Child killed by pet dog

[Pogue Mahone]

@ JHC. I think that's fair enough. There must be situations where it's sensible to keep guard dogs. Again, I'm not an expert but aren't Alsatians (for example) a better choice than dogs historically bred for fighting in those situations because they'll make a lot of noise to deter intruders, rather than tearing on in and biting chunks out of them?

But yeah, the need for (and value of) guard dogs does mean that it doesn't make sense to ban the breeding of any dog capable of posing a threat to man. I still don't really see the need to own them in most urban settings, especially when they'll be kept in close proximity to young children. I also think that dangerous dogs which aren't the most suitable guard dogs (e.g. pit bulls, staffies etc) have a far worse profile, in terms of risk vs benefit. Arguably an unjustifiable one.

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

@ JHC. I think that's fair enough. There must be situations where it's sensible to keep guard dogs. Again, I'm not an expert but aren't Alsatians (for example) a better choice than dogs historically bred for fighting in those situations because they'll make a lot of noise to deter intruders, rather than tearing on in and biting chunks out of them?

But yeah, the need for (and value of) guard dogs does mean that it doesn't make sense to ban the breeding of any dog capable of posing a threat to man. I still don't really see the need to own them in most urban settings, especially when they'll be kept in close proximity to young children. I also think that dangerous dogs which aren't the most suitable guard dogs (e.g. pit bulls, staffies etc) have a far worse profile, in terms of risk vs benefit. Arguably an unjustifiable one.

Not all Staffies are dangerous. Do you mean powerful ?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Haven't "Dangerous Dogs" been defined by law?

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

Haven't "Dangerous Dogs" been defined by law?

Not Staffies, no.
Pit Bulls, yes.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

There you go. I'd always thought they were fairly similar. I might be doing Staffies a disservice.

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

There you go. I'd always thought they were fairly similar. I might be doing Staffies a disservice.

Being a Staffy owner of around 30 years, I'd say you were

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/staffies_theyre_softer_than_you_think/index.html

@Pogue Mahone

A recent campaign by Battersea Dogs Home.

"Extremely reliable, highly intelligent and affectionate,
especially with children."

They're not our words to describe the Staffordshire Bull Terrier,
but the Kennel Club's. Surprised? With so many misconceptions about the breed,
you may well be. Yet while they may be perceived as rough and tough, in reality
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are anything but. In fact, due to their gentle behaviour and affinity with children they are often referred to as the 'nanny dog'.

 

[KanieKaned]

Staffies are

There you go. I'd always thought they were fairly similar. I might be doing Staffies a disservice.

YOu probably are ever so slightly. Staffies are nicknamed the Nanny Dog due to how good they actually are with kids. You should read up on it they are a fantastic breed of dog. They are pretty much know for the following traits: bold, reliable, courageous, fearless, intelligent, affectionate. The thing most people dont realise before getting one is how much energy these guys can have.

Feck should have refreshed the page ages ago.

 

[JustAFan]

Being a Staffy owner of around 30 years, I'd say you were

Even breeds that may be "similar" (or at least similar in the mind of the general public) often have different traits and should not be lumped together when judging the breed.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

That's where I'm happy to leave it in the hands of the experts.

Shame beacon isn't round. Being a vet he really knew his shizzle on this topic and held pretty forthright views too.

 

[711]

@Pogue

My folks live in a semi rural and quite affluent area. One of the more isolated residents (one neighbour within shouting distance) were broken into one night and tied up and gagged by robbers with shotguns whilst their house was robbed.

More recently a family friend from the centre of the village which has lots of houses and a pub nearby woke up one evening hearing people trying to break in; they shouted to the thieves that the police had been called but the robbers were undeterred, picked up a large pot vase and put it through one of the windows; once inside they forced the homeowner into handing over keys for their cars.

If either of these homeowners had kept, say a couple of American Bulldogs (neither had any dogs), I really don't think that either incident would have happened. This is the reason why many farmers keep aggressive breed dogs, and in my opinion, should have the right to do so.

Affluent areas? The chances of being robbed, assaulted or burgled are far, far higher in the inner cities or social housing estates.

So what you're actually saying is everyone should own a couple of American Bulldogs, wherever they live.

Fortunately we're not all so cowardly we have to hide behind such things to get through life.

As for farms, most have collies or the like, which are quite adequate to warn of intruders. (I'm sat looking at two right now).

 

[Dargonk]

Yep staffies are great with kids. The reason they get the bad rep is because of the look and things like pit bulls and such which are banned get re-branded staffy crosses to get around the law. Unfortunately people then with no idea about the breed just lump them in the dangerous dog group.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Affluent areas? The chances of being robbed, assaulted or burgled are far, far higher in the inner cities or social housing estates.

So what you're actually saying is everyone should own a couple of American Bulldogs, wherever they live.

Fortunately we're not all so cowardly we have to hide behind such things to get through life.

As for farms, most have collies or the like, which are quite adequate to warn of intruders. (I'm sat looking at two right now).

I think the rural bit was relevant because you might have to fend for yourself for that bit longer, after dialling 999. The affluent thing was probably a bit of a red herring. I'd generally be in favour of a noisy, rather than lethal, dog if you want a canine upgrade on you burglar alarm. I can see why people in very remote areas might not think this is enough though.

It's a bit like guns, really. I don't have much of an issue with a farmer keeping a licensed shotgun in a cupboard in his room because I know that the police would come down hard on anyone who walked through a housing estate carrying the same weapon.

EDIT: although yeah, in one of the two scenarios he mentioned it could have happened anywhere.

 

[QuackQuack]

Now, imagine what would have happened if a staffie or Rotweiller had been as determined as the Yorkie to attack that baby.

I've mentioned this before but last year I took my little one for a walk and a yorkie came running and barking at my daughter. She has grown up around pets so she loves them but this yorkie looked aggressive so I picked my daughter up and booted it in the chest. She wasn't even two at the time and maybe the dog wanted a sniff but I couldn't take that risk.