Help...considering getting a staffy

Hello, my family and I (children are 10 & 7) are ready to become first time dog owners. We recently went to our local Chicago dog show and were drawn to the Staffy bull terriers. I have heard a lot about what wonderful companions they are. But am also a little worried about if this is the best choice as a first time dog owner. Do any of you have any advice as first time staffy owners? Were you worried about giving them proper training? About the stigma they unfairly get?

Hiya come say hi here when you have a mo https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions
Vinnie was my first staff and yes admit a little anxious to get him trained well as determind to be a responsible staffy owner. I would never have another breed now wonderful dogs xx

Hiya, Iza was my first dog and she is great. Lots of doggy people reccomend staffys as ideal for first timers.

Id recommend a staffy as they are great family dogs are very much people orientated, and easily trained young enough well socialised and basic commands they make an.excellent pet.

I agree with all of above, staffies make great pets, are smart and very loving. They are also a nice size, and dont shed a huge amount 
Theia is our second, and we wouldn't have any other breed now!
Lynn

Hiya personally, I think it depends more on personality/lifestyle than experience with certain breeds. They're wonderful companions - great house dogs. Just be prepared to be living with a very strong dog, both in mindset and physical frame! From the staffies that I've worked with, lived with and trained with I have found them to be extremely affectionate, funny, stubborn, impulsive, clever and boisterous little dogs. The main thing to focus on with a pup in socialization, especially with other animals. If you do your research and perhaps spend more time with dogs of this breed I'm sure that you would learn with your staffie as a first time dog owner

^^ brilliant rachel couldnt have put it better myself can i also add always buy from a reputable breeder or if you plan on rescuing the aboves very important as well as a healthy dog.

I agree with Rachel as well. Also keep in mind that they will need two 45 minute walks each and every day. If you have the time to devote to a Staff they are great pets.

Rachel's hit the nail on the head. The other thing maybe to bear in mind with a young staffie is that they can be quite high energy. It's not a problem as long as you have ways that they can burn it off. I think a lot of young staffies end up in rescue here because that bit can come as a surprise.

They are a great family dog, though, amongst the best with kids and loyal as the day is long.

We will be expecting photos soon

Well said Rachel! They are fantastic dogs, ive owned a number of breeds and i can clearly say im sticking with staffs! They're so funny and loyal, playful and talkative!

hi
i have had 4 staffies since i was 13 (now 48) and i wouldn't ever consider another breed
loving,intelligent,loyal,depenable,brave and incredibly funny dogs and fantastic members of any family
you will never regret bringing one into your home

I guess the first question is, why are you worried about a staffy as a first dog?

Thanks for all the advice. As for the last question...I have had several people suggest that a Staffy may not be a good breed for a first time dog owner. One of these was a breeder. (Their reasons were they are high energy with tendancy towards aggression so you have to be super focused on training and socializing.) I have always been a believer that the negative behaviours of a dog stems from the owners lack of proper attention and training. But I got worried and started questioning our decision. Even though I had done plenty of research. I am not worried about the dog being the right fit....but more of us being the right fit for the dog. We love dogs and are super excited to bring one into our family. So I was just looking for some advice from those who had experienced it themselves.

they are perfect! I've owned two and would never have another they are so loving and clever. People
Have this concern about their aggressiveness but it's all about the owner and mine have been soft as clart! There's no other breed for me! I can't recommend staffy's highly enough.

Ideally I'd say get some basics first including experience, there are things in dog ownership all dog owners should but don't always know or show to their own dogs or other people's. I don't mean this because of Staffies but because everyone should know the basics first and Staffies get the best in life from those with experience. We wouldn't want anyone to get one and the down the line something happens while out and it knocks the confidence of everyone involved and then the old excuse of "I didn't know" rearing its ugly head again. For the breeds own protection I would say get some basic experience in dog care/ management first.

Hm.. So how much time do you have to offer to a dog on a daily basis? Are you an active/outdoorsy family? Are you particularly house proud (bull in a china shop comes to mind!) Would you be commuted to socializing your pup extensively?

TBH there isnt such a thing as a great first time dog. dogs are dogs and what you make them to be and what you can give them. a staffy is a high energy dog that will give its all to please you. they are super affectionate, intelligent and an absolute joy to have around. they key skill for a staffy though is its affinity with families, they are a true family dog and can be the most loving creatures out there.

I was in the same mindset with regards to Staffies being aggressive dogs. I spent a good few months researching on the net and found this forum and read posts etc. Its one thing that made me change my mind about them.

When you are ready, go for it. Staffies brought up correctly and socialised at an early age are a joy to own. I can't say I would go for another breed now (had a GSD 15 odd years ago), great companions, love curling up with you on the sofa and snoring etc.

