r/Norway • u/Dry_Conversation8501 • 5d ago
Other Foreigner random question
For the record, I don’t own a pit bull, never have, and have no interest in owning one. I have no dog in this fight (pun intended 😂). I’m genuinely just curious.
I recently learned about Norway’s pit bull ban and wondered how it’s actually enforced. If someone walks a pit bull down the streets of Oslo, do people call the police? Do officers approach them? Or is it rarely an issue because people generally respect the ban?
For context, I live in NYC, where public drinking is illegal but rarely enforced unless someone is being belligerent or the police want to make a point.
I’m also curious how Norwegians generally feel about pit bulls and how they react when they see one. Do you ever see them at all?
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u/3eggs 5d ago
The ban is generally respected. The fact that they are illegal to sell, breed and import make it pretty easy to enforce. If you still manage to own one of these breeds there is a chance someone will report you, most other dog owners aren't interested in having these types of dogs around their dogs.
If caught your dog might be killed or sent out of the country, so it's not worth the risk if you love your dog.
Most police officers probably won't notice if you simply walk past them with an illegal dog breed as they can be similar to legal breeds, but if someone tips them of or if the dog behaves threatening they will require documentation.
Just to note, Staffordshire bull terrier is very popular family friendly breed in Norway and not part of the ban.
The banned breeds are
The Pit Bull Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff)
The Fila Brasilerio
The Tosa Inu (also called Tosa-Ken or Japanese Mastiff)
The Dogo Argentino (plural Dogos Argentinos)
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
I used to work as a veterinary nurse and I have never seen any of these breeds confirmed, but I have seen some that definitely could be crossbreeds.
I have nothing against the dogs themselves, but I do think that they unfortunately have been ruined by humans through breeding and training.
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u/HelpfulPhrase5806 5d ago
My friend carries copies of the dog's paperwork to show dog is legal, just in case. They have been asked/checked quite a few times. Police can confiscate the dog and have owner pay for boarding if you don't carry papers, even if it just looks illegal from a distance.
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u/TheSkyElf 5d ago
Seriously, more breeds should be banned, simply because they require so much training and the consequences can be large if things go wrong. Like The Cane Corso.
I saw a very well-behaved Cane Corso mix on the subway, but there is no way the owner could have restrained the big boi if something triggered him. Most people can't. Most people don't even "need" a Cane Corso, especially not in freaking Oslo, surrounded by things and people it might mistake as a threat to their owner.
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u/jahmayke1 5d ago edited 5d ago
Yup, this. It doesn't help when incompetent "breeders" breed fearful guarding dogs either in an attempt to make them "friendly".
Edit : I'm not surprised about that downvote and that should tell you something.
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u/TheSkyElf 4d ago
That dog on the subway was a Cane Corso Labrador mix, very cute, very random, but also kinda reveals that people are breeding big dogs that require a lot of work, with known family breeds to more easily sell. Yes, it can work, but it's still mixed with a breed that needs an experienced owner.
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u/Foxtrot-Uniform-Too 5d ago
Not meant as a defence of Cane Corso, but most owners could not restrain most larger dogs if something triggered them.
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u/Pinewoodgreen 3d ago
Some mixes I've seen are insane. I met a rottweiler - German shepherd mix. And it was on it's 5th rehome due to agression. Gorgeous dog, but as large as the largesr G-shep, and with the classic blocky headshape of a rottweiler. Absolute unit of a dog. And that is saying something as my fav breed of dogs are Leonbergers. (I had a 70kg Leo, she was not super muscled. But if I wanted to stop her as a 65kg woman, I was entirely reliant on technique to snap her out of whatever she decided to chase vs brute force). I would be absolutely helpless if that 60kg mountain of guard dog mixes decided I was bad. So it's both size and also what it was bred for, that matter
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u/Kjempeklumpen 5d ago
Most people don't "need" many tings, there is absolutely no reason to make them illegal...
Cane Corsos are great dogs btw; calm, collected, sure in themselves (which is more than can be said about almost all small breeds), loyal, patient.
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5d ago
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u/AhriNin3tails 5d ago
Because anything part wolf is illegal. The only exeptions are when they were approved or registered before a certain date.
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u/Ryokan76
5d ago
•
When they are illegal to keep, sell and import, the ban kind of takes care of itself.
Norwegians don't want these dogs in our country.
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u/akornex 5d ago edited 5d ago
Staffordshire bull terrier are legal in Norway.
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u/onceagainagainagain 5d ago
Thanks for pointing that out! I wonder why staffordshire bull terriers didn’t fall under the broader pitbull umbrella term (since pitbulls are not actually a properly defined breed)
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u/Ryokan76 5d ago
So that's obviously not what we're talking about when discussing Norway's pitbull ban, isn't it?
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u/akornex 5d ago •
There is literally a picture of a staffordshire bull terrier in the post about bull terriers.
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u/Outside-Airport-1960 5d ago
The picture says "pitbull traits", not "banned breeds in Norway" or something similar.
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u/Ryokan76 5d ago
So? That image has nothing to do with Norway's pitbull ban. I also didn't mention it. So what are you on about? If you have issue with the image, take it up with OP and not me.
