Ringpeas

We have just moved house and both our new neighbours have one of these dogs. Unfortunately both fences are full of holes so these dogs get into my garden from time to time. I will get the fences replaced eventually, but in the meantime I am worried about letting my toddler out in the garden in case one of them attacks her.
I am probably just being paranoid as they both seem soft as sh**e, but you hear stories about their close relatives the pit bull.
So my question is, has anyone got one and what are their temperaments like? The breeder's website says they are great with kids, but so did the pitbull's!
Please put my mind at rest.

Turbohot

I wouldn't let my toddlers in the garden if the neighbour's dogs can enter mine.No matter how friendly breed they can be.I used to have a mixed breed alsatian(sorry for speling if wrong)who was very friendly and familiar to us.I was 7 at that time.One day I came back from school and it got so exited that she scratched me all over!Of course,she was innoculated etc yet it left a kinda fear about not being sure how animals can react.

PS-Never mind animals,we can't be sure about the human beings!But that's another subject!

beemerboy

yep, got to agree with T/hot on this one.

get the fence done, or shoot the dogs...

chances are they might think its their garden, and treat your kid like an intruder!!!

better to be safe...

regards

BB

MrsP1Fanatic

I have a two year old Staffie and I know he wouldnt hurt a fly but I am very aware around other people that they are very emotional animalsand can get wound up so that much that I would never be able to stop him from attacking someone!

I know mines a big softie but you can NEVER tell what it would be like if put into a different situation, remember, these are bred for fighting and its in the blood.

My advice is, if your not sure, then dont chance it! Even a Jack Russell can be savage when they want to be!

Get your neighbours to pay for the bloody fence to be repaired! (If their dogs have damaged it!)

But dont be scared of them.

Adrian F

I have always lived in a house with dogs as my parents had a dog before me and i now have my own house and dog with it but i wouldn't let this situation happen with my own Welsh Springer. it is not just for the protection of you child but the dogs becaue if any thing happens they will be destroyed so to put both your mind and the dogs owners at rest this needs sorting ASAP.

If the dogs are well socialised and use to children then they shouldn't trouble your child but at the end of the day they are animals and not machines and like us they can have off days.

You next door neighbours should be responable enough to keep their dogs in their garden in fact you could even find that they have a legal responsability to do that?

As i said i have a dog and i love dogs but caution is the best poilcy where you child's safety is involved.

Chris L

We have a Staffie aswell - completely nuts, but soft as anything

I can however, understand your concern. It is not right that those dogs should be able to get into your garden. I would speak to your neighbours and get it sorted.

It is more likely that the dogs would want to play, but their size and strength can be overpowering (especially with children) - a lot of our neighbours kids love our dog and make a real fuss of her when I take her out for a walk. I am always careful though, as Scooby gets excited and could jump up, easily knocking a child (or even adult) to the ground. I'm very aware that a Staffie is a very strong dog.

In defence of the Staffie - it is depressing that the image portrayed by the media and government (with its fabulous knee jerk reaction policy 'The Dangerous Dogs Act' ) has produced such negative images. Any dog, if badly looked after and/or trained to be agressive will be a problem. It is not in the nature of the Staffie to be agressive towards humans. There is also a big difference between pit bulls and staffordshire bulls.

A lot of the problem with Staffies is that they are also incredibly protective of their owners and property. They treat their owners as part of the family. On several occassions, I've seen Scooby put herself between me and someone approaching, because she was unsure of that person. In many cases they would die rather than let someone harm their 'family'. This often leads to the dog being labelled agressive - nothing could be further from the truth.

One other thing in their defence, in Victorian times, Staffies were actually used by families to look after kids and babies. Their protective nature made them excellent 'alarms' should anything happen to child.

Chris

esmerelda9920750

In all probability the dogs will be fine with your child. However if you really are concerned, maybe a visit to your neighbour is in order. Not only to meet the dogs for yourself but you could let them know how concerned you are. Its not paranoia, just common sense really. The neighbours may even offer to go 50/50 on the fence repairs, just so that everyone is happy and it would definately stop any future problems.

Just go and see the neighbours, talk it over with them so they know your position. Majority of neighbours in cases like these can come to an amicable solution to a problem involving dogs.

Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

wideboyuk

I have 2 staffies and 3 kiddies (7yr old, 4 and a new born) and can safely say that they are absolutely brilliant as a family dog and are great with kids.
I can say that they wouldn't hurt anybody unless they felt threatened (ie intruder etc), however I never leave them alone with the kids EVER. At the end of the day they are animals and can react, so you never can be sure.
The image portrayed of them is completely wrong, ask any Staffie owner and they will tell you that they love people - mine don't like other dogs too much though!
The trouble with them is that whenever they see someone they want to play, but seeing a well built Staffie (or 2 )running towards you doesn't fill most people with confidence.
The strength of them can overwhelm some adults let alone children, so I would suggest you DON'T let your kids in the garden if the dogs are about, unless you know them and they know your family VERY VERY well.
I find that mine have adapted to my kids well. When we play, they play 'rough' with me giving me little nips, however as soon as the boys come close they calm down and don't even show their teeth. They are very tolerante - I'm sure my boys think they are horses not dogs! and are quite happy to have their tails tugged / be sat on etc etc as kids do.
I suggest you keep your kids away because it has taken over a years training for my Staffies to understand what is the right and wrong way to behave with each member of my family. Your neighbours dogs can't possibly know the limits with your kids.

