Staffordshire bull terriers

SIR, – I have been forwarded a copy of John McKenzie’s letter (the Press and Journal, October 4) regarding Staffordshire bull terriers. It is the attitude of people like Mr McKenzie that is one of the reasons that there is difficulty in finding homes for this particular breed.

I have three dogs, two Labradoodles and a Staffie, and while it is the aesthetic appeal of the Labradoodle that draws attention when we are out, it is the extremely affectionate nature of the Staffie that draws people to her.

Mr McKenzie is quite obviously oblivious to the history of the breed and the fact that the Victorians referred to them as the “nanny dog". This name is no coincidence: the dogs were often left to “babysit” the children of Victorian families.

The Staffie suffers in modern times from having been looked on as a status dog by certain sections of society and then abandoned or given up to rescue centres and societies because they aren't the “hard” dog the owners wanted.

Yes, they can be aggressive, but that is because they have been trained to be aggressive by the owner or have become aggressive through lack of appropriate training.

Any dog can become aggressive and some of the most aggressive dogs I have encountered have been toy breeds. Lewis D. Grant, Crockett Gardens, Penicuik.