does this happen to you?

walking my staffies at the park on the lead,nice calm manner no hassle, and 4 people and their dog's take a very wide birth around us, 3 of the 4 dogs are off the lead, not badly behaved,just mooching around. one owner picks up his jack russell and the other 3 call their dogs back to them and put them on the lead, they walk around myself, they all look at us as if we have the plague!!!!!!!!
once they have passed me they let their dogs off and carry on.
the jack russell has savaged another jack russell just the other day, causing 4/5 stitches and yet they look at my dogs and think we are the devil in disguise!!!! maybe it's me and my ugly face not the dogs???????
this happens to me every morning, i dare not say anything as i may snap at the uneducated idiots, so i smile and go about my bussiness. but it really pee's me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

does anything like this happen to you???

This happened to me over the lake a few weeks ago. Monty is a pup, some guy had a big Alsation (sp?) on a lead, and he walked around my dog too ! I laughed.

Numerous times! .. It does do my head in how ppl would rather believe the press n go buy all the bad things they here rather than take out time to get to know the breed! Annoying!

I had some old couple in the park n the woman yell at her dog bcuz he didnt run past vinnie fast enough!!!! All he wanted to do was play but she looked at him and yelled "harry!!!!! Mooove itttt!!!!" while whispering to her partner as they walked off! .. Too which my mate said loud enough "his a effin dog just like anyother not a effin lion!! .. Lol!
Where as this weekend vinnie ran after a mans staffy too play n the owner just laughed and said "theyre such a daft breed" lol

Differance between sbt owners n those who know fudge all about em

I get annoyed when I'm walking my dog up the street, Monty see's someone walking towards him, gets all excited to see this stranger, jumps up for a smooth, and the ignorant git just walks straight pass him .. grrrrr lol

Oddly enough this hardly ever happens to us. People aren't used to seeing an AmStaff in Japan and usually people actually go out of their way to come visit Suki and ask questions.

jstaff wrote:Oddly enough this hardly ever happens to us. People aren't used to seeing an AmStaff in Japan and usually people actually go out of their way to come visit Suki and ask questions.

well this is great, this is what we need in england!!

it's a real shame some people react negitively to this breed, but what can you expect when people are force fed utter crap about bull terriers not just the staffordshire. i for one, will never be without my pack and if ignorant people wish to look down on us so be it, they will never know how much joy and fun the bull terriers can bring!!!!!

Yes, but its usually because i shout "can you hold your dog please, mines not friendly"

Which is sad i know, it just reiterates the fact that SBTs are "aggressive" but if i had the time i would explain to them that it is my fault because i didn't socialize her as a pup (live in the middle of nowhere and didn't drive when i got her so couldn't go to parks) and that i know many staffs that are very dog friendly and also know a lot of labs, spaniels, chihuahuas that are dog aggressive.

Funny story unrealted, the kennels i worked in had a large pen in the owners back yard, and she would keep the more dog agro/stressy but people friendly dogs in it, but then had her own yard too. She is such a dog lover any pathetic dog that came in (i.e. a chihuahua) she would keep it in her house and let it sleep in her bed. She had this little chi for two weeks, that was a paris hilton dog (i..e had never walked before and didnt know what dog food was) but after a few days it became the most funny little *! It would spend all day running up and down the rotties cage barking and growling at them and they were so confused they just looked at it like "wtf ARE you!?" Sooo funny. I so wanted that little dog, i felt so sorry for it. Its owner was a 12yo rich girl who just wanted a play toy, so basically by the time shes 14 she will have said " i dont want it anymore" and god know what will happen to it.

jstaff wrote:Oddly enough this hardly ever happens to us. People aren't used to seeing an AmStaff in Japan and usually people actually go out of their way to come visit Suki and ask questions.

From my understanding the Japanese community are FAR more dog friendly anyway. We have banned a few Japanese dogs in the UK because they are "aggressive" when really they are just not being used in the way they were intended..i.e. flock/guard dogs

Out of interest, are there any banned breeds in Japan?

There aren't any breeds banned that I am aware of. Overall Japan is very dog friendly. Larger breeds are not that common though most people have smaller dogs so Suki usually gets alot of attention when we are out. I was a bit nervous about it at first but not anymore.

