what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Shazza, poor Harry is 11, we are his 9th known owner, he has also spent some time in Battersea. We are now hoping that he'll enjoy some time with us while he's active enough, and have a chance to recover some health and well being.

Trust in Humanity? hopefully a bit of trust and a feeling of security with us, and then some pleasure in his older years.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Staffs were breed specifically to fight so it will always be in them.
Of course there are always exceptions to the rule and i know of a few myself.
I love all animals but i must admit i have always been a little nervous of staffs when i used to take my 2 dogs for a walk as there lots by where i live and pitt bulls.
I realise all dogs can fight but staffs have very a very powerful jaw capicity which makes me weary.
As a family dog they are great though..

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Energy, I've been walking 2 this last couple of weeks, and they have been great, but little wusses in the rain, and 'rain' is a few drops!!
Both have been to obedience, and both from well chosen breeders, and neither of the owners are making a statement, they just love Staffies.
I have also been walking a Staffiexcocker spaniel, she's great with people, been trained also but an absolute little horror on the lead, every walk except today she has had a fight, but we aren't sure whether thats the Staffie or the Cocker.....
But pitbulls and anything on those lines I opt out of walking as too unpredicatable, even large boxers can be difficult to control.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Yes of course some people love staffs like other people love other breeds..but you mentioned something about the owners of the 2 you walked, were not making a statement.
Well a lot of people by me are...
The other day while dowing my garden some boys who i often see with staffs and pitt bulls, walked past me with a tiny puppy; it was lovely and i commented this to them.
They wasn't very friendly and just replied, 'It's a pitt bull'. It's obvious that these people fight these dogs and it broke my heart that they had gotten that puppy just to train it to fight.
I have 3 cats and i panic at night if i can't find them to get them in as there are people who go around the area at night, to sent their staffs on them; it's horrible.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Thats awful, I do occasionally meet people like that and they are just so eurggh!
A friend has a rescue staffie who was bred to be bait for pitbulls, he's covered in wounds and was the sole survivor left in the ring after a fight training session, the RSPCA were there too.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

How sick can some people be? How could these people watch an animal terrified and in pain?

What upsets me the most is how these animals can't ask for help.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

At least that ring was broken up that night, and people prosecuted and jailed.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

True...but many are still happening and it's that that upsets and infuriates me..

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

well i want to say to the world I LOVE STAFFIES THEY ARE THE BEST!
lol sorry had to get that out!
i have 2 staffies a boy and a girl and 2 young children and its ahappy lickin home!!
i feel strongly against dog fighting why should innocent creatures be made to rip shreds out of 1 another for mans pleasure?
its sick and upsets me greatly these animals may have all the braun but they have soft hearts and get on so well with children my children can jump on my staffies back and the dogs do nothin but try to lick my children i trust them.
it is the owners who cause all the problems by not reading up on the breed and training the dogs properly as they should.
and taking responsibilty is the main issue!

as i said I LOVE STAFFIES AND WOULD HAVE LOADS IF I HAD THE SPACE!

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

angel heart, I think the Staffies are the victims in dog fights, they are a lot smaller than their 'opponents' but still have the strength in their jaws to prolong the very sick 'fun' the punters are having..

Now to cause an uproar, Goldies are the best!!!!:D

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

yeah i agree totally!
we actuallywrote in to thepaper cant quite remember which 1 but thereis a guy who breeds dogs for fighting and my ex and me tried to get him exposed one his dogs actuallly bit a child no onefrom the papers got bck to us which i find annoying and upsetting im not sure where he is now but i hope he gets stopped from ever breeding staffies and other types of dogs again this is so cruel and hurtful to decent dog lovers and breeders.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Shazza, poor Harry is 11, we are his 9th known owner, he has also spent some time in Battersea. We are now hoping that he'll enjoy some time with us while he's active enough, and have a chance to recover some health and well being

Bless, it would of been to easy to give up on my jessa, l tell you even though l have been really upset about her skin and said l can't take no it no longer, l never came close to giving her up, l have been ontop of the problem and now she is a happy little thing. l still feel guilty about her skin but l am doing more than my best, she is worth it, stay strong and with the care and love your harry needs he will pull through.

On another note, l hate dog fighting, it's so cruel, l wish l could do more to help in the fight against it, l think we all wish that.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

A friend of mine rescues daily from a death row dogpound and every day the list contains many staffies and yet she says as a breed they love people. The only problem when they do fight is that their jaws lock!!. I agree there are bad owners not bad dogs.
She has a lovely staffi bitch, very friendly.
I think any dog has the potential to bite or fightand they all should be respected, all breeds.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

A contact of mine who works for Norfolk Terrier rescue said that at Battersea last year more Staffies were handed or brought in than cross breeds. This is a first and reflects so badly on the breeders and the people they let their puppies go to, and the quantity of puppies bred. Think the figure quoted was in excess of 1400, and all under 2 yrs old.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Whats very sad is that some dog sanctuaries refuse staffies as they are difficult to home and therefore block kennels!!.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Don't the breed have a rescue?

