First time owner

Hi everyone, im new to the forum and im hoping some of you can offer some advice.

Im currently looking into getting myself a dog and a stafford to be exact. This would really be my first dog, although when I was younger we had a jack russell as a family pet but I was too young and hardly remember much of it.

What Im looking to ask is would you recommend a staffy as a pet for a first time dog owner? As much as I appreciate the working side and the dog showing side I would only be looking for a family pet.

I apologise in advance if any of that sounds stupid but I’m new to this lol

Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

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.

We have several information sheets for those of you looking for help with specific issues. You will find them here:

Training and behaviour information

Puppy information

If you can't find an answer to your question, just ask! You'll probably find someone on here has come across your problem too.

This forum is run by the members for the benefit of the users. It's your forum - get involved.

Just one last thing before you look around could you please just have a quick look At This Poll, we would love to know how you found us.

Here are some links that will get you started with the website:-

Please read the Forum Rules before you start posting.
Here are a List of Tutorial & FAQs that will help you around the forum.
You can ask for Help here if you are having trouble doing something on the forum.
How to update your Profile information
See who the Admin, Moderators & Support staff are Here

Hi from me & Katy, what a great choice picking a staffy for your 1st fur baby. Katy is my 1st & I would never pick another breed after having her They can be very testing as pups but as long as you lay down the rules & stick to them they will learn fast. Very loyal, smart & seriously loving

Hi and welcome from me and mine!

Absolutely I'd recommend a staffie as a first time pet, provided the breed is right for you otherwise. Staffies are the most loving, fun and quirky dogs you can find, they brighten up each day and their loyalty is second to none.

They do have traits that you need to think about, though. Staffies are generally high energy dogs and need outlets for their energy, through walks, play and mental stimulation such as training or games. They play big, not necessarily destructively but some dogs do love just ripping toys to pieces (we have regular customers at the charity shop who buy things just so their staffies can chew them to shreds ). A poorly socialised staffie can also be dog reactive, which can be trying.

In other words, if you're looking for a quiet lap dog, maybe a staffie isn't the best choice. If you're looking for the greatest friend you've ever had, then you've found it!

Hello and welcome from us.

I also say a big YES as it’s my situation.
Nifty is my first canine friend and I don’t regret falling for a staffy.
They are little clowns and will always brighten up your day.
Do make sure you do early socialization properly and remember that despite their looks, they are very intelligent and sensitive souls.

Be careful when you start your hunt for your friend and do your research in terms of problems that can and should be avoided before acquisition.
Do let us know how you get on.

Hi, thank you all for the reply!!

That’s put my mind at ease quite a bit! I have been doing my research for a while now and I’ll continue to keep reading and finding out as much as I can, honestly can’t see myself going for any other breed just think staffies are great and bring so much to the table. All of your dogs are amazing btw!

Only other thing I am wondering is with the breeder. I live in Northern Ireland and I’ve been on champdogs and searching other sites for a reputable breeder. Although there are breeders on champdogs it doesn’t have too much info there so I’m not sure where to even start lol. Also do you think the breeders would be reluctant to sell a pup to a first time staffy owner and even a first time dog owner?

Again I’m sorry for any silly questions, just trying to find out as much as I can and any advice is welcome! Thank you.

I was always open and honest with the breeders, explaining my situation and what I was looking for.
Maybe a breeder who wants his pups in the show ring to spread his name might not want to sell as family pet. But I strongly believe that the most important thing should be a quality lifestyle for your friend.
The dog doesn’t know what potential it has or not, that’s a label humans attach.

What about rehoming a rescue ? There are lots out there looking for some TLC. If you want a breeder-bred puppy, what about asking for one which doesn’t quite meet breed standards for showing ?

Oh just look at this face!!!

http://www.midantrimanimalsanctuary.org/?krava_portfolio=julio-3

Hi & Welcome to the forum from Flo and me

I can’t see any reason why a Staffy shouldn’t be a first owners choice, it really only comes down to how they are trained and looked after. Get both of those right and you’ll have no worries.

As far as breeders are concerned I can’t help, I’ve had two, the first was gifted to us as a pup and the second came from Battersea. The good thing about our second being a rescue is that most of the hard work with training was already done.

I won’t do the hard rescue sell as it really is personal choice but if you do go for a breeder ask to see both parents, take note of their environment and ask loads of questions. A good breeder will also offer ongoing support should you need it.

