Four legged friends of the family

Carterton kids David, 6, and Michael, 8, with staffords, from left, Dazz, Roxx, Bexx and Odie.

WHEN Sarah takes her three Staffordshire bull terriers, Dazz, Bexx and Roxx, for a walk, she's used to seeing passers-by shrink away in fear.

This despite their small stature, glossy coats, "smiley" faces and wide, expressive eyes.

"People just get s*** scared," says Sarah.

"They see us walking, and they cross to the other side of the street.

"It's a real shame."

Staffordshire bull terriers (otherwise known as staffies or staffords) are another maligned breed of dog, having been involved in attacks on people.

In March this year, 7-year-old Sakurako Uehara was savaged by four Staffordshire bull terrier-cross dogs in a friend's yard in Murupara and 90 per cent of her face was damaged.

The attack triggered widespread calls to ban the stafford breed in New Zealand.

But, echoing pit bull owner Ashleigh, Sarah's family say what staffies need is a loving, positive home environment and an engaged owner.

Sarah runs a Staffordshire bull terrier breeding programme from her Carterton home, Masadamic Kennels -- "Masadamic" being a combination of the family's first names.

The kennel's motto is "Our dogs aren't our whole family, but they make our family whole" -- and one needs only to take a stroll through the family's hallway to see how this family cherishes their four-legged friends.

The walls are lined with large-scale studio photos of Sarah, her husband and sons with their dogs in their laps and at their feet.

In her sons' baby photos, Michael and David are flanked by Dazz and Bexx on either side, standing protectively by.

While Sarah is happy to promote Masadamic Kennels, she requested that her last name not be printed, for fear of her dogs being stolen and used in dog fighting rings.

"You hear a lot of whispers about dog fighting in Carterton," she says. "You can never be too careful."

Sarah, who has owned dogs all her life -- "from labs, to beagles, to mongrels" -- got her first stafford in 1996, and began breeding them about eight years ago.

She was attracted to the breed by its low-maintenance requirements, size and build, and "patient, loyal and loving" temperament.

"They're small and compact, and make a good lap dog.

"But they're strong and robust, so they'll keep up with you on your bike, or come along for a three mile hike."

She said staffords were "people dogs" and craved affection.

"They're very eager to please," says Sarah.

"They get in your face, but that's because they want to be with you, not because they want food."

Staffordshire bull terriers such as Sarah's are usually small, measuring about 36cm in height and weighing around 17kg.

But she had found that people picture staffords as large, intimidating and menacing.

"When we're out and about, people will ask, 'What's that?'

"When I tell them, they say, 'It can't be -- it's too small'."

She believes the breed's tarnished reputation in the press has contributed to these misconceptions.

"A few years back, I remember reading in the paper about a dog which attacked a kid outside a dairy.

"The headline in the paper said, 'Staffordshire Terrier Mauls Child'.

"That dog was at least the size of a lab. It frustrates me when mongrels and crossbreeds are labelled as staffords, when they're clearly not.

"It just demonises the breed."

Socialisation and stimulation are essential for a happy, well-adjusted stafford, says Sarah.

"Take them everywhere -- take them to the park, the beach, into town and to the river.

"Have them mix with different breeds. If they're social and active, it widens their intelligence."

Asked what makes an aggressive, vicious dog, her answer is simple: "A bad human".

"People get dogs for the wrong reasons -- because they think they make them look tough and mean, or because they're after a guard dog.

"I've heard all kinds of horror stories of staffords being chained up right from puppies.

"We get warrants of fitness for our cars -- maybe dog owners should go through the same to see if they're fit to have a dog."

Despite people's initial anxiety, Sarah says the Carterton community has, for the most part, received her dogs positively.

But no one is a bigger fan of these pooches than her sons.

Eight-year-old Michael especially shares a close bond with Dazz and Bexx, having practically grown up with them.

"When I was a baby, Dazz would always come up and sit next to me," says Michael.

"They're so nice and calm. But they're naughty, too -- they'll sneak into my room and eat all my treats.

"Having so many dogs is pretty fun."