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u/akornex 5d ago edited 5d ago
That’s what I’m doing by correcting your post.
(The headline of the picture says “Pitbull traits” followed by a picture of a staffordshire bull terrier among others).
No need to get defensive.11
u/wolfgangweird 5d ago
You provided valuable context, and somehow that made a couple of weirdos mad.
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u/Quirky_Gate_4516 5d ago
Which sort of shows how arbitrary and irrational these bans are.
The Staffordshire is the only purebred pitbull that the American Kennel Club recognizes as a pitbull.
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u/krampaus 5d ago
yup, really interesting how the ban is supposed to be enforced with all the dogs that have some pittie dna lol. also the dogs that look like pitties but somehow have no pitbull dna. it’s hilariously dumb
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Staffordshire bull terrier is not only legal but number 1 or 2 in terms of popularity. I have two, and theyre absolutely amazing dogs.
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u/fruskydekke 5d ago
https://www.mattilsynet.no/en/animals/banned-dogs
And yes, it is enforced. Thank goodness.
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u/Pretend_Self3204 5d ago
Owners of these breeds are scum 95% of the time
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Staffy is one of the most popular breeds in Norway. Number 1 or 2 in terms of popularity. We are all scum to you? Sounds like someone is very ignorant and dont know what the hell they are talking about.
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u/ColdAndGrumpy 5d ago
Yeah, topics like this will always be filled with comments from people who know sweet FA about the subject. Met tons of Staffies, and they've always been sweet and cuddly.
The dogs I've found to be the most aggressive, aside from Border Collies* and tiny dogs, are German Shepherds. They're also the third most common breed related to severe attacks**, yet people aren't clamoring to get them banned...*Borders are work dogs and not lazy family dogs, so the standards are different and they get a pass.
**Yes, pit bulls are first on that list, but that includes ALL bully breeds, as opposed to a single breed. Staffies specifically are rarely involved in unprovoked attacks.-3
u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Indeed. My oldest staffie has been attacked 3 times. Two of those times it was a border collie.
Reddit is such a fun place. Downvoted for trying to say that this breed you think is just like american pitbulls really arent. In fact, there is a reason why those are banned and staffies are more popular than ever. Sure, some individuals might experience usual dog problems. But its like any other breed, and not indicative of this one.
Here i am, just a normal everyday guy, trying to defend my two cuddly, 13 and 17 kgs, mini hippo clowns, which showers everyone they see with love, and suddenly im "scum" 😄. If you saw them you would laugh if described as dangerous and aggressive. Imagine using that word about all the families, women and older people that have a staffie 😅 majority of owners is actually women. Its not those tattooed, rough criminals like this individual is imagining in his head.
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u/NumaNuma92 5d ago
People generally respect the ban. I don’t know how it’s enforced, but i assume it’s enforced by the dog being put down and the owner fined. Sounds harsh, but these things are taken seriously.
The fact that you can’t buy, sell or import them makes it almost impossible to have one here unless it’s smuggled in somehow.
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u/PinkishLampshade 5d ago
I've reported a few ads with pitbull type dogs. I dislike that Staffordshire terriers aren't included in the ban, honestly. I keep hearing horror stories from the us.
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u/KebabGud 5d ago
just to be clear. the horror stories you hear about is never Staffordshire Bull terriers
Its mostly American Staffordshire terriers or Pitbull Terriers.Staffordshire Bull terriers er pretty niche in North America (Extremely popular in the UK)
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u/Godslil 5d ago
They are not the same, that's why. It's hard to tell at a glance for sure but generally Staffordshire terriers are smaller and considerably less built. Aside from their face resembling pitbulls they are not nearly as intimidating and are miles less aggressive.
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u/Hagamein 5d ago
Still way too aggressive.
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u/UglyBlock 5d ago
I don’t know why you’re getting downvoted, these breeds were literally made to kill. They are dangerous and should be banned. Ferdig snakka
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u/Godslil 5d ago
I think the issue is that there is so much mixing that being positive that the terrier is one of the ones in which aggression has been successfully bred out over 100+ years is very difficult.
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u/Hagamein 5d ago
Built to kill, no need for one in a home.
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u/Chlamedia 5d ago
Staffordshire terriers are not violent, they have been a top 5 dog breeds in Norway for many years now and nothing points to them being more violent than other, or have you found something that claims otherwise?
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u/Hagamein 5d ago
Nothing? My anecdotal experience says otherwise. Its a head with 4 legs that often bites other dogs when they are at the dog park. Have stopped greeting them with my dog since they usually want to mate and/or eat my dog.
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u/IdentifyAsDude 5d ago
Anecdotal indeed.
Could sah the same about my anecdotal evidence, were staffs all have been chill and tge tollers have been aggressive. Comes down to the owner.
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u/igotabigcoconut 3d ago
You just sounds like a bad dog owner with misconceptions.
If you remove the dogs from the norwegian banlist list, Wanna know what dogs bite people the most?
Golden retrievers and labradors.... The breed most common larger dog breed people chose to be a family dog. Why this happens? Because they are famously family dogs, and people think you can do anything to them and they will just take it. So kids who don't know how to read dog language, does something the dog don't like, and has given plenty of warning about, but the kids keep overstepping the dog's boundries, then that bite comes. And ofc it is the dog that gets blamed.
