So following on from my jack Russell thread, can owners tell me all about staffies. With kids, cats, exercise and food reqs, will be alone during school hours.

I’m sure they can make very nice pets, though a friend of mine had a staffy cross that killed 3 neighbours cats.

Can’t quite understand the appeal myself. The only people round our way who seem to have them are track suited chavs. Their dogs probably do ok for exercise though as suspect few of them have jobs to go to.

We’ve got a staffie cross. Really Soppy cuddle monkey and would run with the bike for hours in his younger days.

He came from a rescue centre twice over, poor little thing. Think he’s landed on his feet now though.

You hear more stories about people being mean to staffies than you do staffies being mean to people.

Ill agree they do have an image problem, but as an educated 38 year old im probably able to rise above all that now.

Love kids, hate cats, took mine for 1-1,5hrs per day and normal dried food (she didn’t like one flavour but loved another), perfectly happy to be alone for long periods (no damage to anything).
I would think long and hard before getting any dog that is going to be left alone during school hours, is it really fair on the dog to be alone just so you can have a couple of hours of fun?

Staffies are very ace.

EDIT: Food wise, no dramatic changes as the stomach doesn’t react well, No titbits from the table, no bars of chocolate (unless you want chocloate presents), I found that all treats had to de dog specific.

Staffies are still very ace.

Brilliant. My brother’s always liked them, since he lived in a house with 2 that were part of an extended family of their litter, their mums and cousin’s litters that would occasionally all come visiting at once. record was 11 white staffies all in a small flat in kingston. all totally confused at what each other was allowed to do. “what are they doing out of the kitchen/on the stairs/on the sofa, can I do do that too?”

He’s had a rescue staffie bitch for the past 8 years, and her temperament is just like the others: they look hard, but they’re dead soft, great stamina, great with kids, very loving, loyal and gentle.

I might get one myself one day!

Great dogs, however not sure how long the cats would last………..

Oh, to answer some of the op questions, happy on dry food twice a day. Sometimes likes it softened with a little warm water. Walked twice a mayor an hour a time. Left about 8 hours each week day and just sleeps all day. Might flip his food bowl or a waste bin occasionally.

Not a big fan of cats. Loves chasing squirrels. Likes people who are comfortable around dogs.

rescues are full to the brim with them, or crosses of them
irresponsible breeding IMO

my own experience is they often dont get on with other dogs mostly due to their big dog mentality in a small dogs body. Older calmer well trained versions seem to make reasonable pets

echo the above about taking on a dog when you are out all day.

On the damage front: worst was leaving the kitchen door open while we left her at our ma’s house, came back and hour later to find the contents of the bin all over the kitchne and dining room floor. The items she chose to take back to her bed were an empty Haagen Dazs pot and some burger king wrappers!

Id hope that if introduced as a puppy the cats would be fine.

With kids and cats, and having to be left alone for long periods of time, I wouldn’t do it.

Lovely dogs. Great enthusiasts. 🙂

Benefit from kind training even though they’re as tough as nails.

With kids and cats, and having to be left alone for long periods of time, I wouldn’t do it.

What’s the problem of having a Staffie with kids mrblobby?

Ive read that staffs are one of tge best dogs with kids

loddrik , we have a staffie cross from a rescue centre great dog (no expert first dog ) ,great with the 3 kids ,great if left alone ,not a problem at all

Absolutely perfect with kids.
Any opportunity for a photo. Kala in attack mode.

More pics here.

fanatistic dogs, introduced to them by my best m8’s gran, her dog was such a softy, lovely creature.
.
Friends saw one tied up alone a while back, assumed some-one would be along in mo to collect it, came back couple of hours later to see it still there.. abandoned tied up.
They took it home, and then contacted the local rescue centre, who basically said there little chance of re-homing, due to some many abandoned and there ‘terrible’ reputation, and it would probably end up being put down (this may hvae been an exageration…).
So they have kept her, and she is the most beautiful friendly dog you could ever hope meet (loves to lick you to bits but farts a bit too 😳 ), they introduced her into a home with 5 cats, not a problem in the slightest.

