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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:
SpiderCharlotte · 02/11/2019 12:44

Is this a reverse.

dreichsky · 02/11/2019 12:46

These are great dogs for families but need training, all dogs need training and responsible owners.
I have read the largest number of bites come from labs, but as they are a very common family dog this isn't surprising.

Wolfiefan · 02/11/2019 12:47

The breed is irrelevant. Ignore anyone who tells you how amazing staffies are with kids.
NO dog should be left alone with young kids. No dog is a “nanny”.
Puppies mouthe (AKA bite) and chew everything. They have toilet training accidents. They need to be kept away from small children.

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SpookilyBadOooooooh · 02/11/2019 12:49

Staffys are lovely & great family dogs

I wouldn’t leave my children with people who don’t look after their dogs properly.

They don’t owe you child care, they can get any dog they want

wineconnoisseur · 02/11/2019 12:54

Also.. I feel that Staffordshire bull terriers got the reputation of being a dangerous dog breed because horrible people used them for fighting because they can be strong dogs. That isn't the dogs fault, they didn't choose to be used in this way.
Staffys arnt even on the top 10 for dangerous dogs:
10mosttoday.com/top-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-in-the-world/

88Pandora88 · 02/11/2019 12:56

Wow lots of replies!
I was just after reassurance more than anything from those who've had staffies and kids etc. I've not even seen the dog yet, they've only had it a few days. Chances are it's a lovely dog, they've sadly just lost a dog from old age and have another dog still too, so it's not that there will be a dog around the house and my baby that is an issue, maybe I should have made that more clear. Apologies.
I have been looking on Google etc and yes a lot of sites do actually state that they are a good breed for family dogs which has made me feel better. I wasn't around when the conversation between OH and his mum took place so dont actually know what was said.

Thank you to those who've replied, especially those who have had helpful things to say. 😊

OP posts:
88Pandora88 · 02/11/2019 12:58

Also, I'm fully aware they don't "owe" us childcare, they've already expressed that they'd like to help out a few days each week, which we are very grateful for.

OP posts:
Wheat2Harvest · 02/11/2019 12:58

Fantastic breed. Known as the Nanny Dog as they are good with children. The issue is not the breed, it’s the owners.

Both are urban myths.

'Nanny dogs' is a phrase used in the US in relation to pit bulls which is now also being used in this country to describe Staffies. It originated because of an embellished urban myth that in days gone by women would go and work in the fields and leave the pit bull (or pit bull variant) to look after the children.

I mean, WTF? Who would leave a DOG in charge of children?! Even pit bull advocates are now distancing themselves from this myth as it was putting children in danger.

Secondly, a bad owner doesn't help matters but the problem is with the breed of dog. You can't take the genes out of the dog. Dogs were selectively bred to capitalise on required traits - herding, pointing, retrieving and, more pertinently, biting and hanging on. Staffies are solid, stocky dogs and while any dog can attack, the size and strength of Staffies means that they can do great deal of damage to a young child (or even to an adult).

No way would I allow a baby or child to stay with anyone who had a Staffie, and that would include their own grandparents. The Staffie may grow up to be a reliable and friendly dog, but the risk is too great.

OnlineShopping · 02/11/2019 12:59

The fact they aren’t likely to train the puppy would be my concern rather than the breed.

SpiderCharlotte · 02/11/2019 13:02

they've already expressed that they'd like to help out a few days each week

If you'd have put this in your OP, no one would have said anything about your expectations of childcare.

88Pandora88 · 02/11/2019 13:05

Apologies I re read it before my second post and realised I hadnt mentioned it, don't know how to edit it 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Livebythecoast · 02/11/2019 13:08

We had a staffie when my daughter was born - she sadly died when DD was 3 then we got another one (puppy). Never had any problems. We were obviously vigilant as anyone with dogs and children should be. Fantastic dogs imo, daft but lovely!

Winterdaysarehere · 02/11/2019 13:09

My dgc has an amazing relationship with all our ddogs. He has been raises to respect them. With input from you then your dc can also be respectful of dgps ddogs and have a lovely time!!
Or find a nursery!!

adaline · 02/11/2019 13:21

Staffies are generally excellent family pets and are known for being very good with kids.

