I genuinely believe all dogs are born lovely (as are children) but its what we as humans do to them that determines the type of character they become

That is so true Freds mum, spot on.
No dog is born bad or vicious, its the people around them that creates their personality, or the back yard breeders that dont handle or socialise the pups before going to new homes and they are doomed from the start and the new oners wonder why their dog is afraid or aggressive towards everything

The only positive you can take is that you know your own dog/s have the best life possible and when I read these horror stories or see these 'hard hoodies' promoting their 'hard' dogs it makes me realise how lucky Mitz is we found each other and she has the best home she could ever want, just wish I could help all those dogs who need it

>its the people around them that creates their personality

Temperament also has a genetic element - if a poor combination of genes is inherited a dog can end up with a unsound temperament that the best upbringing in the world will never quite repair. And if bred from, this will be passed on to the next generation. This is why a sound temperament is just as important as good health and breed type when deciding whether or not to breed.

That is true as well JG, Even more of a reaosn to stop these back yard breeders who couldnt give a damn about breeding for temperament

Well.......I truly believe some folk ARE born bad....and it is genetic. It may be a sweeping statement however, living where I do, over the years it proves it self to be the case.
A lot of it is nature as opposed to nurture.
This is why breeding for temrement proves it self too.

Karen

Temperament also has a genetic element

Never a truer word spoken.

totally agree with you Freds Mum, i have two wonderful boys who have grown up (now 22 and 20) they are well mannered have respect, kind and loving, why are they like this well because thats the way i bought them up knowing right from wrong,  its the same with dogs our staff is so loving and well behaved and loves EVERYBODY, as my eldest son said "MOM IS NURTURE NOT NATURE"

Hi Rach, my staffy was like yours until she hit around 2 years old.  She was very submissive and often got bullied by other dogs and now she will go for other dogs on a regular basis. 
Now if another dog growls/barks/runs/looks funny at her etc. she will have a go.  I was out with my neighbour a few weeks ago and her mal was playing with a lab, the lab walked up to my staffy and looked at her nose-to-nose.  My staff roared at the lab and chased her snarling and would have really gone for her if she could have caught her.  I was able to intervene so no damage done but as a general rule always put her on the lead if I see another dog.  It makes me feel in control and feel less stressed which my dog will pick up on.
anyway, the point of this post was to warn you to watch out in the future, when the time came that my dog realised she could take on most dogs that hassled her and would win she started to do it.  not good.

I think a lot of people don't realise there is puberty at 6 months to two years depending on breed, and then there is full social maturity at around 4 years of age.

Often the dogs that would put up with rudeness or challenged when younger won't suffer fools gladly when fully mature.

This is too why sometimes dogs can live in harmony for several years and things kick off between them when one reaches this sort of age.

I would totally agree with that as have spoken to other staffy owners who have also said the 2 year mark was critical in character formation.  Of course, a lot of it has to do with idiot dog owners who have rude dogs and no idea about reading their dogs body language.  Grrr.... but I would say that since I have a fairly intolerant dog. lol

There are some real horror stories here and something I have never thought about or had to deal with. I love my longdogs and a greyhound is never attacked because thankfully, nothing can catch it and especially something as atheticly handicapped as a staffie!

I must say I have never had problems despite living in an urban area, but then I have bitches (lower risk as few bitches fight with strange bitches and certainly most males would not dream of so doing), of a medium size, confident but not challenging, and are pretty quick on their feet if need me, will never start anything and don't bear a grudge and seem very able to avoid trouble.

Life is a lot harder for owners of small or large breeds, that are highly strung, dominant, very bouncy or perceived as aggressive.

The dog I know that has been attacked the most is a greyhound.  the poor thing gets bullied endlessly and constantly has stitches in from being in the wars.  Maybe she should talk to yours and get a bit of advice about running away. lol.