I’d have one over a terrier any day of the week.

What’s the problem of having a Staffie with kids mrblobby?

Maybe a bit of an image problem, but whenever you hear stories of maulings it always seems to be some sort of bull terrier or rotty. Maybe it’s the way they are trained and treated by the people who are more likely to have that sort of dog, I don’t know. May even be down to what the press choose to report on. But for that reason, with kids, I wouldn’t.

My partner works at a vets, the majority of dogs that come in and have been attacked by other dogs have been the victim of a staffie.

Just make sure you buy it a collar with some brass studding 😉

Friends have a female rescue dog who’s a Staff. She was ill treated before they got her and then they got a second cross to keep her company. To be fair they never got on well and fought over every toy, she was the clear boss though. Having said that they only ever damaged each other never anyone else.

Now she has matured (and is their sole dog) she is calm, excellent around their 2 year old, trumps like a demon and is a lovely pet. People do give her funny looks when she is walking down the street though as she looks like an aggressive dog (really isn’t though).

I dont understand why people look at getting a dog and then leave it 8 hours a day. Doesn’t seem very fair to me to leave a pack animal all on it own.

Maybe a bit of an image problem, but whenever you hear stories of maulings it always seems to be some sort of bull terrier or rotty. Maybe it’s the way they are trained and treated by the people who are more likely to have that sort of dog, I don’t know.

Maybe it’s just what the press choose to report.

I’ve got a staffie so I’m biased, but he loves everybody and everyone who meets him loves him back, he sleeps in bed with the kids or me and the wife, and shares his bones and toys with other dogs that visit the house, can’t fault him, had a lab before who was also brilliant, but not so easy to carry if anything goes wrong when out and about, hence down sizing to a staff, he’s still bloody heavy 24kg lab was about 35kg not an easy lift!!
PJ.

all of em are well nasty innit, i’d put bare moneys on da ownas havin shaved heads and tattoos blud!!

(all dogs have the potential to be nasty little bastards if the owner treats them and trains them as such 🙁 )

Maybe it’s just what the press choose to report.

Didn’t I already say that?

Oh yeah 😳
Apologies. What a numpty.

we use one of those retractable leads with ours …no brass studs or harnesses ..loves to run into the waves on the beach

mrblobby – Member
Maybe a bit of an image problem, but whenever you hear stories of maulings it always seems to be some sort of bull terrier or rotty. Maybe it’s the way they are trained and treated by the people who are more likely to have that sort of dog, I don’t know. May even be down to what the press choose to report on. But for that reason, with kids, I wouldn’t.

Jase – Member
My partner works at a vets, the majority of dogs that come in and have been attacked by other dogs have been the victim of a staffie.

These are image problem & idiot owners, not an issue with the breed IMHO. The breed is suffering because ppl are scared of them, due to idtiot wanting an “attack dog” or social status symbol… this is our society faults, not the breed of dog.
Lots get abandoned due to their lack of agression by the same idiots, yet won’t be rehomed due to this reputation. A very sad circle.

Got you mrblobby, this is actually a misunderstanding, the main reason so many are abandoned is because they are NOT aggressive. Chav junior wants an agressive dog, they get a staffy and staffy is not aggressive, so dog abandoned. The dogs that are aggressive are bull terriers too, just not the Staffy flavour. Often they are crossed with or simply called staffies to get around the dangerous dog act.
But I agree that in some articles relating to aggressive dogs you’ll see pictures of Staffies, oops, a case of mistaken identity I’m afraid. Staffies adore children and people in general which is why they are so easy to train, they want to please you.
With each of my staffies I’ve happily remove bones from their mouths without problems. With other breed (own/family dogs) I wouldn’t dream of it as the growling started at a couple of feet away.
I generally have no problem with going up to a strange staffy in the street to talk to it/stroke it.
They are great, but I understand wher you’re coming from and it’s quite sad that they are seen in this light.

