To wish dangerous dog breeds and all breeds closely resembling them were banned in UK?

[DustOfALongSleeplessNight]

There are so many nice friendly breeds, why chose a breed that was developed for aggression and fighting? I know individual dogs have different temperaments, but if they were selectively bred for bull and bear baiting, how can they make good pets?

Pit bulls (illegal in UK) are frequently kept illegally and passed off as Staffy-crosses until the police find them.

I think they should ban all dobermans, rottweilers, staffordshire bull terriers, malamutes, huskies, german shepherds and any other dog with aggressive genetics, plus all the breeds that closely resemble them. I frequently see these breeds in local park, off the lead, running amongst small children!

It's not really a case of winning or losing. It is fine not to know or care about dogs. However, when it comes to legislation, you are unlikely to ban a dog breed that all the respected animal homing organisations are happy to rehome with families (assuming as, with all dogs, that the individual dog and family are suitable for each other).

You can google as much as you want, but the evidence just isn't there to show that Staffies are intrinsically dangerous or that banning them would reduce dog bites.

Cats and dogs are a fact of life, they aren't going anywhere. Many people also live at relatively close quarters with horses, cows, donkeys, sheep and pigs. Of course some dog owners are idiots and should not have dogs, but equally some car owners are idiots and shouldn't have cars.

We haven't yet found a way to legislate completely effectively against the dangers of idiocy.

Sums it up nicely IMHO.

As my DH has already pointed out, SBTs are 1 of only 2 breeds, out of 190+ in Britain, that the UKKC recommend for families with children of all ages. And let's not forget that the KC is run by experienced vets, animal behaviourists, dog trainers and other animal professionals. TBH, I'd take their word and advice over someone who has little or no experience of 'dangerous' breeds like mastiffs, SBTs etc.

Anyway, here's my 2 softies being dangerous.........

Oh Fgs, has it occurred to you that so many of us consider our dogs lovely family pets...because they ARE? I'm not a moron with a huge dog who floats around on a bubble of my dog will never hurt anyone. I'm well aware of what they could do, so I've trained them well and fwiw I've never, ever witnessed any aggression in either of them. They're gentle, they're loving and incredibly loyal. I'm not even the teeniest bit wary or scared of them. I know them, I live with them and am their primary carer.

We have a staffy he's soft as Shit.

I was terrified of dogs when I was younger. Our staffy is perfect. Even when DD2 is climbing on him or pulling his tail he doesn't care. He even lets the much smaller cat have one over on him.

I'm still very aware that not all people will be as appreciative of him as we are and that nothing is to say he won't turn one day. But I have no reason to think of him as dangerous.

Just checking back in and... yes, ignorance and scare-mongering still rife.

Love the photos though.