Why are SBT's so unloved?

http://www.thesentinel.co.uk/display...52038942#views

Staffordshire bull terriers are now the most unwanted dogs in the region.

RSPCA investigations say that more Staffies than any other breed of dog are being left behind at rescue centres across the Wales and West region, which includes the whole of Staffordshire.

Animal experts believe the breed - a traditional favourite across the Potteries - has suffered a bad press because of its aggressive image, and former popularity as a status symbol among owners wanting to look tough.



Statistics released to mark the RSPCA's Pet Adoption Week, show that regionally, the Staffie is the breed that ends up at RSPCA animal centres most frequently, followed by Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Collies.

The RSPCA believes so many Staffies are in need of new homes because the breed is popular with irresponsible owners who are more interested in their own "tough-guy" image than their dog's welfare.

It says it is actually bad and ill-informed owners who are to blame for the Staffie's aggressive reputation, not the dogs themselves.

RSPCA animal welfare manager Liz Farr says anyone thinking of getting a dog should consider a Staffie, which, with the right owners, can make a perfect pet.

Professionally-trained staff work hard to rehabilitate all animals in the RSPCA's care, and before they are put up for adoption each animal has a behavioural assessment and health check to help match them with the right new owner.

Mrs Farr said: "Staffies have had a terrible press but this is not of their own making. In fact they're wonderful dogs.

"If well cared for and properly trained they can make brilliant companions. Our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffie's desire to please by training them to show aggression.

"If you're thinking of getting an animal, please visit an RSPCA centre during Pet Adoption Week and get to know one of the thousands of animals in our care.

"If you end up taking a Staffie or one of the other dogs on our 'most unwanted' list back, you'll know you've given an extra special animal a much-needed new home.

"I myself have four German Shepherd dogs which are the third most unwanted dog in our region, but I can certainly vouch for them as great pets."

The RSPCA says the most popular breeds in the Wales and West region, include Yorkshire terriers, Jack Russell terriers, Labradors, and Spaniels.

Vicky Phillips, of the City Dogs Home, based in Bucknall, said: "Every other dog that comes in here is a Staffie. About one in every three abandoned is a Staffie.

"There's so many being bred. They are churning them out like mad. Then if they get a bit naughty, they get rid of them."

Emma Cooke, aged 28, of West Road, Congleton, picked up her Staffordshire bull terrier, Coppolar, from a rescue centre nine years ago. She said: "Staffies love people, especially kids. Their nickname is the 'Nanny Dog'. They are so protective.

"People think they are dangerous for children, but it's the opposite. They are very tolerant with kids. If there's one dog that can be trusted around children it's a Staffie. They are perfect for families and they become very protective.

"You have to bring them up the right way, and take a firm hand with them, like all dogs.

"I've had Coppolar since he was six, and he has been fantastic."


The situaton is getting out of hand,there been bred in record numbers and then ending up in rescue....It's heartbreaking,very very sad.

I think that article explained why they are abandoned so much.
So many have them for image reasons, and they don't live up to the macho image, being a sweet, lovable, people friendly dog.
Ergo they get dumped.
Sad for the dogs, and thinking about it very sad for the ones the idiots do manage to make "tough"

Sal, I think you've answered your own question!

I keep finding myself defending Staffs to other dog owners, in fact I was doing that just this morning, not 30 mins ago. Personally I know several lovely Staffs and it was a Staff that got my kids over their dog phobia so I am always at pains to point this out to other poeple. Unfortunately as the article you quoted states they've been churned out by idiots and sold to numpties that just want to look hard and this has got the breed it's poor reputation.

Also, no offence intended, but I do feel that their looks don't do them any favours, they look like bruisers ready for a scrap.

J

It makes me so mad as they are such lovely dogs.

I was fuming yesterday when I went to get some hammy food from our local pet shop.

In the window, on a scrap of lined notepaper, scrawled in barely legible biro was the following...

2 SBT's for stud, one blue one tan and white.

Can be seen.

Followed by a mobile number.

I sincerely hope no one rings it, except to give the owners a mouthful, but as it's in a slightly rougher part of town, where lots of staffies live no doubt they will.

