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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?

436 replies

Annarose2014 · 15/10/2015 10:17

I suspect I am. I've heard so much about them being amazing, wonderful Nanny dogs.....

But I've also heard of a lot of attacks. I'm desperately afraid of them, truth be told. I don't trust them. Especially as the dog wouldn't live with DS, but only see him about once a week so its not like DS would be "his" charge.

Sister has wanted one for years and is bitterly disappointed as this is the year she's finally in a position to buy a dog.

But in fairness I just said that she could certainly get one, but would have to see DS elsewhere other than her place as I wouldn't be comfortable with DS in an enclosed area with one in case DS did something wrong and the dog felt threatened and we wouldn't be fast enough to stop something happening.

AIBU?

OP posts:
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12
TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 16/10/2015 20:37

Sorry leftmy I'm on the video games thread too Grin.

OwlFeathersFluff · 16/10/2015 20:40

snoddidge Aren't labradors responsible for the most bites to humans every year? - yes, because they are the most popular dog Hmm

Salene · 16/10/2015 20:42

owl

Labradors are not the most dog.. Stafford are by a considerable amount

Salene · 16/10/2015 20:42

*most popular

OwlFeathersFluff · 16/10/2015 20:43

I'm no expert, but I think dogs are probably generally good with what they have been brought up with within their socialisation period. Must be a bit confusing for a dog with adults to suddenly meet a baby or adult - they must smell different, they walk funnily or lie down. they make funny noises.

OP, can't your sister just shut the dog into another room or crate with a few toys?

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 16/10/2015 20:43

Grin Mother.

Maybe I need to use more smileys to convey that I'm having a giraffe! (laugh) It's Friday night, peeps!

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 16/10/2015 20:57

YANBU. I like dogs (generally ones I've owned though to be fair!) but I really dislike Staffies, don't know why I just don't like them.

Anyway, yes any dog has the potential to turn -and that is whether well trained or not - but some dogs are more powerful than others and that makes me wary in general (although yes, a jack russel could cause huge damage to a small child) and like it or not dogs do have inherited traits and instincts, if you don't train them properly they are more likely to hold onto those traits.

I'll now sit and wait for everyone to tell me that is total rubbish and that Retrievers don't have a natural tendency for retrieving things, terriers don't have a natural tendency to chase cats or small animals/rodents, spaniels and retrievers don't have a big love of water and pugs, Chihuahuas etc prefer to be running around woodlands , loose and fetching balls than being the lapdogs they are....

jacks11 · 16/10/2015 21:07

well, it's up to you OP. If you don't want your child to ever be around a dog, then that's your choice. I think you are being a bit ridiculous to prevent your child from entering all homes/places where there are dogs, but he is your child so it's up to you.

That said, don't you think it might be sensible to attempt to come to some sort of half-way house? For instance, the dog is not to be left alone with your DS (I would never leave a small child unsupervised with a dog)? Or if you really must, ask that the dog is removed from the room while you and your DS are there?

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 16/10/2015 21:20

I hate this snotty 'you're ridiculous' attitude. Of course it's not ridiculous to be wary of the potential for a dog to bite a child. It's just common fucking sense.

tabulahrasa · 16/10/2015 21:22

It's not ridiculous to acknowledge that dogs bite and yes it is something parents and dog owners (if they're not the same people) should consider.

The ridiculous bit is that there are dangerous breeds and safe breeds.

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 16/10/2015 21:26

It's natural instinct to want to protect your child from any danger, no matter how remote.

My own mother considered getting rid of the cat (who she adored) just in case it suffocated me in my cot.

Chiggers · 16/10/2015 21:55

I have 2 staffies. They are very regularly taken out to chase their solid nylon balls at stupid O'clock in the morning, and after tea, for around 2 solid hours of running on each outing (4hrs in total). All walks in between are for training, although we do training (mainly recall). My male staff is a rescue who was beaten, abused, neglected and starved (basically put through the wringer in general physical and mental abuse terms), yet he is incredibly gentle with all who come into my house. That said, he walks over to people demanding his hindquarters be rubbed a bit. He stands fluttering his eyelashes and DH, the kids and anyone else who so much as glances at him.