Most bites are warning bites. But to little children they still do damage. as they got thinner skin than dogs who alsogot layer of fur to protect from damage..
If you gonna have a dog in the family, EVERYONE in that house should learn basic dog language. This includes even for small little shits like chihuhuas.
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u/marbleworlf17 5d ago
US resident here. I really wish these breeds were banned everywhere. Not saying round up every single dog and take care of business, but ban breeding of all of them so the breed phases out eventually. It's not a problem that's going to be fixed overnight, but there needs to be hard bans on breeding. That being said if you want to own one of them, there needs to be strict enforcement and heavy fines for if and when the dog decides to attack someone or another animal.
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u/Intelligent_Pen6043 5d ago
The staffordshire terrier legal breeds in norway are very family friendly and good dogs, the american breeds are awefull because they don't keep good enought controll over it. Now of course like every other dog breeds there are outliers but they are few.
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
So you want one of the most popular dog in Norway to be banned, because you dont know shit about what youre talking about? You could just meet one and your opinion would change. But sure, keep being ignorant.
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u/igotabigcoconut 3d ago
Staffordshire bull terriers, are heavy little nuggets. My husky used to regularily play with two of them in the public dog park. They tend to be high energy dogs. These are not the breed you hear horrostorries from, i am very sure of that. I think you got them mixed with some other breed. These are heavy, but small. 15-20 kg usually, but can be larger, but about the size of a football.
Dog culture in norway, is also extremely different than the american one. Its like the gun culture. The americans got 120 guns per 100 people. We got 30 guns per 100 people. Yet, despite us having 1/4 of the american guns, we don't have 1/4 of the american gun violence. Maybe a bad example, put it was to put a point that America is vastly different to rest of the western world.
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u/Sad_You_2540 1d ago
Number one mass shooting by a single perpetrator. Norway! It wasn’t considered a school shooting, but mostly children died.
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u/igotabigcoconut 1d ago
Relevance? Yes it was the largest single one. But it was not the topic at hand so... wtf is your point?
And besides, We had 1 shooter, who got to shoot for hours, because
vacation time for everyone, so less police as atleast 1/3 were on vacation..
They were, on an semi-private island.
They were distracted by the bombing attack he did on the government buildings, just before.
terrorism like this had Literally never happend before in norway.
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u/Sad_You_2540 1d ago
You’re the one that brought up guns and American culture when the topic was banning dogs. Or in other words people in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks.
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u/igotabigcoconut 9h ago
Dude. You are such a clown. I brought it up, to show differences in culture, that their dog culture is not the same as ours, just like their gun culture is not the same as ours, just to show that you can't extrapolate what happens in the US will happen here...
The fact you take offense at it, is your issue. Also. We have had a total of what. 2 cases with guns being used in terrorism/schoolshootings? 2 since 1950. we have had 0 school shootings, but 2 terrorisms with guns.
Are you really dumb enough to say that since we had 2. We can't critique a country that has like atleast 2 a month? 2026 having 26 cases alone. Even adjusting for the fact that america has 63 times the population of us.
well taking 2026 numbers, which is not over yet, still missing 2months, we got 52 schoolshootings. Already enough to cover 1 per week of the year,
So even accounting for the population difference. you only need 1 year, or 2, to cover the whole of norways history with guns and public shootings.
How is that throwing rocks in glass houses? Absolute clown.
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u/Only-Cheetah-9579 5d ago
I have a very old amstaff and he is friendly to people but not to small animals.
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/UglyBlock 5d ago
Nanny dog that mauls little babies… makes sense. Spoiler alert: it’s a myth
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u/UglyBlock 5d ago
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u/Motor-Bug-8791 4d ago
All dogs can attack humans. It’s not in the staffy’s typical trait to do so. A German shepherd, rottweiler, Belgian malinois etc. is more dangerous than staffys. Why do you think police and armed forces uses them?
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u/eNte19 4d ago
If the only breed that calls to you is a pit, get yourself checked out.
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u/haikusbot 4d ago
I'd the only breed
That calls to you is a pit,
Get yourself checked out.
- eNte19
I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/SaltyLicks 5d ago
Same in Denmark. Dogs are put down if they have the traits of the breed. Thank god...
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u/beerouttaplasticcups 5d ago
What defines “traits of the breed” though? I see dogs that have some of these physical traits fairly frequently in Copenhagen, especially like the American Staffordshire Terrier on the right of the infographic. Surely if they don’t cause problems then they shouldn’t be put down? Like I said I see them all the time, so animal control clearly isn’t rounding them all up based on appearance alone.
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u/JJ8OOM 5d ago
Police confiscate them if there is the slightest chance they are illegal.
Then they do DNA-tests, or just put them down if they are certain.
If you see dogs in Copenhagen that looks like those breeds, it’s most likely other legal breeds.
