Article from my local paper

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2012/04/24/don-t-blame-the-dog-blame-the-owners-say-staffie-owners-from-newsome-86081-30824401/

some of the comments are pure ignorance! Staffies are fabulous pets and probley one of the most loving breeds ever!

I wish that staffies wouldn't be mentioned whenever a dangerous dog story is in the press. Even if they are not mentioned they show footage or a photo of one barking.

I hate that the negative reputation is all that sticks in the minds of the public. There are many many staffies near where I live and they are all really friendly.

Mine is allowed off the lead and he listens extremely well but we put him back on the lead whenever another dog approaches in the distance purely because guaranteed the other dog will start yapping, growling or attempt snapping at him (mainly terriers). We do this to ensure that the other owners realise it is in fact their dog in the wrong and the aggressor and ours doesn't even entertain the dog with so much as a look and walks past.
On most occasions the owners even apologise for their dogs behaviour.

Yes my staffy has been brought up and socialised correctly and that is why he is the way he is a loveable softy, and I do realise that some (a small minority) do not and own them for the wrong reasons. It just bothers me when they all get tarred with the same brush.

it boils my blood they keep getting branded a "dangerous dog" i know ive only had scarlett since march but she shed a whole new light on the breed to me! i would happily have a staffie the rest of my life they realy live up to there nanny dog name

i love them

i dont know how people cant!

Good article, shame about some of the comments underneath

Buster is so friendly with everyone and everything. I am taking him training at the moment to try to get him around other dogs as much as possible as I know that some staffies can become dog aggressive. Unfortunatly while out on walks and things he doesnt get the chance to meet many dogs as people keep away from him, or they let their dog run up to Buster to have a go (I keep Buster on lead when other dogs are around because he would rather play with them than come back to me, he is perfect at recal with no dogs about though so hopefully this will improve)

It is true that the responsible dog owners would muzzle their dog if needed, without it being the law, it is the irresponsable people that are the problem whatever the breed!

Just read this & looked at the comments. To be honest there's only one idiot commenting negatively - he's obviously someone who spouts his mouth off without doing any research.

I've tried leaving a comment myself, but it's taking an age to accept it.

Good to see a picture of a staffy that's not snarling or barking and there were a few positive comments. Even one from a non dog owner.

Caryll wrote:Just read this & looked at the comments. To be honest there's only one idiot commenting negatively - he's obviously someone who spouts his mouth off without doing any research.

I've tried leaving a comment myself, but it's taking an age to accept it.

i give up trying to reg as it was just coming up with faults all the time grrrr

bigwazza wrote:

Caryll wrote:Just read this & looked at the comments. To be honest there's only one idiot commenting negatively - he's obviously someone who spouts his mouth off without doing any research.

I've tried leaving a comment myself, but it's taking an age to accept it.

i give up trying to reg as it was just coming up with faults all the time grrrr

It did that to me - I'd missed putting in a password. You put your password in & then you need to key in one of those bits that prove you're not a robot? Well, before you key that in you need to put your password in again above it!

I registered ok (eventually) but when I tried typing in a response (a nice long one!) it said it was adding it, but never did!

check your emails i done it also and will not post as your postcode not local so not valid lol

I'm going to buy a poodle and turn it vicious and release it, and do this for the next ten years until poodles are the new staffy.

I wasnt able to read the comments blocked or what ?? Can imagine their content though. The usual uneducated showing their ignorance I guess.

bigwazza wrote:check your emails i done it also and will not post as your postcode not local so not valid lol

That's a shame.

kathytake2 wrote:I wasnt able to read the comments blocked or what ?? Can imagine their content though. The usual uneducated showing their ignorance I guess.

Strangely enough, the only negative posts (two of them) were from the same guy (nickcave1 if I remember right), and he just comes across as a plankhead. The rest were all more or less supportive.

Some attitudes of people never cease to amaze me.

By their logic, we should just ban people walking the streets because people attack and kill more people than dogs do.