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Original poster

Kids grandparents just got a new puppy...

107 replies

88Pandora88 · 02/11/2019 11:45

I have a 5 year old and I'm 7 months preg, my kids grandparents have just gone and got a staffordshire bull terrier puppy. My OH isn't impressed and has expressed his views of the breed to his mum.
They looked after my eldest when she was a baby and we were hoping they'd do the same with my baby this time, but don't know how we feel.
The breed has a bad reputation, they said they'll get it trained but with all other dogs they've had, theyve never trained them 🤷🏻‍♀️
Anyone have a staffy and young kids?
I know every dogs different etc, I obviously just put my kids safety first.

OP posts:
TheBitchOfTheVicar · 02/11/2019 11:48

Well, I can only go on what you say, but I they have a rep for not training their dogs it doesn't really matter what the breed is.

If they are helping you, you can't really insist on anything ... The only choice you have is to use other childcare.

CustardOmlet · 02/11/2019 11:50

That particular breed has one of the greatest reputations for looking after children if trained. Plus it’s their life, they can get what ever dog they like.

LoveNote · 02/11/2019 11:51

Christ how selfish of them! Hmm

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dogs Families
MiddleClassProblem · 02/11/2019 11:54

Fantastic breed. Known as the Nanny Dog as they are good with children.

The issue is not the breed, it’s the owners.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 02/11/2019 11:54

You’re being unreasonable about the breed, as they are a wonderful dog breed and I’ve always found them to be very affectionate, silly and playful. They don’t have a reputation because they are a badly behaved breed, but because of the strength of their bits and the damage they can inflict.

In saying that, I think your pils are incredibly selfish to get a dog and not train it. In my opinion it’s animal neglect not to train a dog as they don’t understand why they’re being punished for something they were never trained not to do, in the first place. Under those circumstances I can completely understand your concerns and I’d be reluctant to send any child of mine to them.

tashakg89 · 02/11/2019 11:54

Staffs are actually one of the best breeds To have with children! Think you need to do some proper research...
Plus it's a puppy so it's how you bring the dog up that matters.

Biscuitsneeded · 02/11/2019 11:55

Um, their life, their choice. I don't see why your hope to use them as free childcare should trump their right to have the breed of dog they wish to have! I would be nervous of leaving a baby or small child in a house with such a dog too - so I wouldn't use them as childcare!

whoami24601 · 02/11/2019 12:01

We had a rescue staff for 7 years, during which time we had 2 children. He was amazing with them! Endlessly patient right to the end. He looked after them as babies, and then a playmate when they were older. If he ever got fed up he'd just get up and walk away. Never even looked annoyed. I was like you about their reputation tbh but it's unfounded. The most vicious dogs (by rate of attacks) are labradors iirc. Just that Staffies have such a strong bite. I'd have another in a heartbeat! God I miss him Sad

Alsohuman · 02/11/2019 12:05

If my son told me which breed of dog I could have, I’d tell him he was too big for his boots and I’d obviously failed to teach him any manners.

WelshCake2019 · 02/11/2019 12:05

Take this as a message in no way do they want to help with childcare....

HaileySherman · 02/11/2019 12:10

That particular breed, if well-bred and raised in a good environment, is known to be an EXCELLENT family dog. So that counters the whole bad rep they otherwise get, but it obviously comes down to the individual dog. No dog should be unsupervised around children anyway. Sounds like you'll have to wait and see how it goes before making a judgment. But the breed itself can go either way based on a lot of different factors, so that alone really can't be used to decide.

judgemeallyouwant · 02/11/2019 12:16

My staffy is amazing with my children, I can't even play fight with them as she barks at me. Very shallow of you to judge a dog by its breed! Hold on must go as my dog is lying on the sofa with my ds7 fast asleep having cuddles....

Veterinari · 02/11/2019 12:17

Christ how selfish of them!

Oh yes it’s the PIL deciding to make a decision to get a dog that are selfish. Not the OP who's Expecting free childcare delivered on her terms... Hmm

Hoppinggreen · 02/11/2019 12:18

Firstly there’s nothing wrong with Staffies
Secondly your in laws can get whatever pets they want
Thirdly you can’t assume they will do childcare for you
Fourthly if you don’t like it pay for childcare elsewhere

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/11/2019 12:18

I well trained Staffy is a lovely breed, your problem is the lack of training.

AlaskanBush · 02/11/2019 12:18

My parents have a lovely, playful and daft staffy. They had her years before my DD was born. DDog is only ever very gentle around my 18 mo. My parents would never leave them and any play is very closely supervised - as it would be with any breed.

BertrandRussell · 02/11/2019 12:19

“ My staffy is amazing with my children, I can't even play fight with them as she barks at me. ”
Hmm. I’d do something about that if I were you....

Horsemad · 02/11/2019 12:20

@whoami24601, do you have a source for your statement re labradors please?

GinZinger · 02/11/2019 12:20

My parents have chihuahuas that have snapped at my children!
But I really don't like the prospect of those types of enormously powerful dogs being around children. A parent at school has this massive muscly dog and I just look at it and think that if it decided to go for anyone, there would be no stopping it! It's a scary thought really and I'd not put my children in that position.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 02/11/2019 12:21

@Veterinari I think pp was being sarcastic. They even used the same emoji as you Hmm

judgemeallyouwant · 02/11/2019 12:22

@BertrandRussell nah I'm good

SpiderCharlotte · 02/11/2019 12:37

They're great dogs, training is the issue here for any dog, regardless of breed.

I'm interested to know why you think that they shouldn't get a dog because you were hoping they would look after your next DC? Do they have to run all their decisions by you? You may have to either look after your child yourself, or pay for alternative childcare.

The only responsibility they have in this whole situation is to train their puppy properly. I wouldn't allow my children around an untrained dog of any kind.

SpiderCharlotte · 02/11/2019 12:38

@whoami24601. I'd also be interested in seeing your source of info please?

wineconnoisseur · 02/11/2019 12:40

Are you serious OP? Staffordshire bull terriers are known to be amazing with children! My Staffy is the most loving, caring dog with people and mainly children. He cries when when DD cries and has the most wonderful temperament I've ever seen from any dog! You're assuming this dog is going to be dangerous when it could be a wonderful dog! As long as it's trained it should be fine. However you should never leave your child alone with ANY dog no matter what their breed or temperament.

JulietakaIris · 02/11/2019 12:41

So they shouldn't get a puppy because you want childcare?

This isn't a serious thread surely?

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