What can be done about..........

[RATTER15]

the explosion of Staffordshire bull terriers (Staffies) this dog is now becoming a major problem as they are so fashionable to be seen with, creating the hard man/woman

The problem is, irresponsible breeders trying to make a fast buck and people buying this breed purely for the looks of the dog, often with no idea of training or the fact that they actually need to exercise the dog etc.

The dog rescue societies etc are full to the gunnel's with these breeds and they are being destroyed by the the hundreds daily!

I really don't have a problem with the breed, they are great little dogs when bred and trained correctly, but in the wrong hands they can be a big problem.

Would compulsory training be the answer maybe?

I think if these people had to commit to a compulsory training regime for one evening a week for 3 months, maybe they would think twice about the purchasing of these poor dogs. then the ones that went through with the training would then know a little about the dog and its needs and they don't get a dog license until the training test has been passed, they then get their license which is displayed on the dogs collar.

I don't think licencing alone is really the answer as often these people have the finances available to buy the license.

I think dogs should be licensed but i don't think it is the answer to these dogs being bred irresponsibly.

Your views please?

[paddywak]

I must admit ratter I've no idea what the answer is, over the years I've met many staffies and most of them have been your normal friendly everyday pet, but then again their owners have been normal everyday dog lovers. The trouble is that the breed has come to be seen as "Hard" and the people who are now buying them don't give a Sugar about the dog just the image and some breeders have fastened onto this as easy way of making money and in the end the loser is the poor old staffie

[woofgang]

TBH I don't see what good licencing would do apart from making wonga off honest dog owners...the police can't stop these people getting guns and knives, how are they going to stop them breeding or getting dogs?

[RATTER15]

woofgang, did you actually read the question?

[woofgang]

yup, I don't think dogs should be licenced, as I said, I don't see what good it does...not sure how you can compel the training, it would be hard enough to compel the attendance, how would you make people learn and practice what they'd learned? How would you stop people who hadn't done the training from getting a dog? and why put the licence on the dog's collar, its the person who would be licenced as a dog owner. Would you make everybody train or just staffie owners? I could see staffies rapidly going out of favour for another breed. Would one licence in the family be enough?

sorry but like house sale packs, this just looks like a licence ha ha for people to set up in business as training providers and make money

[ummmm]

I hate them. My Dad 'inherited' one and they even snap when they are happy. I wouldn't take my kids to his house unless she was locked up.

He's not the typical Staff owner either...lol (wasn't should I say)

[steg]

all dogs should be muzzled in public at all times, and muzzles should be pink with little florescent love hearts on them

[garner]

I don't no the answer ratters,my son has two ,who are well trained and are beautiful dogs but then again they have a responsible owner who looks after them well and are loved.I call them his gentle giants they are strong dogs and perhaps this is the 'look' that some of the oafs like.One thing is for sure it's the poor dogs that suffering in the end and it's dreadful.g.

[pastafreak]

Most of the staffies I've come across are a credit to their owners.....yes,quite energetic little dogs,but on the whole-obedient. But since getting my young lurcher-I have certainly become more aware of owners and how they handle their animals.

Yesterday,Sally was accosted by the biggest male staffie I have ever seen...I am sure he must have weighed at least 1/3 more than my dog. He was persistant in jumping on his hind legs and trying to wrap his forepaws around her. I was trying to keep her back...meanwhile the owner was a good 50 feet away-and calling his dog. He eventually came over, and when I asked him to please get his dog off mine because she was nervous of other dogs-his reaction was to say that his 'does not bite' (!),and to 'calm down'.
I am probably more IN favour of licensing,but maybe if training was a prerequisite-there would be more well mannered dogs and owners.

[paddywak]

It's as often a case of a bad handler. not a bad dog and as johnny says there are other dogs that get bad reps through irresposible owners, a few years ago every time you opened a paper there were Rotties in trouble before that it was GSD's it a sad fact of life there will always be bad owners and as we've said the poor old dog suffers

[joeluke]

The answer would be to shoot the lot of them

[lankeela]

I have a suggestion. Licence ALL dog breeders and make it illegal to sell or buy any dog unless it is from a licensed breeder. Make the breeder licence fee a realistic amount, so only those serious about their breed would want to pay it. Also make them identify any puppies they breed either by microchip, tattoo or DNA profiling.
Make them undertake EVERY single health test available to their breed. That might go some way to stopping the casual breeding of dogs without health testing, and would also hit the puppy farmers hard if they had to pay for the tests. I cannot understand how anyone would breed (or buy) a dog without checking it had all health tests done. How often we hear people say, I'm not bothered about that, I only want it for a pet. I am starting a website for breeders in my area to promote their puppies that are bred from fully health tested parents and have been reared properly, so puppy buyers can be assured that they have the best chance of getting a healthy puppy that is going to be a pleasure to own rather than need a fortune spent on vet bills or behaviourists. How often do people say things like 'Westies suffer from skin conditions', they should not if they are bred from parents who don't. Staffies have two serious health conditions that can be DNA tested for, how many of those being bred are tested for them?

