Help with an assignment. opinions needed asap please :)

Hi, im finishing up a diploma in animal management and im completing an investigative project as part of this.
for my investigation im looking into the perception of Staffordshire bull terriers and Rottweilers.
id like to hear what you think about each breed, and also how they are percieved by the media or certain social groups, for example mature teens and young adults.
answers can be as simple or detailed as you like, all opinions are valued. please note at the end of the message the area you are from as this can help me when quoting. i will not use real names, as these are not necessary. i will use all quotes whilst naming them 'preloved member from newcastle'
thanks for your time
Zoe

My Mum was looking for a rescue dog last year and I came across a lovely looking Rottweiller on here. I mentioned her to my mum who promptly said, I cant get one of them they are nasty!!! So I showed her the pic anyway and the write up. Kia has now been with her for over 6 months and is the gentelest girl ever.

Many people who we told that we were getting her said she will eat the kids!! or told us they are aggressive!!

She is completely the oposite

We are from Manchester

hope thast helps

From glasgow, have recently met a lot of people who have rehomed, taken on staffys, all lovely temperament not one aggresive. I dont see them as aggresive dogs at all, its the people that make them perceived that way.

I see rotties as slightly more volatile based on experience with them, (not saying they are thats just those Ive met) but too often find they just want a big bear cuddle Met someone once on a caravanning holiday who owned 5 adult rotties and one pup and all were a joy to be around.

With Staffords you usually get very extreme reaction from people out and about.

They usually love them or hate them.

On Saturday I took Vera to meet a Lakeland terrier I bred who is having a few issues with other dogs.
We went over and both went for a walk together, we met lots of dogs on the way and Vera behaved impeccably with every dog she met which gave her friend and their owners more confidence.

On Sunday we went to the Ginger day and in the ring for the waggiest tail and I was next to someone with a puppy Boxer. Now Vera does not have a very waggy tail so we knew we had no chance, The Boxer owner was very uncomfortable standing next to use until Vera turned to the pup and gave it a little kiss and wag. The pup gave his tail a great big wag and he got placed. I said to the pup owner I bet you did not expect to have a ally in a stafford, he smiles and said no I did not .

She also got bite on the side of her face later by a dog that like to lung at other dogs but the owner had the flexi unlocked while she chatted. Her reaction was to laugh.

Vera is a good ambassador for the breed but still some people would sooner cross the road rather than walk past her and as we walk sometimes people coming in the opposite direction stare at her as they approach as they make up their minds to cross the road or not.

We are from Liverpool

Highlands, Scotland.

I have a rescue Staffy who's deaf as a post. He's the gentlest dog you've ever met. For the most part up here people like staffies, however, I have to admit a few folks when they see Dougal doing his staffy 'barrelling' towards them balk a little. Until he stands and wags at them, and gives them a big staffy smile...then they soften a little...well quite a bit actually.

Before I met my OH I had never considered a staffy, had never met one, never known anyone that had one. Then I met my father in laws dog, and she converted me completely. This was before I'd even heard that there was a bad reputation for these dogs. It was later when I was on the lookout for one for us that I was hearing about staffies having this allegedly bad reputation.

The problem I have is twofold. One: Staffy attacks are usually caused by irresponsible owners, two: ANY dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands or treated badly. Friend of mine who's grandaughter was visiting a farm witnessed a horrifying attack on the grandaughter from a collie, resulting in the wee lass being hospitalised and having plastic surgery. Collies, or retrievers, or labs, or any dog can attack or bite if they are owned by an irresponsible owner

IMO the problem is not the dog, it is the owner. Any attack is an individual issue, not a breed issue. That goes for Rotties too.

well said, 100% agree

But in reality a lot of people still don't believe that. They still believe that they are dogs to be frightened of.

My staffie is a big softy, always the first to welcome any new dog or foster, likes to offer his toys to them even his beloved ball. He's full of energy but somehow always manages to contain himself when playing with any newcomer until they've found their feet. He can be very tender and gentle when the need arises and like a bull in a china shop the rest of the time. I'd never considered a staffie but couldn't see him go into rescue when his owner changed her mind and decided to get rid of him at only 13 weeks. I've always believed a dog is a dog, they may wear different breed outfits but underneath they're all the pretty much the same.
I love Rotties have no issues with them at all and have considered owning one in the past. I don't have negative views about any dog tbh.
Rarely do I encounter any out of control or aggressive dogs, although I do have a friend with a dog aggressive staffie he is always under control and socialises well with my dogs.
London/Essex borders

Meet several staffies out and about on walks and in several cases owners have warned us not to come close as the staffie is dog aggressive (though not person aggressive). Where people have let the dogs meet there has only been one instance where the staffie has been cool (no warning growls)! I know that in a couple of cases at least, the dog is from rescue which points to past owner problems rather than breed necessarily (the staffie who met nicely had been reared by the owner from a pup which I think is signficant). I would be more cautious about letting my dog approach a staffie (in comparison with, say a lab) just based on past experience. Even staffs which the owner reckons are 'friendly' can put up a fair bit of growling etc. That said, I do assume that most owners exercise responsibility so I wouldn't freak out just because my dog was standing next to a staffie.

