Help

Hello. I am soon going to be purchasing a Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It will be a pedigree and will be a female (bitch).

Now I need help from some experienced owners to give her a great life. I am twenty, but trust me when I say I am not buying this dog for the stereotypical "aggressive" nature. I have a friend who owns two Staffordshire Bull Terriers which are currently four years old but I've known them since they were pups and I've fallen in love with them. One is quite aggressive to other dogs but that was due to her being attacked as a young pup by a Japanese Akita with an irresponsible owner.

I need help on the best foods to be feeding her. The best times and how frequently to walk her. Shampoos. Name ideas. How to get her to become friendly with other dogs. Basically any experience you can hand down to me. Thank you for any reply

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

We do have a list of recommended foods as below, I can vouch for Barking Heads as that's what rocky has and loves it;

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dry_food

Is there a particular flavor?

Hi and welcome. I also have a blue staffy pup (15 weeks old now) we named her Skye (as in sky blue) she's fed on James wellbeloved and is doing great on that.

She's great fun but hard work, and I wouldn't.have her any other way

I walk skye to school and back on a morning before I go to work and she has a short walk on an afternoon and again in the evening depending on if she wants to go.some evenings she refuses to move haha

Can't wait to see some pics

Batman Attacks wrote:Is there a particular flavor?

Rockys has the TLC which is chicken and also sometimes the fusspots which is salmon

For food im going to plug this one i always do Eden Multi-Meat and Fish Formula it not one on the site but it really good and not a bad price.
Ingredients †

Fresh Chicken 19%, Dried Chicken 17%, Fresh Salmon 16%, Herring Meal 14%, Potato 10%, Sweet Potato 5%, Chicken Fat 5%, Dried Duck 4%, Dried Whole Egg 3%, Chicken Gravy 2%, Fresh White Fish 2%, Lucerne, Pea Fibre, Mineral & Vitamins, Carrot, Spinach, Apple, Joint Support Pack (Glucosamine (355mg/kg), MSM (355mg/kg) & Chondroitin (250mg/kg)), Rosehips, Camomile, Burdock Root, Aniseed & Fenugreek, Mixed Herbs (Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano and Sage), Seaweed, Cranberry and Prebiotic FOS.

There is a full section on diet and nutrition, loads of really good posts in there. Take time read through them bearing in mind that what's good for one may not be best for the next. However there are brands such as James Welbeloved and Wainwrights which consistently get good reviews on the forum. Also you will need to get a small supply of puppy's current food off the breeder and gradually introduce the new food, whatever it is you decided on. Start of with 90:10 mix of her regular food to new supply and then increase the ratio of the new food so that a week later your fully on to the new food.
My guy is raw fed and has been since he was 9 weeks old so I can't really advise too much on commercial foods. However, please research the raw food model. The vets won't tell you about it and would probably have a heart attack if you told them but they're not dog nutritionists. Tommy has thrived on it, his coat is gorgeous AND best of all, no wet dog smell!!!!
Get her socialised as quickly as possible would be my biggest advise. I love the fact that I can let Tommy off his lead and he'll play with any dog that lets him, he's 22 weeks old now and has a whole bunch of doggie mates on the park. It's morning I was walking round the park with 4 other dog owners with 6 dogs all running free and playing, it's lovely to see. If you have friends that have dogs which are good with other dogs then ask if you can take the puppy round. As long as the dog you are visiting is fully vaccinated then you can introduce them indoors before your puppy has had her jabs. You will tend to find that other dogs will realise she is a puppy and hence they let her get away with a bit more than they normally would but they'll still warn her when she goes over the top. As I say I think this is very important and will give her a great start.

To Billy...where do you order that from?

To Bloom. I was actually thinking of raw feeding her meats. Would raw meats be more beneficial to her growth and stature? Hmm...well as I mentioned my friend has two pedigree staffies...but one is largely aggressive to other dogs...but the male is great around other dogs. So I could introduce him to her? And take it from there? Personally I'd be very nervous about letting her off of the leash since in my area I have a lot of "chav" boys...who get their dogs to be aggressive. I'd probably take her somewhere that isn't populated in the countryside for runs though

To Ginger. Your puppy looks adorable in your picture! Hmm..."Sky" would be a good name. So you believe three times is the average? But...I should walk her more if she desires it? HaHaHaHa! She's stubborn sometimes? I am not going to lie....I love when dogs have a bit of a personality even if it's stubbornness...it's something unique

You can order it from online its £49.99 for a 15kg bag don't be put off by the price due to the quality of the food you don't need to feed so much much works out at less than £1 a day to feed a pup

Could you provide me with a link to where you order it please? I am not put off by the price

http://www.uk.edenpetfoods.com/eden-80200-dog-food-11-c.asp

Welcome from us and Suki. The "For new owners" and "important links" section on the top of the forum have great information that should get you started.

Batman Attacks wrote:So you believe three times is the average? But...I should walk her more if she desires it? HaHaHaHa! She's stubborn sometimes? I am not going to lie....I love when dogs have a bit of a personality even if it's stubbornness...it's something unique

The general rule of thumb for exercise is 5 minutes per month of age per walk for two or three walks a day, plus some off lead play as long as the pup is allowed to stop & rest whenever they need to.

You like a bit of personality? Good, because that's what you'll get! They can be stubborn, but they're an intelligent breed & will learn quickly.

If you're interested in raw feeding then it has to be done properly. Have a look through these links...

http://rawfed.com/myths/preymodel.html
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners/whatisrmb.php

And our very own...
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t14787-raw-diet

If you have any questions, please just ask!

Thank you for the rule. So eventually I will be walking her for ages?

And I know. My mate always calls his dog "fat". And Oscar just looks up at him every single time with this look as if to say "I am not fat" xD

Batman Attacks wrote:Thank you for the rule. So eventually I will be walking her for ages?

