The owners of a Welsh campsite have defended their decision to ban six breeds of dogs after a massive backlash on social media.

The rules state that six dog breeds are banned - pit bull terriers, Staffordshire terriers, rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, huskies and bull mastiffs/English mastiff.

But the move has sparked a huge reaction, WalesOnline report .

The rules at Skysea Caravan and Camping Site on the seafront in Port Eynon , on the Gower Peninsula, state that only those six breeds are banned.

Some people have suggested the rules were a reaction to the death of a nine-year-old boy at a Cornwall campsite, after he was attacked by a suspected bulldog-type breed.

It is believed that Frankie Macritchie, from Plymouth, had been left alone with the animal in a caravan at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe on Saturday, April 13.

However, the site in Gower confirmed its rules had been in place for over a year due to incidents that had taken place involving certain dog breeds at the campsite.

A spokesman for Skysea Caravan and Camping Site said: "The ban was put in place because we had three incidents in the last two years involving certain dog breeds - two of those involving incidents with another dog and one incident involving a young person.

"We are not judging dog breeds, it's not a personal attack, we understand that any breed of dog can bite. However, the effects of these particular breeds of dogs if they bite can be catastrophic. We don't restrict any dog breeds from walking through and using the footpath by our site.

"We have had positive feedback from this decision, all of the terms and conditions are fully explained on our website before you book online."

But the decision to ban certain dogs from staying at the site has been met with strong criticism by dog owners, who have accused them of double standards.

Paul Watson, from Durham, said he had been thinking of staying at the campsite, but wouldn't be going there now.

Mr Watson currently owns a Labradoodle, but has had Staffies in the past, who were "the most loyal and loving dogs you could meet" he said.

He said the Skysea Caravan Park rules were "ridiculous" and it should be either dogs, or no dogs at all.

"This has got nothing to do with dogs but a status symbol, this is an absolute shambles of a rule," he said.

"What happens if a Labrador attacks somebody? No-one will bat an eyelid. But if a Staffie attacks, the press and all hell breaks loose. Seriously, it is an absolute joke."

Stuart Walton, from Tamworth in the West Midlands, has a campervan and travels to various campsites in the UK and France with his 14-year-old Staffie and four-year-old French bulldog.

Last year, he travelled to Tenby but is planning a trip to the Gower this summer. He has struck Skysea Caravan Site off his list.

"We have travelled to Wales a few times over the last few years," he said.

"Last year we stayed in Tenby. We were looking to stay on the Gower this June and looked at the Skysea Campsite but noticed the dog discrimination.

"I have been travelling with my French bulldog and Staffie in our Campervan for years and have never experienced this anywhere in the UK before."

Skysea Caravan Park said their ban, which "will remain in force for the foreseeable future", was for safety and insurance reasons.

In addition, all dog owners are required to sign a declaration of full responsibility at check-in, any breach of which will result in removal from the site.

Responding to the criticism, a post was made on their Facebook page saying they had removed some posts which had been "abusive in nature".

"In light of the sad events in Cornwall yesterday, we have decided to remove all posts relating to our dog policies," they said.