I do feel sorry for the dogs which get a, mostly undeserved, bad press but it is unfortunate that in some areas the breed is an idiot-magnet and it is difficult to put right damage that has been done to a dog early on. TBH I would be more wary of a staffie in a city environment rather than a rural environment as round here it's rarer to see 'status' dogs.

Gloucestershire

I own a Rottie (he's my third one over the years). My first one was owned in the early 90's and I don't think people's attitudes have changed much since then. I've had people squeal, run away, drag their children/dogs away as we go for a walk. I once even had a man throw a brick at my Rottie bitch who was on-lead just out for a walk, just because he was frightened of them (she had never even met him before!) One old lady who was patting my Rott as a pup saying how lovely he was asked me after a few mins what breed he was, once told she yanked her hand away and said what a pity, he'll turn when he gets older! Well, I can proudly say, he hasn't 'turned' he is as gentle now as he was then and a fabulous ambassador for his breed who is an absolute pleasure to own.

I do understand totally why people are scared of them, most people read in the newspapers/saw news on TV about various attacks. They believe that Rotties as a BREED are all the same, all dangerous, children-biting beasts. It saddens me enormously that so many Rotties end up with very unsuitable owners. They are not a status symbol, they are not a walking burglar alarm or four-legged protection, they are a highly clever, powerful dog that needs that energy, drive and intelligence chanelled in the right direction. Without exception, every time I hear/read about a Rottie attack I have been left saying to myself, well, with an owner like that it was never going to turn out well.

Countless times I've read - dog left in yard/on pub roof/chained up/never let inside house. Got rescue, didn't know the background history etc, etc. The latest case in Scotland, the dogs were left loose to roam. They had bitten previously (no surprise there, left to roam, no discipline or training, no care). Their owner obviously didn't give a crap about them (angers me how they ended up still obtaining another one, one of the ones in the second attack was a young pup I understand 6mths?) It was never going to turn out well was it?

Also, The Sun newspaper in particular is very breedist and has been guilty many times of inaccurate reporting, combined with sensationalistic headlines and graphic photos showing a Rottie barking and looking scary. One report they did said the dog had killed it's owner without motive. It transpired later this dog was actually LICKING it's owners face who had become unconscious and it was desperately trying to wake him up. Even though these facts emerged they did not mention this in any further issues of the paper. Not headline grabbing enough for them eh? Combine these headlines with the ridiculous Dangerous Dog Act and you compound fears that certain Breeds that are all dangerous rather than individual dogs which is the case.

I ensured Marius was well-socialized and trained from an early age. He is very well-adjusted as a result and is neither dog or people-aggressive. Rotties are NOT naturally aggressive dogs, they are calm, self-assured, natural guards. They are however, naturally dominant (not the same thing) and require a specific owner to bring out the best in them. In the wrong hands (ie - people who encourage them to be aggressive) or when badly bred (temperaments are often the first thing to suffer) - or both, that's when you get the problems occuring.

I have to say, once people meet Marius, they do realize how nice a Rott can be. I have had the pleasure of a few people telling me they used to be scared of the breed, but now realize they "aren't all bad", which is the nearest to a compliment you are going to get up here!

I've said this before on Dogsey, but always feel it is food for thought..... every year there are lots of dog-shows where literally hundreds of dogs participate and Rotties are one breed where there are always a high no of entrants. There were approx 500 Rotts entered at Crufts alone (if I remember correctly). But, I don't believe there were any instances of dangerous, aggressive behaviour from them. Why? Because they have been socialized, trained and have responsible people handling/showing them. The dogs know what's expected of them and how to behave properly.

Both Staffies and Rotts very sadly often end up in entirely unsuitable hands. I adore Staffies, this little breed is fabulous with children, wonderful natured and totally does not deserve the bad rep it has unjustly been tagged with. It is a complete tragedy that they are now the no 1 in rescue centres Both are wonderful breeds that are much maligned and misunderstood and most attacks seem to be a direct results of the dog in entirely unsuitable hands.

We are based in Cumbria