This is an excerpt from wikipedia:

Selective breeding
The heritability of aggression has been observed in many animal strains after noting that some strains of birds, dogs, fish, and mice seem to be more aggressive than other strains. Selective breeding has demonstrated that it is possible to select for genes that lead to more aggressive behavior in animals. (Nelson, 2006) Selective breeding examples also allow researchers to understand the importance of developmental timing for genetic influences on aggressive behavior. A study done in 1983 (Cairns) produced both highly aggressive male and female strains of mice dependent on certain developmental periods to have this more aggressive behavior expressed. These mice were not observed to be more aggressive during the early and later stages of their lives but during certain periods of time (in their middle age period) were more violent and aggressive in their attacks on other mice. (Brain & Benton, 1981) Selective breeding is a quick way to select for specific traits with the effects of selection being seen within a few generations of breeding. These characteristics make selective breeding an important tool in the study of genetics and aggressive behavior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic...ing_aggression

I don't know much about dogs but usually keep my little one away from those breads that are known to be agressive and can just turn. You read many reports of this - oh but he/she was such a placid dog and had never bit any one etc etc.

Only this Monday my girlfriend with at the park with her WFD when a rotty came bounding over, picked the dog up in its jaws and proceeded to shake the dog half to death. It was rushed to hospital with half its stomach hanging out and damage to its hind legs - so far it is hanging in there but she is not in a good way.

That Rotty should never have been off the leash. Owning a dog such as that and having it off the leash is the height of irresponsible dog ownership, whether the dog has been socialised or not. As much as an owner might think the dog is completely placid, a dog can be unpredictable and best not to take the chance. It annoys me so much when I see owners do this.

For the kinds of breeds that have the potential to be very dangerous, I really believe that if you are going to keep these breeds new owners should do a training course in responsible dog ownership and just how to handle these breeds as they are a lot of work and not for inexperienced owners. They should also be licenced.

I wouldn't put Staffies in this category.

Unfortunately this kind of incident isn't particularly rare.

In my view, the owner of a dog should be held legally responsible for the dogs actions. (must admit, I'm not sure how this would really work in practice....perhaps there are laws already in place? )

The current legal situation appears to be as follows....it seems a little bit flawed to me.
1) dog attacks other pet / small child, and causes serious injury or death.
2) owner is profusely sorry "he's never done anything like that before" and isn't charged with any offence.
3) dog is taken away and put down.

I think that 90% of folks would agree that the dog itself was not to blame for the incident, and neither was the victim.

Imagine a scenario where a dog owner chooses to ignore an off leash, enclosed area and instead lets their dog off the leash in a public space (e.g. grass field near a kids playground). The dog, for whatever reason, attacks and kills a small child. The dog itself is not guilty of anything, apart from being a dog. But in my mind the dog owner is guilty of a very serious criminal offence which warrants a lengthy custodial sentence.

The training course / licensing sounds like a great idea.

Re: staffies - as a regular person on the street who knows very little about dogs, all I see is a dog that looks like a "pit bull" and I worry. Because I know nothing about dogs, I don't know that there is this distinction between a dangerous pitbull, and a more placid staffie.

Yes, ultimately it is the owners responsibility and I agree, the owner should be charged.

That's the problem, people that don't know the difference between a Staffy and Pitbull will see them as the same, and that's why, even if it's a Staffy, it shouldn't be off the lead.

When my Staffy was younger I never let him off the lead. I do now but he is old and can't walk further than 100 metres let alone try to attack anything. (He has never attacked or bitten anything/anyone in his life!)

Oh FFS! THe OP wants a staffy. The way you're going on would indicate that they're going to get impounded by the local council for being a dangerous dog. There are thousands of staffy dogs around Aus. They're really really common. They're generally as soft as butter and they don't get leapt upon by councils as dangerous dogs the moment they're chip and pinned.

People DO know the difference between a staffy and a Pitbull. Mostly, Rangers know the difference too and they're the ones who deal with morons who DO want a dangerous dog.

How the hell anyone on here knows what a pit bull looks like when they haven't got a clue anyway... here, I've posted it before, but why don't you play 'Guess the Pitbull' and post your scores?

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Pitbulls and other similar breeds are used in the US as 'theraputic' dogs because of their gentle nature.
Friends of mine with Staffies have NEVER been challenged by anyone what their dog is. Ever.

Get your staffy, go with your instinct, do what you're happy with and enjoy your dog!

Calm down dear, calm down.

Not, I was referring to Pitbulls and Amstaffs, of which Staffies ARE related.

That's very true however there are moves by the so called 'do-gooders' of the world to have Staffies included in the dangerous dogs list, whether you want to hear or believe it or not. There is already one council in the UK that HAS banned them.

Wow! That's a mass generalisation. Lot's of people do know the difference. There are even more that don't. Rangers do it for a living and i'd be worried if they didn't know the difference.

If people don't have a clue what a pitbull looks like how the hell are they going to know what a staffy looks like?

Yes, that's true. They've also been used for search and rescue. That doesn't mean they are non dog aggressive.

