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AIBU?

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?

436 replies

Annarose2014 · 15/10/2015 10:17

I suspect I am. I've heard so much about them being amazing, wonderful Nanny dogs.....

But I've also heard of a lot of attacks. I'm desperately afraid of them, truth be told. I don't trust them. Especially as the dog wouldn't live with DS, but only see him about once a week so its not like DS would be "his" charge.

Sister has wanted one for years and is bitterly disappointed as this is the year she's finally in a position to buy a dog.

But in fairness I just said that she could certainly get one, but would have to see DS elsewhere other than her place as I wouldn't be comfortable with DS in an enclosed area with one in case DS did something wrong and the dog felt threatened and we wouldn't be fast enough to stop something happening.

AIBU?

OP posts:

Report

ghostyslovesheep · 15/10/2015 10:18

yes

Chattymummyhere · 15/10/2015 10:19

Yes and no

It depends ifs she's going to raise it right and train it properly.

werewolfinladderedtights · 15/10/2015 10:20

Yabvvu

Jaxsbum · 15/10/2015 10:21

of course only staffies attack.....

MajesticSeaFlapFlap · 15/10/2015 10:21

My kids have made it to 13 and 5 without being mauled by my Staffordshire, Amazing!

nmg85 · 15/10/2015 10:21

I know some nice staffs and I know some horrible ones... 99% of the time it is down to the owners and not the dogs. The child should never be left alone and should be taught how to act around a dog as he gets older. I think you are being a little unreasonable. Yes don't leave them in the same room alone but I don't think you can ban them being in same house etc just because of a breed. Any dog can be aggressive if they wanted.

HeySoulSister · 15/10/2015 10:22

That can happen with any breed of dog though

flanjabelle · 15/10/2015 10:22

Yabu. Massively.

I have a staffie and she is the gentlest, loveliest dog I have ever met. She is sweet and patient, and I trust her as much as you could ever trust a dog. There is nothing wrong with her, she isn't a killing machine, she is a loveable family pet. She is gentle around dd, and is never happier than snuggled up with one of us. Unless your sis is a dog fighter, with an aim to bring up an aggressive dog, and as long as she treats the dog with kindness and respect, the dog will not be any more of a risk than any other breed.

The staffie hysteria needs to stop. it adds fuel to the idiots who abuse them and use them as status symbols. Staffs will do anything to please their master, that is why they are used as these symbols. They just want to make you happy.

formerbabe · 15/10/2015 10:23

Yanbu...but you will get flamed op! Personally I think they are awful dogs and wouldn't want my dc around them.

ShowOfHands · 15/10/2015 10:23

Of course you're not being unreasonable. You don't have to take your DS to a house you don't feel comfortable in.

I don't suppose the fact that it's a Staffie is relevant tbh.

I didn't take my young dc to houses with dogs I didn't know well, whether it was a JRT or a Staffie or a Lab.

AMonsterInParis · 15/10/2015 10:23

I disagree. YANBU to say you will meet up elsewhere! Just explain why and I'm sure your sister will understand. People who have dogs will come on and say YABU, but then they would say that!! They aren't afraid of them!

Annarose2014 · 15/10/2015 10:24

The 2nd choice is a Labrador because its the husbands favourite dog. I haven't heard that many troubling stories about Labradors, I have to say.....

Everyone says about Staffies "IF they're raised correctly they're fine". But what if they're not? Its not like there's a class she can take!

OP posts:

Keletubbie · 15/10/2015 10:25

Thank you for another excuse to use one of my favourite photos. Child eaters, the lot of 'em.

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?

AMonsterInParis · 15/10/2015 10:25

I should add, that the fact it is a staffie iant the issue, I would do this with any strange dog that wasn't used to having young children around.

UmbongoUnchained · 15/10/2015 10:25

It's your choice. I hate dogs and never let my DD go near them unless they are muzzled and on a lead. I know 3 people who have been mauled by "loving family pets who would never hurt a fly". One of them it was her own dog who she had had for 8 years!

Snossidge · 15/10/2015 10:25

Do you not let your DS go to any house with a dog?

Maybe when your DS is a toddler just ask her to put the dog in the garden or something while you visit, but when he's a bit older and sensible I don't see the problem.

OurBlanche · 15/10/2015 10:26

YABVVU if it is just because the dog is a staffie.

YANBU at all, if you think your DSis would leave dog and child alone, unsupervised.

StampyMum · 15/10/2015 10:26

YANBU - if she chooses to own a dog that a large percentage of people are scared of, then she will have to accept that some people she knows will be...scared of her dog. I would not visit my sister if she got a dog like that, but then she wouldn't get one, in a million years

ShowOfHands · 15/10/2015 10:27

My friends have a chocolate Lab. She is the most placid and lovely dog. She has been with them for ten years and they will tell you that she is the most wonderful dog (she's fab, I agree). However, the first time she met my 18mo dd, she flipped. I mean hackles raised, teeth bared, having to be restrained, snarling type behaviour. We were very lucky that she was on a lead at that point. I have never understood it and she remained very aggressive towards DD (and then DS and a few other young toddlers) but we took the decision to never go to their house with our young children. I presume something happened to her as a puppy (she was rescued at 8 months).

Snossidge · 15/10/2015 10:28

Aren't labradors responsible for the most bites to humans every year?

Asteria36 · 15/10/2015 10:28

YABU. You would be more sensible to gauge your visits on the type of dog owner rather than the breed of dog.
I bought two Staffie pups as guard dogs when I lived abroad. Sadly we were far too gentle and caring (as the majority of dog owners are) and they both turned out to be totally useless guard dogs! Instead they spent much of the day trotting about after the children, sleeping at their feet during nap time and swimming in the pool.

WorraLiberty · 15/10/2015 10:29

Everyone says about Staffies "IF they're raised correctly they're fine".

No. They say that about all dogs.

If you think a Yorkshire Terrier couldn't rip your kid's face off, you're very much mistaken.

I think your sister should get her dog, and over time you might come to relax about it.

If not, it's not like she can't see your DS elsewhere.

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nmg85 · 15/10/2015 10:29

Actually I was afraid of dogs my entire childhood due to a bad experience thanks to a 'bad owner'.

There are lots of 'classes' they can take... most of it is common sense to be honest once you actually learn the facts behind it.

No dog is 100% reliable but I wouldn't keep my future children away because it is a specific breed.

I know lots of bouncy and excitable labs and other breeds who may scare your child for many reasons.

Snossidge · 15/10/2015 10:29

Why isn't there a class Annarose?

StarkyTheDirewolf · 15/10/2015 10:30

What ourblanche said.

Our staffy is wonderful. The chihuahua would take your hand off. Don't blame the breed. Don't be that person.

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