Why this breed?

Hello,
my name is Kjell and I'm in therapy. Partially because my fear for larger dog breeds, and the noise of barking dogs causes me much distress.

As an assignment from my psychologist, I had to ask online for the opinions and views of dog owners, more specifically Staffordshires.

It could be a great help if you could answer the next questions:
What has attracted you in a bully breed, or more specifically a Staffordshire?
Why not another breed?
Did the image of a Staffordshire affect your decision in getting such a dog? (Like the BSL in certain countries and the many news articles of incidents.)
What do you appreciate the most in your specific dog(s)?

I'm looking forward to your responses.

Hello, and a very warm welcome.

I suspect that you will get very similar responses, with one or two slight differences!

What has attracted you in a bully breed, or more specifically a Staffordshire?

Originally I had border collies & other shepherding breeds. However, my new partner (now my husband of many years) didn't much take to them. We saw a Stafford in the street and my partner liked him. I then did a lot of research and we bought Bandit - a black brindle Staffordshire bull terrier.

Why not another breed?

As above!

Did the image of a Staffordshire affect your decision in getting such a dog? (Like the BSL in certain countries and the many news articles of incidents.)

Back in the '80s there were very few pre-conceived views on staffs! But for NOW, a WELL BRED Stafford is a wonderful & friendly companion.

What do you appreciate the most in your specific dog(s)?

I now have a Bull Terrier. But the Staffordshire bull terrier, brought up properly, is a wonderful, friendly and caring partner. Amazing with people, but especially with children.

Thank you for your response.

Hello and welcome indeed.
Maybe our answers might send a staffy on you path in the future ? 

I don’t really know why bully breed, maybe I prefer their chunkier silhouette which is closer to mine ? 

I had always wanted a rottweiler but on research and as it is subject to BSL, I could not sentence a dog to muzzle wearing for it’s whole life when out of my property, amongst lots of other things.
All tests set me compatible with a staffordshire bull terrier so that reorientated my research.

The image of a staffy didn’t really influence, I researched more on the breed characteristics than worry about image and reputation. Then again, the fact that they are not subject to BSL was an important detail.

What do I love about my girls ?
Big dog in a compact package, I can still carry 20kgs of dog if I need to without becoming a weight lifter !
Easy maintenance (no undercoat), very rarely bark if at all but prefer to communicate with a variety of funny noises and oh so expressive.
Can be couch potato or high energy athlete, all in the same afternoon.
Real clowns, always make me laugh.
Have an emotional sensitivity which also makes them very close to their human family.

I guess they can be as misunderstood as me …