And I know. My mate always calls his dog "fat". And Oscar just looks up at him every single time with this look as if to say "I am not fat" xD

The 5 minutes rule is only really for the first 9 months or so. After that they're good with about 45 minutes two or three times a day (or however much you want to give them!).

I got it. First nine months follow the rule. After that walk them as much as possible?

The 5 minute rule is to allow their neuromuscular structure to be able to handle their body weight. Overexercising them during that period can damage joints, tendons and cause other issues down the line.

After 18 months or so they can and are very willing to exercise as much as you will let them provided you build up to it slowly and account for temperature issues.

For instance Suki normally gets about 45 minutes of off lead play time in the morning followed by a 3 mile or about 45 minute walk. In the afternoon we take her for a 45 minute or 3-6 mile walk/jog sometimes with a backpack on depending on her energy level.

It also really depends on the handler and the dog. Most behavioral issues can be attributed to either poor diet or lack of exercise/mental stimulation. That being said 2-3 walk of 45 minutes is plenty. However if your schedule permits they are more than willing to do more. Just keep in mind that this will be the new normal for them and they will expect it every day and may show their displeasure through distructive activity (chewing things they shouldn't and other disruptive behaviour) if they don't get it.

I understand. A backpack? On the dog? Would it accept that? .

I am more than willing to supply my dog off lead time in the countryside for as long as it desires. And I am capable of taking her on jogs too. I shall check up some routes in my area for me to take with her

If your dog's used to a harness then he'll be fine with a back pack. You start off with it empty & then gradually add a little weight (evenly on each side of course!) to help with their endurance & fitness.

http://www.caninespirit.co.uk/categories/canine-backpacks

That's just examples, you can get cheaper by looking on Amazon or some of the online pet supply companies.

Batman Attacks wrote:I am twenty, but trust me when I say I am not buying this dog for the stereotypical "aggressive" nature.

Welcome to the forum. The stereotypical "aggressive" nature doesn't exist anyway as it's mostly fabricated. They are the most loving breed of dog I have ever came across.

As for food I recommend James Wellbeloved as it is hypoallergenic, grain free, great price and is totally loved by my dog Logan, who has thrived on it.

Good luck with everything

I am already going to be getting "Eden Multi-Meat and Fish Formula" but thank you! I think an aggressive dog is manufactured and never natural

It's good you don't want it for it's "aggressive" nature as it really doesn't have one! Staffords are some of the softest dogs I know

Lots if good advice above.

Have a look at www.thepuppyplan.com - loads of information about socialisation and if you want to buy a book then a good general one about raising puppies is The Perfect Puppy by Gwen's Bailey

Do you know if the pup's parents have been health tested?

I think everyone has answered your questions but welcome to the forums and good luck with your new dog when you get it.

Like most people said staffys are very soft but like any dog if they're brought up the wrong way or like your friends dog, gets attacked it can make them become aggressive towards some type of breeds.

My boy is aggressive but he was already aggressive when I got him at 1 year old, I don't know if he's been attacked or what happened as the owner never told us, but he's scared of other dogs which we been working on for a year now and has improved and he even has a play mate

Good luck and welcome can't wait to see pictures!

Hi from Skye buster and myself
My Skye loves everyone as I've had her from 12weeks but my boy is da from his life before I got him

Good luck with your new baby
My Skye was nearly called saphire just wait till you get her home then a name will come to you

I believe they have.

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/33834

That is the breeder I am getting it from

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/litter/27503

Is the pup from two blue parents?

I believe so. From their names. I haven't gone to see them yet

Apparently the Mother is blue, and the Father is Black

Batman Attacks wrote:Apparently the Mother is blue, and the Father is Black

If that's the case that's much better and you should be relieved

Breeding two blues together is irresponsible and can cause a lot of health problems for the pups. Black with blue is a lot more responsible

The Father, Breeze Brewzer is black/brindle like my fella and is stunning

http://www.stamtavler.com/dogarchive/details.php?id=130072

The Mother is Blue/White, there's no pic though

http://www.stamtavler.com/dogarchive/details.php?id=136428


You should be a lot happier knowing the Daddy is black

The pups co is only 6% which isn't bad either

So I should go for it?

They look good to me personally. But it's always good to see the parents for temperment etc. It's great knowing they are health tested etc and they are responsibly bred but it is also important to see the general nature/temperment of the parents.

Go see them first and then you'd know for sure

Thank you so much Matt! How would I go about checking the temperament of their Mother and Father?

Just by meeting them. Pups learn a lot at a young age, especially from their mother. So it's vital that you meet them and she how they behave etc.

I live on my own but my family didn't want me getting a Stafford with their image. I brought them to meet the parents of my fella then they became die-hard Stafford supporters like the rest of us! They were very well behaved dogs and that normally hints how the pups can behave in time.

My parent (Father) doesn't really desire the pup because he believes they all attack children et cetera. But I brought my friends dog over last night..and it allowed my younger brother to stroke him and just carried on with his life so I think he is being pulled over to our side

I remember my Mum saying something on the lines of "Please, please don't get one of those dogs!". Now she asks me at weekends if he can stay with them, and babysits him every day when I'm working. They'll soon be won over. Best breed ever.

I would defo take one of the black pups

I'd prefer a blue xD. Do you think it would be best if I got a male or female staffy for her to be around whilst inside?

MatLogan wrote:

Batman Attacks wrote:Apparently the Mother is blue, and the Father is Black

If that's the case that's much better and you should be relieved

Breeding two blues together is irresponsible and can cause a lot of health problems for the pups. Black with blue is a lot more responsible

what if the parents are blue + blue/brindle? out of curiosity. i saw a blue brindle pup at the vet recently.