Staffordshire bull dog

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are fantastic dogs. Great to live with, intelligent and very trainable. Both of mine compete in agility, and they were both over a year old when I got them. My son did junior handling with our first one winning a lot and getting to Crufts YKC handling final at 9 years old - the dog was about 4 at the time. My younger Stafford was in a pound and had been harshly handled previously, it took a while to get her confidence up in a show environment but you'd never guess now that there were confidence issues, she won both classes at her recent agility show, I have a job to keep up with her, she's only 13'' tall but she can really shift, very smart she is too, always trying her luck with starting before she has been told, they are both very bright dogs, I wouldn't want any other breed.
 
I have had 2. The first one I fostered for a charity until she had to be pts (she had been mistreated previously and taken into care following a court order), my present one was also a rescue as his old owner no longer wanted him- no idea why other than he was old and it seems his old owner wanted him pts. The vet saved him and he went to a specialist charity for older Staffies. I was lucky enough to adopt him. He is fantastic. He has arthritis in his hips- I believe this can happen with this breed, but it doesn't stop him doing anything. He is a game little chap. His nature is fabulous and everyone falls in love with him. He is gentle, biddable, wonderful with people, other dogs, cats, children , and is gradually getting used to horses. I have taken him to clinics and he has always behaved well. He loves being a little trucker, sat up high in my horsebox.

He loves to play, enjoys his walks and keeps up with the big dog and generally enjoys life. He is 13 . He snores like mad and farts like crazy- the downside of the breed- but I love him to bits.
 
They will walk for miles and miles. I have had 2 and have never had a problem with aggressive guarding. Mine will guard the house, barking if someone comes to the door, quietens when told the greets the visitor.
 
I actually haven't had one as looks wise they just aren't my type of dog (shallow I know but hey) I have however got quite a few friends who have or have had them and have always found them to be amazing dogs, there are very few homes / lifestyles they don't adapt to ie can take lots of exercise or can be happy as a spoilt coach potatoe (within reason) great with kids, other animals etc, just really fantastic dogs so bright and eager to learn and really loving too
 
I took on a rescue Staffie in July, she is my first dog and I wouldn't be without her. She is a real softy. We walk for miles and she never gets tired. As for guarding my girly is about as much use at that as a hedgehog is.
 
fankino04 said:
I actually haven't had one as looks wise they just aren't my type of dog (shallow I know but hey) I have however got quite a few friends who have or have had them and have always found them to be amazing dogs, there are very few homes / lifestyles they don't adapt to ie can take lots of exercise or can be happy as a spoilt coach potatoe (within reason) great with kids, other animals etc, just really fantastic dogs so bright and eager to learn and really loving too
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This is how I've felt but the one I've been freed does sound lovely
 
happy loving little dogs.
mine is a rescue,i dont think he knew anything when i got him,not even sit and had had 2 owners before me.
any way i got him just after he was 1yo and i love him to bits.
we do agility,go to OB and had a go at rallyO. he is so keen and eager to learn.
we have a couple of little issues,if he is on a lead and another dog gets in his face he will grrr so i do have to keep my eye on him in certain circumstances but no more than any dog.

he loves people,children and is good around the horses.
he would go all day or cuddle on a sofa .
my daughter had a sbt for years(he lived to be 14) and was brought up with all the children no problem.

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An hours walk? That and any more you would care to give them. I used to hack out mine and they had no problem keeping up. Can't do it from this yard as we have so much roadwork but they will all come out with me to hack around our fields when they are dry enough. Yes to guarding you (they take this very seriously as anyone who has been subject to the Staffie goose step will testify). Massive cuddle bunnies, some snore, (loudly) but none of my current bunch do. They only fart if they have eaten something unusual. They are not sit in the corner dogs, they will want to be with you as much as possible. Being shorthaired means no doggy smell but a need for rugs at the yard. If you do get a Stafford (and by the way, they tend to rehome easily if from a poor home previously) have at look at FB for a page called Staffies with responsible owners. We are a friendly bunch and the admins are very knowledgeable.
 
I know 3 personally!

Boston was great! Lived with kids and was so good with them. His issue was he liked to wander, but he had road sense and would always come home. I believe this was because they rarely walked him.

Cleo was like a baby!! She belonged to an ex boyfriend and I was more heart broken that I couldn't see her again when he left! She had been used as a bait dog and had the scars to prove it. Another one who wasn't walked, but she had a terror of other dogs and bit her owner in a blind panic, which left a nasty scar. Her issues were only down to her horrific treatment before the ex got her. She was perfect with any human.

Popeye is also great with any human and lives with 4 VERY loud and VERY lively kids. He is a little (very) stupid, but he's kind. He is also not walked and fed junk food (curry!!!!!) and because of that is obese, which in turn has given him health issues. Given the correct diet and exercise, I believe he could have been fit and healthy in his old age, but sadly his owners (while lovely people) are utterly ignorant to the needs of a dog.

They are not aesthetically my type of dog, but I think they're very sweet natured, it's a shame chavs and the like have given them such a bad reputation. I think I would have one if offered! Though collies and dogs like my girl are more my type.
I think you should go for it!
 
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