Wednesday, February 26, 2014

To Know Them Is To Love Them. The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Reina American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

REINA ~ Queen (Spanish, Pronounced Ray-Na)

Our dog Reina is an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She is friendly, loyal, strong and a big suck at the same time. She is well trained and a very good example of her breed.

While she is a member of our family, she is also a dog. We are conscious of this fact not only because she is a powerful breed but because we love her and would never want her to hurt someone.

This week I was involved in some tweets about AmStaff’s looking for new families. I was reminded that these dogs are targetted for abuse and wonder how people could ever harm an animal.

To know them is to love them.

Know Any American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs Personally?

Note. We have had Reina since long before the breed ban. She chose us to be her family.

Once, when we were out for a walk, with a leash and a muzzle, a dog with no leash and no muzzle attacked Reina. She could not protect herself.

Given all the restrictions on the breed, I would not want to put an animal through that again. Regardless, it’s not an issue because this breed is currently restricted in Ontario.

34 thoughts on “To Know Them Is To Love Them. The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

  1. Rene

    I know one – she is super sweet and I love her to bits!
    Animal cruelty sucks – did you know it was national cupcake day this week? 😉

    Reply
  2. francine

    I don’t have any pets and I don’t know much about dog breeds. it sounds like you have a wonderful dog. I don’t buy into the whole breed stereotyping. there are good ones and bad ones of all breeds and imo a lot of it has to do with the way the dog is trained and cared for. and if animal abuse stopped I think we would find that some of these dog breeds are nothing like the stereotype.

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  3. Lynda Cook

    I know they are sweet dogs and it’s how they are raised, I have a rotti and a mastiff, but for some reason I am terrified of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs, don’t ask me why especially since I own two big breed dogs myself, maybe it’s just because of all the stories who knows

    Reply
  4. Elva Roberts

    Your dog is beautiful and loyal. We haven’t had that breed but my daughter had a wonderful, beautiful German Shepherd for a while. He was so affectionate, protective and loyal that he could give humans an inferiority complex. Enjoy your wonderful dog.

    Reply
  5. AlwaysARedhead

    I don’t truly believe there are bad dogs, there are bad owners though. It is not the dogs fault how it was raised, it is the owners fault. I don’t agree with the muzzle ban for particular breeds, I do believe in muzzles for some dogs though, some dogs do scare me.
    My SIL’s dog is a very small dachshund, she let’s her very young daughter walk it, with a muzzle because you don’t know when it will attack someone. Trying to tell her that it is not a good idea for her daughter to be responsible is useless. The dog is not welcome at my house, because he will attack our beagle and for that matter has tried to bite me.
    AlwaysARedhead recently posted…The day they thought I had disappearedMy Profile

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    1. Sarah Post author

      Dear AlwaysaRedhead,

      Bad owner. Bad Dog. Every time.

      I think that all dogs and their owners should have to take a course and obtain a license. Dog ownership is a privilege in my opinion. 50% of (reported) dog bites are from small dogs. I bet you it’s higher.

      Besos, Sarah
      Sarah recently posted…Does Being Late Bother You?My Profile

      Reply
  6. Sandy

    Reina is so beautiful, Sarah! She looks so sweet in your picture. I had no idea her breed was banned in Ontario. Very sad. Yes, there are some dogs that can be downright nasty, just like there are humans who can be that way too. More often than not, I believe most “bad” dogs are the result of “bad” owners. Owners that mistreat their dogs, owners that abuse their dogs, and owners that purposely teach their dogs to be mean. I don’t know any dogs of her breed personally, Probably because of the ban, I don’t think I’ve ever met one in real life either. Give Reina a hug for me.
    Sandy recently posted…Muscle Car Spring Fever…And The Hunt For Used CarsMy Profile

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  7. Treen Goodwin

    I have a Pit bull as well they are the sweetest dogs ever , Yours is a beauty !! she looks like mine Sadie layed back and gentle as gentle can be .. my 18 month old grandson lays on her and she just licks him she loves him and everyone ! there is no meanness in them !

    Reply
  8. Soozle

    It really saddens me that the breed is also banned where I live.. I have personally NEVER met one that has been vicious… It’s the poor owners that I worry about more so than the dogs themselves!

    Reply
  9. Peady

    She looks lovely. I think that people who are cruel to animals will be cruel to other people. It is very sad that a certain breed is banned or targeted by neglectful, abusers. 🙁

    I am happy for Reina because she has chosen your family. You are just right for each other. 😀
    Peady recently posted…Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!My Profile

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  10. Jenn

    I know nothing about dogs but I do know what a cute dog looks like when I see one! Reina looks absolutely adorable in this picture! I’m glad she has a great home!

    Reply
  11. Susan T.

    What a cutie! I don’t think any breeds should be banned. It is always the fault of the owners not the dog. I was bit as a child by a Pomeranian so you never can tell!

    Reply
  12. Karen E. Hill

    I am a firm believer in all dogs being good until their owner teach them to be bad. There are no bad dogs just bad owners.

    Reply
  13. Darlene Wissenz

    Our dog was named Shorty, because he was the only one shorter then me in the family, he was the most lovable, gentle, caring Staffordshire. He past away 6 years ago and I still think about him everyday

    Reply
  14. Ali P

    I don’t know anyone who has an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but I think some breeds get a bad rap. All dogs can be dangerous if they’re not treated properly.

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth Matthiesen

    I don’t know any American Staffordshire Bull Terriers, I’m afraid I wouldn’t recognise one on the street even if I did see one. A very sweet photo 🙂

    Reply

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