Get your neighbours to put up a new fence.
Owning dogs is a big responsibility.
They shouldn't be allowed to run wild.

Dogs aren't the problem, the owners are!





How could they hurt anybody - they're a bit bigger now though

[Edited by wideboyuk - 8/17/2003 9:07:53 AM]

DJFish

Totally O/T but here's a pic for the dog lovers:

WRX Baker

Ringpeas we have a Staffie and he is as good as gold, but i wouldn't trust him alone with any child, Tell your neighbours to get the fence fixed.


[Edited by WRX Baker - 8/17/2003 9:28:07 AM]

[Edited by WRX Baker - 8/17/2003 9:29:55 AM]

WRX Baker

[Edited by WRX Baker - 8/17/2003 9:34:35 AM]

WRX Baker

Can anyone tell me why i've uploaded two pics of my staffie and they have come out as ranting little men ??????

DJFish

I presume Turbosprot is down again, try www.imagestation.com

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I think its more a question of keeping the dogs out for their own safety, knowing what toddlers are capable of I think its in the best interest of the dogs that they are kept apart.

Lovely dogs Staffs, cant say I have ever seen one anything other than mental and playful. Do they ever flip, havent heard of one hurting anybody but I suppose it must do to warrant all this concern ?

For the record I would leave one with my 3 boys.

skiddus_markus

I encounter a lot of dogs in my job and have found Staffies to be amongst the friendliest.However,a dog is a totally different animal when the owner isn't there as some of them go into guard mode.

wideboyuk

Agreed Skiddus
Also I think that a lot of the terror stories in the press relating to staffies are actually Staff crosses with things such as boxers and pit bulls etc.
Staffies are quite passive its the other dogs which are buggers

[Edited by wideboyuk - 8/17/2003 10:19:52 AM]

Mossman

IMHO you can NEVER trust a dog and I generally like them. There will always be situations when they will go into attack mode. You just never know when this will happen. There have been numerous stories about well trained and "soft" dogs which have suddenly flipped and attacked someone.

I would certainly try and get the fence fixed asap.

Mossman

WRX Baker

As i was saying earlier my staffie is one in a million, but when a friend who he knew climbed over our back fench when i was in the bath he pinned him in the corner of the garden and wouldn't let him move.

[Edited by WRX Baker - 8/17/2003 11:29:51 AM]

Lord Of The Bling...

i`d play it safe...and at about 6 pounds for a fence panel, i`d offer to go halfs with your neighbour...or if they say the dont want to shell out, just get it done yourself, as it could be the start of the nieghbours from hell process!!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

"For the record I would leave one with my 3 boys. "

oops meant to say wouldnt !

unclebuck

and again

Apparition

Can you not temporarily fix the holes with clematis netting from a garden centre? its pretty tough and should keep the critters out.Why should you child not be able to play out in this glorious weather.

Diablo

Mossman, thats bollox mate. Not "all dogs" will have an attack mode

BUT

You should NEVER leave any child alone with any dog as a matter of good practice.

Leaving aside the whole "attack" issue most kids get injured when with dogs because of the dogs playing. Of course, dogs play differently to children. They use their mouths, because they don't have hands.

Staffs are solid dogs and will easily knock over a child. On top of this you don't know the dogs at all. Some dogs will attack, but only extremely rarely.

But its never worth the risk. Children can be stupid too.

Go to B & Q or homebase, buy some chiken wire or the like and block off the holes.

Much as I love dogs, its your garden!! and they should not be allowed to come through.

D

Tiggs

i have a bullterrier.....wouldnt leave my kids alone with it let alone allow it to get access to others kids unattended.

T

planky

I would trust my dogs (staff and rottie) but of course i would never leave them alone with strangers or very young children under 8yrs.

Tiggs,i would of thought if your dog was brought up with your kids,you should be confident to let them play together by now.

I found most of my dogs loved children more than adults LOL,thats why i've never had any issues with my dogs playing with children.



[Edited by planky - 8/18/2003 8:19:35 PM]

Diablo

Planky, Tiggs won't let it play with his kids in case the kids attack the dog

D

Tiggs

planky, the dog loves the kids and vice verser but until the dog learns to talk and explain how hes feeling he wont play alone with them.

he's also a powerfull dog (not like these panssy rotveilers which are all labradoor crosses arent they? ) and if he had a fit/nutty moment (maybe one in a million chance) he would kill a small child.

T

Diablo

They say dogs look like their owners..LOL..

I know which one I'd rather be

Ringpeas

Thanks for all your replies, I've been away for a week so just got chance to read them.
I have taken your advice and patched up the fence the best I can, and the dogs have not been back in since. If they do get in I am not as worried as before.
Replacing the fence is going to be an expensive nightmare. On the worst side I will have to cut down 30 25ft conifers, rip out the old wire fence and then replace with 60ft of pannel fencing. will take me a few weeks I think