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AIBU?

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Original poster

or possibly thick/naive to wonder why there are so many staffordshire bull terriers in animal shelters?

170 replies

GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:17

I know bugger all about dogs (really really want one but am not going to get one because we are out of the house too much) but am looking on animal shelter websites and getting all dopy and feel sorry for the poor bloody dogs.

Is it because they are too difficult to look after? Or more like they are badly treated.

It's bloody sad.

Thinking of sponsoring a dog because I can't have one.

OP posts:
Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:19

Just fell in love with an old dog with grey whiskers. He looks lovely look at him

OP posts:
NettoSuperstar · 23/04/2011 19:21

Oh Lawd, did you have to ask that?

Some people get them because they look like, and have a reputation of being hard dogs, and then when they realise there's work involved with having a dog, they get rid.

Before anyone jumps on me, I know several people who have done this.

Paschaelina · 23/04/2011 19:21

I noticed this a while ago on the Battersea app. I'm sure at one point about 80% of the advertised doggies were staffies. Its really sad.

washnomore · 23/04/2011 19:22

They're generally fab pets but tend to find themselves in the hands of plebs who treat them as status symbols, aren't prepared to put in any effort with them and are generally irresponsible owners. This means that not only are there loads of them being dumped because idiots get bored but also that they struggle to find better homes because of the bad image they've gained. It's dreadfully unfair and they really are wonderful little dogs on the whole.

PersonalClown · 23/04/2011 19:22

Staffys have a very bad press.

Chavvy idiots get them thinking they will/can get a tough, vicious dog when in reality, the most are the softest, loving, gentle dogs about.

The other side is that people underestimate the strength on them.. By 6 months my woofer could pull my arm out of my socket. He now has a halti so he can't pull.

Also they are adorable as puppies but they grow up. I personally love the 'smile' they have when panting etc.

Staffys are a wonderful breed. I love mine.
(pics on profile if you want to nose)

BitOfFunnyBunny · 23/04/2011 19:23

I think it's because a certain type of nob is drawn to them, but they tend not to be responsible owners. Not that that applies to everyone, of course.

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:23

Hmm netto, I did say I was naive and know bugger all about dogs. DP said the same, said loads of lads get them cos they're 'ard. Poor buggers.

OP posts:
issey6cats · 23/04/2011 19:23

a lot of the time people get staffie pups cos they are cute and dont realise that they are dogs that need a lot of attention, walks, training and then they get to between six months and one year old and if not trained properly can be very destructive and of course they dont look so cute then and irresponsible people land the poor rescues with an overload of staffies, staffies are wonderful dogs if treated properly but on the other side of the coin people looking for a rescue dog see them as not good dogs to have in a family so the poor dogs stay in the rescue, im sure vallhalla will be on later and explain it better than me as she works in dog rescue and i work in cat rescue, and im not anti staffie i love them and between my kids they have three staffies all loved well trained and there for life

washnomore · 23/04/2011 19:24

Oh crikey Staffie pups are like baby seals, so cute I could burst. They also feel hot and velvety because of their short coat ...

Marne · 23/04/2011 19:25

Deffently not difficult to look after (although ours is a little bit naughty), its mainly because they are a polular dogs with young people, young lads see them as a status symbol (guard dog, makes them look hard) so there are loads being bread then going to homes where people have no idea how to look after them, they get badly teated and often get used for fighting Sad and finaly end up in shelters (being dumped or taken away/rescued by RSPCA). They are great dogs, they may look hard but they are so soft, my Staff is scared of birds and cats, rarely barks and spends a lot of time sleeping, she's great with the dd's (has taken the odd ice cream out of dd2s hand), she lets dd2 poke her around and put silly hats on her.

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:25

Personal what lovely dogs

I wish I could get a damn dog.

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Marne · 23/04/2011 19:27

Ours is similar to this one (now you have me looking and wanting another).

DooinMeCleanin · 23/04/2011 19:27

What others have said. It's mainly down to the kind of people attracted to their 'hard' looks i.e idiots. Once they realise they don't have a hard dog they have a 4 stone lap dog who is more likely to lick you to death than to bite, they get rid.

There are also those who don't realise just how hyper a young staffy can be.

