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The doghouse

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Original poster

DSis adopting a Mastiff cross from her 'D'Ps friend... am I right to be sh*tting bricks?

44 replies

SuzySheepSmellsNice · 24/01/2013 23:33

I am not keen on any kind of fighting-type dog tbh, and nothing is going to change that. I have a toddler (23m) and I don't want to fall out with her over this, but if this dog (she's adopting as the owners are moving into a flat) even looks funny at my DS I swear I will never speak to her again. Do I just ban him from coming round and avoid her house? I am very confused :(

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shine0ncrazydiamond · 24/01/2013 23:34

Just keep your child away from the dog?

MayTheOddsBeEverInYourFavour · 24/01/2013 23:46

Do you know anything about the dog? I have mastiffs and they are amazing with my dc. I can understand being nervous around unknown dogs but as long as you supervise them properly there's no reason to believe there will be any problems

Original poster
SuzySheepSmellsNice · 24/01/2013 23:46

Yes I plan to, but she's my sister and we are very close and spend loads of time together. I live next to her childrens'school, and she said that she thought it would be okay to just put him in my back garden. I have do just grow some and tell her its not :(

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Original poster
SuzySheepSmellsNice · 24/01/2013 23:48

One of the problems is that I don't know the dog, and neither does she. They've met him once

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Original poster
SuzySheepSmellsNice · 24/01/2013 23:49

How are your mastiffs with other people? Not just family members?

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MayTheOddsBeEverInYourFavour · 25/01/2013 00:15

Does your sister have much experience with dogs? I can see why you're worried if neither of you know the dog, I hope she knows what she's doing

My two of my mastiffs (who I've had from puppies) are great with other people, they havent got a nasty bone in their big stupid bodies Grin we keep them away from people because their size makes some people nervous which is understandable, but they are big soft babies. Our other one doesn't like strangers because he is a rescue dog and was badly abused but he just hides behind us, he has never shown aggression even when he's been whimpering with fear

I think mastiffs are one of those breeds who can have a bad reputation that isn't usually deserved. That's not to say I think you should trust your sisters new dog, after all it is a completely unknown animal, but you shouldn't worry that all mastiffs are nasty or aggressive because some of them are lovely

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 00:27

You can't judge a breed on it's (usually undeserved) reputation.

I have a Rottweiler, and 3 children. He is a huge teddy bear. So much so that he often sleeps on a cold floor because the cat has stolen his bed.

He is amazing with all people, animals etc. Oh and he was a rescue that has been mistreated in the past :(

My mum has a Yorkie, tiny little cute looking thing but pure evil!

Once out walking the 2 a mother sent her small child over to me with the instruction to " just stroke the little one". I had to quickly step in front before the little one took his hand off and explain that only the Rottie was friendly.

If you look at the dog bite stats you will be surprised to see that those more likely to bite are the breeds seen as friendly. Others that you would think would be high actually are not.

Did you know Staffies used to be called 'the nanny dog' as they were so good with children?

Your sister loves your DC, she isn't going to put him at risk. You are right to be cautious of ANY dog but don't assume the dog will be aggressive purely due to breed.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 25/01/2013 00:40

I would be just as (if not more) cautious of a small dog with a non fighty reputation than a big dog with a bad one.

The dog I would trust least with my DS is a family members 'labradoodle', the one I would trust the best is someone else's staffie or our old neighbours dog who is a mix of bulldog, staffie and some other bull terrier breed that I can't at this moment recall (fecking big baby that thing was, it playfully chased my cats!)...

Obviously you would be careful with any dog around your child but get to know the dog first

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 25/01/2013 00:41

(pressed enter too soon)

  • before you start immediately banning the dog.
NatashaBee · 25/01/2013 00:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

monsterchild · 25/01/2013 00:47

You should tell your sister that until you know and trust the dog you don't want him around your kids. That isreasonable.

Staffies were never "nanny dogs"; that myth was begun in the 1970's. truth about staffies

deleted203 · 25/01/2013 00:56

The thing is, as she is adopting the dog from people who are moving, I am assuming it is not a puppy. And therefore its behaviour will stem entirely from how well trained it has been by it's previous owners. Maybe they were wonderful and the dog is highly trained and docile. Perhaps they were shit owners and the dog is badly trained and ungovernable. How experienced with dogs is your sister? And how well does she know this particular dog? Is it likely to obey her? I would have grave concerns myself, purely because taking on an adult dog (if my assumptions are correct) is not like training a pup. I wouldn't let it be around my child until I was very certain of it.

StillSmilingAfterAllTheseYears · 25/01/2013 00:59

I agree that you should be extremely wary until you are well used to the dog and can be more sure of its behaviour. I've had to bar a relative's dog, it is not easy but is sometimes the only way. Better safe than sorry!

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 01:16

Monster child that link is about pitbulls. A breed banned in the UK.

monsterchild · 25/01/2013 01:40

The title is, ProtogeMoi, but the actual article is about staffies and the history of the Nanny myth, as staffies are an older breed than American Pit bulls.

