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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that Staffies are not "nanny dogs"

716 replies

Flowersinyourhair · 14/10/2016 20:07

Ok. I await the cries of "it's not the dog, it's the owner" and "we had one and it was wonderful" etc etc. However, once again here we are looking at a news story about a dead baby and a seriously injured toddler as a result of a Staffie attack. AIBU or does something drastic need to change regarding perceptions of dogs like this who are apparently fine, until they're not. This dog was, it seems, the dog of a PC. Not a thug or a dog fighting yob. A PC.

I await the barrage of abuse here. I just feel so sad about these poor defenceless little boys who harmed no one and have suffered so tragically.

OP posts:
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6
tabulahrasa · 15/10/2016 16:13

" I would expect anyone being killed by a dog would make the news, regardless of the breed"

They do, but they stil call them staffies even when they're not staffies...like this one.

Bruce02 · 15/10/2016 16:18

Is it not a staffy? The last I saw the neighbours were saying it was a 'staffy type dog'. so if it's not, it's the neighbours that are fuelling the anti staffy message. The papers said 'it was thought to be a staffy'

I didn't realise it wasn't one. Yes the media shouldn't be reporting its a certain type of dog if it's not one.

tabulahrasa · 15/10/2016 16:22

There's a photo of it, it's not a staffy...could possibly be a staffy crossed with something much bigger, but it looks more like a mastiff cross than anything else.

Bruce02 · 15/10/2016 16:28

So it is possibly a staffy then? Tbh I don't see the point in speculating wether it is or it isn't. The reports I have seen have been careful to say 'staffy type dog' which if it's a cross, it is.

My point was the dog attacks that make the news are the fatal ones, not based on the dog. I don't think the media has an anti staffy position.

Libitina · 15/10/2016 16:30

No dog has a mechanism for locking the jaw.Pit bull types are hard wired to bite the head and grip, just like a collie is hard wired to nip legs and let go and a spaniel to have a 'soft' grip and a bedlington terrier to pick up and not come back (poachers dogs..)It's the psychology of the dog, not just the physiology.They are powerful muscular dogs. Big muscles, strong jaws. They are bred to go for the head and grip. This tenacity is what gives them the 'lockjaw' myth. They will hold on until near death - it's what they are bred to do.

This. Plus almost all dogs will shake their prey (or squeaky toy etc...) as they are trying to kill it by snapping it's neck. It's instinct.

RoseDog · 15/10/2016 16:35

I own a rescue staffie cross and have children and am normally quite sensible. My children are 11 and 13, they were 7 and 9 when we adopted her. I still don't leave the kids alone with her, they don't walk her, she has never shown any aggression to any human but I wouldn't take that chance. She does sit on them, follow them about mooching food and follow them about with her ball.

The picture in the media it is def not a full staffie, its too big and the muzzle is too square and long, in fact it is shaped very much like my dog which I have had DNA tested.

When (or if my staffie ever dies, shes been brought back from near death TWICE) I will not hesitate in getting another one.

LilCamper · 15/10/2016 16:35

Agree Libitina...Staffs, or any bull breeds, do not have locking jaws. There is nothing special about their jaws physiologically. It is just due to their musculature build they can exert more PSI into their bite than other breeds.

Heck, my 'soft mouthed' lab rags his soft toys.

tabulahrasa · 15/10/2016 16:42

"So it is possibly a staffy then?"

You can see it's definitely not, I don't think it's even a cross myself, but that's just my opinion.

The speculation is purely because - if breed matters, then accuracy about the breed matters.

I don't think it matters much what breed it is other than that because dog should be enough information.

Original poster
Flowersinyourhair · 15/10/2016 16:50

The police who attended the scene said Staffy type dog.

OP posts:
LilCamper · 15/10/2016 16:56

Sorry, but since when is your average Bobby an expert on dog breeds and mixes?