Good luck with you search.

@niftystaffy

Yeah I fully intend to be honest with the breeder and let them know exactly what I’m looking for and my situation. Will also respect the decision in regards to who they would like to sell their pups to!

I am open to rehoming a rescue although I’ll be honest I’ve not looked to much into that side, but I will start to. As for asking for a puppy that doesn’t exactly meet the breed standards I wasn’t even sure I could do that so thank you for that piece of advice! I appreciate it!

Both of mine are not conform to breed standards so both cannot be confirmed for breeding purposes, even if they are full papered “pure bred” from breeders.
One was born with a deformed tail and the other is a forbidden colour but this doesn’t prevent either being great family pets and canine partners

You might even be able to negociate the price too with a sterilization clause to sale.

Yeah don’t get me wrong I am not looking for the picture perfect dog, I just know that whatever dog or puppy it is will be going to a loving home and would do anything in my power to give it a happy life!

@Ian

Thank you for the warm welcome and I will take all of your advice on board! Everyone including yourself has been really positive and it’s a great help.

Will keep everyone updated with my search!

If you want to chat about the pros and cons of rescue, do ask. I've been involved in rescue for the last 5 years and am rather biased but also know the pitfalls.

I am a newbie here also and I hoped to just sit back at first before I jumped into the fire. But that is far from my style as it is.  I think you made the first right move. You sought out honest advice before you made your choice.
1st understand a pet decision is a lifetime commitment.  If they don’t kill themselves  jumping out a window chasing  a ball or a million other forms of self descruction, they can live 14-16 years.  They also have some genetic disorders common to the breed. That can be said for all breed really.  However,  a mix breed seems to be a bit  less trouble free.  But  for their size they tend to be muscularly dense and thick. So arthritis and hip dysplasia is a problem. I feed them a vet formulated kibble, but Molly rather eat hot dogs and smoked chicken while Zeus rather eat the houseplants and whatever I am eating.  

2nd all breeds and cross have quirks and issues and Staffies are far from the exception.  It is my experience Staffies can be stubborn and hell bent on destruction and a handful.  Think trying to round up piglets.They are agile little bowling balls that seem to defy physics. Others are quite docile and happy just to cuddle.  Cuddle they will. You have no choice. I am not sure where you are, but I am an American and our government thumbed our nose at the civilized world and their simple metric system preferring to stick with an asinine system with no rhyme or reason, but Staffies are not outside dogs. They will tolerate cool temperature briefly for a walk, but don’t have very long fur and ability to sweat. So a rule of thumb is it it is too cold or too hot for you to be naked, it is too hot or cold for them 70’-72 degrees F. (21.1-22.2 C.) Plus they are people dogs they sure are not going to be happy penned up or tied to a tree.  They are happiest when they are in our bed or in your lap shutting off the flow of blood because they are built like a brick.  I also would not suggest the breed for people that need to leave them alone. I have one that will howl and another that  will head butt the door and crawl in the shower because they lost you.  Look up Canine Separation Anxiety and you will see a picture of Zeus.
 
3rd  Nothing above will necessarily apply. Often you got to go with your gut.  Don’t listen to your heart, they will steal it and often trash it.  Simply no dog is a good fit for everyone life style and you just can’t put the breed in a box with a label. I got one that up chasing a ball at 3 in the morning and prefers to sleep  to noon in her blankie and the other is yarning waiting for someone to go to be so it can cuddle under the blankets at 7 pm.  Of course it is the one up early for the second shift.  He is the one that refuses to use the dog door, so he look at it a barks until someone open it so he can pee on something.  Then for 10 minutes (if it isn’t raining) he sniffs the air as to say “Hey World! Look at me” until he decides to come in.  You have to stay at the door, if not he just stands there and barks.  Mainly because of that someone is up 24/7 .  If it is raining they will go to the door and look at you wanting you to make it stop.  Walk away and wait  5 minute, rinse and repeat.  Hoover Dam can’t hold back as much water.  Eventually, they will venture outside acting like rain is molten balls of fire until they get under the tree where as they can safely sniff the air and eventually squat before rushing back to safety.  Thunder and Lightening is a total different matter. Molly is in my closet(Also useful as her personal She-Shed)  and Zeus is in the bathtub….. Trembling.  To them the Gods are angry with them it seems and they won’t come out until long after they calm down.  It seems to be the one issue they have in common , the breed seems to by hypersensitive.  Down at the rescue you can multiply that by maybe 100-150 .  Mine are pampered to be sure.  They may appear to be hard nosed, stubborn and tough,  they don’t really react as you might think to being scolded. At least that has been my experience.  