[RATTER15]

Well said Lankeela, I totally agree! our Wolfies were all health tested and purchased from reputable breeders, and we have had them micro-chipped except for the puppy, and his day is quickly approaching, it really should be compulsory!

[woofgang]

I agree lankeela, just not sure its enforceable :-(

[nohorn]

Yes Woofgang: Here I am answering your question. I live in Alaska, we had a similar problem here with the wolf-dog. They gentically are the same as any dog but their personalities are such you have to know a LOT about own to care for them and most of all spend time with them, knowing what you are doing. There were being put down by the many; so sad. I think it still is a problem in some states. Anyway our state has a law now in owning them. Thank you thank you to the legislature that enacted that law. I lknow you can't legislate against stupidity but some laws are effective. It sounds like that breed would another good candidate for similar restrictions.

[rowanwitch]

The only good thing is the rise of the staffie has resulted in a big tail off in the number of Rotties on the street.... they really were a problem especially in rougher neighbour hoods... Locally though the local hard types have started to switch to english bulldogs...'cos its patriotic.... right' while I don't believe in the idea of dogs as a fashion accessory at least they are mostly quieter gentler animals. Personally I can't wait until my housemate retires so we can have dogs again....I want an English springer and she wants a labrador which probably means it will be a rescue mongrel from RSPCA Licensing wouldn't be the solution unless it was backed up with dog wardens with the power to take un registered dogs away from their owners

[RATTER15]

I think that if the licensing fee was realistic it would go a long way to providing funding to police these rules with dog wardens, and any dog would be taken away if not properly micro chipped and licensed.

I also think that nobody should own a dog that has never had formal dog training and guidance on the needs of their specific dog, because many people don't realise that each breed do have specific needs.

We walk out Wolfhounds on the beach everyday and nearly everyday we come across people walking their dogs on retractable leads in a vast area of beach, we will often be chatting to these people when they say "oh no we can never let our dog off the lead, he/she would never come back" their total incompetence in training their dog means those poor dogs may never be able to run free!!
We also hear, "watch out for my dog he isn't very friendly or careful he may have a go at your dog" I could spit blood, it really winds me up!!

I'm not saying that our dogs are so highly trained, but they come when called, they are 100% safe with any dog, person or child, they walk to heal and have all attended dog training training classes.
our dogs have been attacked a few times on the beach, but they would never retaliate unless they really had to, then the other dog would be in very serious trouble, so they are very well trained and have never needed to go further than a threatening growl. Once, Gilligan (in my avatar) as a puppy was attacked by a terrier, Merlin, also a wolfhound immediately came to his rescue, I did panic a little, the terrier was about the size of Merlin's head, I called Merlin off but it was too late, he picked up the little terrier and just pushed the little dog int the sand and held him until my arrival, he didn't harm that terrier at all, I was so pleased with Merlin but not as pleased as the terriers owner who was very apologetic and appreciative.

[woofgang]

nohorn, our problem is not the breed but the owners. As has been said they used to have Rottweillers, before that German Shepherds, banning one breed won't help.
Ratter you are lucky that you don't have a problem with your dogs. Not all dogs are as easily trained and if you have a dog who is not 100% reliable then they should be on the lead in public places.
I have done formal training with my dogs and it has been total rubbish..it cost us a fortune and made them worse. It took me a year to undo the results of that.
While I agree that there are many dog owners around who could do better and some who are truly terrible, IMHO you should try walking a mile in the shoes of someone who has taken on a difficult dog and is doing their best for them before you comment.

[LoftyLottie]

Woofy, I have, apart from one dog, only had rescue dogs with no real knowledge of their history. I actually agree with you.

And I honestly don't think anybody can be 100% sure that a dog will never err, any more than we can be sure of a human.

My dogs have always been allowed to run free in places where I feel it is right for them to do so, but I am also aware that some people are nervous about dogs off leads.

We have always trained our dogs. I took one to dog training classes and never again. She was ending up a nervous wreck!!