Not to understand why anyone could choose to have those ugly looking dogs?

[meadowquark]

I may be wrong but it seems that about 50% dog owners in my area have those staffie or staffie type dogs (sorry I cannot distinguish between them), looking aggressive, ugly (sorry) and always pulling the owner on the lead. I honestly don't understand why people choose to have these dogs. When I was growing up, people had cockerspaniels, labradors, daschunds, poodles, terriers etc. Is this a new fashion? Safety? Knife alternative?

I am sure they are friendly and trainable but if I hear a bad story of one dog mauling another dog, it is very often that type of dog.

I am just wondering why wouldn't people keep sweeter looking dogs instead.

Sorry I don't meant to offend any dog owners - I just would like to understand why?

Oh and for what it's worth, I think staffies are cute..

One of the dogs (the last he one, a 'Bully' something, that attached and killed the Beagle, the story in the news at the moment, has got cropped ears. Does that mean it would have been done illegally?

Lol op are you the type of person to leave your partner because you find someone better looking. I feel you are.

I quite like staffies but you need a pedigree. I used to know one who have a staffies cross. He was very protective of his family so would growl at any people he didn't know. In light of this his owner thought she should muzzle him for walks but when she tried her went for her. Her DP took him to the vets to see if there was any reason for him to not want to be muzzled. Her vet said that it was because he was a cross with a short nose and the muzzle would have made him heel like he was being suffocated, but because the vet couldn't guarantee that other things might still the response off they had him euthanised. Really sad, just to add that they had a 2 year old at the time and there was always the risk of her grabbing his nose

Staffies are beautiful, lovely smiley faces and a gentle nature.

I think they're really excellent looking dogs, Poodles to me are kind of ugly looking (sorry Poodle owners :/ ) But yeah, people have different tastes -shrug-

All the staffies I’ve met have been gentle and friendly Its the owner that is the problem if they are any other nature

I once agreed with the view that all staffies are horrible/nasty/vicious dogs but when I met now DH my view completely changed. DH had a young rescue staffie, which had been very badly treated by previous owners (many broken bones). I was worried as I had two DC under 10 and a dog already (Boxer) but we all moved in together.

Ten years on we now only have the staffie and she is lovely, friendly, funny and very very loving. I have no idea how my DC (or I) will cope when she is gone as they adore her, she honestly has the best nature of any dog I have met and I grew up with dogs of various breeds.

I have been bitten a couple of times in the past, by a chihuahua and a Jack Russell, both breeds I will still avoid!

To the posters sharing banned breeds lists and suggesting licences for bull breeds, I agree that there should be some type of licensing for ALL dog breeds.

This thread makes me realise why animals are just so much nicer than humans.

Ahh I love threads like this. The sneery snobs that've never been within 20 foot of a staffy instantly out themselves .

Judge a dog by its actions, don't judge it by its breed. Hell I know someone who used to have the most adorable looking toy poodle that was like a miniaturised Satan if you got near it, through lack of training! Please remember that any dog has the potential to be nasty and mean if they are not brought up correctly, trained, socialised and treated right. Staffies get a bad rep because they are arguably the most common dog breed in the uk, and therefore it's a lot easier for idiots to get hold of them and treat them badly.

PS I loooove staffies. They have such big almond eyes, beautiful faces and the vast majority are just massive cuddle machines!

Two Staffy crosses here, both rescue dogs. Brilliant with children and small animals, loyal and they love people. Our cat had kittens, our Staffy babysat them. Vet’s cat had kittens, his JRT killed them. They weren’t called ‘the nanny dog’ for nothing, and when we got them they were one of the two breeds that the KC recommended around children.

"Vet’s cat had kittens, his JRT killed them."

You'd think that a vet would know better!

I'm surprised that the kc only recommends staffies and retrievers with children of all ages. Not because these aren't great dogs, but there are many other placid gentle breeds. Sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets etc) are great with children too

My best boy

I'ts ironic how snobs are usually so rude, ignorant and clearly lacking in class themselves. YABU op.

The first time my Partners staffie bolwed down the hall I me, I nearly shat myself.

No need. Most loving, placid, sweet adorable, well trained dog I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

I happily help that old boy on the bed at night, because he's the best pal I ever have had.

They are beautiful, beautiful dogs.
This is coming from an owner of springers.

I honestly don't know how you can look at those faces and not melt!

ZOMBIE thread.

Still think they're nice dogs though. Any overbred breed is ugly IMO

I love a Zombie resurrection... I'm a Stafford and English bull terrier owner. They are wonderful, intelligent and loyal dogs, in the most part. They need good training, like most dogs. I've been bitten twice, once by a JRT on the bloody face, and once by a spaniel. Horrible bloody dogs, who are nearly always found ignoring their damn owners.

Mine is probably classed as ugly, but in my eyes he's a stunner

I'd have house full of staffies if I could but we just don't have the time to dedicate to training and exercise that they need, they are prefect bundles of excitable energy.

We are looking to rehome an older sofa surfing rescue greyhound. I am really excited. Totally prepared for a few weeks of accidents whilst they settle etc. But having researched this breed will suit our lifestyle better than any other. They are sprinters not endurance dogs. One owner told me he has to use the car to go to field 10 minutes walk away because his hound tears around at top speed for 10 minutes and then refuses to walk home and wants carrying.

People choose a certain breed for many different reasons. Don't tar every person and every staffy with the same brush

Oops didn't realise this thread was so old😆

.

Maybe take a look in a mirror yourself !!
This breed is hands down the best dog to have around humans. There in the police force, ranked no.1 dog to be around children

People like you give this breed a bad reputation

ALERT
VERY OLD THREAD

This thread was originally posted on Sunday, 28th Jun 2015.