GahBuggerit · 15/10/2016 16:56

i notice the media have reported it as a staffie TYPE.

is this a new breed of dog? or a label sheeple give dogs that have big heads and look like the mandatory snarling pitbull picture that usually accompanies these headlines? Until the media turn it in with their goady Type comments and just state the fact "breed unknown" there will be people who sponge up the hysteria.

of course staffies can and have bitten along with other breeds. i notice however in every single incident there has been an unusual situation, this tells me its extremely rare that a well loved and cared for SBT to just turn like the media imply. i am not placing any blame on anyone or anything with that comment, its simply an observation.

i have a staff, an actual one not a 'Type', i wont be looking at her any differently tonight.

Original poster
Flowersinyourhair · 15/10/2016 17:00

I think several pp have pointed out that the majority of Staffies are "types" rather than pedigree due to the shoddy breeding practices that seem to surround this breed.

OP posts:
PinkSwimGoggles · 15/10/2016 17:08

can we agree maybe that 'traditionally bred for (bull) fighting' dogs should be banned/restricted?

Bruce02 · 15/10/2016 17:11

My mils rescue dog, is a spaniel type. No clue what it is. But it looks like a spaniel.

A staffy type would look like a staffy, but that's subjective.

I still don't think that the media are staffy bias. I think that a lot of people in the street don't know the (to them subtle) differences and say staffy type. A staffy is something most people know. The issue is around people describing dogs as staffy type then the newspaper printing it.

In all honesty o have nothing against staffys at all. The ones I know, apart from one, have all been great.

I do have an issue with how many seem to end up in rescues. It's awful. But then that applies to lots of other breeds too. So many people seem to buy a puppy, but not want to actually have a dog. Or don't look into the breed enough. The answer isn't to ban staffys but I do think breeding and selling of all dogs needs reviewing.

I go to our local RSPCA centre quite a bit as the hold training and events. Every time we go, all the dogs are staffys or staffy crosses, that can't be homes with children or other cats and dogs, need a strong hand. It's so hard to rehome them.

Soubriquet · 15/10/2016 17:11

No. Because again it's still a persecution on most other dogs

GahBuggerit · 15/10/2016 17:15

first time i havent rtft!

staffies are pretty small with smaller heads than the pics usually printed in the media. i doubt actual staffies will ever be banned, thankfully

LilCamper · 15/10/2016 17:31

Yeah, cause this one needs to be banned...banning does not work!

Original poster
Flowersinyourhair · 15/10/2016 17:37

Honestly Lil you can print as many pictures of dogs as you like. In all fairness the dog that killed yesterday looks fine on the picture.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 15/10/2016 17:41

My Dh would melt at your photos Lil

He loves EBT's

I can't get over their head shape Grin

LilCamper · 15/10/2016 17:41

BSL, does not work, that is my point. My dogs are reward based science trained, I am a responsible owner. Neither dog is left unsupervised around 10 yo dd.

statetrooperstacey · 15/10/2016 17:41

Yes but lil, isn't that an English bull terrier? Which is erm, not a staffy?

LilCamper · 15/10/2016 17:44

English Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier... Bred for similar things. Mine is actually a mini so toy dog sized.

Soubriquet · 15/10/2016 17:49

Considering the dog in question isn't a Staffy either,'isn't that question irrelevant?

LilCamper · 15/10/2016 17:51

Sorry, my posts were in reply to a pp that suggests all bull breeds should be banned.

1smartyMCflurry · 15/10/2016 18:00

To the people saying they never leave their dog along with their children. Ever.
How is that even possible? Confused
Family life doesn't run text book smooth. In real life,
Doors accidentally get left open.
People get distracted.
There's miscommunication ''I thought you'd closed the door/put the dog outside''
''No you were supposed to do it''
A door or a gate could develop a fault and come open when leaned against.
A toddler learns how to climb over something you thought they weren't capable of climbing over
and so on and so on.

Despite your best efforts, there are going to be times where your dog and child will be together, without you being there. There's bound to be. It's inevitable.