Stafford Bull Terriers

westerngirl

westerngirl

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Hi, I know I should have researched first but at short notice I have re-homed a Staffy. He is 6yrs old and has been well trained, being good on and off lead, with dogs and my cats, but I wondered if there were any particular "things" I should know about them as a breed. My last 2 dogs were Lurchers so quite a bit different although he seems to have the Lurcher sorrowful look down pat!Thanks for any help. : )
 
Well according to the forum in general, I've discovered that pictures of the said new friend will be required first!!:D

Other than they usually all love adults and kids alike, used to be called the 'Nanny Dog' because so good with kids. Love lots and lots of cuddles and tummy rubs. Love playing the longer the better. Great stamina will out walk you every time (unless it's hot weather, than you do need not to over do it)

Oh and when they cry for attention, anxiety, waiting for their dinner, etc, etc, they often sound like a distressed baby crying!! They are a lovely breed. Have lots of fun and don't forget a photo or 6 :D
 
Yes, pictures please!

Staffies are just lovely, but I'm biased.

There's nothing extra you need to know. They are very easy going, don't need lots of exercise, no major health issues and love nothing more than a cuddle!
 
They are much more intelligent than most people give them credit for, and they should love people, sometimes to the point of climbing onto random strangers laps which isn't always popular!
There are lots of staffies out there that are actually crossbreeds, and are much larger than a SBT but often have the head shape of the SBT and are often referred to as staffies, if that makes sense? Put it this way, I am often asked if mine are miniature staffies, which of course do not exist.
My 2 are both rescues and both compete in agility. Mason has also been successful showing, and obedience and did junior handler at Crufts with my son a few years ago. They are a great breed but some people will believe all they read in the tabloids and treat you as if you have something terrifying on the end of the lead. I try to prove to people how trainable and versatile these dogs are, and hopefully have changed a few opinions over the years.
My advice is to keep your dog active and you should find you have a dog who is a pleasure to live with, and another thing.... they have a wicked sense of humour as I'm sure you will discover soon!
 
my rescue sbt is the most loving happy chappy and has proved very trainable (did not even know sit when i got him).
we do OB and agility and have a go at rallyO when it`s in our area.
be prepared for a lot of prejudice and often a `parting of the sea` when you go places. i feel that my boy has to be 110% to combat this.
 
My rehomed old dog is a staffy x and is totally soft. She loves children and is good with horses, dogs, chickens and even cats (she will give a little chase if the chance arises but won't do anything nasty). She is old so a bit stiff and slow but has the old wild moment even now at 11+years. She is an ideal dog and I cannot think of anything bad about her - except her wind ;-)
 
Thanks everyone. as a computerlexic I have no idea how to put pics on! He is very sweet, really coming out of his shell and definitely friendly! His only fault is that when excited meeting new people he does like to grab their hand! not biting but a bit disconcerting to people. He stopped doing it to family and I am trying to train him out of it by asking people to ignore him till he is calm and that seems to work. He is good with the horses even when the mare and foal tried to kill him he just ran faster and didn't turn on them. Just wish he would learn about biting fence and not think its me lol.
 
Oh I love staffies. They are fantastic dogs
I don't have one but I do want one. I used to take one on day care and she was fab. I did however find that people either love them and will talk to you about them, or they will cross the road to avoid you :-/

I want to see pics of everybody's staffies :-)
 
Cahill said:
be prepared for a lot of prejudice and often a `parting of the sea` when you go places. i feel that my boy has to be 110% to combat this.
Click to expand...

RubysGold said:
I did however find that people either love them and will talk to you about them, or they will cross the road to avoid you :-/
Click to expand...

So true. Really is disheartening sometimes - especially as our current girl is an absolute wuss and wouldn't say boo to a goose! She will do a total diversion if she sees another dog and will look at us to say "Please make this scary thing go away!".

That said I understand why they would look scary to someone who isn't used to them.
 
I have a staffie lurcher cross - so she looks like a leggy staffie, quite fine. But she can really move, and has the lurcher instinct to chase, which can be a bit of a problem. She is really obedient appart from when she has locked onto a small furry thing she can chase. Having said that she is friendly with other dogs, gets on well with cats and never bothers the horses.

The staffie side of her is very very loving, would love to be cuddled all day. Licks non- stop and has never bitten or mouthed.

Like others have said, be prepared for perople to assume your dog is going to attack them. Shame they have such a bad reputation, because they really are such loving family dogs.

Hope you have a wonderful time with your new boy.
 
so love my lil man XX
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https://forums-secure.horseandhound.co.uk/album.php?albumid=1274&attachmentid=27671

https://forums-secure.horseandhound.co.uk/album.php?albumid=1274&attachmentid=15795

Well that's all mine. I have 4 all of whom are rescues!

So, SBT's are like Duracell bunnies and have great stamina. I find mine do need a fair amount of exercise. Even my 13 year old will not miss out the morning walk. They are pretty stoic dogs so don't show pain easily. They ADORE people but can get a little too much so put your foot down straight away about the greetings. As you can imagine, with 4 dogs all wanting to meet, greet and love people, it can get a little much. All are good on the yard, did used to hack out with youngest till previous horse trod on her and now I have moved yards I can't take her out with my new horse - too many roads. They are prone to skin allergies so keep an eye on your staffies tummy. 2 of them are very thin skinned so sport a wide range of rugs and all feel the cold. They are very persistent as well..they are great company and will make you feel like the best person in the world when you walk through the door!. There is a great FB page called Staffie with responsible owners, with like minded people and I also support SBT Welfare - whom are lovely and have given me 3 of my 4 dogs over time.
 
aww, so lovely Luci07. I have just spent about 1/2 hr trying to upload pictures without success. sorry

and yes, circles madly trying to catch tail. I was worried it was a displacement behavior
 
IMHO the best dogs ever. We have one rescue staffy X. He's basically a giant staffy not far off the size of my female dobie. That aside he thinks he can sit on my lap and cuddle me. He actually puts his owe around your neck and pulls you in. He loves people, anyone who makes eye contact with him gets a full on body wag. People either love him or hate him. I adore him.
 
I have two staffies and a young lurcher x american bulldog. Staffies are absolute nightmares - one is manic, anti-social , bark monster who wants to walk all the time. The other is a big dumpling who wants to sit on your knee and lick your face all the time. Love them to pieces and would have a houseful but they are stubborn and will take advantage given the chance.
 
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