I wouldn't want to try and fight off any large terrier or larger dog. The staffie, pit bull and Rottweiler have all been the dog of choice for people over the years who fancy themselves as 'hard men' but need a dog to protect them! I'm not suggesting that Staffies or Rotweilers deserve their reputation, although I think the jury is definitely still out on pit bulls. My niece has a Staffie and he's daft as a brush. I still wouldn't want to put my arm in his mouth.
Isn't this akin to the American gun argument? Guns don't kill anyone by themselves (well, not yet they don't) - so the owner is blamed. But if Americans were only allowed to own single shot, muzzle loading muskets, it would be almost impossible to get the mass shootings - they are typically caused by hunting, (semi) automatic or assault rifles.
A dog is soft until it bites. Certain dogs are bred to kill - that is the breed. Some guns are meant to kill humans - some offensive, some defensive. That is the gun.
But do you agree then with the sale of potentially lethal weapons to the public - if not, why sell dogs that are bred to hunt and kill to the public?
Even small dogs have relatively strong jaw muscles and can inflict injury. Maybe, just as we need to pass a test to drive a car, we need licenses for owning dogs. There's quite a bit of psychology and body language needed to understand and manage a dog well and it takes more than food and water to make them happy and well-behaved.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
And sadly there are dog owners who want their dogs to be aggressive …; these dogs are not properly socialised and they are kept in an environment and treated in a manner that makes them anxious, and an anxious dog is a dangerous dog.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Our previous neighbours had a Staffie. He was big, brutish, scary sounding. The neighbour tried to put my mind at ease, by telling me I could dangle my arm over the fence, and all the dog would do is lick it.
Did I look that stupid!? (no comments please). Or did the neighbour dislike me that much?
I don't like dogs. I'm a cat lover.
Still, I WAS that stupid, and I still have my arm!! Albeit slobbered over!
The neighbour was brutish with the dog, but the dog remained soppy - even if he was scary sounding! But there was no way I'd have one. I wouldn't want the responsibility of ensuring it stayed safe.
I do love all animals, and have a very soft spot for Staffies. There seem to be a lot of rescued ones round here, and they are usually stupidly friendly and approachable. I’d certainly support any moves to have dog owners licensed or vetted in some way before allowing them to keep a pet. Rather controversially, I’d probably extend the same requirements to having children!
I think we should start a seperate thread for A'hole of the Year. If we do, here's my nomination.
The sister of a friend, aged about 80, has just been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and given just a few weeks to live. Far from being supportive, her husband is moaning about people going round to see her and him having to answer the door all the time. We don't know him at all well, but everybody who does has had a very low opinion of him for a long time. Apparently even his son has said he'll have no reason to visit once his mother dies. Says it all really. How can anybody treat another person the way he is treating his wife??
That’s so horrid, @KT53. I do hope friends and other family are organising as many visits as she can cope with and is comfortable with. It’s always possible that her husband is struggling to cope with his impending loss, and has an unfortunate way of showing it. Whatever the reason, she shouldn’t miss out on her visitors and whatever comfort they can bring.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Did I look that stupid!? (no comments please). Or did the neighbour dislike me that much?
I don't like dogs. I'm a cat lover.
Still, I WAS that stupid, and I still have my arm!! Albeit slobbered over!
The neighbour was brutish with the dog, but the dog remained soppy - even if he was scary sounding! But there was no way I'd have one. I wouldn't want the responsibility of ensuring it stayed safe.