have an EBT in our training school in the agility team she is the most gorgeous laid back dog I have ever known very friendly and sociable.
I think any dog from any breed can be a bad un.All down to breeding  socialisation and training in the end.

Hi kerry I think Happystaffy was just being rude there and taking the mess.Lots of people become frightened of something with just 1 experience, I can understand why anyone can be scared of anything.
I used to be a bit frightened of this breed of dog untill I met 1 recently.
My sister as just moved and her neighbour as 2 of these. They are very nice natured dogs, the male being an absolute delight. Hes 1 of the friendliest dogs Ive ever met.
I totally agree Starryeyes.

> However when people visit who don't like them they always sit on their lap :@)<

LOL Icacia,i think you make a good point. My dogs always seem to gravitate toward visitors who dont like dogs,they have tried to sit on the odd lap :o

Soneil dogs can  smell fear and they would easily pick up on your fear and anxiety,which is probaly why certain dogs seem to want to come over,i belive it would also make them nervous??

I have heard the vast array of vocals a bully can make,so it's more than likely not a growl your hearing :)

I want to thank all of you for your  posts--it's gone a long way to making me see this breed in a new light. I'm sure I'm projecting a lot of these fearful ideas onto a dog that I know nothing about--well, I can't say that anymore. Your posts almost have me looking forward to happening upon an EBT.

Of course, if I wind up in the casualty ward, you all be informed immediately! :0) Thanks again for your posts.