Bringing our mixed dog into the UK.

Hi, we are planning a move back to the UK with 3 dogs and two cats. One of our beloved pooches is a Australian cattle dog/beagle mix. On occasion, some have remarked that he appears to have some similarities to a pitbull, though he is neither as stout, tall or as heavy, just some facial features.
We would really love to hear from anyone who has done this with a similar pet. We have already contacted DEFRA and the folks at heathrow with photos and a description. Presently the law states that the animal is assessed purely on its characteristics. Im sure they know what they are doing but again, would appreciate any feedback.
A picture of him can be seen on the link below.

Thanks!

I'm no expert, but I used to own a pitbull, and your dog does not look like a pitbull to me.

Not at all.

We also live in an area of London where the pitbull breed is quite popular, and to me it does not look at all like the pitbulls living in our area.

Cute dog!

I'm almost afraid to ask, but, I gotta do it... I'm just so curious... Is there some sort of 'pitbull travel restriction' law in place for the UK?

Pit bulls are a banned breed.  It's illegal to own them in the UK.

Thanks! Yeah, we don't think he looks like a pit bull either, but since it is illegal to have them in the country and we've been told several times that he looks like a pit mix we were worried. I personally think that most people are really just unfamiliar with what a pit looks like and they see a square headed dog and instantly think "pit". The problem is this assessment is based on sight only and that can be very subjective. And if the british government is anything like the US, they will have the most under qualified person available to make the assessment. 

That dog does not look like a Pit or Pit mix to me. 

Pit bulls are a banned breed in the UK? Really? Wow, I had no idea! Every other dog in my neighbourhood is a pit bill. I guess the 'ban' is not working very well. Ya seriously can't walk 5 feet in Brixton without seeing a pit bull. No joke!

Oh well, I hope the OP has no problems getting that cute puppy a British Passport!

Pit bulls are a banned breed in the UK? Really? Wow, I had no idea! Every other dog in my neighbourhood is a pit bill. I guess the 'ban' is not working very well. Ya seriously can't walk 5 feet in Brixton without seeing a pit bull. No joke!

They're probably staffordshire bull terriers. They're pretty much the British breed equivalent of the pit, but they're not banned. Go figure.

(I have nothing against pits or staffies, and have lived with/near lovely dogs of both breeds, but I do find the inconsistency in the "dangerous dog" breed profiling a bit ridiculous.)

They're probably staffordshire bull terriers. They're pretty much the British breed equivalent of the pit, but they're not banned. Go figure.

(I have nothing against pits or staffies, and have lived with/near lovely dogs of both breeds, but I do find the inconsistency in the "dangerous dog" breed profiling a bit ridiculous.)

Totally. I've known loads of lovely pits and staffies (and loads of completely annoying other breeds). I think this is a case of people writing the laws without actually consulting others who might know something about it.

Every other dog in my neighbourhood is a pit bill. I guess the 'ban' is not working very well. Ya seriously can't walk 5 feet in Brixton without seeing a pit bull. No joke!

You might not be joking, but you are mistaken.

Actually, I am not mistaken. I know the difference between a Pit Bull and a  Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I used to HAVE a Pit Bull in NYC. My cousin, in NYC, has 2 Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

They are different breeds of dog. I do know this. ;-)

So, not that it really matters, but i'm telling you, because it is simply a fact: We truly have BOTH breeds of dog, all over this neighbourhood, in England, where they have supposedly banned Pit Bulls.

But, hey, you don't have to believe me, coz, "I gots no dogs in this fight"!!!!

 

LOL... then if you're not mistaken, you must be exaggerating!

Every other dog in my neighbourhood is a pit bill. I guess the 'ban' is not working very well. Ya seriously can't walk 5 feet in Brixton without seeing a pit bull. No joke!

'Every other dog' is a helluva lot of dogs!
And every '5 feet' is an awfy small distance to travel to be seeing all these pit bulls!

Yeah, I was exaggerating.

Obviously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
(Or, well, at least I assumed it to be a rather *obvious* exaggeration...)

 

When you tell a story and say 'no joke' and 'seriously', people that don't know you might think you are being 'serious' and 'not joking'.

A lot of people from outside the UK don't realise that a Staffy is not the same as a Pit, so it would have been easy for someone to make that mistake... but of course you knew that and it wasn't a mistake.

 I don't think your cute dog looks like any dog on the banned list, so hopefully you will be ok.

Edited to remove personal comments

OP, do you have anything that describes your dog and what mix he is? I definitely agree with everyone else that it looks NOTHING like a pit bull, but you could always ask your US vet to "bill" you or something official with a description on it? That might at least make you feel better, which I think is never to be discounted with all of the stress that such a big move brings!

If you're seeing pitbulls in Brixton then report them as they are a banned breed and will be taken away by the police/council.

For what it's worth, I have never seen a pitbull in London.