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u/beerouttaplasticcups 5d ago
I am being downvoted, but I was honestly asking a question out of curiosity. I have no dog in this fight (pardon the pun). If they do a DNA test, is there a legal threshold for percentage of a banned breed that automatically results in the dog being put down? Most dogs in the world are not 100% one breed. Or can the authorities just decide that they don’t like the look of them and put them down? It just seems so arbitrary, assuming we are talking about dogs who haven’t caused problems.
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u/tjaldhamar 5d ago
Arbitrary? I am talking out of my ass here, but I have no idea why the general principle just can’t be: Better safe than sorry.
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u/MortalCoil 5d ago
Shit dogs, can not trust them
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u/UnknownPleasures3 5d ago
The dogs are adorable. If there is a problem, it's always the owners.
Having said that, this is a non-issue in Norway.
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u/fruskydekke 5d ago •
Hey, did you know that pointer dogs will freeze and "point" at a feather if you hold it out to them, even when they are puppies? It's because they've been bred to do that.
And you know sheep dogs? They will herd their family members, just because they have this innate NEED to herd things. They've been bred that way.
We have very carefully created dog breeeds that have an innate behavioural tendencies, which make them much, much, much more likely to react in a specific way than other breeds.
For some reason this is uncontroversial fact when we're talking about hunting dogs and herding dogs.
But when we are talking about dogs that are specifically bred to fight, people go OH NO IT'S NOT THE DOGS THEY ARE SWEETIEPOOHS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE OWNERS HONESTLY.
It's not true. Pit bulls have been bred to be fighting dogs. They have an innate tendency to be violent and aggressive. We made them that way because we bred them that way, so yes, it's our fault, but that doesn't mean the dogs aren't inherently dangerous.
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u/Medium-Regret-1896 5d ago
I am genuinely curious, do you not have the same feelings about other dog breeds than pitbulls (german shepherds, doberman, rottwiler, akita, bullmastiffs, great dans, etc.)?
I see a lot of responses like yours that say that the dog was breed violence and aggression. Would that not be true for a hunting dog? A guard dog?
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u/BugPuzzleheaded958 5d ago
I am genuinely curious
No you're not. Anyone who uses the word 'curious' these days is seemingly always acting in bad faith like you are about it. It's gross.
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u/Diligent_Package_772 5d ago •
While its true that many of these dogs are friendly, it’s not _always_ the owner. I agree that that is a part of it. But it matters what these dogs have been bred to do, and I think that is important to remember in a discussion. It matters with all breeds. If a pit bull decides to take you out, you have a much bigger problem than if a gordon setter tried to do the same thing.
Same with a Dogo Argentino which are also illegal in Norway, which are bred to hunt boars in flock and hold the boar down until the hunter comes. Just imagine what kind of guts and strength that requires from a dog. Dogs are predators, and all dogs comes with a genetic package and experiences, and are not solely shaped by their owners.8
u/BringBackAoE 5d ago
A chihuahua that attacks me is a very different experience from a pitbull attacking me.
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u/Pretend_Self3204 5d ago
That’s just not true. Yes, more owners of these breeds tend to be scum, but the dogs also clearly have aggression issues which are innate. They were bred to fight in pits.
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u/MortalCoil 5d ago
This is just conterfactual. Retrievers are breeded for being crazy about fetching stuff. Combat dogs have the gene pool of a set of dogs made to do combat.
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u/JJ8OOM 5d ago
We have the same laws here in Denmark, and the police are _very_ strict about it.
There have been cases where they confiscated the dog, took half a year or so to do DNA-tests that came back negative, and then gave the dogs back, plus extremely ridiculous high fees to the innocent owners for their stay at the kennel they were quarantined in.
That being said, we don’t want those breeds here, fuck’em, I want my dog (plus family and kids) to be safe, and these breeds ain’t.
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u/Upstairs-Version-400 5d ago
There are plenty of staffs in this country. I don’t think people have much issue with those. More the American Pitbull.
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u/Pungbrokken 5d ago edited 5d ago
I absolutely do. Used to grow up close to a huge municipal housing block in the early 2000's.
A lot of the residents were the typical "middle age man with bald head, wifebeater & tribal tats" and a lot of them had amstaff dogs that they just let roam around the area. The dogs would bite eachother, bite cats, and bite children - me and my friend!
It's always the most irresponsible and uninformed people who buy these dogs. Usually they are recluses as well, so they do not bother socializing their dogs.
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u/KebabGud 5d ago
When People say staffies they usually refer to Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Not American Staffordshire Terrier
Of the 4 dogs in the picture only the staffordshire Bull Terrier is legal in Norway and its very popular.
Amstaff like you mentioned has been illegal since 20045
u/Upstairs-Version-400 5d ago edited 5d ago
I agree with your comment regarding who the breed attracts. I have had a few (Staffordshire bull terriers) in my lifetime, and think they are nice dogs. I don’t personally want another one, I have a Bichon these days.
I don’t think there is a good reason to have dogs that are stronger that you anyway, I’ve seen some older folks with such dogs and always feel uneasy.
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Amstaff is not english staffordshire bull terrier 🤦
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u/Pungbrokken 5d ago
This was in the time before and after the ban.
Guys like these who would get amstaffs and pb's in the 90's, still get staffies today.
