why do staffordshire bull terriers have such a bad name?

Answer 1

Hiya James,

Often held responsible for many of the unpleasant attacks reported on humans and other animals, the Staffie can polarise public opinion. When spoken of, people will generally fall into one of two camps, those strongly for the breed and those strongly against.

In cases of reported attacks, there is often little distinction made between the bull terrier breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Pit-Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier and the Staffie. Perhaps because of its comparative high numbers and poor recognition by the public, the Staffie wears much of the blame for reported attacks that may have been perpetrated by any member of the bull terrier breeds.

Staffies are regularly the fourth most popular breed in Australia, behind German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, according to the numbers of puppies bred each year.

Hope that helps ;)

Answer 2

Because people get them for all the wrong reasons. They want a bad *** dog, they want a fighter, they look cool. Most people have no idea how much time is need to train one right, and do not have the right kind of fence to keep them in. They think it is alright to let small kids play with them without watching them. They let them run lose. Others turn these sweet loving dogs into monsters with abuse, keeping them chained on short chains and starving them. They will not spray or neuter their dogs, only if you are going to be a breed should they remain in tack. All Steffie and related breeds can be animal aggervise. Most people have no idea what a staffy or pit bull really looks like so if they see a dog attack and the dog is large with a big Head it as to be a pit bull. Lastly the media makes things worst be reporting just pit bull attacks. If there is two dog attacks in the same day one by staffy or pit the other by some other large breed you will hear only about the pit. They never print or say anything good about the the and there is alot of good out there. last year 4 people were killed by staffie or related breed 2 of those were by police dogs protecting their partners. I'm sure it would surprise most people the breed that bites most often, this by a study done among people who take care of dogs,vets,groomers,anmale control and dog walkers, are 1. cockers, poodles, the little ones . with the one like paris hilton owns, cant think of the breed right now. You have a better changes of getting killed by a lighting strike than a pit bull breed

Answer 3

I think its because they are one of the main choices of dog for thugs (to make them look hard) and as a result the dogs dont get trained properly and they can tend to bite.
Its also because pit bulls were inbred so much they got crazy (youre not allowed to breed them now) and some people dont know the difference between a pit bull and a staffordshire bull terrier. They just hear the "bull terrier" bit and sh*t themselves.
We have had several staffys in the family and they have all been loveable, good natured dogs.

Answer 4

I have had many Staffy's in the past and not a single one of them has been overly aggressive. They play and chew and yes they have a good bite and jaw strength. I believe it is the owners reponsibility to train a good and gentle dog.
We recently bought a Staffy pup (after our last one past from old age) This new pup is playfull and chews a lot but find me a breed that isn't like that as a pup.
Jackson (the pup) is so timid that our cats just have to give him a look and he runs off and between our legs cowering. He is the first Staffy we have had to do this but it just shows that it is not the breed it is the individual Animal.
Think about human races and religions. At the moment in the Global mindset all Muslims are Evil bombers who will hurt you and themselves. This isn't true, sure some people have done bad things but it is the person not the religion or the race. It is the same with Dog breeds and for that matter any living creature on this planet.

Staffys got there bad name from the days of the "pit fights to the death" where Truly evil people trained dogs And other animals to fight each other or die trying. Unfortunatly Staffy's and pitbulls were used and named publically as being the main offenders. I think they were chosen to fight because of their strenth and intelegence.

Unfortunatly they may never live the bad name down.

My experience with staffys has been nothing but peacefull and friendly and i will always have a staffy to keep me company when im alone at night. They know when your upset and they comfort you. They are my all time favorite breed and i hope that people wont judge them because of their owners past mistakes.

Answer 5

Seems like some of you "experts " are confusing the SBT with the APBT.
realpitbull.com considers the ASt and the APBT to be one and the same to which is not true and has`nt been that way for many a decade . Go back to the original dogs and you will be hard pressed to find an AST today that remotely represents that era. The only "real pit bull" is the game APBT which is getting rarer due to lack of concern for the breed with a ton of ignorance thrown in . Go learn something at gamedogs.com or pit bull community.com . If the past is forgotten then there is no future.

Answer 6

Because all dogs go through a phase in puppyhood called 'the critical period for primary socialisation'. Its the time when they learn who their pack is. Its generally 12 - 16 weeks.
They need to meet cats, other dogs and all kinds of people; they need to spend time seeing taffic, riding the bus and going on car trips.

In terriers this period is very short and sharp. Ignorant owners don't spend enough time socialising their pups.
So there's a myth that Staffs are great with their owners, but not other dogs.

If properly socialised and trained, Staffs are great dogs. But like with any other breed if the owners don't know what they're doing they grow into stocky powerful dogs with an attitude problem.

Answer 7

i will in effortless terms answer as a Staffie proprietor, never had a Am team: a million) Which breed is better? i think the AM 2) Which breed is way less confusing to coach? the two are soooo speedy & clever, many times very nutrition introduced on!! 3) Which breed is greater proper with little ones? do no longer think of there is any distinction if raised suitable!! Mine adore my 2yr previous, even my rescues!! 4) If a intruder did destroy into my residing house, would desire to a american staffordshire terrier shield my kin if the intruder threatened us? 5) If a intruder broke into my residing house, would desire to a staffordshire bull terrier shield my kin if the intruder threatened us? Lol!! regrettably that they had be greater possibly to lick them to dying!! yet they have a fierce bark!! 6) What are the temperament variations between the two breeds? do no longer think of there is one, Staffies frequently are only the main loving canines... they actually do have self belief they're lap canines!! no rely if or no longer it relatively is my 14" lady or my sixteen" 3 st lady!! Lol!! Please rescue tho, there are a rather good variety of in shelters, considered one of mine is a foster, in spite of the undeniable fact that it rather would be a miracle if we can get her a house... :(

Answer 8

Ignorance and fear
I am a sister in a busy A&E dept in London I see plenty of injuries caused by Dogs especially to children I have never known a Staffie or any other so called "dangerous Dog" Breed to be involved they are usually carried out by the least likely breed of Dogs
No breed of dog should ever be trusted fully around babies or children but i dont see any evidence suggesting Staffies warrant this bad reputation

Answer 9

Back "then" they were used as fighting dogs at times. The fighting instinct was bred into them, which is now being bred out. But people still know the history of the breed, and of course idiots who have no idea how to handle this kind of breed own them and don't assert dominance or socialize or confine the dog properly, and the dogs get into fights or bite or maul people, and its clearly the owners fault but the people will always blame the dog, which is LAME!!!!!!

Answer 10

The reason is that they are fighting dogs by breeding.Though these dogs are called Nanny dogs...I have two staffords one a ***** and one a dog.I trust my ***** fully I trust my dog but I also know that he doesnt like men.He loves us but he will growl at you if he feels he has to protect me.Like all pack animals.These dogs are the kindest of dogs.I would rather live with my staffords than any poodle.Poodles pretty to look at but more likely to bite you than a rattle snake!!!!Staffordshire Bull terriers are more stable than a labrador more loyal than a german shephard.They are a wonderful breed of dog.