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Original poster

Would you let your baby near a staffie dog?

225 replies

Chloesss · 24/02/2022 11:04

I don’t mean to offend anyone who has a Staffie, I know a few lovely Staffies. However the thought of my baby being in a room with one freaks me out, my sister in law has just bought a puppy Staffie and I just know there will be occasions where they bring the dog to my mother-in-laws house When we are there.

My husband wouldn’t see anything wrong with it and won’t worry, but you do sadly hear of stories or children being attacked by staffies, you never hear of a lab or poodle attacking a child. And the whole lock jaw thingSad

My side of family said I should absolutely not let my son around the Staffie and I agree, it’s just not a risk I’m willing to take, however I know it’s going to cause arguments between me and my husband and I know if he took our son without me he would lie about the dog being there.

Am I being unreasonable asking them to leave the dog at home?

Thanks

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BurntO · 24/02/2022 12:58

Some of these replies are really over the top. Staffies are lovely. Lock jaw isn’t a thing. I wouldn’t have my baby within reach of any dog. Babies get cuddled a lot. If baby needed time on the floor and a dog was running around then dog goes in another room/outside for a bit. Doesn’t have to be long periods of time. If dog is sleeping in the corner then that’s cool.

My DS didn’t go to my in-laws house for the first year or two of his life because they have an overactive jumpy terrier. They agreed with me cause they didn’t want baby being caught by a paw or getting jumped on. Some dogs are really chill and I’d have been fine with that.

It’s not the breed.

Fundays12 · 24/02/2022 12:58

Absolutely not. I never even let my cats get to close to my kids when they were babies. They are gentle cats but could have scratched or bite if they got a fright from the baby.

HeyBlaby · 24/02/2022 12:59

It might be wise of me to add that many of the issues reported with staffies are reported as 'staffordshire type', from looking at them it's often obvious there isn't just staffy in there, some of these dogs are massive. Often the type of people that buy these dogs want a nasty dog and have a dysfunctional lifestyle, a good owner with a well bred true staffy dog from being a puppy is likely to have a well trained friendly dog.

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mumto2teenagers · 24/02/2022 13:03

As a massive dog lover and owner of 2 staffies I would say that a young child and dog should never be left together unsupervised. I would not have a problem with the dog being a staffie, assuming any contact is properly supervised.

As others have said, there is no such think as a nanny dog, but the KC do recommend staffies as good family dogs.

fuckoffImcounting · 24/02/2022 13:05

I have a staffie cross and he is big. He is a rescue dog and I don't know his history so I don't let him off lead in public places and I don't let small children approach him. Older kids will say hello to him and he loves them. He is overall very loving and affectionate but he would be head height with a toddler and it only takes one second for a terrible mauling to occur. Teach your children how to be around dogs but don't let the little ones alone with any dog.

drpet49 · 24/02/2022 13:06

No I wouldn’t and didn’t. Was proved right when the Staffie had to rehomed.

mintich · 24/02/2022 13:08

Nope! I'm a dog lover and have had many large dogs, rottweilers dobermans, german Shepherds. I wouldn't like any dog around my children except for our family dog.

DoubleShotEspresso · 24/02/2022 13:08

Nope no way-no exceptions. No dog near any baby to be honest.

Emmelina · 24/02/2022 13:09

I wouldn’t let a baby near ANY dog, regardless of breed. Yes, Staffies have a reputation currently - but I’ve seen plenty of aggression from other breeds. Chihuahuas are known for being very snappy and could also do a great deal of damage to someone defenceless in a short space of time. Even a reliably friendly dog may snap if pushed too far or pulled in the wrong spot. I have a scar on my leg from a family cocker spaniel who was very sweet natured, I accidentally tripped on her when I was about 7 and she went for whatever was in the direction of what hurt her (me).

FrancescaContini · 24/02/2022 13:11

No, never

UserWithNoUserName · 24/02/2022 13:12

It’s not the breed

It's not, although some breeds due to their size etc can do more harm. (although, IME, a poodle or other small dog is way more likely to bite anyway).
That said, of course, nobody wants their dc to be bitten by any dog, so echoing the responses in the thread, better not to have small children around any dogs unsupervised.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 24/02/2022 13:13

I wouldn't.
Me dfriend has had a staffie from a pup. Adorable. She never once has left her alone with her dc.

MondayYogurt · 24/02/2022 13:13

Not near any dog.

I grew up with a Staffy (registered) and she had the softest mouth in the world, never reacted to me and was a good friend but it's not worth the risk.

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 24/02/2022 13:15

Don't single out the breed! By doing so you just increase the prejudice against them.

No baby or child should be left unsupervised with a dog or animal.

Go on instragrm and look up:
www.instagram.com/the_blueboys/

instagram.com/arnoldstaffzenegger?utm_medium=copy_link

instagram.com/staffy_amina?utm_medium=copy_link

instagram.com/dorastaffy?utm_medium=copy_link

All of these have staffies and then had baby's, all show/say no baby should be left alone with them.

RecklessRemote · 24/02/2022 13:16

Don’t leave a child alone with any dog. Period.

I have 3 and a toddler and they’re always separated if I’m not there. The fact it’s a staffie plays no part, I know lovely gentle ones and ones with behavioural problems - same as any breed!

2 of my dogs are Labradors - still wouldn’t leave them alone even though they’re soft and daft!

yikesanotherbooboo · 24/02/2022 13:17

Nothing to do with being a Staffie; don't leave a baby alone with a dog

Blueuggboots · 24/02/2022 13:19

Teach your child to respect dogs and their space and only pet them with the express permission of the owner.

Yahyahs22 · 24/02/2022 13:20

My 2 year old loves my sisters staff. He's a gentle sweet little thing.

moose62 · 24/02/2022 13:20

I have a really cute Westie that all children gravitate towards....she hates them.... I had a very large full male lurcher (deerhound x greyhound) that adored children. You can never tell.....so don't risk leaving a child with any dog!

Babyvenusplant · 24/02/2022 13:23

You'll have a lot of people defending bull breeds, I love them personally but wouldn't have one with a baby around.

While other breeds may cause more trips to a&e from bites, when powerful bull type breeds bite they do a lot more damage than a lab or a jack russell.

All dogs are unpredictable, they are animals. Even the softest dog can turn in an instant for so many reasons

If the dog is at your inlaws while you're there, just keep your baby well away from the dog

Blueuggboots · 24/02/2022 13:24

And as PP's have said, I would never leave a child unattended in room with a dog.
Are your family responsible dog owners? Will they train the dog too?

Moonface123 · 24/02/2022 13:26

l would never leave a baby with any dog. It is too high risk.

Tiny837 · 24/02/2022 13:28

We have a staffy. When my daughter was born 12yrs ago the dog couldn't really care less about the new baby, he was so placid and was NEVER left alone in room with baby. We trusted OUR staff but that's because he was treated right and in my opinion it's sometimes the owners who make their dogs of any breed dangerous.

Bibbitybobbityboo86 · 24/02/2022 13:30

I love dogs and have worked with them
For 20 years. I
Love them more than people!

I would not let my baby near any dog without supervision- especially a SBT, sorry to any SBT owners

WetLookKnitwear · 24/02/2022 13:31

You shouldn’t let the baby around any dog.