Have I mentioned that Staffies are ace?

all of em are well nasty innit, i’d put bare moneys on da ownas havin shaved heads and tattoos blud!!

*Waves at phil* How’s it hangin’ dude? 😉

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a true people-dog. He loves people, all people, especially children. His tolerance of and patience with children has earned him the nickname “The Nanny Dog.” The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, sometimes called “Staffy” for short, is a strong, athletic, agile, and active dog who craves your affection and attention, and if he doesn’t get it, he can suffer from separation anxiety. He absolutely hates being left alone and can become destructive if it happens. He will want to go for rides in your car, cuddle in your lap, and sleep in your bed. This is an energetic breed who needs daily exercise. They love to play ball and go for walks. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can overheat easily, so exercise in hot weather needs to be closely monitored. Staffords are intelligent and take fairly well to obedience training, as they are eager to please you. They make good watchdogs, as they usually only bark for a reason. They will passionately defend their family from harm, but are not particularly protective of property. His intimidating look will deter almost any intruder, so this makes him an excellent guard dog! They do have a high prey drive and will often chase cats and other small animals. They do best with a fenced-in yard, as they can be a bit impulsive and they are not car smart. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a well-earned reputation for being dog aggressive so it is important to socialize a puppy around other dogs and animals as much as possible. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a courageous, affectionate, trusting and trustworthy all-purpose dog. They are adaptable and can live anywhere. They are boisterous and exuberant and might irritate your houseguests. They are curious and have a good sense of humor. They are surprisingly sensitive and they will crave your attention and companionship. They want nothing more than to be your faithful best friend.

The staffies (or mastiff’s for that matter) you have to watch are the one’s crossed with pitbulls.

So if you are getting one, and its a cross-breed make sure it hasn’t got a bit of pit in it, otherwise you aren’t going to have a lot of fun with the dog around other dogs.

Unfortunately these are getting more common around Bristol, so when the stupid bastards who breed them give them up, they can’t be rehomed very easily and get put down 🙁

its a shame the ‘underclass’ have given staffys a reputation they dont deserve, alsations/german shepherds… now they’re evil nasty beastly dogs, will tear a kids face off if you make the mistake of smiling at them when they’re breathing.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw

Aaaaw, be careful a baby might take its face off…
Yours?

i wish DS, both mrsconsequence and i both work monday to friday 8-5ish and couldn’t commute back at lunchtimes or anything so we’re not in a good place to look after a doggy to the best of our abilities 🙁

clearing out the loft yesterday we found a big pile of old photos and i got all emotional when i stumbled across photos of my old dogs and cats… so i’ve decided when mrsconsequence is earning more than me i’ll quit my job and sit at home playing with puppies all day

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw

Shall not be letting mrs blobby see this or we might be adding to our menagerie of pets!

i love the way you are all happy as larry with any breed* till its crossed with pitbull, weird as pitbulls are no worse than any other fighting breed.

dogs are dangerous, all bull breeds have the potential to do serious damage, look at where they came from and its easy to see why.

oh and a puppy thats gonna be abandoned for ‘school hours’ will not be properly trained or socialised.

*its the owners, its the training, its just image, poor socialisation

Staffs are great dogs. I had a pure black one for twelve years and he was magic. Really good dog. Too much irresponsible breeding now and if you are going for one spend a few quid and go to a well researched and reputable breeder. Only get a decent pedigree staff. These chav bit pit crosses have ruined peoples idea of what a staffie is and how they behave. Exercise,discipline and affection are what dogs need. Incidentally I now have a malamute and they are good dogs as well.

i wish DS, both mrsconsequence and i both work monday to friday 8-5ish and couldn’t commute back at lunchtimes or anything so we’re not in a good place to look after a doggy to the best of our abilities

That’s one of the reason I parted with Kala, in that I didn’t the time for her that she deserved. 8 hours a day for 4 days per week was fine but due to the crisis I was away from home for up to 12-13 hours a day and sometimes working 7 dyas per week.
She really was an AWESOME dog and I do miss her muchly, and I’m going to cry now, so see ya! 😀