Aibu regarding so called “Nanny” dogs AKA staffies

[Ghanagirl]

Just that really, I think Staffordshire bull terriers are similar and possibly interbred with pitbulls and very aggressive.
I visit families at home in the line of work in quite a rough area and have to ask clients to put dogs away as I’m terrified of being bitten as two of my colleagues have been attacked plus the local postie
apple.news/ACbjrKRZSQBOMnyuDqmjkFw
This above incident just confirms my opinion.

I think they are very over bred, which may mean their name crops up more in a negative way. All dogs can attack but staffies could do quite a lot more damage than a smaller mouthed breed. I've had dogs all my life and have always met very people loving staffies, however I do avoid them with my dog. Maybe just bad luck but ddog has been attacked twice , once by a staffie once by a JR. I've only met a few of both those breeds which seem to like other dogs, the majority don't seem interested but I've had a few near misses.

YANBU. Any dog can attack

I wouldn't trust a dog anyways regardless of breed. Yanbu as you don't know how they've been trained or if they have any issues or triggers. I do like dogs btw and I don't think these things are just confined to certain breeds. Except of course bigger and stronger breeds are more difficult to fight off if needed than toy breeds for example.

tadpole39

I believe, anecdotally, that there are actually MORE reported dog attacks with breeds such as Huskies, compared to pit bulls. ANY dog can potentially be dangerous. Large breeds such as Newfoundlands and St. Bernards can be big, goofy things that accidentally knock small children over by jumping up on them.

My cousin has a rescue dog she suspects is a pit mix. (Not sure because, again, rescue dog.) Anyone meeting her dog would probably be in far greater danger of being LICKED to death than attacked.

MIL used to have a cat named Max. Max was practically fearless. One time a Staffie came up to him and started sniffing him out of interest. Max promptly hissed and swiped the Staffie's nose. The Staffie turned out to be a complete wimp - he barked and took off down the street, with his mother running after him yelling, "Clifford! Come back here!" Max, a CAT, had the upper hand.

Can I also just point something out to you? I’ve spent a lot of time around dogs from childhood, to running a dog care business. It’s never the staffies, the boxers, the Alsatians, the huskies, labradors or akitas that are in the habit of biting, it’s always the little ones, like the westies, Yorkies, shitzu, chihuahuas and daschaunds that I’ve known to nip. Usually I’m warned about them nipping, but a few have, whereas the bigger ones tend to cover you in slob more than anything.

this thread is making me want a staffie!

As a dog groomer, I have never met an aggressive Staffie. Any dog despite the breed, if trained to do so, has the potential to be dangerous. I know an ex-military security guard who used Labradors in Afghanistan for the sheer power in their jaw.
If you are uncomfortable around dogs, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask an owner to put them in a different room when you go round but don’t tar one breed with the same brush. Staffies are often very affectionate, loving dogs and you might be missing out on a lovely canine encounter 🐾

I hate them so yanbu.

Well the ones I’ve met have been really sweet.

Letsmoveondude - agreed! I’m afraid I’ve met a lot of aggressive westies and Jack Russells 🐾

I’ve met lovely Staffies and scary Staffies just like I’ve also met lovely dachshunds and two aggressive, bitey little shits belonging to my neighbour, and lovely Labradors and my own dear lab’s brother who was put to sleep after he attacked a child.

It’s not a breed issue, it’s a training / upbringing issue.

I’ve met lots of lovely Staffies. What I think the problem is is how strong and powerful their jaw is.

Yabu, you ca judge an entire breed of dogs based on a small number of stories. Fine to ask people to remove their dogs when you visit but you can't just say all staffies are vicious. I've never met one that wasn't lovely.

My mum has a overgrown teddy bear GSD who has been attacked by idiots with small very aggressive dogs off lead because he dared bark back.... because it's fine for a small dog no matter who they attack in some peoples views. It's all down to the owners.

@SingingMyOwnSpecialSong oh my god your dog is adorable

I should add I was bitten on the face by a JRT, which leapt up from the sofa to bite me. Its only luck that I had some pretty hideous NHS glasses on that has kept me from more Serious scarring. I look like I have extra crows feet, and a hooded eye. A bit shit when I was 9.

We had a staffie when I was younger that was so happy to see me when I got home from school that she'd do a little wee from wagging about so much.

Conversely the only time I've been bitten by a dog was a three-legged Pomeranian devil.

I think it’s more to do with the “rough areas” rather than the dog breed.

I’ve got a rescue Staffie and she’s the most gentle dog I’ve had.

Also, in picking on a dog breed your taking the responsibility from the owner onto the dog when it should be the other way round.

But your clearly prejudiced so no matter what anyone says to you about the breed you aren’t going to listen.

I have only met lovely staffies, it's the owners not the dogs mainly. The most vicious dog I have ever come across was a cocker spaniel. He was fine one minute and vicious the next, we think he wasn't wired quite right.

I'm doomed. A rescue staffie x, a jrt and a little Red Devil. Also had a Dobie too until she passed away. It's a miracle I'm still alive

Name changed as she will out-me but this is my very vicious Staffy

YABVU and this has pissed me off.

I own a beautiful staffy boy who is soft as muck. He is one of the only dogs a lot of people will let near their kids. He has been had a go at by other dogs and never remotely reacts. He is the most loving dog I have ever met and I am blessed to own him.
I have been attacked by several breeds - none of which the media would perceive as dangerous. It's nothing to do with breed but all about the individual dog and owner.

Did you know the most frequent bites come from labs, based on statistics?
Please OP, stop reading media fear mongering, get out there and meet some beautiful staffies. You will realise what an amazing breed you are missing out on.

I've been attacked twice quite badly by dogs, one was an old English sheepdog and the other a Yorkshire terrier. I've never seen a staffie behaving aggressively let alone actually attack.

Iluff your dog looks shit scary to me

Ps please can people stop thinking that staffies and pitbulls are the same. They are not.

The most mouthy/bitey dogs I've ever met have all been spaniels, Labradors or JRT's.

Love threads like this , they happen so often and it gives everyone the chance to say to the op your talking shit and people put up photos of their beautiful staffies for us to enjoy 😁