Do you own a Staffy? Have you ever owned a Staffy? I do. In fact i've owned the Bull breeds (Staffies and Bullies) for the last 25 years, and I have had people ask me while walking if he was a Pitbull (and mines a pure bred Aust. Champion!) and do weird things like cross over the road. People that don't know are wary, full stop.

Here's an excerpt from an article about Staffies:

"A lot of people look at them horrified, like you've got Satan himself on the end of your lead," says Marian Waller of Dulwich, south London, owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier named Teddy. "They look at you like you're taking the Hound of the Baskervilles for a walk." She adds, "They'll cross the road to get away. I don't know why, because they're great with people. But they're not too good with other male dogs. They do like to fight them."

source: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/how-did-the-staffordshire-terrier-fall-in-with-the-wrong-crowd-406915.html

On the other hand i've had loads of people that do know Staffies approach and give him loads of attention and espouse the virtues of them.

The fact is, people in general are ignorant and as much as Staffies are soft as butter, they don't look soft as butter and they are exceptionally game. While it's very easy to say "they are as soft as butter, get one", part of responsible dog ownership is understanding both the pros and the cons of the breed.

I've seen that before. I like how they use a Pitbull without the cropped ears and put a lot of other dogs that resemble a Pitbull, with the cropped ears. Cropping the ears used to be the breed standard but was changed and can now be either.

Do you know which of those dogs was actually the pitbull? I couldnt figure it out.

I was the one who cut in with all the Pitbull jazz but personally someone who wants to take on two pups of any breed whilst away at work daily is barking mad.

The issues I have with any dog owner are that if they know their dog is not good with male or female dogs, then they should keep it on the leash.

I dont give a stuff what kind of dog it is, if someones dog is likely to attack mine because 'he doesnt like males' then it needs to be kept on a lead because other dog owners have the right to walk their dog without fear of it being attacked.

I bloody get pissed off when a dog goes for mine and the owner says 'Oh he doesnt like other dogs' and then does sod all to control it.

The worst breed I have come across here are American Bulldogs - my vet was telling me that he had to destroy one he rescued as it attacked a dog in the park, totally unprovoked and nearly killed it.

A lady I walk my dog with, she has a staffie (lovely dog) and her last dog was killed by an American Bulldog - that was last year. My counsellors Mum's dog was also killed by an AB. And I have heard of other incidents as well, even my Vet said he doesnt buy the 'Oh he is so good with kids' thing, he said if you have a dog that is good with kids yet would happily tear someone elses dog apart, then you need to have a think about just how suitable that animal is and at the very least, keep it leashed.

We have a few staffies where I live, there is a female and her puppy on the corner, she is given the free run of the street when her owners are out and she chases and attacks anything that goes by.

We have a wonderful staffy/red heeler cross down the road, I love him - gentle and kind dog.

Plus a few Staffies in the park that my dog plays with, again - nice dogs, they do make me laugh how they sound like squeaking pigs with the noise they make, their little tails going round like a helicopter blade when they try and wag them I dont think there is anything quite like an excited Staffie wanting a cuddle.

I do believe that if a dog is well trained, well socialised then it makes a huge difference.

When I worked in the vet, I am afraid to say that we came across puppies that were agressive from the word 'go'. They had been socialised, had good owners and for some reason had turned. In particualar there was a dreadful woman that bred Skye Terriers, lots of inbreeding and defects, lots of her puppies had shown signs of aggression at 16 weeks and we had the devastated owners try their hardest to train the puppy and change its behaviour, only to have it destroyed at 6 months as it had gone beyond the point of help.

I do believe that occasionally some dogs can be born with 'issues', they are not all born perfect.

However, with good breeding, good ownership and the right environment, we can see the good side to most dog breeds and I think in the wrong hands, most dogs can turn nasty.

With regards to castration, I do not believe it changes their temperament. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons teaches us as veterinary nurses and the vets, that de-sexing ANY animal that you do not intend to breed from is the way to go.

I was not allowed my Kelpie puppy from the rescue centre until he was de-sexed, which he was done at 5 months of age, I dont know him any different to be honest.

Down the road from me is a lovely staffy called Bullet, he has now reached sexual maturity and is regularly escaping by jumping the fence seeking out bitches for mating, it is a matter of time before his sexual frustration gets the better of him and he is hit by a car. He is now getting agressive with other dogs as well. His owners have refused to de-sex him because they claim 'he wont be able to stand up for himself'

There are all kinds of health issues related to not castrating your dog - whether or not you choose to believe them.

But one thing is for sure, it is usually men that have the issue with it. My old boss use to spend ages trying to convince male dog owners that castrating their dogs would have 'no effect on their own masculinity'.

My dog has finally come to the end of his (very long) puppyhood and is showing interest in 'flirting' with female dogs, it is hilarious. But that is where it ends, he also shows no desire in fence jumping to go and shag their brains out.

Responsible dog ownership is about good breeding, adequate training and stimulation, good diet, veterinary care when required and de-sexing unless breeding from that animal.

With the above, we can move forward while the good in every breed can shine and one day elimate pre-judgement of certain dogs which many of us are guilty of.

Yes, left hand side, 4 rows down. Number 16.

Does a "pure-bred" american pit bull have any distinguishing features? (apart from the occasional desire to rip someone's face off....I'd rather work out that it's an american pitbull before it does that to me)