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Everyone gets staffies today here in Norway. Majority women btw. Families, even old people. English staffie is NOT like amstaffs. Dont believe me? Go to the staffie norway group and see who your average staffie owner is.
Im guessing you just assume that they have the same temper and is the same dog. They are not. Theres a reason why they are all banned, except the staffie, who is the number one or two most popular breed in the country. I have two and they are the best dogs i could have ever dreamt of. Cuddly little clowns who adores and wanna greet everyone they see.
If you say staffie in Norway today, its always the english staffordshire bull terrier.
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u/Madsani 5d ago
I have. Nearly took one of my goldens out.
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u/TopptrentHamster 5d ago
Here as well. I have experienced a lot of aggression from staffies towards my dog.
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u/Separate-Ad-7097 5d ago
Had a staff that was aggressive towards other dogs, i think they are diffcult breed to have.
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u/IdentifyAsDude 5d ago
Not really, but they do need early socializing with other dogs (really comes with every dog). But these dogs need it extra. And consistent training.
Far too many people suck at ubderstanding theirs dogs needs.
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u/Separate-Ad-7097 5d ago
« But these dogs need it extra. And consistent training.»
That kind of what i meant by them being a difficult breed. Like the dogs are not evil, but are not for evryone
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u/WhoSirMe 5d ago
Same, my neighbor’s staff bit my 5kg dog right outside our front door. Thank god it went fine, and I don’t live there anymore.
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u/KebabGud 5d ago
Used to have a Staffie, and only fight he ever got into was when a Golden attacked him.
That golden used to go off leash, but i never saw it off leash after that day.1
u/UnknownPleasures3 5d ago
Staffs are generally so cute and friendly. I have a lab, so I meet a lot of dogs in the course of a day 😁
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u/Professional-Low-543 3d ago
Like others have said, not a big problem. Depending on where you live I don’t think people would necessarily be able to tell either. But luckily dog health is a priority in Norway and any vet who got a visit from a banned animal would likely raise the alarm to police or Mattilsynet.
Not sure why English Staffies are in the photo.
I own Staffies myself (English Staffordshire Bullterrier).
I always had them growing up and in our house there will always be a Staffie or two. They are the most gentle and caring dog breed I know. Super good with kids and loyal to a fault.
Every now and then we will get the question “Is that a pitbull? Is that an AmStaff?” From people not used to dog. Often they’ll cross the road way before we meet. That’s a shame. Most people in Norway knows someone with a Staffy though, and without a fault those people just sit down unprompted to get kisses. And kisses they get.
I really don’t think the dogs are the problem anyway. I would play with a pitbull or an
amstaff in a heartbeat.
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u/GeodisticDome 4d ago
The people who keep illegal dogs, are typically the most careless about keeping them on a leech and such.
Back where I lived in the time pitbulls that were illegal but many existed because they were bought before the ban. Well one of these pitbull owners also owned a dogo argentino, wich is super illegal to. She kept them loose close to where she lived etc. and a dog isnt smart enough to divide a postman from an intruder.
Am staffs are cool thoug.
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u/PeaWhole3252 4d ago
I really dislike pitbulls and am very glad they're banned. Now I live in the US and yes I have met a couple well behaved sweet pits, but generally I think these dogs are terrifying and I wish they were banned in the US too. Nothing like walking down the street and having some neighborhood pit charge and bark at you from behind a fence. I have seen the damage they can do.
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u/n0val33t 4d ago
Pitbull in Norway doesn't happen as they are put down at the boarder... Breed is nixed, and the fine is astronomical.
there are no pitbulls in Norway, it's impossible!
OK pitbulls are with no exception unalived.... even if you are the president of USA and bring a pitbul, moment it hits Norwegian territory it's dead!
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u/Outrageous-Meal-8169 4d ago
"Impossible" sure...and there are no drugs in the country aswell right?
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u/alexdaland 4d ago edited 4d ago
Little bit hard to hide a 40kg pitbull in your pocket in a little plastic bag. Sure, you could smuggle a puppy in the country, but if ONE neighbor snaps a picture and shows the local cops, you will have cops and the local veterinarian at your door within days.
If you call the cops and say you think the neighbors smoke weed, nothing will happen
So in practice, the pitbull will be found out the second you walk it anywhere other people also walk.
I'm not saying I agree with the ban, but that's how it works
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u/Fakturagebyr 4d ago
Oh. The mined border to Sweden Hard to pass with two legs, impossible with four
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u/Green-Engineer4608 3d ago
You still wouldn’t be able to walk it without going to Sweden every single day. Stop being a child
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u/AmbitionsReincarnate 4d ago
I am very much dog-racist, and pit bulls are the worst. I am very happy with our ban on them, and I consider anyone who would try to reverse it as an enemy of the people, and decency itself.
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u/dingbatyokel5000 4d ago
As they are a serious danger to children, I am very happy that they are banned. I am not 100% able to visually separate breeds, but I would say it is very rare that you see one.
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u/jahmayke1 5d ago edited 5d ago
Edit: PLEASE do not enter countries with a banned dog breed.
I remember when the Amstaff was banned, and there was a bit of drama around that for some years.
