Thinking of adopting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier worried about my 3 kids

We went to a dog rescue centre today as are dog died a month ago of old age we had her from a puppy. We decided we wanted a rescue dog as we thought it would be better than getting a puppy and herd there were a lot. We were not really looking for a staffofordshire bull terrier. We asked about a 9 month old cross bread but my youngest is 6 and we were told he was to young but we were advised to see a 2 year staffofordshire bull terrier as its temperament was so good. We walked him and all seems good kids love him. We are worried because of reputation. We also worry as occasionally my boys fall out and don't know how he will react to this. My boys are 6, 8 and 12. Do you think this will be a problem.
Please reply thanks

Hi,

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also know as the Nanny Dog and with good reason - they get along very well with children. I'm sure the rescue centre would have checked the dogs temperament very carefully before allowing him home with a family with young children, given time to settle in with you all I'm sure the dog recommended to you would prove to be an asset to your family and become part of it.

Please come and say and say hi, we would all love to know a bit more about you:

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

Staffs are renowned for their great temperament and you really should not pay any heed to the newspapers , generally there is always a reason behind these incidents . My wife was a childminder for 3 years and we had Tilly with us for 2 of these years and Tommy for around 6 months before she stopped . All the kids loved them and great interaction .
NO dog should ever be left unsupervised with kids and the kids have to be taught to respect the dog

we have a six year old son and a 16 month old sraffy, they are inseparable! obviously we don't leave them unsupervised but they are the best of friends.

Yes sure the rescue centre would be very aware of the temperament of the dog around kids. Sure all will be fine and you will have many happy times ahead. Let us know how it all goes  

Please do not listen to the reputation the media and people have given the staffy.

Staffies are known as nanny dogs for good reason

Staffys are the most loving loyal dog you could ask for and great around kids (supervised of course as you would with any dog)

Well done on thinking of a rescue. Staffies are brilliant with kids and make fantastic family pets  

He sounds fab, well done on going down the rescue route the rescue would make sure he's 100% fine with kids before rehoming him, I would personally never have any other bread, I grew up with family members who had Staffords one family had 5 kids and jake their sbt was awesome with all of them. The media really do like to show our beloved breed in a bad light, darcy my Stafford is amazing with kids all age, even when she met my nephew for the 1st time all she did was sleep by his crib as with all breeds they should be supervised at all times. Hope all of our comments help you make a decision and you all have an enriched life with this lovely staffy, of course pics would be mandatory

I have only had my Henry for a month or so, (got him at 8 weeks) but I have 3 kids ages 3,5 and 6 and and things are going well. We are still training him to not bite he just puts his mouth on them now. (doesn't clamp down.) But he loves to run and play with them and is pretty patient with them. I have heard a lot of Staffys are like that. We are also soooo loud, I mean really loud and it doesn't make him aggressive or scared he just sorta chills out lol. Its early days for us yet but Henry seems to fit with us. Good luck

All great advice above, they really are a wonderful breed, and unfortunately the media have a big impact on the reputation they receive. I have 5 nephews and nieces under the age of 10 the youngest being 2 and although never left unsupervised, Rocky is absolutely wonderful with them, of course with lots of training, they really are an absolute beautiful dog to have as a family pet!

Sound advice from all the above.
Bacchus is 14 mths and not around kids much but just adores them. Met the new neighbours yesterday and within minutes he was on his back having his tummy rubbed by their 4 and 5 year old girls. I've had dogs most of my adult life and never had one as affectionate as Bacchus. ( He's my first Staffy )
If the rescue centre say he is suitable for a family I would tend to go for it.

I will be the one to say if you fear their reputation don't get one. If the fear is already there then you are likely to be anxious all the time and any istake the poor dog makes will be attributed to the "reputation"

I have heard of so many staffies being returned because the adopter or buyer didn't know bull breeds and didn't know how they are in general, which is different to other dogs in my opinion (example they play a lot rougher and are a lot more vocal and stubborn)

Obviously i don't have any fear of them or their reputation but i would hate a dog to be returned because someone got it in their head that it was going to snap (which of course any dog would do, but if you dont think they will you wont be as anxious and it wont stress out the dog)

this all just my own opinion though.

Hayley wrote:I will be the one to say if you fear their reputation don't get one. If the fear is already there then you are likely to be anxious all the time and any istake the poor dog makes will be attributed to the "reputation"

I have heard of so many staffies being returned because the adopter or buyer didn't know bull breeds and didn't know how they are in general, which is different to other dogs in my opinion (example they play a lot rougher and are a lot more vocal and stubborn)

Obviously i don't have any fear of them or their reputation but i would hate a dog to be returned because someone got it in their head that it was going to snap (which of course any dog would do, but if you dont think they will you wont be as anxious and it wont stress out the dog)

this all just my own opinion though.

It's a very good point Hayley so well said , we are all 100% pro staffy on here but if the OP has doubts they can be difficult to overcome , you have to love the dog and the breed for it to work . For me I never even thought twice about it and the idiot reactions from the ignorant portion of the public just made me love them more

I love all dogs ( apart from snappy little yappers ) but they can walk past me . There isn't a single staff I've ever seen that I haven't stopped to say hello to

Take no notice of the media. SBT's are known for their amazing temperament with children and were once (still are) named the 'nanny dogs'.

It's great that you are considering of rescuing a dog after having the experience of raising one. I'm sure the rescue would of done temperament tests on all the dogs in their care before adopting them out.

My two year old Staffie adores the kids and would snuggle 24/7 if there was nothing else to do! Besides, no matter the breed, all dogs and children should be supervised when around each other and that counts for all breeds!

I do agree with Hayley though.. There's no point in getting a dog just to fear what people are saying about the breed and getting rid of it.

i have a 6 year old and 12 year old daughter and you couldnt ask for a better dog for them shes always cwtched up somewhere with one of them..(normally my son) amazing dogs

good to see all of the responsible positive posts

The underlying facts are
Staffys generally are great with kids
ALL dogs should always be supervised around children
Staffys make lifelong friends for the little ones
Don't believe the Bull*** in the media , there is always more to it

We met my nephew recently on a trip to UK from Aus. He has 3 children, one only just toddling. Our 2 Staffies played as they usually do with the 2 older children but with the toddler then didn't run up to him nor get hold of his hand/arm. They somehow sensed he was more fragile, without us saying a word.

jo garnett wrote:We met my nephew recently on a trip to UK from Aus. He has 3 children, one only just toddling. Our 2 Staffies played as they usually do with the 2 older children but with the toddler then didn't run up to him nor get hold of his hand/arm. They somehow sensed he was more fragile, without us saying a word.

They certainly do sense things and that goes for all dogs , my wife has been poorly for the last couple of weeks and Tommy is normally quite thuggish , bouncing all over her , he has been much more gentle the last 2 weeks with her ( not with anyone else so not a general change in behaviour) and favours resting his head on her belly