Then there is the fact that because of the bad press they get nice owners, such as yourself, are put off by their undeserved reputation.

This is then compounded by the fact that are so many in rescue that there must be something wrong with them, right? Wrong. You could not ask for a nicer breed of dog, particularly when they have grown out of the puppy phase like the lovely chap you linked to.

Please don't let his breed put you off. He looks gorgeous.

SpringHeeledJack · 23/04/2011 19:28

have to agree- people get them as status dogs, and then find out they're hard work- strong and needy

...not to mention soft. Mine is still sitting under my chair all glum looking, because of a bit of thunder. An hour ago

Grin

I can't bear to think of all the staffies in rescue. I know all breeds need to be in a family/domestic set up, but ime staffies really do Sad

nulliusxinxverbax · 23/04/2011 19:28

Overload of staffies in shelters is common around the country. Partly because they are so over bred, to make easy money.

Then there are the idiots who get them as a gangster dog. Breed from them and dump them, or leave them somewhere because they cant be bothered anymore.
Then because staffies now get a bad press, less and less are picked in the shelters.
All of these things add up to make what you have seen. Its a real shame.

QuietTiger · 23/04/2011 19:30

I have a good friend (who works in rescue) and her staffy was in the Kennel Club Good Citizen display team at Crufts this year!

They are lovely dogs - the only reason I wouldn't have one is because I'm more of a collie person and have Border collies. A breed that has their own issues and problems but that's another thread :)

PersonalClown · 23/04/2011 19:31

Mine's sitting here trying his Jedi Mind Tricks on me to try and get me to give up my food!

worraliberty · 23/04/2011 19:32

I saw the most bizarre thing the other week OP

I was on a bus passing a park, when I looked out the window and saw a chunky little Staffie with a harness on...dragging a huge heavy water bottle behind him - you know the type you get in water vending machines.

His owner was throwing a ball for him and the little dog was trying his hardest to chase it whilst dragging this heavy bottle behind him Sad

Marne · 23/04/2011 19:41

Worralberyt- how Sad, i expect the owner was trying to build the dogs muscles up but how mean Sad.

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:42

I had a border collie when I was a kid. She was mad - so clever, was cruel to have her as a pet as she came from a farm. She went back to the farm in the end, so she could herd sheep (and not me, she used to nip my ankles)

Mind you have just seen on the website which I linked to earler that they do doggy day care. We work FT and was considering a dog walker for a couple of hours a day, but still thought that would have left the dog alone for too much of the day. BUT if the dog could go to the shelter and be cared for. Mind you though would that be cruel do you think, would it prevent him from settling? That dog I linked to just looks lovely, and so do others, like the one you linked to marne.

OP posts:
Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 23/04/2011 19:52

oh GOD just was looking at sob stories on that rescue site and that damn advert with the music to The Littlest Hobo came on.

I have got to go to a party in a minute, should be upstairs getting glad rags on, not moping over dogs and getting teary

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Marne · 23/04/2011 20:02

You could get 2 and then they would keep each other company Grin, i don't often leave ours all day but she seems to sleep most of the day anyway, has a walk in the evening and a little play (tug a war) and then goes back to sleep, she does like company though (loves people) and will cudle up with the cat.

ManicPanic · 23/04/2011 20:04

We have got a re-homed staffie (owner fell very ill and passed away).

She is the sweetest chunk of lovely staffie-ness ever.

Absolutley right that Staffies need to be in a family home - our Staffie loves chasing around and playing with dd and next doors kids come and call for the dog Grin They used to be scared of dogs (probably still are) but they love ours. She is a good dog.

But now I have realised how much I will miss her when she goes

And then sometime I will have to get another staffie...

namechangertoday · 23/04/2011 20:08

Isn't it because they are being over bred right now and that is causing problems, plus they have a reputation for being good with children which isn't necessarily the case. My sister had her face ripped by a staffy, her own fault no doubt but like any dog they aren't bomb proof.

Mandy2003 · 23/04/2011 20:10

And when the owner gets locked up there's no-one to look after the dog Ooops - stereotyping!!

PersonalClown - looked at your pics and the My Babies one is s-o-o-o cute Smile

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