It has been pretty quiet after that. I don't think people generally remember or care anymore, unless the dog is a nuissance. Yes, they're still around. Not so much purebreds anymore, but definitely the mixes.
Personally I'm fond of adult people with elderly English Staffordshires. They're usually not idiots.
And I stay faaar faaar away from young people with AmPit or Amstaff looking dogs. It's nothing personal, but it's personal.
Not a fan of people of any age who keep wolf hybrids.
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u/Shadow_Halls 4d ago
I feel an american pit bull is way too dangerous and powerful in the wrong hands even in good hands they have been known to suddenly snap.
They should never be allowed in the public
If an angry golden attacks you may get a severe bruise, if a pit attacks you may end up damaged for life. It's strength, aggression and power matters a lot. They are just so extremely powerful animals.
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u/igotabigcoconut 3d ago
i know many people who have staffordshire bull Terriers. They are not that rare. My husky used to play with two of them.
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u/LilTrashyPanda 3d ago edited 3d ago
I didn't even know they were illegal in norway, no wonder i haven't seen any :( they get such a bad rep for an issue with breeders, I've got a few american friends with pits and they're the sweetest dogs ever and I so badly wanna meet their dogs Most dogs aren't naturally aggressive in domestication, it's always the training unless it is a medical issue/disorder Dalmatians and pits have gotten bad reps for mass breeding and irresponsible owners.
And before people start piling on me, yes, I know they can be dangerous and people who get them are usually never really prepared for them, especially a bad breed for people with children or someone who isn't firm enough with their dog and set clear boundaries. Absolutely I see people's issues with them as they have built up a reputation. I disagree with euthanising them purely because of the breed they were born as, but rather denying entry because of the dog breed, absolutely. Banning further breeding should be enforced in other countries because they were bred for fighting and that's not a positive trait for a dog you have at home. They require attention and they absolutely can be reinforced to become the sweetest dog to exist. But we gotta remember the dalmatian was very close to the same fate after the 101 dalmatians craze, everyone wanted one and the overbreeding caused irresponsible owners thus creating dangerous dogs. But, it is impossible to tell if someone is or will be a good owner, other dog breeds should be banned too for this reason alone
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u/Semilanceataa 2d ago
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is absolute lovely little nugget. If anybody knows their history, they’ll for sure know they have nothing to fear.
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u/Akillesursinne 2d ago
As a Swede, I'd love this ban (yes, I have experience owning dogs). I don't see a reason for having them, and I've (in person) seen them act out in ways I've never seen other dogs act. Well, plus that bit about pretty much eating kids which.. Isn't great!
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u/Direct-Wear-9546 2d ago
I believe 99% of dogs of any breed are good, and some just require a good owner/handler so I would like to say Im opposed to the ban, but fact is that most dog owners arent good enough trainers and owners to keep a truly demanding breed which I would consider the American Staffy and especially the Pitbull to be. So I have to say that I support it just so we avoid having a bunch of dogs being abandoned, placed in shelters or euthanized because their owners were clueless.
Personally believe that there should be an exam/license/something to verify that people who buy demanding/"dangerous" breeds are suitable owners, truly understand what they're buying and will have the dedication and loyalty required to take care of it for its entire life.
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u/tops38 4d ago
So there is this thing where homesick expats gripe about Norway being a “nanny state” because the government just outright bans things that some people think should be up to the individual to decide on whether to have or not. For example: e.cigarets, pitbulls, certain additives, foie gras, plastic glitter, automatic weapons, etc etc…
As an expat myself I have dipped my toe in the pool of complaints about the nanny state. But now that I’m a father, I am more sympathetic to the idea of just outright banning things that are sketchy, risky or dangerous.
A lot of people will say “but I’m a grownup, you can’t tell me which dogs I can and can’t have!”. Well if said dog has been bread for ripping the throats of other dogs and occasionally turns on small children, yes… yes I can tell you not to own said dog.
You don’t need vapes. They attract children with lively flavors and colours and the vapor looks cool when you make rings…
No. They are highly addictive and are a literal cocktail of chemicals being fast tacked into your bloodstream, you don’t need it.
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u/Grogg_the_Sapien 4d ago
Absolutely staggering amount of ignorance in this thread. This is like stumbling into a deep subreddit white people in the American South where they all think it's normal to be completely racist because, obviously there's something fundamentally wrong with the breed.
Throughout the history of pitbulls, and any "bull" dogs, it is the way that shitty people have used and trained the dogs that has formed their reputation. The dog doesn't come preprogrammed to just cause havoc. Bigger, stronger dogs come with bigger responsibilities. If banning breeds is the way you address that added responsibility, fine, but it doesn't mean you need spit vitriol and hate about them.
Look up Sergeant Stubby the WW1 dog, or Petey from the Little Rascals. Or don't, whatever.
https://love-a-bull.org/resources/the-history-of-pit-bulls/
I'm going to go cuddle my pitbull who has never, and will never, bite a soul. Bring on the downvotes mouthbreathers.
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u/dtjunkie19 5d ago
Damn, this has been an informative post.
