Re: Staffies

I love all dogs and would not wish any harm to any of them, including the dangerous breed dogs....but do I avoid certain ones like the plague? You bet I do. Here Staffies come under the "potentially dangerous breed" and must be muzzled and on a lead at all times when out in public, not that it stops the "know it alls" from not obeying the law of course, until they are either reported to the police or stopped by the police and given hefty fines.
I know people who have had, or still have Staffies and sing their praises highly, but if by some terrible misfortune one does turn on someone or another dog then it is almost impossible to get the dog off. No I would never entertain having one as a family pet any more than I would entertain having one of the dangerous breeds.

Re: Staffies

A friend of mine was/is an international obedience judge. They also ran a large boarding/training kennels for many years , so I would consider her quite a font of knowledge on dog behaviour. She always used to say that the Staffies who passed through her kennels were usually good with people, but b*****ds with other dogs!

The responsibility of walking a dog that was a potential liability around other animals would worry me and inevitably take away the pleasure of the walk. I feel it unlikely that I could be 100% vigilant 100% of the time, and prefer to relax.
If I spotted a friend out with her dog, not to be able to stop or have a chat if mine was likely to launch at hers would be a ridiculous situation. I like a dog I can relax with and am proud to take anywhere.
That is only my personal opinion, and its a good job we don't all like the same breed, or there would be even more without homes.

Re: Staffies

I'm curious - which law are you referring to that says staffies should be muzzled and on a lead at all times? I've owned staffies for 20 years but never come across such a law.

Any dog is potentially dangerous. There is nothing wrong with people owning a dangerous dog (I've known dangerous JRTs and Labradors) there is something very wrong with owning a dangerous dog and not keeping it under control.

I think I probably already know the answer but you don't take the word of the Kennel Club either? i.e in terms of staffies being very good with children.

Re: Staffies

I think your friend is partly right. I think staffies need extremely dedicated socialisation as puppies. My last staffie was absolutely fine around other dogs, we had her from 4months old. Our current one had gone into rescue kennels when he was a year old (so obviously not had a good home prior to that), spent 9 months in very noisy kennels and came to us at about 18 months old. I don't trust him with other dogs - all contact with other dogs is strictly forbidden. We are very lucky in that we live in a fairly remote rural area so it's not an issue.

You are right though it's not an easy job, my conversations with friends that also have dogs with them consist of shouting across a 100 yard space!

We chose him because if we didn't nobody would and I don't regret that decision but as I get older I realise I won't be able to indulge that sentimentality again and will probably end up getting a JRT - gorgeous.

Re: Staffies

That's it isn't it, we had dogs no one else would take too (mostly terriers or terrier crosses) and whilst I loved them all and they were all pretty perfect at home walks were fraught with difficulties. We decided we were too old to do it again and have gone for more friendly dogs and started with puppies so we can socialise them properly too.
The biggest problem with staffies and I include Airdales in this too, is they are big terriers and in my experience of terriers they are lovely softies at home with their own families and demons with other dogs.

Re: Staffies

I guess at the end of the day we don't all have to love each other's dogs. I just think staffies have a bad reputation and I've come to the conclusion that sometimes it's of their own doing i.e genetics, often it is down to bad handling/socialisation and overwhelmingly they really do get a bad press. Years ago it was Alsatians, then Dobermans and Rottweillers and at the moment it seems to be staffies.

Here is a group of people that haven't been influenced.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/449...ial-dog-of-war

Re: Staffies

That's true but I think many of us judge by experience not just media led, as I said earlier I have not met many nice ones and I am not breedist I think because their are several other breeds I am just as wary of, the ones you mention though I have no problem with it's terriers and mastiffs and greyhounds I tend to avoid, they all seem to see my tiny as something to eat

As for the look of a dog, I like a dog with a fine muzzle best a delicate frame hence my love of deer head Chihuahuas, Italian grey hounds, whippets, afghans and Manchester terriers. I think truth be told we all have favourites along those lines and only dog I would actually say is very ugly is the Pekinese now that's a face only a mother could love IMO

Re: Staffies

I live in Spain Baxter and the laws regarding dogs are, theoretically, much stricter here than UK, although in practice of course they don´t always work.

Re: Staffies

Put me in the "woudn't trust a staffie" column. I believe most breeds or catagories of dogs have triggers. My beagle/aussie is a herder.. never saw a car he wouldn't chase. The movement of a car "Triggers" this instinct. Staffies are well known to be dog aggressive. That's why they are used in the Pit.. or fighting ring more than most breeds. Something "triggers" this. We will never know what and I simple don't want my dogs.. or myself around them no matter how gentle their owner claims they are.

Re: Staffies

That's a good point same with terriers they are hunters and nothing I have ever done could persuade mine small furries shouldn't be killed !