New member - lots of questions!

Hi -

I am new to this forum, so here is my post saying Hi!

My family are looking to get a SBT puppy. We are a family of four plus two cats, so I was wondering if any other members have experience of socialising a staffie pup with cats.

I am also looking for reputable breeders in the UK. I see so many ads for staffie pups on the internet, but my instinct tells me to steer clear and go to a recommended/ registered breeder. I'd be grateful for recommendations.

Many thanks!

Hi &

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Hi Ya Rachel, welcome to the Forum from Flo & me

Glad you've joined us and asking questions. If your instinct tells you something doesn't feel quiet right then you are probably right. i think others have used the champ dogs web site to find a pup but I've only rescued so can't give a definitive on that. Others that have will offer advice when they see your thread I'm sure.

As for cats & Staffies, yes they can co-exist quiet happily. There are some great pictures of ColinW's Iza snuggled up to his cat I think it's all in the way they are introduced etc.

I'm sure you will have lots more questions going forward so please do ask away.

Hi Ian -

Thanks for your reply. It is in my nature to ask lots of questions so as an when they arise I will certainly do so!

I have seen many rescue staffies and am still hoping to find one that has lived with cats before, but I have also been advised that it is easier to socialise a puppy with cats than an adult dog, so hence my search for a pup.

I guess my initial question would be about how it is best to introduce a pup to a cat.

Rachel

Welcome from Iza and me

Yeah my Iza lives with 2 cats ok in fact her best pal is Freja cat. Kepp them separated for few days and let them sniff each others scent. Then let them meet for a wee while chances are cats will hiss and run away first time. My old grumpy cat didn't come down from the cupboards for 2 weeks
The pup will want to play with the cats who wont understand that its playing and WILL swipe at the pups face so watch them carefully as the cats will be more dangerous than he pup is to them.
Eventually the pup will realise this and leave them alone. Iza still chases the odd time but wont try and pin them down, just make sure the cats have places to escape to and the pup will never catch them.

Cats boss Iza around now, sometimes i have too shoo them away from her food as they try and pinch it and she lets them even cats outside Iza just wants to say hello too.





big grumpy cat just ignores the rest of us. She's top dog

Just be patient and watch they don't hurt the wee pup.

Mia loves cats currently trying to socialise her with neighbours scaredy cat he gets close then runs bless himill get there having thought abt it he runs from me too

Hi Colin

Oh my - what lovely pictures!

Thank you for your reassurance and advice. We live in a big house, so that cats would have plenty of places to escape.

Now I just have to find a suitable puppy!

BW

Rachel

Mia05 wrote:Mia loves cats currently trying to socialise her with neighbours scaredy cat he gets close then runs bless himill get there having thought abt it he runs from me too

Aww.... Mia is gorgeous! My cats are used to seeing dogs out and about, and usually stand their ground, so hopefully they would do the same thing with a new puppy!

Yeah its easier bringing in a pup than an adult dog.

hia from me and sasha

hia from me and sasha

Hiya from me and Vinnie, sounds like you are planning in the right way. Have never had cats and dogs together but as you can see by Cols pics they can get on swimmingly! Champ dogs is a good site also Kennel club. good luck in your search and plenty of pics please on arrival of your new addition

Inez Maria wrote:Hiya from me and Vinnie, sounds like you are planning in the right way. Have never had cats and dogs together but as you can see by Cols pics they can get on swimmingly! Champ dogs is a good site also Kennel club. good luck in your search and plenty of pics please on arrival of your new addition

Thank you for welcome! I have had a look at champ dogs and been in touch with a breeder.

This forum has already been a godsend, so much wonderful advice!

Thank you all

Aw good luck

Ahem... Did anyone mention pics

Hi from me & Katy, good luck in finding your furbaby. We love lots of pics, as for cats Katy is scared of them Dangerous dogs (my foot)

my millie lives with a cat, she did chase to begin with but no anymore, my cat beats her up and she just lets him, but they do lay together and get on well

Hi and welcome from us and Suki

Hi from us too!

The only thing I'd add to all the great advice above is to be proactive in training a puppy. Associate him/her with quiet and nice times when the cats are there and any time he goes to play with/chase a cat, give him something else to play with instead. What a pup learns is ok to do is what an adult dog will think is ok, so it's much better to deflect his play time away from the cats from the start.

And yes, pics when you get your new addition to the family are ESSENTIAL!

LizP wrote:Hi from us too!

The only thing I'd add to all the great advice above is to be proactive in training a puppy. Associate him/her with quiet and nice times when the cats are there and any time he goes to play with/chase a cat, give him something else to play with instead. What a pup learns is ok to do is what an adult dog will think is ok, so it's much better to deflect his play time away from the cats from the start.

And yes, pics when you get your new addition to the family are ESSENTIAL!

Hi Liz -

Thanks for your sound advice. It is more or less what I was thinking in terms of a plan and the reason why I think introducing a pup to two established cats will be easier than an adult dog providing, as you say, we are consistent with the training from the outset.

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and the zoo xx

Hi again -

So yesterday we picked up our little bundle of staffie puppy!

Now, how do I upload pictures??!

Hi Rachel, welcome from me and Misty. Well done on choosing a staff, life will never be the same again but in a great way! You can upload using a photobucket account. I know there is a help link on here,I'll have a look for it now.

Thank you!

Hi and welcome from Oz and me

Hiya from me and Maya we were lucky in the fact that the breeders of Maya and her litter mates also had cats. On my many visits before i took maya home, i witnessed them all living quite happily together.

Not much help i know, but enjoy your little bundle of cuteness

Here is Betty! Nine and a half weeks of gorgeous staffie!

Rachel_B wrote:

Here is Betty! Nine and a half weeks of gorgeous staffie!

Awww, she is truly beautiful Rachel

Beautiful