As you say it looks like your cross breed. You might think I am being picky but the incorrect identification of a dog as a Stafford is and has been very dangerous for the breed making it a target for all kinds of speculation and abuse from people.

In the past all muscle dogs were Staffords now they are Am Bull Dogs and I will bet if any breeds are added to the list they will be indanger of being it.

If they stop banning breeds then people would have no need to pretend their dog is any thing but what it is.

My point was roughly - it looks like a 'Staffy' to me as I perceive 'Staffies' to look. And I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking so.

Geez I've been out of the Uk for 7 yrs and never heard much about 'Staffies' until I joined this forum.

what I'm saying is - it matters NOT that someone can say for certain is it NOT one in that piccie. What matters is that 'most' people will see it and think it IS one.

I've probably said this before but my mum had a staffie and she was the softest, most loyal and sloppiest dog in the world, she used to love to lie at side of my son when he was a baby when he was asleep as if she guarding him. Oh and the most bone idle too- she hated going for a walk and loved sunbathing lol we adored her and she lived to the grand age of 15 & 1/2

Hi Mandyuk1

They are a fantastic breed aren't they. That's why I hate to see them portrayed as dangerous in the press.

My last staffie-X lived to 15.5, I swear she used to smile when I walked into the room, she was so adorable.

The one I have now isn't quite so adorable! Lots of character but hard work and as I say to people, he's a long-term project. He was a rescue (found straying) and I suspect not very well human socialised in his first home - we had real problems bonding but now it's beginning to happen.

I've had to seek a lot of advice on from this site and it's been absolutely invaluable - I seriously didn't know what to do until people on here gave me really good advice and guidance.

Sandy

I was not a fan of the Stafford until I started working with pound rescue! Of all the dogs I go and assess in the pound the Stafford and their crosses are generally the most lovely and the most trainable! I have only ever had to advise two dogs were not pulled from the pound on behavioural grounds (sadly we cant save them all and hard choices have to be made) and neither of those were Staffordshires! ...

Currently have one of our foster Stafford living next door and a goofier happier little lady you have never seen. Somebody has taught her to pretend to me aggressive to dogs which I'm working on, but she's so funny. She lunges and snarls likes proper daily mail dog. I ask 'watch me' she looks at me like 'but humans love it when I do this?' She growls and lunges again, 'watch me, come on this way' we walk away a few steps, she sneezes or shakes steps away after me and tries 'pleasing humans plan B' when all else fails roll over and wiggle about on your back! My heart breaks for her, the silly 'status dog act' is so not her at all, it's all trained behaviour...

Poor Treacle. I wish I had more time to fix her but her temporary foster time is running out and it will be back to the kennels for her next weekend I need more time but I have a rescue puppy arriving tomorrow so she can't come here

But she does show that much of the problem of 'staffies are so dangerous' are dogs like her that have been taught to pull like a tank and act aggressively so they look 'well 'ard'. Its really not her nature at all! But she wants to do anything to please you... Poor thing looks like she's had puppies at some point as well!

So sad that so many end up in rescue, their bad name means that they end up with irresponsible owners which in turn makes them "bad" and so the cycle continues.

There is currently a little elderly sweet fatty piggy staffie needing a home in a rescue centre close to where I live, she is fostered at weekends and the faster carer posts videos of her - she is to die for.

Your posting was so sweet - with the right handler and the correct technique, they can be trained to do anything.

ll dogs can be potentially dangerous, however some dogs are more dangerous than others, this can lead from bad ownership or just a flick of a switch. This is why it is important to Train your dog in socialization and proper care can make a significant impact, however some dogs are by years of breeding made more aggressive. ..

I agree all dogs can be potentially dangerous - people laugh at little toy dogs snapping around ankles - but it's not funny. I think ALL bad behaviour comes from bad ownership, lack of training and socialisation etc.. I'm not convinced by the argument "of years of breeding to be made more aggressive". I never did believe the nature over nurture argument to be honest. I think dogs' desire to please their owners and ability to be trained overcome any kind of breeding (if there is anything in the nature argument).

i don't necessary believe in aggression coming from just a flick of a switch either - I think there are signs and events that lead to a dog becoming aggressive with other dogs or humans - I just think owners don't spot and act on them.

I understand and agree and the reason I pointed out it was not a Stafford. I am always being yold staffords have done this and that. Peopel being attacked by Staffords and how many are in rescue. Even pictures on here and other places of peoples Staffords.

9 times out of 10 they are Staffords and while people percieve dogs as a breed they are not Staffords cope for all the blame.

You think it is a Stafford the fact that it is shown Muzzled suggests to me it is a Pit type who has a responsible owner

I see where you are coming from leadstaffs - we tend to lump all vaguely similar types into one heading "Staffies" when in fact they may well not be.

My point really about the posting is not that it is or not a staffie - it is a staffie type, which in my experience and from what I've read up on, is not a viscious dog and yet frequently portrayed to be in the media.

With respect you're missing the point of my posting to a degree, it is not whether the dog pictured is a true staffie but rather that people looking at the picture would see a staffie type.