Hi everyone

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tim, I'm from Belgium and looking for some staffy answers That's why I've joined this active forum to try and get them.
My situation: Me (32) and my girlfriend (28) moved to our first house together a few months ago. It has a small yard, and the neighboorhoud is pretty green/countryside-like, yet still fairly close to town.
In a few months we expect our first baby and are looking for a perfect match dog to join our family in let's say a year from now. We never had a dog ourselves, but I've been in love with dogs since I went to visit my aunts dobermanns as a little kid. My mom never let me have a dog, so now I can finally find one.
It is not easy to find a dog! You want a nice looking one, but it also needs to fit your personality. After all you want the best life for the dog too. So I've been researching dog breeds/test for the past 2 years, and the breed that comes forward alot (which we both also think are good looking) is the nanny dog - staffordshire bull terrier. I like it because its an energetic dog breed, an excellent jogging partner for me, good with kids, short haired, not too big (like the american stafford) and good looking!
The only thing that keeps me reluctant to make the decision to get one, is its reputation concerning social interactions with other dogs. I want to be able to walk my dog without any trouble and letting him run free in a dog park. We've been to an amstaff day to talk with some people about it, and some say that some staffy's no matter how well trained will never be able to be let off leash.
So basically, can you train him/her to interact good with other dogs or will it always be tricky?

So I will check this forum and feel free to reply to this topic as well. Cheers!

Hi Tim, welcome to the forum. It's nice to hear people who thoroughly think through getting a dog and do lots of research.

I think the myth that staffys don't get on with other dogs is very wrong. They do play very rough and they make some horrendous noises which can be scary to hear but that is their play. My dog absolutely loves other dogs but because she is so noisy and she is very nervous when meeting I keep her on a long line in parks etc.

The only thing I would say is that if anything did ever happen with your dog and another then you will always get the blame as you have a Staffy. It doesn't matter if it's the other dogs fault and your dog is only defending themselves you will still get the blame ( of course I hope things may be different in Belgium but over here that's how it is).

Also if you have a puppy you can socialise them early by going to puppy classes. Adult rescue dogs will also come with a test of them and other dogs so again you would know before you got them. I think if you did go ahead with a Staff you will have a perfect family friend and a great jogging partner.

Some dogs just don't like other dogs. But yea, lots of staffies are fine with other dogs and can be let off the lead with no problems. It's a matter of socialising them well from an early age and ensuring they're well-trained.
Just remember the rule about not leaving animals and babies/toddlers alone with each other. toddlers do have a tendency to pull fur and poke their fingers in dogs' mouths/ears/eyes.

Gizmo *loves* running along with me, he just wishes I was faster.

Hi & welcome to the forum

Welcome to the Staffordshire bull terrier niceboard. We are pleased you've decided to join us, and hope you enjoy your stay. We hope to see plenty of pictures of your Staffordshire bull terriers or any other breed you may have in your household.

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It's so refreshing to read a post from someone doing thorough research before getting a life long fur friend

Any breed of dog can have social problems with other dogs but Staffies do have a bad reputation, almost always wrongly. The key is socialisation from a very early age so that the pup learns from other dogs and doesn't see them as a threat. A lot of reaction is through fear rather than aggression so you'll want a confident dog that knows how to interact which, again, is best achieved through socialisation, puppy classes & training

Thanks all for the replies! It's reassuring to read that it is possible to socialize a staffy with other dogs. We were already planning on doing classes, not only because its a staffy, but also because it'll be our first dog ever. Even though I'd love to take a shelter/rescue dog, I think its better for us to get a puppy from a reputable breeder to get the best start possible as inexperienced owners. I think we will opt for a female dog too, who are often described as somewhat more easygoing.

Hello and welcome.
Alot of similitudes with my situation, first dog and lots of research before taking the plunge. Same arguments as to acquisition criteria too.
Do please consider the belgian dangerous dogs acts which requires amstaffs to be muzzled and the rest, like 2nd category in France (my friend has an amstaff in Belgium).

I can honestly say that I don't regret my little Nifty
Hope you find yours when the time comes

Hi and welcome. We made sure we socialised Gus with as many dogs as we could. It does take time and effort but it's really worth it. All the best with your research.