Dangerous dog?

[abstibus]

I met a neighbour this evening who has adopted a young Staffie that belonged to his friend. The friend couldn't take it to SA as apparently it is classed as a 'danger to public health', and the cost of the flight would have been prohibitive.
My very amiable lab/collie bitch and he had a few 'Hello' sniffs, and then the Staffie retreated to a place of safety between his owner's legs.

[karenmac60]

What's your question?

[firewatch]

yus ur question is? Yes the staffie is a dangerous dog in South Africa as it attacks native creatures

[pastafreak]

I'm guessing it's the breed that is classified in that way-not the specific dog. Certainly sounds like this one may be softie-as they can be.

[roxie_09]

Aw my staffy is a big softy hehe but I imagine any dog has the potential to be dangerous :S x

[micmak]

IMO all dogs are potentially dangerous no matter how sweet and loving they appear to be. So children should never be left alone with them, whatever the breed.

[abstibus]

Karen
My question is - are these dogs much maligned?

[B00]

The Staff is not classed as a dangerous breed here in the UK, if that's what you're asking?

[firewatch]

because of the breed history im afraid thats why, that and recent 'bad' news stories.

[karenmac60]

I think they are - they look tough and tend to be owned by types who like that look, and that has given them a bad reputation. They don't seem to be any more likely to attack than any other dog so long as they've been well trained by a responsible owner BUT, when they do attack they are likely to cause more damage due to their strength.

[wolf63]

When I was young it was the German Shepherd that got all the bad press. The problem with staffies is that they are powerful with big jaw muscles - in the wrong hands (human morons) they 'can' be dangerous.

[wendilla]

Any dog in the wrong hands can be a danger. Even the smallest of dogs can be nasty. Both my children have the blue staffies and they are as soft as anything but they are strong dogs and have to be trained to behave. Some people just don't study what type of dog to have for a family pet then when they can't handle it they get rid but if they had taken the time to train it properly they would not have this problem. And yes some dogs are more diffocult to train that others. I had a golden lab for 14 years and would trust him 120% but still would not have left him alone with a small child.

[rsvp]

these wonderful dogs were originally raised in the Midlands by 'working class folk' . Because they couldn't afford kennels the dogs were raised in a home environment and as such are usually absolutely brilliant family dogs - however, because of their tenacity and 'bad boy' looks ,they have become synonymous with fighting dogs.

[notasyoungasiwas]

IMO all dogs are NOT potentially dangerous !!

[LoftyLottie]

Agree with NAYAWI ^

In my opinion there are many more potentially dangerous humans than there are potentially dangerous dogs!!

[LoftyLottie]

Unfortunately the wrong type, i.e. potentially dangerous humans choose Staffies as trophy dogs and then the dogs are badly treated and become dangerous like their potentially dangerous owners.

Staffies are usually big softies and make wonderful family dogs.

[lankeela]

Sadly the Staffy has been included under the 'Pit Bull' banner when in fact they are a totally different breed, and I don't know of any serious incidents where a purebred Staffy has been involved. They are called the 'nanny' dog because of their affinity with children. And as for leaving a child alone with any dog, I would never do this because you just don't know what the child is likely to do to a dog.

[Carakeel]

Totally agree with lankeela here! I trust my dogs more than I would most humans!

[LoftyLottie]

I agree Cara!!

[ladybirder]

<<And as for leaving a child alone with any dog, I would never do this because you just don't know what the child is likely to do to a dog.>>

I remember reading of a case years ago where a family pet, a GS (I think) turned on a child and was put down. At the post mortem a crayon was found poked right inside the poor dog's ear. Never forgotten that.

[RATTER15]

I would never leave my dogs unattended with a child, one lick from their huge tongue could drown a child.

Actually the biggest problem with our Wolfhounds literally is their size and weight, if they bumped or knocked a child or and older person they would knock them over, if they stand on your foot it bloody hurts, as for aggression lol, I don't think I would worry for a second. I have never heard of an aggressive wolfhound let alone heard of one attacking anybody. Probably the worst guard dog you could own, they would welcome anybody, However, they would certainly defend myself or Carakeel with their life if they were really pushed.