BTW One Norfolk was handed in at Battersea, the owner had died and the next of kin didn't 'do' dogs, NR got it and it was rehomed as quickly as the system allowed

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Yes there is a staffi breed rescue, but they couldnt accept every dog that is in dog pounds daily. Also they do not accept staffi crosses.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

I realise they can't take them all, but it is the Breeders who set up Breed rescues, the responsible ones anyway. But hopefully they are questioning the why's and wherefores and the Kennel Club also are doing their bit when (especially) the more frequent applications come thru for registration from the less scrupulous breeders.
After all the law dictates now who many litters bitches can have, and also the size of the kennels.
And also noting the reasons for the return of the dogs or abandoning them .

One of my clients boards, and one of them a Staffy, male, who has never been shown, he's not particularly endearing or a fine or even a healthy specimen, but his owner regularly lets him be used as stud, and for an absurdly low fee too. This doesn't help the breed genepool or reputation.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Hi all, my husband and i have a staff x who is now 4 yrs old.We rescued him when he was 9 months old. We've had to be very strict with him and he's been fine. We did discover that he will attempt to go for any other dog and he dislikes young children especially ones that come shouting and waving their arms at him. We accepted that. Over the last year he has become more and more aggressive - one minute he'll be wagging his tail at someone and then in an instant will start growling and threatening them.Today he finally attacked a dog whilst we were out walking,(by a road,so Bill was on lead)who's owner called his dog,which was off the lead,and he was ignored !Nothing in our lives has changed at all. Today i'm scouting around for advice on him and find this link- only to be told that the agression is already there and is now coming out, or that we're bad owners..........we've tried a behaviourist, we love our dog but his behaviour is not acceptable in society.He is a lovely affectionate dog and my heart is breaking as i can see our options getting fewer,and there will be only one choice in the end. He is a lovely dog but they were bred for dominance and aggression many years ago.....is it in their genes?

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Kay3, try your vet first, to check everything, but warn them he has been aggressive. If there is a physical reason,after its been sortedthings may be ok,if not,then a behaviourist again, rescue dogs are NOT easy, but Staffies are people friendly, so he has been abused somehow at some point.

Try breed rescue as well as some breeders are responsible and they can advise.

Provided he is not attacking your or your husband, then the chances of keeping himare good, otherwise the options are shrinking.

Has he been neutered? try a DAP (available from vets or online) its a plug in pheremone, which can help. Keep your levels of training anexpectations of obedience high, keep him occupied.

His diet, what is he eating, he may need that reviewing.

Keep in touch

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Hi,
I have just been reading about Staffies - I got one last year from the cat and dog home - it has taken a full year for him to completely trust us but he is still very wild but as time goes on he is gradually getting calmer - do you find that Staffies tend to pull really bad on the lead? I would not hesitate to get another Staffie as they are such great dogs - I get such great joy from Him.

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

I agree, our dog is very aggressive to other larger dogs but seems better with bitches - he hates cats and birds and chases them - I have taken him to the extreme and he has never once bitten hard so I completely trust him - he is also great with my 2 year old niece - I think patience is the only answer and strict discipline - I find that if I raise my voice in a domineering command he tends to listen - like a remote control going off

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Hi all,

Just found this thread - sorry to resuscitate it if you were all finished but I have a quick question.

I have a cat and at the moment we all live very happily in a 'cat area'. However, I have just committed to buying a house where there are two staffs next door. I didn't actually know any of the hype about staffs (I like dogs but am not clued up onbreeds at all) but I'm a tad worried about my cat who is a very nosy neighbour.

I read all your posts looking for reassurance that Staffs are okay with cats as well as children but only found 2 posts - one dog that runs away from cats and another that attacked one and killed it. I wonder whether my cat would be too much of a temptation for the dogs (any dogs) and if I'll be living with constant barking (are Staffs known for barking lots?) as a result?

Any reassurances (or warnings if necessary) would be most welcomed. I haven't signed contracts on the house yet and would pull out now if I thought my little Oliver would be miserable there (and me - barking sends me round the bend).

Thanks,
Catherine

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

A cat can run a lot faster and over different ways to escape a dog. Whereever you move there could be terratorial problems between dogs/cats cats/cats and dogs/dogs. Even if you immediate neighbour didn't have dogs, someone nearby could or may be thinking about a cat /dog for a pet.

I have 3 dogs and this figure can vary with boarders, my neighbours all have one or 2 dogs, but one of our neighbours has 4 cats, there is also wildlife, foxes badgers birds etc any of whom could attack any of the others. But the animal population is fairly quiet, apart from one dog 2 roads away who is used as a guard dog, and like his owner is a real pain. But the worst nuisance is the 2 legged variety staggering home from the golf club's 19th hole at 2.00 am. The only fights have been human ones, and not over animals

I shouldn't worry!

