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?

[SaucyJack]

Would you talk like this about black or gay people Formerbabe?

[CordeliaFoxx]

They're know as "nanny" dogs because of their relationship with kids. Blame the arses that don't train their dogs, and it isn't breed specific, people with little ankle bitters that growl and snarl - it isnt cute or funny btw.

[Corygal]

How could you? I was brought up with bull terries and staffies. They are beyond adorable.

[MehsMum]

I don't have a staffie, and I know an indisciplined duo I avoid, but in general I think they're lovely dogs: lively, responsive, fit and functional.

[meadowquark]

They look like this or similar. There is lots in our area. Normally pulling the lead like that. They may be friendly? But they look aggressive to a passer-by like me. I just remember the times when most dogs were of softer looking breed.

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

Odfod. Seriously, I find most babies quite 'bleh', to look at. Kids are worse, the grubby little snotballs (). I would never say to someone 'goodness, couldn't you have picked a cute one?'. All dogs are loveable, and have the ability to love, no matter how they look. People just have to look after them properly to begin with. Better a pure bred Staffie, than some poor, over bred mix like a Cockerpoo so little Emily and Raffe won't sneeze around it.

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

That's an incredibly muscular example you've chosen there, meadow but there's no agression. No teeth bared, no ears back. Yes, pulling a bit and that needs training out and their stocky builds can look intimidating but the dog itself doesn't appear to be displaying agression, per se.

[WhatALoadOfOldBollocks]

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

YABU purely because you should understand that "ugly" and "sweeter looking" are subjective, and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Same principle would be why one person will find you attractive and another will think you're fugly.

[meadowquark]

Then I admit I understand nothing about current dog fashion...

[formerbabe]

It is beyond ridiculous saucyjack to compare despicable things like racism and homophobia to me disliking a particular breed of dog.

[Wolfiefan]

Worra speaks sense.
Pretty much every staffie I meet wants to roll on its back and have a cuddle!
It's idiot owners who end up with the truly dangerous dog you describe. The last one I met wasn't a staff but a gorgeous husky type that the owner clearly had no control over and wanted to eat the dog I was walking.
Some twats people do choose dogs like they choose their car, jewellery etc like a kind of macho or tough status symbol.
As to ugly? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some like wrinkly faced pugs and others like sleek greyhounds. All different and gorgeous
BTW softer looking doesn't mean calmer or softer.
It is sad though that so many staffs end up in rescue.

[sanquhar]

it's ok, he forgives your foolish ways, op.

[SaucyJack]

I'm talking about your disgusting classist prejudices Formerbabe- not your dislike of their pets.

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Yes an untrained husky type is truly terrifying. They are MASSIVE and just go off on one. No holding that back.

[cariadlet]

I think they just get a bad name because a high number of bad owners get them for the wrong reasons and don't train them properly - hence so many ending up in shelters in need of rehoming.

They're not my favourite kind of dog (I love German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers, and have a soft spot for mongrels), but I certainly wouldn't call them ugly.

I can't stand rats on strings or handbag dogs - Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas and that sort of thing. Yuk! If you're going to have a dog then at least one that looks like a dog and acts like a dog.

[ditavonteesed]

I have to say I live in staffie land and I have never seen one that looks like that pic. They have cute smiles and are soppy with kids.

[UglyBugaz]

Because obviously they don't find those types of dogs vile and they want to get one. Duh

[Hannahfftl]

I have a staff cross, I chose her because I fell in love at the rescue centre and she is the best thing that's ever happened to me! I love her little smile and the greying around her mouth as she gets old. When she goes to the big kennel in the sky, I will weep. Not because I lost my chance to frighten people or look hard, but because she is my best friend!

[supermariossister]

I have two and am the least likely person to have a "status dog" the personalities and nature of these two are fantastic and if everybody/everything looked the same life would be very dull. each to their own.

[sanquhar]

that pic looks like some American beefed up cross, probably an American staffy x pitbull.

[tabulahrasa]

If they look like the dog in that picture, phone the RSPCA, ear cropping is cruel and illegal.

Anyway, to answer your question...

They're really trainable, eager to please, active and playful, they don't shed huge amounts and they're small without being delicate.

That's why people own them.

Also, they smile when they're happy...how can you not like a smiling dog?

[SqueezyCheeseWeasel]

Aww, hannah

[SunshineAndShadows]

meadowquark unless you live outside the UK I can guarantee that you've never seen a dog like that. For a start it's not a Staffie but more of a pitbull type. Secondly it's ears are cropped - a procedure that is illegal in the UK. The fact that you think you think staffies look like that is testament to your bias and ignorance.

Staffies are for the most part wonderful dogs. A colleague of mine in European specialist level veterinary surgeon who lives in a very naice area. She has 3 - she has the education, finances and experience to select whichever breed she wants. She chose staffies. That's a pretty good recommendation, and when you see the massive physical and mental health problems that are common in labeadoodles, cockerpoos, pugs and other designer crosses or 'cute' pedigrees I totally understand her reasoning.

[lljkk]

Staffies & pitbulls are paragons of beauty compared to these blighters.