I'd be tempted to ask the shop owner if you could have the scrap of paper, because you haven't a pen to write his number down

I put up a thread of something similar, we apparantly are over loaded with them in the rescues. I thought the same as other, they get in the 'Macho' imagin crowd.
When I lived on a ''''well known estate''' in Erdington, there were a large population of young mom's with a different boyfriend every six months or so, for some reason each boyfriend seemed to walk around with one, then when the relationship finished...young Mom is left with the dog, which suddenly disappears....I've actually asked...Whats happened to your Staffie', and the usual reply was 'It wasn't mine it was my Ex's, I couldn't look after it so I had to get rid'
Not suggesting that this is the reason, but I know we had numerous one's coming on the estate, then going practically over-night.
In Shard End area, there are a big number too, we have met a bloke that has at least 3 in the last 18months, ask him where his other's went....'Oh! it didn't work out'
I feel for this breed as I used to own one and they are fantastic family pets.

I've managed to convert a staffy hater into a staffy lover!

I've been fostering a gorgeous SBT bitch for the Freedom Project. She's a total sweetheart, so affectionate and playful.

One of the ladies I dog walk with every day, used to HATE staffies to the point where, if she saw one she would scarper in the other direction without even finding out if it was friendly or not. Her husband said to me, the first time I met him, 'All staffies should be killed at birth'.

So when I found out I was getting a staffy I thought I wouldn't see this lady for dust! But she totally fell in love with the staffy! Every morning she calls her from one side of the field and the dog goes flying over to her for a big fuss and a kiss

Yesterday the lady was telling me about an article she'd read about staffies being the most unwanted dog and that there are hundreds in rescue centres. Then she said 'People think they are all vicious, but they're not. Most of them are like you staffy aren't they?'

I could barely contain myself I was so pleased she has changed her opionion of staffies!

Sarah - changing people's minds, one staffy at a time

Had a young lady in here the other day asking if I kne anyone that wanted an 8 month old staffy.
It had to be gone by the end of THAT day.
He was 'effing' this, and 'effing' that.
He's ripped up a carpet, toys, suitcases........he even apparently chewed the pillow on the owners bed whilst she was asleep next to it.
Her hubby is abroad with the army, and everyone said don't get a puppy when you have your baby (baby is also 8 months old), but she did anyway.
I said why don't you contact rescues......she paid "300 quid for it and I want something back, even if it's only a hundred quid"

I aked what exercise he got......she said she "sometimes" walks him with the pram, and her Mum takes him out sometimes, but when they let him off lead, he runs away (I would too).
We asked her what toys he had, and suggested a few, but they were all 'too expensive' (£4.99 for a large solid rubber tetra grip toy)
Every second word out of her mouth was the 'F' word.
I went online and gave her staffy rescue's tel number, but weather she calls or not......and weather they have room or not is a different matter

My boyfriends brother and sister in law have just got a staffie pup, he's adorable but I was told to keep a tight lip when he told me that they had it at 6 weeks old from a very good friend of theirs, also it wasn't KC registered because they aren't allowed to register another litter within 12 months with the same bitch!!!

It was my first time of meeting them and he knew I would be asking questions etc. All I can say is he is a lovely little fella and is adored by them, he was a tiny little thing when I first saw him, he could fit in my hands cupped together, he's quite a whopper now, just 4 weeks later. Fortunately he has fallen on his feet, pity thats not the case for all of them.

I adore staffies and know they make fantastic pets

But I think a huge problem in the so called "hard image " of them, I have had so many walks ruined lately, by some kid or kids with a staffie or two , off lead that they are goading to take a chunk out of one of my dogs Lots of the ones I meet on walks aren't socialised, so when they got off lead they are failry scary TBH. Also they are being churned out, by breeders, I would say around where I live every other dog is a Staffie some are owned by responsible owners, who have brought the dog up right, and they fantastic wiggly, squiggly tummy rub monsters BUT, am awful lot of them aren't owned ina responsible way, and they then breed the poor dogs, and so it continues.


I t is a huge shame for the breed that they have this image, and that they seem to attract the wrong owners.

I AM A STAFFIE LOVER! xx