My immediate neighbor has a rescue, I was actually part of.  Huge brown and white, Blue Nosed. Cropped Ears about 90 pound and 2 foot tall. One eyed. Named Popeye for obvious reasons I suppose. SCARY LOOKING dog.  A big cupcake.  Just loves to creep up to you and more or less bounce and growl.  Fun loving dog!  Wouldn’t hurt a fly.  My son let a friend from the UK stay in his trailer as he worked as a bounty hunter looking for a runner. Armed to the max and terrified of dogs.  I told him he was in a heck of a spot .  Outside of popeye, outside of our hoodlums , we occasionally have one or two in transit that could come out  of the run. I for one, see an occasional need for guns, even a few urbun assault rifles, I wouldn’t be pleased and neither would the neighbors, ifin he cuts loose because Popeye is playful. …, just a warning.    He can’t get to the door, but he is just on the other side. Popeye is just Popeye, it is what he does and how he fills the vacant times when he isn’t licking his butt. Bright spot is no one will sneak up on him.  Fortunately, there was no issues.  Truth is he has startled the snot out of me a few times.  He gets out every so often to run amuck.  All the neighbors know him by name, fortunately a 3 year old can out run him and bring him home. I won’t go into his story and why he lost his eye, but suffice to say he has been reborn in some ways, and wishes to spread his form of cheer to all he meets.  But we go through a lot of mail people that refuse to stop because he is next door barking and bouncing restained by a frayed cotton cord.  I think he views it merely a suggestion along with the invisible fence.  He really doesn’t have any place to go, he certainly doesn’t want to blow his tough façade and be exposed. We live in a quiet neighborhood in which children play. So everyone drives slow and looks out for things and Popeye is no exception. He like mine and others, guard the neighborhood.  He knows who belongs and who don’t! He is one of a noble breed of Nanny Dogs.   He keeps an eye on them so to speak.  It is strange mix of dogs really, You have the sprinters and I’ll put Molly in that group, Long legs ( She is 1/2 German Shorthair, we know her pedigree) Which are Dobies and Elkhound.  Then muscle coming in next , then the  tanks to hold them down.   Also known as the enforcers.  They seem to know and work together to watch over especially the children. It doesn’t matter whose! Never has one ever harmed one of them.  That is also something to consider. They tend to bond with people they know, fiercely protective, bold and determined.  They take a while to warm up to people.  If my son had not tintroduced his friend, Popeye would feel the need to protect my son.  It doesn’t matter that he is 6’6 and nearly 400 # .  Frankly they are lousy at protecting property, if you had cookies, a burgler could steal us blind.  Put a person in there, they may get in, getting out would be the problem.  If they did, then meet the mob.  But the I am amazed on just how they deal with children.  No training really require. It is in their bloodline as well as  nature  They just seem to be drawn to protecting children and seemingly those that needing protection the most. No a frayed cotton cord in not going to hold back Popeye, and it sure wouldn’t stop  Zeus.  Occasionally, we.ve had to call the paramedic and that requires restaining the dogs.  Zeus  broke the  bedroom door and  ripped a hole in the wood.  The image of a  240  # man being drug down the hall by a 40 pound dog.  Fortunately I was, along with the help of my son,  kept him from getting at the man hurting mommy.  Their strength and determination is only matched by their cuddlibility.  I had a lot of dogs, my experience with bully breeds and Stafford in particular came late. I wouldn’t want another breed.  But sadly they are not for everyone.  One of the reason I came here is perhaps I have a little info  others may not have experienced, but more the more I think I know all I need or want to know, I learn  I  don’t know anything.  Everyday is a new day and they will do something they never did before.  The day I brought Zeus home, I stopped at the store.  Zeus ate a rump roast,  two pounds of butter, and the better part of a gallon of ice cream. He loaded the cannon and greased the barrel. It was only a 5 minute drive!  It was my fault. I didn’t yet have a small enough harness for him and decided to just swing by on the way.  I had to make another trip and pay extra for the Pooper People.  Just one of thousand of  stories. I could write a book.  If this gets much longer I probably did.