As of: February 5, 2024, 8:00 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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The ban on XL Bullys in England and Wales has fueled the discussion about so-called fighting dogs.
But according to science, the term is “nonsense”.
What's behind it?
Since February 1, 2024, American XL Bullys have been banned in England and Wales.
After several attacks on people, including fatal attacks, the keeping and breeding of the dog breed was banned by law.
Dogs of this breed are considered dangerous and are often referred to as fighting dogs.
But from a scientific perspective, the term “attack dog” is “nonsense,” as WDR’s science format,
Quarks
, writes on
.
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From a scientific perspective, the term “fighting dog” is not justified
The designation of dogs as “fighting dogs” is therefore not scientifically accurate for two reasons.
On the one hand, dogs don't naturally want to fight, and on the other hand, there is no dog that is born aggressive,
Quarks
informs , among other things, with reference to Dr.
Franziska Kuhne, animal behavior therapist and lecturer for ethology, animal behavior therapy and animal protection at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen.
Calling XL Bullies fighting dogs is not only outdated, but also wrong, according to the current state of science.
© Jacob King/PA Media/dpa
Although there are individual dogs that are more dangerous and vicious than others, there is no one breed of dog that could be generally classified as dangerous.
For this reason, the term “fighting dog” is now outdated, as
Quarks
also confirms.
However, it has not yet completely disappeared from everyday language.
Dangerous dog breeds: List dogs as the correct name
The term “list dog,” on the other hand, is more contemporary, “because particularly muscular and strong dogs (e.g. Pitbull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers) are on a breed list, but are no more aggressive than other dogs,” says @quarks.de on
.
Possible aggression would therefore not already be in the genes, but rather be taught by people.
Aggressive behavior can be the result of incorrect training and socialization by the dog owner.
Race lists in Germany
There are no EU-wide regulations regarding listed dogs.
The breed lists also vary within Germany.
Dog owners should find details about the breed of their dogs and which dog breed is considered a listed dog in which federal state from the respective dog law in their federal state or obtain information from the respective state ministry of the interior.
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According to science, “the level of willingness to attack or the level of aggression of a dog does not come from the animal,” but, according to
Quarks
, can be traced back to its owner, “who encourages such behavior.” The science forum goes on to say that incorrect husbandry of listed dogs is particularly dangerous simply because the listed breeds, due to their physical characteristics, can do worse things than smaller, less muscular and stronger dogs.
The portal
Rechtsanwalt.org
, which offers a comprehensive overview of the German legal system, agrees: According to this, the so-called fighting dogs were bred and trained by people in this way.
The “increased aggressiveness and danger towards people or animals” is also described here as a man-made problem.
List dogs are no more dangerous than other dog breeds
Although many people are afraid of allegedly aggressive listed dogs and often change sides of the street when they encounter them, studies cannot confirm this prejudice.
According to the study results, supposedly dangerous or potentially dangerous dog breeds do not react more aggressively than other dog breeds.
A dissertation at the Free University of Berlin also shows that – statistically speaking – there is no breed of dog that bites more often than other breeds.
A massive bull terrier is no more dangerous than a cute golden retriever.