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Thanks Sherringham,

Your post really put this into perspective for me! Of course my cat already dodges foxes and there is a lively dog a few doors down and I'm sure my cat has been at least that far, via shed roofs and fences. I don't know why I didn't consider this before.

I shall now relax and look forward to my new home.

Thanks again. xx

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

hello! I am thinking of getting a staffordshire bull terrier - I completely love the breed and have wanted one for ages. I am finally in a position where I am working from home 3 days a week and intend to get a local dog walker to check on him/her onthe other 2 days. My question is, does that sound OK with regards to the dog being left alone. And also with regards to children, I know they are very good with children but what about babies? Has anyone got any experience with being pregnant/having a baby around a staffie? Thank you xxxxx

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

staffies don't like being alone, moreso as puppies, they can be quite destructive! i had 2 lovely staff's and they got through a couple of carpets before coming to the conclusion they needed someone around more often.

Logan, was a stunning big butch boy! With the calmest, relaxed attitude, which was ironic as his mate Angel, whom we got for him for company was always buzzing around, very highly strung with an OCD, which included spinning round and barking, constantly. Many vet trips and much upset later, thankfully her problems weren't epilepsy or requiring major brain surgery. It was a dog psychatrist (sp) whom helped us. Once a week to start, then when she started to respond again, which was hard work, i took her obidence training.

What i'm trying to point out is, staff's like any dog really, can have their own problems, all you have to do as an owner is recognise and act upon unsociable or agressive behavior before they become boss.

I very nearly gave up on Angel, but when we came out the other side from all our hard work together, i knew that it was all so worthwhile, and you get a great understanding of your dogs personality.

I now wish, that i could give up my 8-6 job and do my bit to help Staffies that don't get the help they need. I just couldn't give them back at the end of it!

Amazing dogs. I wont hesitate to get another (when i can be around in the daytime!!)

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience of integrating staffies with cats. Ihave four cats and my boyfriend of 2 years has 2 staffies i neutered male and a bitch. The bitch is very friendly but the male is not as friendly. We have decided that we have to move our relationship on and live together. My boyfriend is going to move into my farm cottage as I have a very large garden and live in a very secluded area. He is going to build a permanent kennel and a large run in the garden and we are going to keep the animals separate. I am terrified that if his dogs got one of my cats the cat would be killed. I do worry he says he cant part with his dogs and I cant part with my cats.I genuinely feel that they will never be safely integrated but he says that in time they will. I feel that like icant stop my cats from killing micehe will be unable to train his dogsnot to chase cats. Help!!!!:(

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

hi ,
i have got 2 staffies <biggy 1 and star 3> we also have a jack russel <tiger 5> and a border terrier <scrappy 2> and three cats < scooby 2 spikey 3 and stella 18 months> who all live together with my ferret <minky moo> our< 8 guineapigs > and two cockateils <peaches and sunshine > they live in my house all together they sleep in the same huge bed and all enjoy nothing more than going to bed with mom <not much room> you can introduce any animals together as long as you do it calmly and carefully dont make a big scene introducing the first time keep it one at a time nice and carefully i worried about my tiger and scrappy with my ferret to them shes vermin and they were bred to kill vermin but fter two days of having her scrappy was in love and tiger plays better hide seek with her , all pets can live in peace and harmony as long as you have some rules , people dont believe me when i tell them how they all are and i invite them round to see and they are gobsmacked , but it takes time and carefully over weeks they all come accustomed to one and other and they are like one big family together if my cats go to the vets my dogs cry at the door wondering where they have gone its down to good ownership and without mistreating or punishing its about being firm dont let your dogs chase cats and wild rabbits and dont tease your dogs with your hands if you gonna play use a toy they understand then not to bite hands etc its just common sense but staffies are the greatest pets with kids animals cats friendly with people my dogs have never ever growled at any one or lunged for anything they are the best i hope this info will be of some use and please feel free to email me we got puppies soon carnt wait

thanx

RE: what do you think of staffordshire bull terriers ?

😀 I love staffies.I have a staff Bruno 8 months today.Hes brindle with a white chest!!I have never meet an unfriendly staff!Though I have meet quite a few other small dogs that wanted to attack me.
Staffs are often mistaken for pitbulls but they are a completely different dog.Just last night I was asked if he was a half and half confused I asked half what?The man was sure he was not a full bred staff but when buying bruno we werre told he was a full bred staff! I seen the dad but couldnt see the mum! Worried about it but still love bruno all the same!Before I was born we had a lovely staff called tara she was a lighter brindle rescued and was great with babies.Theres pictures of me lying against her she was so protective and acted motherly towards me! We got rid of her when I was a year! There just wasent enough room for her! I have meet other staffs each one has jsut wanted to lick u to death!!

I love them i think they are the best breed!!