Why do you think a staffy is any more dangerous than any other breed? In fact, in the UK, the Labrador is responsible for the most bites/attacks.

misspiggy19 · 02/11/2019 13:25

Why do you think a staffy is any more dangerous than any other breed? In fact, in the UK, the Labrador is responsible for the most bites/attacks.

But Labradors don’t have lockjaw. When was the last fatality caused by a Labrador?

I wouldn’t allow my children anywhere near a dog that hasn’t been trained properly.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 02/11/2019 13:26

My kids have grown up around staffies as their grandma has them and does a lot of child care for us. They've always been fantastically loving, gentle, caring dogs - not just with our kids but with all the neighbourhood kids.

BUT her dogs are properly trained, and our kids are too - in how to treat the dogs with respect. That's what's important, no matter the breed.

whoami24601 · 02/11/2019 13:26

Sorry a few people have also stated this fact but here's the link so you can read for yourself:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dog-breed-most-likely-to-attack-bite-you-revealed-a7166296.html%3famp

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 02/11/2019 13:30

From the articles I’ve read, the breed of dog that bites the mist tends to change as certain breeds get popular, so it used to be true that labs caused the most bites. However as the popularity of smaller breeds has increased, so have bites. People tend to under estimate how much damage a small dog can inflict. I still have pain from a Shiatzu bite from a year ago, that ended up needing urgent surgery because of infection. From what I have read, staffies have yet to reach the top of the list.

FizzyGreenWater · 02/11/2019 13:31

Coming on to say that the 'Nanny Dog' thing is a total myth. Coined in the US about pitbulls, now has made its way over here and been applied to staffies.

The bottom line is that if you are going to put your kid's safety first, then no, your PIL will NOT be looking after your baby in their home with a dog you know they won't bother to train.

Yes to PIL coming to yours.
No to PIL having baby at theirs where dog is. Flat no.

People who don't take responsibility for training their dogs are the liability. EVERY dog has is liable to turn and a baby is defenceless. No dog should be trusted with a baby or small child. The kind of people whose default setting is 'aww, it'll be fine, no need to train Fluffy, look how soppy he is' are exactly the kind of people who will also say, aww, no need to keep Fluffy in the kitchen when we have baby, he'd never hurt a fly, what DIL doesn't know won't hurt her.'

The breed isn't the point, although it's simple fact that the jaws of a staffie are a lot more powerful and dangerous than a lot of other breeds. However there have been babies killed by jack russells.

You need to politely put your foot down now. No, you are not putting the responsibility of baby+dog on your PIL, you are laying down a red line now that your baby won't be around a puppy without you there for a very, very long time.

Span1elsRock · 02/11/2019 13:32

It makes me so angry when people quote labradors as worst for biting. Yes they will bite but when was the last report of someone being mauled to death by a lab? Never. Because they will be defending their turf or their own and nip - not go for the kill like a bull breed will.

They are unpredictable, OP, and for that reason alone, I'd never leave my kids in a home with one. Ever.

I've got 2 spaniels and grandchildren - neither are ever left alone together because I love them all too much for something to ever happen.

adaline · 02/11/2019 13:35

@Span1elsRock - a girl was left needing 230
stitches after the family Labrador ripped off her lip.

That's not "a nip" is it?

Too many people are bias against staffies and will ignore all evidence that says other dogs can be aggressive too.

It's easier to say "staffies are bad so I'll stay away from all of them" than it is to admit all dogs are capable of attacking at some point.

Wasn't a lady recently killed by her mastiffs when they suddenly turned on her in her own home?

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 02/11/2019 13:36

But Labradors don’t have lockjaw.

That’s a myth that has arisen because of the strength of their bite. Their jaw doesn’t ‘lock’, but does have a lot of power.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 02/11/2019 13:38

At the end of the day, the issue is not which dog cause the most deaths or is the most aggressive. The issue is the fact that the stupid adults won’t train any of their dogs properly. I’d not let my child be looked after by them, even if they had an untrained Jack Russel.

c3pu · 02/11/2019 13:38

My ex's grandmother had a staffie, and I had plenty of misgivings about such a strong dog being around tiny babies.

Proved to be completely unfounded, the dog was totally happy around the kids and vice versa.

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