I agree dogs need to be trained and should be required to attend dog training. For all dogs, not just big ones. we have a staffy. He is gentle and obedient but cannot tolerate being ‘stood over!’ We keep him away from large – alsatians/mastiffs dogs at dog parks. He was severely mauled through a fence when four months old by a cattle dog, and again 5 years later – he is terrified of them, it is our job to keep him safe. When we go to parks or walk around our streets, the Maltese or ‘little’ dogs insist on barking and attacking him. Their owners just say “ignore him; he’s being silly!’ our dog ignores them, but we know whose fault it would be if he retaliated. These little dogs are the ones who get mauled. Training is required to take your dog out of your yard.
Regarding suburban living – I do not believe we should have aggressive dogs in small house blocks. But who decides what is aggressive? Staffies are labelled as aggressive. But they were initially bred to look after children? It is cross-breeding and bad owners that make aggressive dogs.
Crossbreeding of any dog should be banned.
