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Location: West Sussex
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,749
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22-08-2011, 12:54 PM
I definitely understand the point some are trying to make regarding Staffies (and other Bull Breeds) and the POTENTIAL for dog aggression. You could get a perfectly well bred puppy, socialize it like mad and for one reason or another, still end up with a dog aggressive dog. With these types of breeds, it is naive to assume that even if you do everything correctly the potential for DA is not there. I know a lady who has both a Staffie and a Bull Terrier who did everything 'right' by the book and now has to manage two DA dogs.
Accepting potential for aggression and actively encouraging it by breeding from known DA dogs are two entirely different things though.
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Location: London, UK
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,498
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22-08-2011, 01:34 PM
Originally Posted by labradork 
I don't agree with breeding from dog aggressive dogs. The argument that Staffies "will lose their true temperament" doesn't wash IMO -- why is aggression desirable and worth preserving? yes they needed aggression for their orginal purpose but they certainly don't need it now. Surely through selective breeding they could retain all their good traits while reducing the dog aggression. Idiots that encourage these 'natural' aggressive traits are the reason that Staffies are in the dire situation that they are in now.
I definitely understand the point some are trying to make regarding Staffies (and other Bull Breeds) and the POTENTIAL for dog aggression. You could get a perfectly well bred puppy, socialize it like mad and for one reason or another, still end up with a dog aggressive dog. With these types of breeds, it is naive to assume that even if you do everything correctly the potential for DA is not there. I know a lady who has both a Staffie and a Bull Terrier who did everything 'right' by the book and now has to manage two DA dogs.
Accepting potential for aggression and actively encouraging it by breeding from known DA dogs are two entirely different things though.
Precisely - well said.
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Location: Shropshire, UK
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,636
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22-08-2011, 01:43 PM
Characteristics
Traditionally of indomitable courage and tenacity. Highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children.
Temperament
Bold, fearless and totally reliable.
Must be missing the key bit about the breed being DA then?!
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Location: n/a
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,938
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22-08-2011, 01:58 PM
Originally Posted by Craig & Lorna
Oh dear,
First and foremost i am a dog owner, yes i own an Affix and yes i have bred, but i wouldn't class myself as a "breeder".
My dogs are Happy family pets, they just do not have a tolerance for other dogs. We have 2 children one who is nearly 13 and the other who is nealry 4. Both of which have been brought up around Staffords. So to suggest that my dogs are any thing other than family pets is a little of the mark. Putting the breed back 10 years ? Seriously ?
I would happily recommed a Stafford to a family with children, but i would also make sure that i explained that there is the potential that this breed can become dog aggressive. This does not in any way mean that the dog can not be a fantastic family pet.
Owning a Stafford without knowing and being fully aware of what they are capable of is dangerous. Too many people buy or rescue Staffords and are oblivious to the fact that they can be dog aggressive. It does not mean that the owner has necessarily done anything wrong or that there is anything wrong with their dog, it's just that "potential" is there.
I do not need a book, thankyou anyway.
Having read a few of your posts and others i think people are being bit over reactive and protective over the staffie breed. I think I get were your comming from. I know people are trying to create a fluffy bunny image for the stafie so people going to re homming centres are more likely to come out with one without explaining their is equally a danger of agression to grow with that dog.
The staff doesnt have a lot going for it at the moment it seems that many people are miss informed on both sides and image of what the staff is really like is very miss lead, few people really understand this breed and I think all though its good their getting a new image the propper info should be supplied when opting for such a breed as it should of any breed.
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Location: gloucestershire
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,432
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22-08-2011, 02:05 PM
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Location: gloucestershire
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,432
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22-08-2011, 02:18 PM
Originally Posted by Trouble
I think every staffordshire bull terrier breed club has a similar warning Sal, the words may vary but the content remains the same.
Don't get me wrong owning a DA dog is certainly not fun,but you just have to accept it as part of the breeds make up and learn to live with it.
I think I know the dog Craig was referring to in a previous post and boy what a dog he is,he certainly doesn't get 40 cc's and go BOB at crufts 3 times if he wasn't a good example of his breed, and if all he has wrong is a bit of fire under his skin then so be it,you can't have everything...
I was actually considering using him over Meg had I bred from her.
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Location: South Oxfordshire, England
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,386
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22-08-2011, 02:21 PM
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Location: london.uk
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,012
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22-08-2011, 02:22 PM
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Location: london.uk
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,012
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22-08-2011, 02:27 PM
Originally Posted by chaz
Labradork great post! I have to say I don't get the whole thing about how its ok to breed from dogs, which in this day and age lets face it is more a behavioural throw back to where they originated, its not needed, and there are plenty of non DA dogs who are every inch a Staffie, being DA doesn't come into it IMO, its not needed now, and I believe can be started to be bred out, while retaining a true staffy, not a washed out version, and a amazing animal, I just really don't think nowadays DA adds anything positive to a Staffys temperment.
people often do know the potential but tend to ignore it or think they can be the one to change it ime...like sibes.
eta...i know what i mean
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