Never heard of THAT one! where did it come from???? They don't have any particular eye problems as far as I have heard, owning and showing for 10 years..... just curious!

Ooooops a bit off topic..... going back a few pages on numbers of SBTs, at a recent Champ show (Cloghran) there were 132 breeds with entries, out of which SBT's were the 5th biggest in numbers. I always seem to bump into them around the ring and have never heard a cross word, just lots of smiley faces and waggy tails. However, those who have followed news from Ireland and Northern Ireland will have heard of a recent raid on a puppy farm where "SBT/bull breed types" were allegedly being bred for fighting. Upbringing and handling surely influences behaviour... in any breed. A friend lost a prospective puppy owner as her vet said Dalmatians were vicious must have met one that was kicked about

I have a year old staffy who came from rescue at 6wks. I consider myself to be an experienced handler being involved in breeding, showing, obedience and agility. Also looked after a lot of friends staffys which is why I fell in love with the breed. I believe that all dogs have the potential to bite given the right trigger. My pup has been socialised with my own six plus others on a regular basis frm an early age was very territorial on dogs coming into the house. I also socialised her independantly of our pack in and outdoors. The perception of the breed by others is not positive and I have been asked to get that killer dog on the lead!!! However she is unpredictable and if silly owners pick up there small dog when she is passing she has a sniff then a snap. One day when waiting for me to throw her ball ran over to a male staffy he growled and she was really aggressive. Althougth learning the triggers and only being of lead when focused on a game or chasing the ball. She remains bottom of the pack but is very headstrong. I had hoped in joining the forum I would get some useful tips as like all dog trainers you sometimes dont see the wood for the trees. Aggression is not breed specific it can be genetic.

Well, a teenage dog guarding a resource probably will kick up. It`s not a breed thing, as you say.
There are a lot of nice dog-friendly staffs around in my area atm - I assume because the plonkers have moved on to mastiff or DDB crosses.
My dogs, sitting nicely at the side of the road, were nearly attacked by two bichons today before the child walking them dragged them snarling away.

My wee lass fell asleep in my arms while my friends dog and one of mine were playing. Why people allow there dog to run into a pack who have been put in a down amazes me. Just glad she is with us. See is a wee toad has so cute if one loses there ball they help each other to find it so the game of fetch keeps going. Its the usual wrong people have the wrong breeds for the wrong reasons and give the public the wrong information. I was walking her to get used to traffic at 12wks a woman looked at her pressed herself against a wall til we passed. All that negativity has an effect. As owners we need to unite and change opinion.

***Please note this thread is 5 years old

I would agree that there is a negative view of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and SBT crosses (Battersea dogs home has 43% residency - apparently 'there is not enough demand'. I think it is obvious that demand has been affected by Breed Specific Legislation and this will continue until BSL is repealed.

I also agree that negative views of dogs adversely the dog, both directly and indirectly via the owner. What I think people forget a lot (and I do sometimes myself) is that dogs senses are far more efficient than ours. Hostility is so easily recognised by a dog.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are so varied it is a shame Breed Specific Legislation has caused a reduction in ownership - they are all lovely in their own ways. I haven't seen a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in quite a while.

I own a Staffordshire bull terrier who is a really friendly boy but then again he's only 5 months old and I know things could change once he's matured. Getting him neutered after Christmas and I've been told that stops male dogs being as aggressive?

However his litter sister has attacked him 3 times (always at the neck I add) and he's never tried to fight back but get away from her and then hides behind me (I no longer let her come round here). But on Milos walk I've found the most common breed to go for him is labradors and small breeds (a pom, jack Russell, yorkie and two fluffy dogs) his main friends at the moment is a rottie cross, a GSD, a Doberman, an Akita and he's also had a good play with a few SBTs an EBT and even a pitbull.

It's all about how a dog is brought up and I know originally bred to fight they are probably more likely to be dog aggressive but I think with a lot of socialisation and training they can be fine with other dogs

Only dog fight I've ever seen was when I was 8 between two male Rottweiler guard dogs at the stables I remember the owners running over separating them and the man coming out with a bloody hand. It never scared me though I was just concerned that the dogs would hurt each other but I'm sure I would be terrified if a dog (other than his sister who I got off easily) attacked Milo

I'm confused why do you think there has been a reduction in ownership of SBT. They are always in the top 5 of most popular breeds. The reason there are so many in shelters is because they are so popular. Everyone and his uncle breeds them in the hope of some easy money and when they can't be sold they end up in shelters. All you have to do is look in most local free add papers or on Gumtree there are always SBT for sale.

BSL has actually made the SBT more popular as all the idiots who had pit bulls as status dogs have now moved to SBT's

Round here they`ve moved on to bigger breeds.

I haven't noticed that here every chav I see either has a SBT or a Pitbull 'type'.