I'm worried a new dog in my area might be a pit bull type....help (sorry not horsey)

cumbriamax

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Hi, a family has moved into the area in the last couple of years from liverpool and thier dog has attacked otherdogs a number of times. the people say the dog is a staffy but have seen lots of staffordshire bull terriers over the years but this one is as big as my labrador and very wide, muscular and huge shoulders.

the people are really nice but am worried as the dog is often loose when I walk mine and other people are worried too!
 
If it has attacked other dogs it should be kept on a lead at all times, if they are nice why don't you pop round and mention it? If not are there other walks you can do, as a last resort you could put a note through their door?
 
I would go and speak to them and perhaps try to get over the fact that if their dog continues to be a nuisiance the likelyhood is it will be seized and destroyed. Please give them a chance before you go to the dog warden - everyone deserves that.
 
I hope for the dogs sake it isn't :(

Pit type or not though, a known aggresive dog should not be loose and unmuzzled.

As Kitsune says, the owners need to be aware of your concerns - good luck!
 
Staffies come in all different sizes… My current lad is smaller than my previous Staffie but they are Staffies all the same! Pit bull’s look absolutely nothing like Staffies and I am sure there are some posts on there showing the difference!
 
Staffies come in all different sizes… My current lad is smaller than my previous Staffie but they are Staffies all the same! Pit bull’s look absolutely nothing like Staffies and I am sure there are some posts on there showing the difference!

I disagree, I could certainly see why someone of no real knowledge of either breed could think they are one and the same.
 
I have had Staffies all my life of varying sizes and types and IMO there are differences! I do understand though is someone isn't used to them and hasn't been around them may not be able to which is why I suggested there may be threads in the dog section showing this!
 
I had a lab x staff who could easily have been lumped as a pit bull - seeing as the DDA has it listed as only a "type" a staffy itself could be lumped into that type if someone wanted to...
 
Staffies come in all different sizes… My current lad is smaller than my previous Staffie but they are Staffies all the same! Pit bull’s look absolutely nothing like Staffies and I am sure there are some posts on there showing the difference!

i dont agreee

staffies come in 1 size - breed standard - go on the KC web

"long legged staffs" are not as fara as im aware true to type.... and wont have papers...

staff x's can be any size


"irish blues" and "red nose staffs" normally are code for pitts......


eta - OP ring the dog warden.... if its attacked before it will do it again and again - the owners sound like prats if they let a known attacking dog off its lead :/
 
I am just talking from personal experience of having owned serveral pedigree staffies! Ok they may not be up to Kennel Club show standard but they are still Staffies!
 
Have to say both myself and my parents have a Staff, both are KC registered but both are different.

My parents has a heavier build and a wider head and mine is a slight build. So much so that my dad nicknamed him "the long tailed whippet!", not helped by the fact that his beeder called him "Running Boy Eddy".....WT*Beep*.

The only thing they have in common is height and length, neither are as tall as a Lab. Other than that their awesome dogs, we know they will never back away from a fight as that's in their breeding but we never allow them to get into a situation in the first place.

I would second contacting the Dog Warden, i have previously done this and found them to be very useful as they will vist the owners, keep your details out of it but will report their finds back.

Remember it's the deed not the breed, we don't ban certain horse breeds because we know their more difficult to handle.
 
I am just talking from personal experience of having owned serveral pedigree staffies! Ok they may not be up to Kennel Club show standard but they are still Staffies!

yeah fair enough but imo unless is went to breed type (height of legs etc) i woludnt call it pedigree in a rush

there are too many x staffs around imo, which people call full staffs when they are blatenly 5 inches bigger and 7 foot wider lol :D

no offence meant btw just speaking from experience
 
There are quite a few difference between Staffies and Pit Bulls, but Staffie crosses can look very like Pit Bulls. If a dog attacks another then it is a dangerous dog under the terms of the dangerous dog act and the police can and should take action, even if only to give the owner a firm warning.

Staffies are generally brilliant with humans,including children, but can be difficult with other dogs. Pit Bulls, IMHO, should not and should never have been bred in this country. They have been bred to kill and that instinct comes to the fore too often, especially when they are in inexperienced homes.
 
yeah fair enough but imo unless is went to breed type (height of legs etc) i woludnt call it pedigree in a rush

there are too many x staffs around imo, which people call full staffs when they are blatenly 5 inches bigger and 7 foot wider lol :D

no offence meant btw just speaking from experience

Yeah totally agree with you.. I always had slightly overheight staffs as a rule as I don't have them for show x
 
Staffy:
staffy.jpg


Irish staffy (usually staff x pit bull):
IrishStaffordshireBullTerrierj1.jpg


American Bulldog, also often mistaken as pitbull cross but a breed in itself:
American-Bulldog.jpg


If the dog in your opinion is dangerous report it to the police, if it bit a child or person etc, you'd never forgive yourself. If however it is just out of control then if you feel confident of talking to the owners themselves do so, otherwise try the dog warden?
 
Hiya, could the dog be an american bulldog?
have a look at this site for a picture idea http://kelticwarrior00.com/ambulldog.html
Or google American bulldog. I would say if you feel you can approach the owners do if not be careful. These dogs do play pretty rough and can easily escalate if allowed to but I do know some lovely a/bulldogs hope you manage to sort it out :)
 
The police are the only official people who can say if a dog is of pitbull type, but just so that you are aware, just because you report it and it proves to be so, does not necessarily mean the dog will be pts. If the dog proves not to be dangerous under temperament test then it will be licensed, under which it will have to be neutered, microchipped, muzzled in public and kept on a lead etc.
 
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I own a pitbull type dog, have been confronted by the police about her. As far as they are concerned a pitbull is a type NOT a breed. It doesn't matter if the dog is a staffie x pitbull, staffie x lab etc.. If it fits the description of a pitbull in looks and size it IS a pitbull.

Pitbull type dogs have to be registered, tattooed and microchipped. They also can NOT leave the house without being on a lead and wearing a muzzle.

If the dog in question has been attacking other dogs and they let it roam without a lead or muzzle report it. The dog won't be seized unless it is dangerous (mainly human aggressive) or the owners don't comply with the 'rules' of keeping a pitbull type dog.
 
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