How shocking! Your poor little dog.

I didn't know that, Sarah, thanks - I'll bear that in mind in future.

how has he been today? did you go to the area or see this silly women.

Poor Dylan, Snorri.

Why do so many people with small dogs allow such aggressive behaviour? Even to the point that many think it's funny or cute! And, of course, they're the ones that are so quick to mouth off if your dogs have a go back. Grrrr! Such irresponsible ownership - I feel really sorry for you having your walks ruined in such an easily avoidable way. The first time, well, I'd still have had words but however good our dogs are they can always take an unexpected dislike to another and have a go so I would have been a bit easy on her, but any subsequent times I'd have let rip into her. It's just not acceptable. I hope you manage to get something sorted soon, because it's not fair having to change your walk for one inconsiderate person and her thugs.

It does seem to be a JR/terrier thing - I know all are not like it - we used to meet 3 together on a walk we used to regularly take and they were lovely - adored chasing around with my SBT/AB. But please don't be lulled into a false sense of security just because your dog is bigger. I know he's likely to be able to look after himself, as he's already shown, but even though they're small they can actually cause an awful lot of damage to bigger dogs.

Where I often walk there's a lady who's dog was attacked by a small dog - the small dog had had a few goes before, and the larger dog had 'told it off', but then one day the small dog just launched itself at the larger dog's face and hung on - resulting in the larger dog's eye being brought out of its socket. On racing to the vet, the vet did, luckily, manage to save the larger dog's eye (to the surprise of the vet!).

The culprit? A westie.

The victim? A boxer.

So please never underestimate the damage a smaller dog can do to a larger dog!

I really hope you manage to get all this sorted out - how have your walks been since your dog pinned the other?

"and told me he is always doing this. Someone else has told me about these two fellas too."

So she knows this isn't a one off incident but still is ignorant enough to let the dogs off in public. I would definately have a word with her, in no uncertain terms. If Loki did attack her JRT's you can bet your life she would be screaming at you!

This irresponsible woman needs put in check and if a polite but stern word won't do it, then I would get her reported - before some innocent dog attacks hers in retaliation and ends up getting PTS

I own a jrt and he is trained to a higher standard than most of the other dogs we meet on the street. I know plenty small and large, well trained dogs and I know plenty small and large dogs untrained and with irresponsible owners. It is bad to generalise and make comments such as this Deva as generalised comments like these have caused all the bad press for staffie owners.

I don't appreciate you refering to my dogs breed in this way

I agree with Jake generalisation does a lot of damage we could all do it about each others breed if we wanted to. Most of us have the sense to realise it is the owner at fault and not a particular type of breed in most cases.

You're quite right that there are a lot of dogs, both small and large, that are untrained and with irresponsible owners, I'm not disputing that for a minute.

And I wasn't saying all small dogs are allowed to get away with it...that's why I said - the key here being 'so many'. It's great that you and others like you do obviously take the time to train and socialise yours. Unfortunately, many don't. (Like any size or breed of dog - before we get into that again. ) But not many (unless the idiots wanting to see dogs fight) seem to think it's cute or funny when they have a big dog go off, but there are - unfortunately - an awful lot (in my experience) of smaller dog owners who do. And having a staffy X, I know who would get the blame when one of theirs has a 'cute funny' tantrum, if mine turned round and had a go back. So yes maybe I'm also a bit oversensitive about my breed of dog, and the situations we've encountered with small dogs. I'm also not the only one who posted that JRs and other small terriers can be like this. They're terriers...they've got that wonderful tenacious spirit. So they don't care what size of dog they're taking on, but the owners should.

And it was also a question - I am genuinely interested. Is it just that because they're small people don't think they need the same training? (Those that don't!) It's what I've always assumed but I was thinking maybe there's another reason.

As for generalising, if you'd read my post I gave an example to try (obviously failed) and prove I wasn't ... If I had time, I'd list all the positive experiences I've had with them, and all the negative, but I don't...hence only the one. So yes, I am well aware that generalising is what causes bad press but I'd thought I had made it clear I wasn't. Sorry.

Sorry for offending you - no offence was meant to you or any small dog owner. That's the trouble with trying to convey what you're wanting to say over the internet AND doing it surreptitiously at work!