No breed should be banned! My mum is in love with akitas, but i wont let her get one, lol. I loveeeeee them they are so beautiful and very loyal. but i have had personal experiences with them and i will honestly say they are the only breed of dog i do not trust. They are the only dog i would say that the owners contribution to their upbringing has NO affect on their personality and prerequisites. However i understand that they are a dog, a very powerful dog, that in the right hands can be controlled. I think they are just not very "common" because they can not be easily trained to be aggressive towards humans, they have spontaneous aggression, and in my experience this aggression has only EVER been to someone who ISNT the dogs owner, but they wont attack someone because you want them to!! The only thing tht makes me scared is that they give no warning, no growl or hackles at all...just lunge.

But i must add that i wouldn't ban them. But tbh my feelings to them must feel like how some people feel about SBT, and in my case it isnt from lack of knowledge and "never had one" i have actually been around akitas a lot. But yea they are a dog i really wouldnt mind a "must be on a lead, must not be left with strangers" etc.

The kennels we had didn't accept aktias in general but we took in two that we KNEW. One was a doll, you could pet him and do whatever but i wouldnt go as far as to say he was affectionate. He tolerated you fussing over him but he wasn't "into" it. (however when his owner came to get him he went meeeeeeeeental) but the other, a bitch, was a dog that you had to be "quiet, no sudden movements, do not touch, do not interact, do not look at"

She was okay to be in the normal kennels (not the levers and pulls of a DANGEROUS DOG kennel) but we were very much warned not to get on her bad side.

We dont have the stigma here but I laugh now when other owners take evasive action when passing. No use getting upset, they are the idiots not me.

Not had any negative reactions ... Yet.

Maybe it will change when he is fully grown, as still a pup. I had two old people come over and fuss him on our walk which was nice

we just have to learn to shrug off peoples prejudices about the dogs. there are some people round here that look at them like they have 2 heads but others love them. lemmy is a great hit with the old ladies cos they love to fuss him and of course like a true staff he loves to take it and gives plenty kisses back. if we let everyone upset us we would never go out the door just ignore them

We've only had Maggie our 2 year old cross for a couple of months But so far we've had no negative comments at all and no one has avoided us. Alot of the people we bump in to know some one with a staffy and like them. We're in a village in Tyne and Wear with lots of people with dogs and horses, so maybe thats why.

We've only really had 2 negative experiences in the park. One ended with the man calling her a devil dog saying that maybe sbts weren't so bad, it was just the papers making it up, and the other was a mad, smug old woman (who's dog wasn't trained AT ALL and it caused a fuss when Violet and 2 other dogs were having a play) claiming Violet wasn't socialised yet. I smiled politely, and (bearing in mind I'm constantly made fun of for being fairly well spoken) said "Well at least my dog is trained. Come along Violet." If there was ever one time I wanted Violet to do as she was told, that was it! In future, I'm going to carry her dog training certificate with me and show it to any old bag who starts moaning.

Also, we met a couple of my mums friends in the supermarket, and without even seeing Violet, they were horrified at me having a staffy. "Violet?! More like VIOLENT! How did you end up with one of those?!" She's a pet, not a disease.

That happens often when i'm walking the two staffies , i always smile and say hello and i think it makes people feel a bit silly. It is happening more often as Sisko is looking really masculine now.On my afternoon walk i'm coming home just as a factory empties and about 2 dozen people all move off the pavement as we pass the bus queue.

I very rarely get this, but I think they see me with Ollie first and how much love and attention he gives me and how happy he is, they think "Aww, cute staff". I pick my wee sister up from school and take Ollie with me, and most kids love him and 2 people regulary come up to him and cuddle him and stroke up. People I meet in the street always say "They get such bad names, but I love staffies", some kids are scared of him and some adults don't like the look of him, but may because he's still a pup.

When I took Toby out for a little bit of socialisation the other day I was waiting for a friend outside mcdonalds, when a man and his child came over to ask if he could introduce his toddler to Toby. He asked me a few questions about bull terriers whilst his kid played and giggled with Toby.

What makes me sad is when some people find out what breed of dog I have, the first question they ask is "Oh, is he vicious?". Silly people!

seth wrote:walking my staffies at the park on the lead,nice calm manner no hassle, and 4 people and their dog's take a very wide birth around us, 3 of the 4 dogs are off the lead, not badly behaved,just mooching around. one owner picks up his jack russell and the other 3 call their dogs back to them and put them on the lead, they walk around myself, they all look at us as if we have the plague!!!!!!!!
once they have passed me they let their dogs off and carry on.
the jack russell has savaged another jack russell just the other day, causing 4/5 stitches and yet they look at my dogs and think we are the devil in disguise!!!! maybe it's me and my ugly face not the dogs???????
this happens to me every morning, i dare not say anything as i may snap at the uneducated idiots, so i smile and go about my bussiness. but it really pee's me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

does anything like this happen to you???

