Should we ban specific dog breeds?

[blackbirdbluebottle]

I love dogs but I have always been wary of particular breeds such as pit bulls, staffies and breeds that are banned. It's been in the news about banning certain breeds. Do you think we should be banning certain breeds or should we ban the dog on a dog by dog basis?

No but i do think we need to have compulsory neutering of some breeds now.
I say that as someone who has two staffies

I work with dozens of dogs every single day! I've met a wide variety of breeds. Pit bulls and staffys are honestly hand on my heart one of the most friendliest, gentlest and amazing dogs ever!

However there are a few who are aggressive, but this is not down to them this is down to there owners who think they are an accessory too make them look big and hard.

But let me tell you in the ten years I've worked with dogs I've only ever been bitten twice by a shitzu and a collie. Never a banned breed! It's weird!

Although their friendlier dogs that your shitzu, yes they do have the strength to do more damage than a shitzu.

But this should not mean they should be banned! I don't no what we could do I just feel for the poor dogs :(

Yes I feel for the poor dogs and I’m sure I read somewhere that a terrier or a similar type of dog gave the most reported dog bites but I reckon that was down to children provoking the dogs. I haven’t owned a Staffie before but they look quite aggressive dogs, do people have them for protection or for their "gentle" nature?

My dog has been brutally attacked 3 times now - by a springer spaniel. This dog is owned by people who refuse to take responsibility for their dogs issues, and keep allowing it off a lead so it attacks other dogs.

I don't blame the dog at all, I blame the wankers that own it.

We need far bigger penalties for owners to hit them in the pocket.

Banning breeds has little effect as it just drives it underground.

It's well known that Staffies are naturally calm gentle protective breed!!! They look aggressive??? Don't to me! They became popular with horrid people who conduct dog fighting that use fear and trauma to make dogs aggressive regardless of breed and natural temperament

So Staffie should be banned because they look aggressive, but terriers are fine because they were probably provoked? That doesn't make an awful lot of sense as an argument.

Banning certain people from owning dogs might be more effective. It isn't really down to breeds.

My dogs been attacked (not badly thank god) twice. Once by a springer-door and once by a staffie bull type breed.

I personally think that any dog that can't be easily overpowered by an average woman should be banned unless you have a licence and reason for having it. Such as security dog.

Dachunds are apparently responsible for most bites. But if a sausage dog went for my kid I can stop it. What will I do if a rottweiler goes for my kids?

Banning just say, bull breeds wouldn't work because the people that want bull breeds for status will just get something else and turn them into dangerous dogs. We could then end up with loads of dangerous huskies or somthing.

I think my point has been misinterpreted, Staffies are one of the breeds people were considering to ban. I believe certain dogs should be banned but on a case by case basis like that attacking spaniel. I also believe aggressive dogs who are trained to be aggressive should be banned unless it's for a specific role like police or security

No. I think some kind of a license and a penalty system would be better.

Some of the issue with staffies is people interbreeding them with pitbulls and passing pitbulls off as staffies.

For owners that is

Staffies are not aggressive. Theyre just people pleasers and strong which means they can dangerous in the wrong hands, but in good hands theyre wonderful dogs and not massively hard to train as theyre clever.

However rescues are full to bursting with them and people are now overlooking rescue centres because they assume its all staffies. People are even importing rescue dogs from cyprus etc as a way to still rescue without getting a staff.
I think theres just too many of them and something needs to be done to reduce their numbers

Sorry when you say banned do you mean put down. If an individual dog is aggressive it is usually put down.

We had a staffie growing up. She was amazing. She was the softest thing. She would cry when we left and was great with us kids. We are considering having one as our family dog. It's the owners faults. Pure and simple.

ban the owners not the dogs.
Staffies are lovely dogs, BUT they need good owners, just like any dog.

Apologies I think individual dogs should be put down but I think pitbulls should be banned. Sorry about the confusion. I just wondered what others thought about banned breeds

Pit bulls are already banned?

I think you shouldn't be able to own a dog until you have a license.
So many bad owners around it's them we need to do something about not the dogs.

Fwiw I think the whole staffie thing is because they look quite similar to pit bulls. Plus the way their teeth work they are designed to lock so can't be pulled apart.
I think it's this that gives them a bad name.

Sorry for the ignorance, by banned does it mean those dog breeds die out and they're not allowed to be bred anymore?

How do you police that? There are so many backyard breeders it would be impossible. I do think it should be compulsory to have a dog licence like some countries do that's marked by a coloured collar I believe.

I don't think breeds as such should be banned (where if a dog is found to be a banned breed it's pts) but I think the breeding of certain breeds should probably be banned and neutering of those breeds should be mandatory. I'm not entirely sure what those breeds should be though.

I would say there is a much argument for banning the breeding of pugs due to the suffering they endure as a result of their physiology as there is for 'aggressive' breeds. But I strongly believe there is no such thing as a bad dog just bad owners.

They’ve had banned breeds for nearly 30 years... if that was going to prevent dangerous dogs it would have already, instead it’s got worse - because the law is aimed at the wrong end of the lead.

The dog we avoid on our walks is a cocker spaniel.It is at least kept on its lead now possibly after police advice seeing as it has attacked quite a few dogs. Do I think the breed should be banned? No of course not because I know other cocker spaniels that are friendly and well trained. Rather than banning breeds there should be more banning of irresponsible owners

Branleuse is right.
Staffies are lovely dogs but can easily be made aggressive as they are eager to please and love their humans.
Rescues full of them. People still breeding them.
Compulsory neutering, licence maybe? I’d happily pay a yearly fee for my (lovely and under control) Staff to prevent so many being born only to live and die in rescue

No we should ban thick, lazy, abusive, neglectful, people having dogs.

We should regulate dog ownership and make licensing, regular vet checkups and education Classes compulsory for owners. With dog removal of owner fails to comply.

There is no such thing as a bad dog. There are only bad owners. No puppy is born knowing how to attack other dogs, or people’s children, etc. Those behaviours are learned and taught.