I'm not stupid enough to claim that my dogs won't bite, as they have the ability, so I tend to let people know that the dogs are unlikely to bite. It's all well and fair wanting a Stafford, but your sister needs to understand that the dog may not be suitable for her family and she needs to commit to training, which is a minimum of 1hr of vigorous exercise a day, and everything else that comes with owning a Stafford. She needs to think long and hard about it.

Salene is right about staffies being 1 of only 2 breeds in the UK (there are over 190 different breeds), that are suitable and recommended for families with DC.

wynkenblinkennod · 16/10/2015 23:28

I have a cocker spaniel and he is the loveliest natured boy ever. Great with my grandaughter, and that was the reason why I got another cocker. My last one was so good natured too when my children were growing up. Just a bit concerned about some of the posts on this thread about cockers. Rage syndrome in cocker spaniels tended to be shown in dogs of who were either fully red or black. But I think it has largely been eradicated now. Have knowm some staffies too over the years and they have been great family dogs.
Saying that, I totally agree with other posters who say a dog can never be left alone with a child. No matter how much you think you trust them.

wynkenblinkennod · 16/10/2015 23:46

Forgot to say the worst dog I have ever known has been a yorkshire terrier. Nasty vicious little thing. Defo little man, big chip on his shoulder dog! Its bitten loads of times. But then again his owner treats it like a baby rather than a dog.
Have also known a dalmation that could never have a child near it as it was so spoilt. If a child came into the same house as the dog, the dog would go beserk. And if that dog saw a child walking past the window of its house it would go hysterical, pulling down blinds, curtains etc.

StarkyTheDirewolf · 17/10/2015 01:58

Chihuahuas etc prefer to be running around woodlands , loose and fetching balls than being the lapdogs they are.

I'll be honest, we have 3 chihuahuas in my family and they do love a walk, the smallest one in particular is prone to running to the nearest pile of disgusting smelly toxic shite muck she can find and rolling in it. They also just love being in front of the fire and being warm. I'd trust the staff infinitely more than I'd trust the chihuahuas with a child though. Chihuahuas can be super defensive of their owners and are quick as balls. Mine are trained its taken three years! but will still be noisy, barky and snappy if they feel encroached upon. For this reason I always walk them on a lead, warn approaching dog walkers/children/people in general because they look ever so cute but are in fact complete arseholes If the mood should take them. Grin

wallywobbles · 17/10/2015 03:12

Artists interpretation of the issue.

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?
Chiggers · 17/10/2015 06:36

This is my vicious lad............

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?
flanjabelle · 17/10/2015 07:22

Wally - firstly that is a bull terrier, not a Staffordshire bull terrier. secondly, that photo isn't funny. it's a fucking stupid photo where someone is allowing a child to draw all over a dog. It's disrespectful and I highly doubt the dog is enjoying it. Please dont promote ideas like that, because idiots will think it's a good one and allow their children to do the same. The dog in that picture may be super patient, but disrespectful behaviour like this is what leads to dogs attacking humans. Ditto for the pictures of children sitting on dogs, laying on dogs, and all the other stupid crap that is labelled as kids and dogs being 'cute'.

flanjabelle · 17/10/2015 07:23

Chiggers - your lad looks as fierce as my girl.

To tell my sister if she buys a Staffie I won't bring DS around to hers?
flanjabelle · 17/10/2015 07:26

She was actually falling asleep sitting up in that picture. Dp had obviously hit the sweet spot.

Scoobydoo8 · 17/10/2015 08:23

I think the prob with Staffies is that irresponsible people breed them as a gang dog specifically to make people wary of them.

This results in loads being in rescue homes and no one knows their care standards prior to arriving there.

So if you take one from a rescue home it's a bit risky.

Lastly they have a scissor type locking teeth and are very muscular and strong which I presume means if they do attack anyone you won't get them off which isn't the case with labs or Chihuahuas.

Quornmakesmefart · 17/10/2015 11:37

YY to what flang said...

Quornmakesmefart · 17/10/2015 11:37

Oops meant flanj Blush

sparechange · 17/10/2015 11:50

Oh scooby

They don't have scissor teeth or locking jaws. You can have this though Biscuit

tabulahrasa · 17/10/2015 11:55

Maybe we're all wrong? Maybe there are separate ones that develop different anatomical features and super strength?

Ones that have been fed after midnight or bitten by radioactive beasties or something?