I HAVE had pure bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers all my life.
I have grown up from a boy surrounded by them as my father bred them for showing.
Not once in 36 years have I seen a Stafford show anything but affection towards humans.
Half the problem here is that most of the dogs on the street nowadays have been bred by misinformed, uneducated idiots who think breeding their untrained dog will be a good way to make a quick buck.
Unfortunately most of these dogs end up at the shelter as "Stafford-type" dogs. Which, by the way, to me is like calling a Renault or Ford a "Ferrari-type" car.
Staffords are the Burberry of the dog world – well respected with a good reputation until the chavs got hold of it and ruined it for everyone.
My latest dog was, in fact, attacked in the street whilst on a lead twice on separate occasions by unruly Yorkshire Terriers.
Shall we muzzle, neuter and generally character-assassinate all Yorkies now too?
Dogs are like children. If you are a responsible parent, take ownership for their upbringing, teach them manners, socialise them, educate them, punish them for wrongdoing and let them know what they've done wrong, then any dog, like any child, should grow up to be a pleasure to be around.
If you don't then people get hurt, your children end up in prison and your dogs end up shot or in the shelter."
Lemsip15, via www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk