Advice on if a staffy is the right dog for me

Hi everyone,

I havent long moved out from home, and have grown up with dogs my whole life; im looking into getting a staffy pup at some point but I dont have any experience with the breed.

I live in a flat its basically a house split into two. I have the top flat. I have a garden of my own that is medium sized and secure also a side yard.
The flat is a decent size and spacey. with my job I am home alot so a pup wouldnt be home alot on its own for long periods of time. The landlord is also fine with me getting a pup as I asked before I moved in.

Ive experience training dogs as i was the one training the dogs I had growing up. I would just like to know if there is anything else I need to take into consideration before getting one?
Also what do I need to enquire about with breeders? Ive only ever had large breed dogs an I always checked the hip, elbow and eye score of dogs and have seen the mother and fathers. I would just like to be as clued up as possible.

Thanks for reading

Hi &

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Hi and welcome from me and mine

It sounds to me like you'd make a perfect staffie owner. For me, a staffie is a big dog in a smaller body. They have all the presence and personality of a big dog but without taking up so much space (except in bed, when they are quite capable of taking up a double bed and leaving you a few inches).

Staffies have huge personalities and masses of energy. Be prepared for zoomies and lots of play. They can be be frustrating as puppies sometimes as they tend to be quite mouthy - look in the puppy section and see how many questions there are on 'biting' - but sensible training and patience gets you through.

You also need to be prepared to have thick skin when it comes to others. As I'm sure you're well aware, people are very judgemental about our lovely staffs and many of us have had unpleasant experiences with others. I've been told my dog is banned/should be muzzled/should be shot more than once, and the assumption is always that a staffie is in the wrong.

The other thing that's not talked about often enough is that (in my opinion) staffies are very sensitive. They can be worriers, which means they don't like being told off and can some dogs can appear to over-react to things that aren't that worrying really. I feel it's a large part of the reason why they so often have problems with other dogs coming into their space.

Breeding isn't my thing - I'm into rescue and haven't bought a pup in yonks - so can't help in finding a breeder for you. I would just say to choose based on temperament and health, not on colour. Blue is extremely popular at the moment and there are more health issues associated with blue staffs than other colours.

I hope that helps to start off with. If you've got any specific questions, just ask. There are lots of people on here who will be more than happy to help. Anything for our staffies!

Hi & welcome.

Sounds like you'd do fine.

If you're going for a pup make sure you go to a breeder who tests for all the hereditary problems that staffords have nowadays. The SBT Club has a list here... http://thesbtc.co.uk/ look under 'breed info', 'health'. These are essential to the health & wellbeing of your future pup, & the breed in general.

You may need to go on a waiting list - good breeders often have lots of enquiries & don't breed dozens of litters!

Be prepared to put a lot of effort into socialising and training - staffords are intelligent & quick learners but a bit stubborn, and as Liz says, quite sensitive. Shouting or harshness in training will not give good results.

If your pup is going to be left alone for more than a few minutes, I would look in to investing in a good quality crate. There's a thread on here somewhere that gives an idea on how to get your pup used to a crate.

Good luck! If you need to know anything, just ask.

Hi ya, welcome to the forum from Flo and me

I'm don't see any reason why a Staffy wouldn't be very happy owning you. You have enough space, a garden & time to be with him/her. Liz kinda picks up on how sensitive they can be and being home alone all day is not something they would usually sign up for so in your case this seems fine.

A puppy will give you stress and laughter in equal measures bit it can be a roller coaster ride in the early months while training but it sounds as though you have experience in that area and Staffies really are quick learners.

I don't know any breeders, however, have you tried champdogs.co.uk ?

Do let us know how you get on

Here's the crate training thread...

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t17-information-how-to-crate-train-your-dog?highlight=crate

Hi all

Thanks for the replies. I can appreciate needing a thick skin as ive seen how people react on a walk seeing them but I appreciate its the person on the other end of the lead causing most the problems. Plus ive had a border collie cross who was viscous and had to be muzzled so any dog can be aggressive.

I didnt know staffies could be quite sensitive so thanks for pointing that out to me. I havent looked at breeders yet i was looking on pets4homes etc but its alot of grey ones for sale. I personally wouldnt want a grey one, i havent really got a colour in mind im a believer in the puppy will pick you kind of thing.

Thanks for the crate training thread. Ive definitely decided that I want a staffy pup so just need to start looking around now

Be very, very careful looking at pups online. Puppy farms masquerade as genuine breeders - there are all sorts of tricks they have for convincing you as to why you can't see the mum, why there aren't any papers, etc.

I'd strongly advise you to seek a breeder who will let you go and see the whole litter, even before they are ready to be rehomed, will let you see the mother and pups together (so you know it is actually the mum), who will encourage you to visit again to get to know your pup, etc. And above all, if you are paying for a pedigree puppy, you must see/get the paperwork. And never buy from someone who is trying to get shot of puppies at anything below 8 weeks, whatever the excuse. You may well know all of that, but just in case!

The only thing that bothered me with kc reg dogs was the chance of interbreeding. So i am better to look at kc reg pups and see the parents. Is there working line breeds at all?

although you have to be aware of in breeding, it isn't the be all & end all - plus there are many good breeders who don't in breed.

Please don't get a dog from Pets4Homes/Gumtree etc - you have no idea what you'll get!

Also, why are you looking for a 'working line' stafford?

I was told working lines tend to have less health issues, again I have no idea I always thought working line staffys have longer legs? I did look on pets4homes etc but alot of the dogs have no papers and some pups dont even look like staffys at all. I will look around online for other breeders

Many 'working line' staffords aren't staffords at all, but cross breeds with fake papers! You also need to be careful (if you're in the UK) of buying a so-called working line that turns out looking like a pit-bull type. In Ireland they're called 'Working line' or 'Irish' staffords. Beware, they're almost always 'pit bull types'.

If you're careful about the breeder you choose (and look them up on line - see the 'type' that they own & breed) you shouldn't get health problems. But it's up to you to find out (from the link I gave you) whether the breeder has carried out the necessary tests. Some tests are DNA tests, and if both parents are clear then your pup will be, too. In the same way, some dogs are 'hereditarily clear' so won't have been tested themselves. Some tests have to be done annually.

I don't know about staffords, but in other breeds such as the GSD, Malinois, and many gun dogs, 'working line' equates with an almost insatiable appetite for 'doing' something & unless you're prepared to literally put at least 8 hours per day, every day, into training and exercise (physical & mental) from an early age virtually until death, then don't get one! So many 'working line' dogs end up in rescue because their owners can't cope.

That's a really good point. 'Working lines' dogs of various breeds look great but don't make ideal home pets and yes, many do end up in rescue. I think that particularly true of border collies - great farm sheep dogs, rubbish house ornaments.

Talking of rescue - unless you particularly want and pup (and of course fine if you do!), there are loads of staffies in rescue across the country, waiting for a home like yours. Worth a thought?

Welcome to the forum & I hope you find your staffy family member soon. My puppy is 19 weeks & is just a absolute joy to be around. My friend has rescue staff's & fosters. The thing that has drawn me to this breed has been the fact every one is just so people orientated. They love cuddles, are smart, loyal & just so much fun

I'll stay away from the working line breeds then. Im just looking around atm. I contacted two breeders but there waiting list for pups was full. I am going to stay off pets4homes snd gumtree. Id rather wait for a good healthy pup.
Thanks i❤️Dogs. I was judgmental of the breed before because ive had a few staffs go to attack my dogs in the past but they were owned by chavvy lads who just abused the breed, but ive been around staffys since and fell in love with them

It's a real shame staffy's can attract the wrong kind of owners. There is a few rescues in my area that aren't good with other dogs but they have responsible owners. But that can go for all breeds, all puppies should have positive socialisation

Good luck in your search, like everyone says take your time.

I have a cross, but personality-wise he's very much a staffy. It seems like they have quite a long puppyhood, at the age of 3 Gizmo's really only been calm enough to be considered an adult in the last few months. I also didn't realise quite how anxious staffs can be, and I think I mishandled some things when he was very young so it is definitely something to be aware of.

I spoke to a breeder off champ dogs earlier today and he has a litter due the end of july, so ive gave him my contact details an he will contact me when the pups have been born and I can pick one. He asked if id like a boy or girl and ive decided to have a boy.

Brill, very exciting. I hope the wait to see the pups goes quick for you

Adz2207 wrote:I spoke to a breeder off champ dogs earlier today and he has a litter due the end of july, so ive gave him my contact details an he will contact me when the pups have been born and I can pick one. He asked if id like a boy or girl and ive decided to have a boy.

oooh, can you share the details with us? post a link to the champ dogs page?

Yeah ive got the details written down i'll pop them on the other page. Also a new litter has been posted on champ dogs if anyone wants to have a look on the site

Hey, exciting news

Hi and welcome, from us and our pup Boson!
We are on to our 3rd Stafford and tbh I wouldn't have anything else! Our boy is 13 weeks, and is hard work, but putting in the time and patience will reward you with a wonderful companion! Keep us updated with your progress!!

Hi and welcome.
Any news on the litter that was due end of July ?