To be perfectly honest, I would prefer them to do that around here, rather than let their dogs come rushing upto Max while he's on the lead and have a pop at him, while they are 100yrds away !! ... now that really p!ss's me off !!

People either love Tilly to bits or avoid her like the plague , there's nobody in the middle. Couple of weekend ago when I was away the missus was walking her by the canal (on lead as she doesn't have the confidence to get her back) and some dodgy bird with a dachshund which wouldn't leave Tilly alone and off lead grabbed her by the arm and insisted she got away from her asap. Tilly was crying and jumping up at her mum because she was uncomfortable and was scared of this little brown breakfast on 4 legs, but the dogs owner stated "I know staffies and they do that just before they attack and rip the other dogs throat out !!" I tried for days to find out who she was as she left my missus bruised and shaken , good job I didn't find her as she and her dog would have been taking a cold swim

Think you sumed it up nice, uneducated idiots..

Walked Tyson and Endo the bulldog one in each hand at the lake today and you should have seen the people scatter. They look really mean together so am anticipated a taste of what you guys live with.

no sign of the owners today on my walk, i found out through a friend who has 7 collies and walks them regularly at the park, that the reason why so many people who frequent this park are afraid of staffies, is that there was a bloke who used to walk his staffie in the park and anyone who's dog came near his, he would threaten and even told an old woman that he would beat her up, if her dog came anywhere near his! so maybe i can understand some hesitation.

strange thing, the other park 500 yards up from this one, they could not get enough of them, all positive comments
even 2 policemen commented on my 2!!!!!!

seth wrote:no sign of the owners today on my walk, i found out through a friend who has 7 collies and walks them regularly at the park, that the reason why so many people who frequent this park are afraid of staffies, is that there was a bloke who used to walk his staffie in the park and anyone who's dog came near his, he would threaten and even told an old woman that he would beat her up, if her dog came anywhere near his! so maybe i can understand some hesitation.

strange thing, the other park 500 yards up from this one, they could not get enough of them, all positive comments
even 2 policemen commented on my 2!!!!!!

First of all, 7 collies all at the same time?!

And, what a * for doing that with a staffie, no wonder they get bad names, but goes to show, it's the owners NOT the staffie.

yes 7 collies at the same time!!!! a couple are old dogs and a bit grumpy, but well behaved!! the lady is a dog trainer.

Ty wrote:Walked Tyson and Endo the bulldog one in each hand at the lake today and you should have seen the people scatter. They look really mean together so am anticipated a taste of what you guys live with.

To me they look smooshy cute! I can't see what the others see. I just want to squish Endo's wrinkly face.

These people are not worthy of the time you spend worrying about them. In my local park there are Jack Russells that should honestly be muzzled and probably the owners.

Just put it down to ignorance, don't let them ruin your day.

Andy wrote:

seth wrote:walking my staffies at the park on the lead,nice calm manner no hassle, and 4 people and their dog's take a very wide birth around us, 3 of the 4 dogs are off the lead, not badly behaved,just mooching around. one owner picks up his jack russell and the other 3 call their dogs back to them and put them on the lead, they walk around myself, they all look at us as if we have the plague!!!!!!!!
once they have passed me they let their dogs off and carry on.
the jack russell has savaged another jack russell just the other day, causing 4/5 stitches and yet they look at my dogs and think we are the devil in disguise!!!! maybe it's me and my ugly face not the dogs???????
this happens to me every morning, i dare not say anything as i may snap at the uneducated idiots, so i smile and go about my bussiness. but it really pee's me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

does anything like this happen to you???

To be perfectly honest, I would prefer them to do that around here, rather than let their dogs come rushing upto Max while he's on the lead and have a pop at him, while they are 100yrds away !! ... now that really p!ss's me off !!

same here

I have to say, on the few occasions I've took Bode out now, most people have had no problem.

An old gentleman stopped to stroke her and commented on staffs saying they are "crackers".

Only yesterday a woman encouraged me to put Bode down to have a play with her westie (spelling?)

She insisted only if I was sure as she didn't want my puppy staff getting hurt, as it happens Bode was all over her dog, in a good way lol

I've always loved staffs, but I also know the bad rep they get.

