Sick of stereotyping but holes.

Does any one else one here have the dirty looks off people when they walk their SBT's? Every time we go out we get a mix of friendly folk but mostly dirty looks and people panicking and calling there dogs to get the lead on asap. Its so funny when they realise that Thai is so soft and wouldnt hurt a fly. He also gets dogs off the lead attacking him and he does not even growl back he just wags his tail thinking they are playing. [img][/img]

I think it just becomes part of owning a Staffy, which is so sad. If people would give them a chance they would realise what a loving breed they really are.

Too many people base their opinions on the media stories etc... rather than basing it on their own experiences.

I have to say i don't. I think i've had maybe three or four negative reactions from the owners of small, fluffy dogs-they were bad reactions but still-Romeo useally gets people cooing over him and saying how handsome he is. Don't know if i'm just lucky?

shakespearesdog wrote:I have to say i don't. I think i've had maybe three or four negative reactions from the owners of small, fluffy dogs-they were bad reactions but still-Romeo useally gets people cooing over him and saying how handsome he is. Don't know if i'm just lucky?

Thats the same with Thai if he is out and about in town or in public places. Its only people with little yappy dogs that seem scared of him. And the odd medium sized dog.

Loopy wrote:I think it just becomes part of owning a Staffy, which is so sad. If people would give them a chance they would realise what a loving breed they really are.

Too many people base their opinions on the media stories etc... rather than basing it on their own experiences.

So true. Thai is playing at the momment with a friends 3 = 6 year old and he is amazingly gentle with them even at 10 months old.

We are so lucky over here.. yes we got the odd twit who doesn't like staffys, but generally most people really like them. We went out yesterday with the 2 boys down the foreshore in Mandurah and people of all ages came up wanting to talk about staffys.. they either had one, knew someone who had one, or wanted one!! haha Including this little girl about 5 years old, who begged her mum to let her come and pat the dogs. Winston was so good with her, except at the last minute he jumped up and licked her face! Her and her mum thought it was hillarious!!

Afraid we have experienced this too. Enjoyed having a look at your pics of Thai on photobucket - hes a real handsome boy!

In my area people most love Pit Bulls (thanks to a great group called SOME Pit!) and always think Saxon is a Pit (which I'm fine with, I just use it as an opportunity to educate them about both Pits and SBTs). I've only had a couple of issues. Two were with people walking dogs off lead (a black husky mix and a black shepherd mix) and one was someone with a fluffywhitedog. Saxon has always been a good boy and a great ambassadog!

CatStina wrote: Saxon has always been a good boy and a great ambassadog!

I think I may steal this. We don't have a problem over here. In fact it's quite the opposite pepole go out of their way to meet Suki.

This article is from Dogs Life Magazine about the most popular dog breeds in Australia.. staffys are right up there..!!

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

With such a long-winded title, it’s understandable why this rugged little breed gets Staffy for short. In fact, when you meet the friendly muscle man of the dog world you may be surprised by his ominous-sounding name, because what you’ll find is a lovable and affectionate dog — often referred to as the smiling dog because of his beautiful grin.



Originally bred for fighting in central England, the Staffie has left his violent past behind and his physical nature only ever surfaces through neglect or poor discipline.



"A well-trained, well-socialised Staffordshire should never initiate a fight but you must always respect what they were bred to do. It’s important to put them through training because of that history," said Selena Lynch, president of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria.



Lynch is concerned that the breed is wrongly assumed to be suitable for everyone as an all-round dog. She says the Staffy might look tough and macho on the outside, but he’s really quite soft and sensitive.



"They’re very high maintenance in that they need a lot of attention. And they’re very much a housedog. They’re capable of being escape artists if their needs aren’t met," said Lynch.



As for their reputation of being wonderful family dogs, Lynch agrees that the Staffy is "bomb-proof" when it comes to children.



"Stories abound of them protecting their family and children. My five-year-old son grew up with Staffords and learnt to walk on their back," said Lynch.



But don’t assume your Staffy will play happily with other dogs at the park. Lynch says they don’t like busy bombastic dogs like the Jack Russell or the German Shepherd.



"They’ll tolerate a placid, laidback dog like a Labrador," she said.





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I agree with my countrymen that i have never had the least bit of negative reaction from people when they meet Thor. As he continues to fill out, some people do ask if he bites before running up to him, which is good sense around any strange dog. Some do ask if he is a Pit, but despite the bad press Pits have had in the States most people do not mind Pits anyway. Once they learn he is a Staffy, a conversation ensues explaining the difference between Amstaff, Pit, Staffy. Kids love him, women trust him and men respect him. Perfect as far as I am concerned.

the immediate surrounding area around my house is mainly old people bungalows ect, and old people love to voice their opinion !
An dear sat in the bus stop, i walked toward with Henry, she shook her head and actually went 'tut' kind of rolled her eyes at me!
After we got Missy, walking them both, walk towards the same old dear in the bus stop, she remarks on how beautiful my dogs are and how lovely they looked, and if i was breeding them! crazy old lady! x