Staffs are they all vicious???

[wolfsoul]

So why couldnt that be true of these terrier type dogs if it is there nature then surely it is irresponsible to own such dogs.

Terriers are not the problem -- it's people owning them that do not understand the breeds. Terriers encompass hundreds of different breeds. Many many breeds have high prey drives -- basically all of the Northern breeds (huskies, malamutes, etc), dogs bred specifically for schutzhund (usually line-based -- Belgian shepherds, dutch shepherds, etc), hunting and catching breeds (catahoulas, curs, etc). If you wanted to ban every breed known for it's drive, you'd eradicate most of the dog population.

[critter crazy]

Maybe its me but I dont understand why the dogs life is of more value than the swan. Isnt it possible that with all the best intentions and good training some creatures arent meant to be pets. I understand that if I had a lion as a pet and at some point it attacked someone, it could be said it is just its nature. So why couldnt that be true of these terrier type dogs if it is there nature then surely it is irresponsible to own such dogs. It was a swan this time but what if it was a child.

no one was saying that the swans life was less valuable than the dogs, I own chickens and ducks,a nd it pains me to hear that a swan got attacked by a dog. All we are trying to say is that the owner obviously was neglectful by allowing the dog off leash. He should have had better control. and not all staffies are like that! you cannot assume the nature of a whole breed, based on the behavior of one. and we dont even know why the dog attacked. we dont even know if the dog had ever attacked before. If the dog had attacked any type of animal before than the owner was defionitely at fault here.

[borzoimom]

My breed will chase things as well- and also give up with my pressence. The problem I see over and over is that you can NOT GET A STAFFY OFF OF ANY ATTACK.. Once gone- completeing the battle is all that exists in the mind.. " FINISH IT" is there.. Some say they are being bred to be less aggressive dogs- but I can tell you- genetics takes a long time...