My Staffie hates men and boys!!!

Ok so i have a staffordshire bull terrier who is nearly 8 months old, he lives with just my self and daughter.
I only got him too months ago from a lady who had two little boys and her partner living with her.
i started to notice that sometimes he would bark and growl at people, at first i just thought it was random people then i started to notice it was only men. the window cleaner came the other day and he wouldn't stop snarling and growling at him and even chased him up the road, he also growls at younger boys.
i was wondering do you guys think the previous owners have hurt him or let the kids hurt him?
thanks for you help
vicki

Could be an association but at 8 mnths you can train and earn trust

I was thinking when we go visit my parents i could get my dad and brother to try train him and give him treats, what do you think is the best way for them to win him round?

Tbh honest I doubt very much at 8mnths it will be an issue, defo get others in the family to treat and walk him, for example Battersea are not keen on rehoming staffs to single occupant households, they can get territorial over there owners, ie you and your girl, but if you can work around it, hope that made sense Xx

Take him to a semi private spot away from his home and after a good long walk. Have him sit and have a male a bit in the distance that gradually comes closer with plenty of treats on hand. Let you pup approach the male on his on schedule. Let him have a treat but no petting at first. Go slowly from there and repeat as often as neccessary.

great advice as above , nothing to add only to reassure you that at this age it will definitely be trainable

I wouldn't worry too much, some shy dogs are more fearful of men simply because their voices are more intimidating and they're bigger than women, they may not have hurt him and I would really hope they haven't!

My dogs was a fully grown adult and highly aggressive towards men when I first rescued her.. she lives with me and my best friend who is a man now without a single problem, in fact she adores him!! And will also tolerate male visitors in the house now, still not great with strangers on walks but it is trainable. Find out what his favourite treats are and you will be on your way. Do you have a crate? They're very useful when introducing visitors to the house. If you need further advice regarding this just let me know will help as much as I can!

As already said try to build up the exposure to men up gradually. I'm sure you will get there in time, will take patience though

thankyou all for you sugestions, i will definatly give them all i try, i too hope that they didn't hurt him but i do think that they may have hit him with a newspaper as when ever i used to pick up newspapers or leaflets he used to go cower in the corner, i know somepeople do reccomend tapping them on the nose with a newspaper, but i personally word rather use positive reinforcement, and he now doesn't mind them. so hopefully i will be able to get him used to men whilst he is still young
thanks again