Living on council estates as a kid I saw enough idiots hanging round outside the shops with there staffs teaching them to "get em" or "kill"

Being a fairly stocky guy, with a skin head, I have always worried about the stereotypes, but now, living in shall we say a nicer area, I've so far been happy with people's response.

I think it's obvious when a dog has a responsible owner (and who is the one people should fear), if I've got Bode off the lead at the field, I'll put her back on when I see other people with or without dogs, not just because of her breed but because some people are scared of all dogs, I'm training so she can get excited, and I don't want another dog hurting mine which so far continues to have a gentle personality.

I don't think you can blame people for being scared of these dogs.

My mum, my brother and his girlfriend and my own girlfriend have only been convinced since I got Bode and they see the good side of staffys when they have a good owner.

I have had the same problem so now I keep Tess on a lead - she still has a good walk but without the stress for both me and her.

I still get people avoiding us or walking on the other side of the road but I have now come to the conclusion that it is their problem and not mine. Most of the dog walkers that I have met are happy for Tess to mingle but there are the little 'ratty' dogs which are the ones that people should be watching out for.

We enjoy our walks now but it is such a shame that SBT are not treated the same as all the other dogs who can run around without the shouting and abuse that our lovely dogs get

Well I must say so far, so good with Rommel, I have had nothing but positive comments about him although it probably helps that he is only 6 months old and actually what gets the most attention is his colour ... I have not seen another blue Staff in the town I live in and people are always commenting on it ... I think they notice his colour before they notice he's a Staff!

But, I would also add that I always walk Rommel off lead (not on the roads obviously) but if I see another dog approaching us who is on the lead then I immediately put him on the lead too out of curtesy. However, if their dog is off lead then as far as I am concerned he can remain off lead - I know I have control of him and his recall is excellent although the amount of times I've had other owners running over to collect their dogs is amazing - it makes me laugh every time

I just cannot believe the bad rap that staffys have in England..they are such a popular breed here..might get the odd twit, but most people want to come up and talk or pat my 2. I feel so sorry for you all having to put up with such crap..but like you say it just takes one or 2 morons to spoil it for others. Just got Winston's paperwork back for his microchipping and it says in big letters below his breed that he has not been declared adangerous, menacing or a restricted breed. Phew!

Just read on a Glasgow dog group that a little dog has been killed by a dog which 'looked like a Staffordshire terrier' at the park Violet and I go to That certainly won't help matters any.

oh no that is no good...like you say that won't help at all.... and I bet the dog that did it hasn't even got staffy in it!

i was out walking River on Sunday. and i got assaulted by a 70 yr old man :O.. it was because he had told my son off for walking her near his garden... so i went to ask him not to be so aggressive to my son (as you do!) and he turned on me..i must admit i did not help the situation. he was ranting and raving and said to keep of his garden so i deliberately put one foot on his grass while saying what like that :O at which point he grabbed me by the wrist and put his other arm across my throat. as i said my own fault i provoked him, but dont mess with me and mine which includes river... i would mind but the whole time river was there and wasn't even aggressive towards him.. she jumped up at me when he had his arm across my throat and i think that was only cos her lead must of jolted... River the guard dog not ) and i didnt even use naughty words...lol

to be honest, so far we have only had positive comments about Dora.
We've met and talked to lots of dog owners in the village since we've been walking her and they have all been very good about letting Dora greet them and their dogs.
She is still quite small though, maybe this will change as she grows up.

TBH whilst yes, we do get people avoid us and cross over/walk a different way oh and the odd parent grabbing their childs hood pulling them in close to them if we're walking along a path just in case Milo decides to eat one as we walk by of course lol!! It's mostly good vibes really and quite often compliments on his healthy look and obedience (but of course there are times when he shows me up !!)

I would certainly say though that I convey a responsible owner manner and demonstrate an outgoing friendly attitude with a *mostly (!!!) well trained dog which I think helps. As the other posted said I too am quite well spoke (lol!) and maybbe this is a factor too on the other hand maybe NOT ha ha!

We are such regular walkers in 3 dog walking hotspots we have had the opportunity to build familiarity, relationships, doggy friends and regular play dates with Milo which has only added to my relationship to Milo

My local news agent asked me if I would mind not leaving him outside the shop because it might stop people from using it but after almost biting my lip off I said before you asume he is aggresive would you like to meet him and to my suprise he agreed.He now gets a treat off the shop owner every morning when I get my paper and will not have a bad word said against him