Staffordshire Bull Terriers ?

highlandponygirl

highlandponygirl

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I'm looking to buy a small/medium size dog and am thinking about purchasing a Staffi. Just wondering if anyone has them. What are they like? Any hereditary probs etc? Or any other advice re Staffies would be most welcome :)


Thanks x
 
I have a pedigree staffie and he is the sweetest kindest gentlest boy in the world. He loves to sleep in front of the fire and they adore having their bums/top of tails scratched. They are a very strong dog but they love to please and are quite easy to train. Usually very food orientated but rarely food aggressive. They will usually destroy every toy given to them within minutes :D I know a few, mine included, that are quite wussy ie; afraid of the dark, the rain, the snow etc...My poor dog is even terrorised by the ducks and chickens :o You do need to be a confident leader though as they can quite easily take the pee if they think they will get away with it.
 
I have a staffie, she will be 4 next week and I've had her since she was 9 1/2 weeks old.

She's an absolute gem - doesn't chew, can be left in the house, is loyal, loving, good with kids, good around the horses and used to be good with other dogs.

However she's been bitten numerous times by dogs (but not retaliated - in fact she usually runs off!) and is now funny with other dogs, making people think she's viscious etc but she's not, she's just making sure they know she's hard by growling at them!!

This is her:
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They do have a bad reputation thanks to mindless idiots but they aren't all bad :(

I can clear the park in 5 seconds some days though due to this but you've gotta love a staffie, they are the best :)
 
My dog is the same with other dogs, he was attacked by smaller dogs and never retaliated but he likes to get his "say" in first now which sounds like hes going to eat you :eek: They do smile when they are running though and the amount of people who run away screaming because they think he wants to eat them - Bless him he just looks bemused by it all. Just look for a happy well adjusted dog and please make sure you see the parents. Good luck x
 
You need to make sure that they have good hip scores as staffies can develop powerful muscle and strong hind legs this needs to be checked - the general other things are generally breathing with staffies and clean eyes and ears.
I have one and he's an absolute gem great with everything from cats to horses - the most important thing to remember is socialise with as much as you can from a young age and make sure they know who's boss - as with any dog its important they respect people and what they say - as they have lock jaw as well they must do as their told - as someone else said though any dog regardless of breed, size etc can be dangerous or badly behaved if not bought up correctly its not the dogs its the people - good luck with find a nice dog and generally speaking i'd go for the puppy that comes up second, not at the back of the pack or the very front the second ones are usually the good ones lol.
 
The parents should have been tested as on here -
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breed/health.aspx?id=3080

Please don't buy a puppy from untested parents. Ask to see test certificates and the parents KC documents. You can check online with the parents registered names.
If none look elsewhere or go to any shelter instead and you will find a staffie ;- or try breed rescue.

It is particularly important that a SBT has correct paperwork in case an overzealous enforcer decides you have a banned breed.

Staffies are usually a joyful dog but they often lack brakes so be prepared for bruised knees.
 
Make sure they are reputable breeders, too many back yard breeders out there, kc reg or not. Both parents should have had their health checks (can't remember off hand what they are but a quick google should tell you).
You must be sure to socialise them a lot as puppies as they can become dog aggressive.

You must post lots and lots of pictures!
 
s4sugar said:
they often lack brakes so be prepared for bruised knees.
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This quote made me laugh, it's so true! I've had many a bruise on my shin from my dog being a bit over-zealous and not slowing up/leaving enough space between me and his head when he runs past.

They're great dogs, so people friendly, but you do need to keep up their training. I find my dog becomes a little 'deaf' if I don't insist on what I'm asking of him. I got him from a rehoming centre when he was 15 months old, and he had no other training other than he was pretty much house trained. Now he will sit/lie down/leave/drop/find ball/quiet etc, but I've never quite conquered his lead pulling, he's mostly good now, but I'll be honest in saying that I haven't put enough work into getting him spot on.

They're great dogs and so full of life and energy, and just want to please, but they're not the easiest breed to own IMO, they're strong willed and are physically very strong, but if you're able and willing they'll repay you tenfold.
 
Any particular reason you are looking to spend out that sort of money on a puppy? I only ask as there are 1000s of staffies in rescues looking for homes and I am pretty sure there will be some puppies too amongst them if your specifically adter a puppy and it's not going to set you back £400! However, i can understand if you are looking for a pure, pure bred that has fully health tested parents in order to avoid health issues. I would still consider a rescue though.
 
ladyt25 said:
Any particular reason you are looking to spend out that sort of money on a puppy? I only ask as there are 1000s of staffies in rescues looking for homes and I am pretty sure there will be some puppies too amongst them if your specifically adter a puppy and it's not going to set you back £400! However, i can understand if you are looking for a pure, pure bred that has fully health tested parents in order to avoid health issues. I would still consider a rescue though.
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^^ This :)
 
ladyt25 said:
Any particular reason you are looking to spend out that sort of money on a puppy? I only ask as there are 1000s of staffies in rescues looking for homes and I am pretty sure there will be some puppies too amongst them if your specifically adter a puppy and it's not going to set you back £400! However, i can understand if you are looking for a pure, pure bred that has fully health tested parents in order to avoid health issues. I would still consider a rescue though.
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Not really looking specifically for a pedigree, would look at anything including cross breeds. It was just that these pups came up at the right time. I would be more than happy to take one from a rescue (prefferably a pup but would consider older if they wouldnt try and eat my cats). The resue centres are really quite picky round here (probably rightly). My sister was refused dogs by most rescue centres simply becuse her garden is a shared space with her neighbour. She also ended up just buying as a result of the constant rejections.
 
