anyone own a American Staffordshire terrier

[timelord1912]

any tips on owning this type of dog also female as well

Are you in the UK?
Do you have one or are you just thinking about it?
If thinking about it, and in the UK, DONT.

I believe the American staffy is taller and broader meaning it will likely be 'type' and seized and likely put down for being an illegal breed.

I don't think the Amstaff is a recognised breed here in the UK.
It will probably be classed as Pit bull or Pit bull 'type'.

I think 'american staffordshire' is often used as a name for pitbulls by idiots unscrupulous people. I have no problem with pitbulls, but having one in a country where they are illegal is irresponsible, and likely to result in a dead dog.

There's huge debate about whether amstaffs are in fact Pitbulls or not...either way they definitely look close enough to 'type' under the DDA that I'd be worried about owning one.

Exactly what Buttholelane says. Just, don't. Presuming you are in the UK ovbs.

This is our dog i reckon she is a staffie crossed something else she is NOT a banned breed though we have googled extensively and she looks nothing like a banned breed or an am staff we have just been told she is an am staff but previous owners are not 100% what she is

And yes we are in the UK and already have her

The problem with the DDA is that it really doesn't matter what breed a dog is, or what their behaviour is like, if someone decides they look a certain way then that is that .

For what it's worth natureplantar101...she looks like a staffy cross to me too.

I suggest that you spay her and chip her (requirements of exemption) and that you train her to walk beautifully on lead, really focus on training rock solid recall and teach her to sit politely when people approach.

This way, IF someone does report and you get a visit you will be more likely to be successful in getting her on the exemption register if the officer believes her to be 'type'.
Don't sign her over, but if you have no choice because the officer believes she is of type and is seizing her then request that she is assessed for the exemption register.

What breed is she do you think we'd love people's opinions we think shes a staffie/boxer

Also, to be on the safe side, keep her muzzled when out and about.

She has awesome ears.

Staffy/English or American Bull Dog crosses seem to be a thing? Also staffy/shar peis. I just Googled and saw a Staffy/English Bull dog cross the same colour but not many have those sticky-up ears...

I have a staffy/JRT cross (that was a sensible cobination!) and walking her in town the other day met a staffy/greyhound cross! She looks lovely - intelligent eyes. Enjoy your beautiful girl.

Pit bulls have been a banned breed for 20 years, that's 2 decades of no breeding, no change in ownership and any that are found are PTS or muzzled in public for any dog that is found to either be a pit bull or just unfortunate enough to look like one.

Do you not think if breed specific legislation was going to work, it would have made a difference already?

Going by studies, dachshunds are the most likely dog to bite and the largest number of dog bites treated in hospitals belong to Labradors. (Not a huge shock given how common they are)

If we stopped focussing on breed we'd have a much better chance of actually dealing with problem dog owners...and the police could stop wasting their time having to seize and exempt perfectly well behaved family pets because they look wrong.

Well her microchip papers say shes a bull terrier/bull mastiff breed so shes fine as for the "bred to fight nonsense" go shove your head back in the dailymail dear all dogs no matter the breed are born innocent loving creatures its the way they are treated by humans that decides their behavioural pattern for the rest of their lives the same goes for children. have a to go with your BS and toddle on

Only breed that have repeatedly attacked my bull terriers of various types - and we're talking over a lifetime as English BTs, mini BTs and staffy BTs are the only dogs I have owned - are labradors. Over and over and over. Vile things. If we're going to blame the breed - I'm adding them things to the dangerous dogs list.

I've had two in the past and they were beautifully behaved not like my twatty jack Russell. out of all my dogs they were the easiest to train.

i had a labrador retriever, with proper training and a firm voice it was the best dog ive ever had, always looked after the kids and was so placid it never bit anyone or anything, loved baloons and never popped them it was that gentle.

as for pitbulls and similar breeds it is and has always been the owners who treat them badly, years ago the pitbull was a great dog with an outstanding history nowadays instead of being raised as a family protector its now a tool for fighting other dogs of similar nature

Research has demonstrated that breed specific legislation is a waste of time - there is no evidence to demonstrate that it works and demonising certain breeds because of how they look is unhelpful. For every 'attacked by a bull breed' anecdote there'll be half a dozen 'attacked by a lab/collie/Mexican hairless or whatever. The difference is in the socioeconomic status of people that are stereotypical 'bull breed' owners and in the seriousness attributed to a threat from these breeds: people often think a girlie or other small dog snapping or growling is amusing, but certainly won't tolerate the same behaviour in a bull breed.
Well-raised Staffies can make excellent family pets, as can pit bulls.
As with any dog it comes downto responsible breeding in terms of selecting for health and temperament, and responsible pet ownership.
Unfortunately bull breeds are associated with certain lifestyles that aren't always compatible with responsible pet ownership. In these case the dogs are often victims of their upbringing in the same way children may be.

Girlie = yorkie!

Oh kelpeed.
My dog was attacked by whippets.
I later found out one of the same group of dogs, unprovoked, BIT someone badly enough they needed a hospital visit.
Shall we ban them because as hunting dogs they are inheritantly vicious, dangerous animals?

You say about jacks being killing machines, could you name me a breed that isn't?

You see, for your herding breeds like your collies, gsd's etc they are exhibiting hunting behaviour. Pure, unadulterated hunting behaviour, properly bred and trained they refrain from the pull down and kill.

Terriers - bred to kill other animals, either 'vermin' or other dogs.

Gundogs - that flushing behaviour of spaniels, yep, that's modified hunting behaviour. As is running after and retrieving shot game. When pointers point - another behaviour shown when dogs are hunting down prey.

Even toy dogs and breeds bred for companionship show hunting behaviour, chasing after cats and birds, the majority of the time, you can bet that if the dog catches them they will kill them.
When they shake their toy - they're pretending to break the toy's neck.
When they pull out all the stuffing - they are replicating what they would do with caught prey I.e. Pull out all the feathers/rip up the fur to get to the meat.
When they go outside and sniff the air, that's another hunting behaviour, dogs do this when they are scenting prey.
Running after a ball - this innocent behaviour is another example of prey drive.
Dogs with no prey drive don't chase after balls.

I have been bitten by a jack Russell, I have also met MANY aggressive spaniels and some retrievers.
I have been stared down and stalked by a poodle....