Some great advice above too. Hope you join the club :-)

Since a kid we have owned a number of different dogs.
Labrador
Rottweiler
Wiemeraner (sorry spelling)
Jack Russell
Boerboel
Dalmation

I just cannot say enough how Staffies are just such great dogs and by far the best dog i have ever owned. I do think you need to just look at the dog and see if it suits you. Their appearance physically tells you quite a bit about them. If you are a tough kind of guy and you dont mind bumping and snorting. Then they are great.
The only thing that a staffie does not portray physically is how much of a baby they are inside. They love to cuddle and im my opinion have to live inside with you. They are so soft inside and dont like to me shouted at they cower and get scared. Aggression is such nonsense in my opinion my two have never even showed the slightest bit of aggression to each other or to any other dog male or female inside or outside their territory. And i had them two days ago running in the bush with 3 other staffies total of 3 males and two females and not even the slightest bit of real aggression.

Yes they open their mouths, talk to each other, lick and rugby tackle each other. It may seem aggressive to another soft dog but to a staffie it is nothing they are are built so tough that they can hardly feel it.

Only recommendation is if you get one it needs to get rid of its energy otherwise you will end up with a frustrated naughty dog. If you are gonna take it on a run ideally every day and play with it everyday for min 1hour then its the perfect dog.

Also when they are puppies i cannot stress enough the importance of taking them where ever you go. Pop them in the car, go to a friends house for dinner, take them to the shops, take them to work if you can. Let the puppy be with you as much as possible and let them get to know other dogs. They dont like being alone ever they get depressed so if you know there will be someone at home most of the week then its best.

If you end up with a bad staffie then its your fault not theirs. If you end up with a good one you have a done a good a job and you will have the best dog of your life.

for the record i do not look at myself as being the best owner either. I do make mistakes, i often dont get the chance to take them for a run every day and still mine are so good. in my opinion they are really easy dogs.

And always remember no matter what dog you get, if you dont give it the time you gonna end up with a problem dog.

One other thought... whatever dog you finally choose but especially a staffie, please don't buy from a pet shop or anywhere that can't or won't happily show you at least the mum. Early learning and socialisation are vital for the mental health of any young dog and never more so than with staffies. If you want a puppy, go to a good breeder who is happy to show you around and let you meet their dogs. If you want an older dog, then go to an animal shelter.

First time Staffy owners and it is the best thing we ever did. He is 5 and we got him from a rescue pound. He is so loving and affectionate. I was concerned when I first introduced him to children, but he is true to his breed, a nanny dog.
They are strong, but even at 5 we have trained him to walk to heel and his recall is very good, we walk him twice a day, and I don't think he had ever been taught to play by his previous owner, but he loves fetching the ball, playing with toys and having his tummy tickled. We have taken him every where with us, pubs, coffee shops, on the ferry, in the car + campervan. The only thing he didn't like was when we tried to leave him overnight to attend a funeral. I think it reminded him of the dog pound.
Good luck I hope you get a good dog for your family

Most of the aggressive staffys I met were actually attacked as puppies and obviously they became scared of being around other dogs and their way to say back away is by being ''aggressive''..

As long as you take your dog on walks, let the dog meet as many dogs as possible you should be fine, but if you see that your dog is not enjoying being in a situation remove him/her from the situation, pretty much common sense really but some people lack to do this few little things.

Any puppy is going to be energetic, they just want to get out there and play with everything, I would actually say a staffy is an ideal first dog, they're not to big or to small.. and if they get to energetic as puppies through them a ball a couple times in the garden, that should do the trick aha!

Any dog is going to need training, it's not because the dog is from a certain breed that is going to need training, any dog is going to need to be socialized and looked after, all this is in relation to your post about what the breeder has told you.

I would say if you like staffys and you want one as your first time and you think you have what it takes to own a dog you should go for it, as long as you're loyal to your dog your dog will be loyal to you.

My staffie willow is the best cuddle around I love her sooo much would recommend a staffy all day long! If u can get a rescue one even better

I have grown up with dogs all my life. Got married and that was the first time I didnt have a dog.  We then had a spring spaniel, which sadly we had to have rehomed and not to be allowed with little children as she went for our son for no reason.  Many years later, we finally had Pixee, our first ever staffie from the Blue Cross, oh what a joy she is.  I would never have any other dog but a staffie.  They so loyal, loving, fun, chatting, what you do, they want to do.  Everything all the others have said are spot on.  You do need time for them.  They can be like babies.  They love sharing the sofa with you, your bed.  They can get sad when you pop out, they have this look that they give you which makes you feel so awful when you pop out, but the min you are out of sight, they find their fav place and just sleep the little buggers   They are easy going dogs as long as they are happy.  A dog is a reflection of their owner, always remember this.

Edited to say, its true they do not like being shouted at either. Just a firm voice is all they need.