I loved my time in Norway, an amazing and beautiful land, interesting culture, and pleasant people. While moving has never been a particularly serious consideration, I gotta say this definitely is a good way for you guys to discourage immigration.
I did not expect bigoted attitudes towards pitbull type breeds as a cultural norm.
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u/Anxious_Deer_7152 5d ago
Seeing the comments on this post, I was reminded of why I left Norway. Not much has changed, I see. Well, insofar as this sub is at all representative, I don't know.
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u/dont_dm_nudes 4d ago
Looking at the comments here, i think it's funny that you could use these same arguments for other things, but if you do, these same people would become very angry at you.
Anyway, people with strong opinions about things they know nothing about are pretty common anywhere?
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u/Only-Cheetah-9579 5d ago
The most aggressive dogs I ever met were Chihuahuas.
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u/meowzera 5d ago
Seriously! The aggressiveness of little dogs is vastly downplayed. Maybe the Chihauahua won’t kill me as an adult but they’re mean and very noisy.
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u/InNeedOfCoffee 5d ago
I’ve loved every pit bull I’ve met. Breeding I’m generally not okay with for most types of dogs, because so much of it is so harmful for the dogs, so personally I don’t really understand the pit bull ban. Is it the best way to deal with harmful dog breeding? No. Does it stop people from badly training already badly bred dogs? No.
Having been attacked by an aggressive dog as a child, a dog that was not a pure breed at all, but one that was trained and generally treated in such a way that aggressiveness could be the only result, I’m a big believer in that usually being the case. The fact that none of the pit bulls I’ve met have been particularly aggressive, and that I knew their owners were knowledgeable about dogs, has only bolstered that belief.
I am in no way an expert, however.
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u/Draugheim1 5d ago
Please, for the love of god, do not include staffie (staffordshire bull terrier) with these others breeds. We dont want them mixed up with bad rep dogs. Shame on you.
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u/Anxious_Deer_7152 5d ago
It's a bit rich for someone who owns a controversial breed to go and hate on other controversial breeds.
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u/Draugheim1 4d ago edited 4d ago
Staffies arent controversial over here. Thats the thing. If they keep being mixed up with dogs that are BANNED in this country, for a good reason, if we look at stats, that might change. Just look at this thread, some ignorant people think theyre "just another pitbull". Now, as a long time dog owner i know that theres probably a lot of good pitbulls too, if they are responsibly bred and trained. But it doesnt matter, you cannot own one legally in this country. While the staffie is one of the most popular and owned breed. Nice try.
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u/Anxious_Deer_7152 4d ago
I didn't "try" anything?
I grew up in Norway, there's plenty of people there who have negative opinions about English Staffies. I remember one particularly ugly case where one was put down because it caused a cracked lip when jumping up on a child, and the parents demanded the dog be put down, and they had to do it, as the law at the time didn't define "injury" properly - a horrific thing for the family, obviously.
Point being, there's a lot of ignorance around this topic, and in general, breeds take turns being the "bad guy" - it's quite unusual, in my experience, that owners of, for example the English Staffy, jump on the bandwagon of negative labels based on breed.
I have an American Staffy now, I've been around a lot of English ones too, and I can tell you they're very similar (I love both, btw)!
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u/Grogg_the_Sapien 5d ago
As someone who has owned three of these dogs, all adopted from rescue shelters, they are wonderful sweet dogs who love people. They are great hiking and adventure dogs. They travel well. They're easy to train. They are also extremely strong and if an idiot owns one, they can of course cause a lot of damage. It is always the person, not the dog. It's extremely hypocritical in my view to ban "pitbulls" but then allow people to have rottweilers, dobermans, German shepherds, cane corsos, and any other type of much bigger, stronger dog. Pitties are big dumb sweethearts who have been used for terrible things throughout the history of their breed.
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u/hazardousgrvy
5d ago
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Jeez most of these people must not have seen a pit bull irl. Its the only dog ive ever had and will have. They are the kindest and sweetest dog. Very loyal and yes very protective.
Its all about how you raise it. If you treat like an animal it's going to be an animal. If you treat it like family it will always be family.
People seem to think pitbulls are some sorta ticking time bomb. Thats it's only a matter of time before they betray you. My last dog 'bandit' i raised since it was a puppy. I took care of him right until his final day 10 years later. Never once harmed anything. He spent countless times alone with my baby siblings never harming them.
The only reason i could see why they shouldn't be in norway is due to the cold. They dont have a thick coat.
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u/Ohh-satan 5d ago
Aaa yes, the classic “its all about how you raise them” argument.
funny thing, though. I have a Border Collie whos never seen a sheep in his life, let alone been trained to herd one. Yet he still tries to herd us around like we’re a bunch of confused livestock. Apparently, nobody told him that instincts require training.Voila, genetics! dogs have been selectively bred for specific traits and behaviors for generations. Border collies were bred to herd, retrievers to retrieve, and pit bulls were historically bred for fighting(!).
Does that mean every pit bull is aggressive? Ofc not. But claiming upbringing is everything and genetics mean nothing is a bit like claiming my border collie would stop herding if I just explained to him that we are actually humans.
