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?

[HamishBamish]

I think their reputation has been severely damaged in recent years. I came across a few when I worked at a boarding kennels and without question they were always the ones who were most affectionate. Some of the breeds which are traditionally see as being good looking are the ones you have to watch or they'll have your hand off!

[nemo81]

Staffies are beautiful dogs. I've only ever met nice ones. The thing is they have been so overbred and crossed that many "staffies" are not true staffords. A purebred, well trained staffy is a joy to own.

[Latika123]

We have a staffy she's a rescue dog and she is a real softie. She was abused in a puppy farm and had real trust issues when we got her, with lots of love and patience we won her trust and she is the perfect family dog. She's a brindle and while she might not be everyone's idea of a 'showdog' her personality more than makes up for her looks!

[Klayden]

I find English bull terriers much worse than staffies.

[WhatAHooHa]

Yeah, you should get something much calmer, like a golden retriever.

[Klayden]

These dogs are ugly too.

[tabulahrasa]

See I really really like English bull terriers, I love their little clown faces...but I'd not have one because they're too terrier like for me - I don't get on with dogs that only do what you want if it suits them.

[PUGaLUGS]

Thank you Oldsu. Hello to your gorgeous two!

[FuzzyWizard]

I find Staffies I don't know a bit intimidating due to their bulky size but that's the same for any similar sized dog I don't know. The Staffies I do know have been some of the loveliest dogs. A friend of my parents had a wonderful rescue one who was truly the softest most obedient dog I've ever met. He never pulled his lead- ever! i walked him a couple of times as a favour and have never walked such a well behaved dog before or since. Another family friend as a child had a really sweet natured blue boxer called Beau and he really was a beauty!

[insanityscatching]

I wouldn't choose to have a staffy myself purely because I love poodles but there is one near us, owned by an old man, who grins as he walks and is a picture of happiness every time I see him and I think he is incredibly lovely and he's very friendly and loves a fuss so of course I have to indulge him. I suppose it's much like everything else different people have different tastes.

[coffeeisnectar]

We met a bulldog at the beach last week, it was ridiculously happy and smiley. I love staffies, they are lovely dogs. They smile :o

I don't like tiny dogs, they seem pointless. My friend has a boxer that has no brains but is extremely large and bouncy, another has a lab who will do anything for food and another friend has a Jack Russell who is snappy and barks all the bloody time.

Give me a staff, boxer or rottie any day.

[silverglitterpisser]

My ugly dog came from rescue where I'd gone looking for a small breed puppy! He'd been horrifically abused but still was the most loving, soft thing you could meet.

He chose us, stole our hearts n was the funniest, most full of character dog ever. He was great with kids n just absolutely gorgeous in every way.

I never needed him to make me look hard, I am hard already , I needed him because I loved him.

We didn't have him long enough as we got him age 8 n he died age 11 (still brokenhearted tbh) but I am grateful for what we got with our big, sloppy, crazy mutt.

OP, yabvvvvvvvu to judge these dogs.

[silverglitterpisser]

Catelyn ur boy is beautiful!

[Signlake]

They're not my type of dog but neither is any of the smaller breeds. I wouldn't judge anyone for having any sort of dog though including a staffie. Also pulling on the lead has nothing to do with the breed and more to do with training

[MabelBee]

My in laws are staffie people. Their previous staffie was a big old softie, nanny dog, wouldn't hurt a fly etc. Until he went for my 2 year old. They have a new staffie now but we don't ever see him - he goes into the kennels when we visit. Personally I'm not a fan. But equally, I don't think they are necessarily a vicious breed.

[CatelynStark]

Thank you, Silver

[NoelHeadbands]

LOVE these photos

Catelyn your boy is beautiful. I'm a bit biased though, 'cause my Staffy/ Patterdale X is similar

[FyreFly]

Whilst I've known some soft-as-butter staffies (my uncle has a rescue girl and I adore her, she's a manic ball of pure love!), they would not be the top of my list if I was looking for a new dog. A) They are incredibly strong, and B) are very much over-bred by inexperienced / backyard breeders and naive owners who have "accidents". Rescues are chock-full of staffies and staffie crosses. I would rather not contribute to the continued over-popularity of the breed, whether a rescue or a puppy from a breeder.

Besides, I have a list of dog breeds a mile long I'd like to have I don't think I'll ever get through it in my lifetime! Not unless I can get a very big house and employ a full time dog walker....

[Hoppinggreen]

Huskies are absolutely gorgeous looking but I wouldn't trust them with my children or my cats

[silverglitterpisser]

Noel another beauty .

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'm not a dog person at all but I do think it's the training not the dog.

I know a lad with two huskies, those dogs are literally his life. He exercises them properly and they are so soft even I can fuss them.

The standing joke is that his gf needs to like those dogs or she would be offed. He is a brilliant owner.

[MegMurry]

They're not my type of dog, but thank goodness nice people adopt Staffies from rescues.

Battersea Dogs Home always has up to 80% of Staffordshire Bull Terriers or cross breeds.

Not bad dogs, just bad owners.

[chiruri]

What a horrible thread OP. Glad to see it's transformed into Staffie appreciation!
I have what many of you would call a 'rat dog' (a Pomeranian) but I love pretty much any dog if they're well trained with a nice personality. Staffies are handsome and lovely dogs and I would love to rescue one, but we have three cats and a small baby so it's probably not the wisest thing at the moment.