Thank you for the advert. Not puppies I would consider buying.
If they were health tested the breeders would be shouting the fact. Yet another person breeding from their pets to pay for a holiday.

Try here-
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findaclub/breed/list.aspx?id=3080 and see what is around without supporting a back yard breeder.
It is all very well saying you only want a pet but it is heartbreaking if your pet goes blind or is epileptic when this can be avoided by health screening..
 
highlandponygirl said:
Not really looking specifically for a pedigree, would look at anything including cross breeds. It was just that these pups came up at the right time. I would be more than happy to take one from a rescue (prefferably a pup but would consider older if they wouldnt try and eat my cats). The resue centres are really quite picky round here (probably rightly). My sister was refused dogs by most rescue centres simply becuse her garden is a shared space with her neighbour. She also ended up just buying as a result of the constant rejections.
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I think that's pretty standard and you can understand why but yes, it can be a frustration. i got a 9mth old x breed in Dec from The Dogs Trust and sometimes you do wonder whether they actually want to rehome their dogs as they seem to put a lot of obstacles in your way. However, when they tell you of the dogs they have in that have been returned you can understand why they can make you jump through hoops and almost try and put you off! You could try the RSPCA and Blue Cross - i find sometimes they are more willing to consider different living situations.
 
Thanks for all the advice and the pm TOK. All the advice is very helpfull. Starting to have doubts about parting with that kind of cash and not really knowing what im getting. Might just keep looking for the time being and consider other small/medium breeds.

Thanks x
 
highlandponygirl said:
Thanks for all the advice and the pm TOK. All the advice is very helpfull. Starting to have doubts about parting with that kind of cash and not really knowing what im getting. Might just keep looking for the time being and consider other small/medium breeds.

Thanks x
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Whatever breed you choose there will probably be health testing required. Anyone who breeds without doing the required tests is only doing it for money without regard for the puppies they are producing.

The same guide applies across all breeds -see Mum, find out why she was mated to the sire (proximity is not a good reason) see health test results -vet checked is not the same thing - and expect to be grilled on how you will care for teh pup. A reputable breeder will tell you cons of the breed as well as pros.

If you are not bothered papers try rescues or breed rescues. We often get rescues in that are cat safe and I test them with my cats before we let them out to a home with cats.
 
If you are thinking of getting a Staffie then please please please think about getting one from a rescue centre instead of a breeder - there are *so* many unwanted Staffies out there who have absolutely nothing wrong with them yet are still abandoned. I have a rescue Staff x Lab, he is so so loving and loves a good scratch! :)
 
We have a Staffie and she is the soppiest dog we have ever had.

She used to sneak into the bed of one of the rescue cats we had in. The cat had had kittens the week before and we would often find Poppy snuggled up with the tiny kittens and mother cat who seemed to accept this roly poly puppy as hers! She is also regularly kicked out of her kennel by the hens who like to snuggle in the duvet under the heat lamp and won't let the dogs in. Poppy just sits outside in the rain barking until we go and chuck the chickens out :)

Poppy has been well socialised and is great with all other dogs, big or small. She does love people a bit too much and often launches herself at them wanting a fuss. She has also been the easiest dog we have ever had to train. The only thing we find 'annoying' is that she is constantly hyper, boinging about like tigger if people are around. If it is just us she settles quickly but can be a bit of a pest when we have visitors.

Here she is as a puppy with her adopted litter mates :)

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I have a staffy x and he is the most loyal and loving dog ever! He was a rescue. The dog pounds and rescue centres are over flowing with staffys. Please if you are considering one, rescue rather than buy a puppy.
 
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My little terrors, the brindle, Daisy has a VERY well developed prey drive and the red, Ruby is a bit grumpy with dogs her size or smaller (work in progress!).

OP how you getting on?
 
How exciting :) Staffies are one of my favourite breeds of dog. Our neighbours have one and she's the most loving, gentle dog although she's timid with other dogs.
If you aren't bothered about a puppy you could always try a rescue centre, they seem to get quite a few Staffies & Staffie Xs
 
Great little dogs..wonderful non smelly hot water bottles easy to train and bright.For a good one from properly tested parents I would think more like 600--800 though.For that you`ll get prob fourteen years of pleasure..so it`s a bargain.:)
 
I've got two staffies, Iggy a white male and ruby a brindle bitch, they are amazing dogs, so friendly and loving, great fun and love running around. At the moment I have one under each elbow lol.
 
MyLuckyStar said:
I'm not sure on that one, I just saw her and fell in love.

One thing to remember though - Staffies are very loving dogs and mine thinks everybody must have cuddles, sloppy kisses and be sat on!!
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Yep Ino definitely agrees with this comment! Must be cuddled, kissed and sat on lol x

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Fudge thinks they should be eaten....
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