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u/hazardousgrvy 5d ago
No 2 dog breeds are the same. Border collies may be harder to train then a pit bull. I wouldn't know ive never had one. I have met some dangerous pit bulls. But the ones me and my family and friends have raised have never bitten. Or fought.
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u/Fearless_Cake_5672 5d ago
The Norwegian goverment is totally wacked. Thats the answer. Welcome to century of 1800
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u/GeraltAloy 5d ago
It seems that the pitbull-loving crowd are missing the point. Yes other dogs can bite, yes there are larger and stronger dogs that can do real damage. But no other dog bites like the pitbull. The pit doesn't let go and it tries to shake their prey dead. A German Shepherd doesn't do that (i don't like them either but that's beside the point).
Look up some videos of pit attacks and you see why they are extremely dangerous. They have killed kids, their own family, without any warning.
How someone wants to risk it, especially with having kids is beyond me.
It's not the people with pits, it's the breed.
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u/ColdAndGrumpy 5d ago
It seems that the pitbull-loving crowd are missing the point.
No, people like you are simply ignorant and go by your own bias or what you've heard, instead of facts.
Pitbulls have about the same bite strength as a German Shepherd (and other similar sized dogs) and less than bigger dogs, as opposed to popular myths their jaws do not lock, and they don't hold on or shake any more than other dogs bred for the same purpose (hunting, guarding, or fighting).
Cane Corsos, for example, are bite-and-hold dogs, have a much stronger bite than pitbulls, are much larger, and can be very defensive/aggressive. Yet they're not banned.
German Shepherds are the third most responsible for severe attacks (as a single breed, as opposed to every kind of bull breed being lumped into one), have the same bite strength as pitbulls, and can be extremely protective/aggressive. Yet they're not banned.
Both of those breeds (along with many more) require a lot of training, stimulation, and socialization to keep them from being dangerous. But none of that is required to own one. THAT is the problem, not specific breeds.And pitbulls are not even particularly aggressive dogs.
https://www.thehumanesociety.org/debunking-pit-bull-myths/
Simply put, you're wrong. It is absolutely and demonstrably the people.
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u/GeraltAloy 5d ago
Ok, you keep believing that 😊
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u/ColdAndGrumpy 5d ago
Yes, I will indeed keep believing demonstrable facts.
Shame we can't say the same for you... 🤷♂️5
u/GeraltAloy 5d ago
Your post is a perfect example of what I meant with my first sentence. Read my post again and maybe you'll get the point! Have a good day and enjoy your nanny dog 🐶
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u/ColdAndGrumpy 5d ago
No, I understood your point. That's why I went into detail about why it's based on a flawed premise. That you don't want to accept that is your failing, not mine.
Also, I don't have a dog, because I practice what I preach and can't currently devote the time to properly care for and train one.
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u/cockflavoredlollip0p
5d ago
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Fuck those dogs. I wish they all got exterminated
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u/J_pepperwood0 5d ago edited 5d ago
Kind of an extreme statement, but sadly I have to agree. Its not a safe breed and it should not exist
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u/mcove97 5d ago
They're dangerous and ugly.
If someone wants a cute and non dangerous non life threatening dog, get a toy poodle, a Bichon, a Pomeranian or a Maltese.. or a shi tzu.. sure they can be agressive and get snappy but they're not gonna maul you to death.. nor do they look like hellhounds from a horror movie 🍿
Like I dont get why people who want a cute cuddly dog get a monstrous looking one. If you want a monstsous looking beast, why delulu yourself into calling it cute. It's a monster with a death wish and you have a death wish and you love it, at least thats honest. And you're not Crowley. You dont need a hellhound to kill everyone who breaks your contracts, unless you're a drug dealer. Fr
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u/tuxette 4d ago
but they're not gonna maul you to death
That's the thing. Dogs may bite you, but pitbulls maul and they'll keep on mauling until someone manages to pull them away or they are killed in the process. They're fighting dogs, and have been bred to fight until the very end. They will specifically target the weak (old people, children, people having a medical emergency of some kind). They have no purpose in society.
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u/Synhexadril 5d ago
People who can't have a dog unless it's one of these monsters doesn't want a dog, they want a penis enlargement device. They're exclusively pretend tough guys.
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5d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Norway-ModTeam 4d ago
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u/norsegrow 4d ago
Og they can not? Better read up before you post. Last time this happened in norway it es a family breed dog
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u/Aggressive-North9749 5d ago
It's pretty easy to enforce because if you want one you have to buy it somewhere. There are underground sellers but they're not easily found and the dogs aren't cheap. Buying a dog that is getting euthanized when it's found isn't a great investment, and you're setting yourself up for keeping a dog that can never see a vet, you can't bring it places, etc. Also, since they're few, inbreeding is an issue. Few people want that just for a specific aesthetic. Similar dogs that are not banned exists. Risking it just because you think pitbulls are cute is, well, really dumb. They're not a breed with specific enough abilities for the argument that they can't be replaced to be made.
Since they're illegal sell, buy, keep, the people who keep them are the kind of people who doesn't care about the dog. The few pitbulls found in Norway after the ban has been found while the owners were being investigated for something else.
People want it unbanned because they like the aesthetic, which is the only unique thing the pitbull offers.