I like dogs, BTW, but no dog of any breed should be trusted with kids unsupervised, and I do agree with sowornout about making sure the dog is safe and reliable before mixing with kids. And also making sure the kids know how to treat a dog! The nanny dog myth just makes my teeth hurt, as I think it does more harm to fighting breeds than it helps.

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 02:10

No its not. It mentions pit bulls and american bull terriers. No mention of the SBT.

Agree about treating dogs with caution as all animals can be unpredictable but do not like when dogs are judged by breed.

Would the OP have posted the same thread if her sister was getting a Labrador?

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 02:13

I tell a lie. They are saying American Staffordshire Bull Terrier but now see that later on they mean English SBT.

Hardly an accurate source however and very biased against these breeds.

deleted203 · 25/01/2013 02:19

I think the thing is about certain breeds that whether you like it or not some are more dangerous than others. Purely because of genetics/physical characteristics. I wouldn't categorise Rottweilers, Staffies, etc as necessarily any more likely than, say, a Lab or a Spaniel to be aggressive. What I would say is that any dog (particularly if not well trained) can turn on a child if they are frightened, hurt or feel threatened. And if a Staffy or a Rottweiler turns on a child they will do a LOT more damage to said child than a Spaniel, purely because of the strength in their jaws and how muscular they are as a breed.

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 02:28

Not always true.

A child has been killed by a Chuawaha (sp). Yes a Rottie may be stronger but small dogs are very capable of killing also.

You could argue that a spaniel would be harder to outrun. Watching my friends Weiraramer run rings around my Rottie shows me not all dogs have the ability to run fast enough to catch.

AdoraBell · 25/01/2013 02:29

Regardless of the breed dogs and DCs shouldn't be left unsupervised and your responsibilty is To your DCs rather than your adult sister.

Plus, that comment about just putting the dog in your garden. Who is adpoting the dog? Is she going spend her days at your's picking up it's poo so that your DCs can play in their own garden? How is she planning on feeding and excersising said dog?

You may be close, spend lot's of time together, love your sister dearly etc, but be careful that she doesn't take advantage of your good relationship.

monsterchild · 25/01/2013 02:31

ProtogeMoi, I agree, the site is biased against all fighting dogs. I do think it's important that the research (and it seems like they did do the research) shows that Nanny dog is a recent appellation.

I think more people are bitten in the US by retrievers than by bull terriers, and I do think the same precautions have to be used with all dogs, regardless of breed.
I agree that if a dog is frightened, they are dangerous, full stop. I think small nervous dogs are more dangerous than most bull terriers I have met! My friends have a pit bulls, and their home was recently broken into. the dogs were in the house. the thieves simply gave the dogs some pizza from the fridge and made off with the electronics. No one was protected or attacked.

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 02:39

I think in some ways smaller dogs can be more dangerous. Very few people would leave their small child unsupervised with a Rottie or Staffie. But a Lab or a toy breed and they don't see the harm.

Every single breed can be dangerous, all dogs should be treated with caution and no dog should be with a child unsupervised.

Just as people are more wary of some breeds, they are more trusting with others, hence the mother telling her child to stroke the Yorkie in my earlier post. This is the problem, you must treat all dogs the same, be aware they all have the ability to injure or kill no matter of breed.

ProtegeMoi · 25/01/2013 02:45

Cross posted monsterchild lol at the pizza!

When I first got my male Rottie (the rescue) my BIL came to visit. I was out but my window was open so BIL not knowing that I had collected the dog decided to climb in!

I arrived home to find them cuddled up together and BIL told me the dog sat and watched him climb in before running over for a stroke.

This is a dog that has scars all over him due to the bastard ex owner who beat the life out of him and you would expect to be fearful of humans.

MagratGarlik · 25/01/2013 09:07

I think regardless of the breed, this type of private rehoming is never a good idea. Your sister does not know the dog, the current owners may lie about the dogs temperament if they want to get rid of the dog and if something goes wrong there is no back up.

Rehoming a dog is fab, but please tell your sister to go to a reputable rescue which will have carried out behavioral assessments, will look at the dogs needs and the families needs to make a suitable match and if circumstances change, will take the dog back, even in 10 years time. Reputable rescues will also offer free behavioral advice if necessary.

Search back through the many threads on the topic to see why private rehomes, or those from Gumtree or the pound are not a good idea.

Original poster
SuzySheepSmellsNice · 25/01/2013 09:42

Thanks everyone. I do appreciate the advice and all opinions. I don't want to over-react, but she is making some pretty daft decisions at the moment which I do understand are none of my business but this one affects my child so I'm a bit wary. This dog is around 1 I believe and 'wonderful' Hmm but as you say, I wouldn't trust any unknown dog, regardless of breed. And I am more nervous around big fighting-type dogs which was exacerbated by watching Amores Perros, which doesn't help. DSis doesn't have much experience with dog training either... :(

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