Adopting a staffie

[Pernickety]

In looking for a family dog to adopt, we are open to adopting a staffie, since I have met some which I could not help falling in love with. And because of the many reports of people saying it has been the best dog they have ever had as a pet.

But I am wondering whether I need to grow a thick skin to own this breed due to many people holding negative perceptions of this breed of dog. I am sure my own extended family would be raising their eyebrows if we announced this is the dog we have adopted.

Will be first time dog owners. Am I going to have to contend with being snubbed in parks and people crossing the street when I walk the dog, and will my children's friends not be allowed around to play? Will my mother become hysterical assuming our children are going to be attacked by the dog? Or do people quickly come round when they meet our dog and realise how lovely he or she is? we would only go for a staffie that is well socialised and good around other dogs, and obviously, known to be good with children. But I cannot help worrying if I have broad enough shoulders to take on other's negativity. Can you reassure me?

[TantrumsAndGoldAndOrange]

I would love to reassure you. But sadly, as the owner of 4 staffies I can't.

People have assumed that they are either pitbulls, dangerous, fighting dogs, out of control or evil.

I have had people literally clutch their children to them, cross the road to get away from them
Yesterday we were walking the puppy, on a lead, and a woman shouted at me "you had better keep that fucking dog under control"

The dog in question was walking by my side on a lead.

Saying that, they are the most amazing family dogs ever so don't let it put you off, just smile, nod and ignore.

[ClaimedByMe]

I signed my staffie adoption papers on monday after a 2 week trial, it was like she has always been here, she is lovely and adorable and loves people.

I do get odd looks walking her and people do cross the road to avoid her but to be honest due to her past she doesnt like other dogs so thats fine by me. When out with my kids I let them hold her lead that also gets funny looks. My house is still as busy with my kids friends, no one is keeping them away.

Please rehome one, there is hundreds needing a loving home.

[tabulahrasa]

I've got a Rottweiller, he's only 10 weeks old and the amount of people who have pulled that face or said things like, well you're cute now, but I won't like you when you're bigger has really quite shocked me.

We picked a Rottweiler, because I like bigger dogs, I wanted something I could do obedience with, that's active without being too active, is short coated and DP likes them (I was just going to get a rescue dog again and would work with what I ended up with, lol)

So, yes, you probably will get a bit of that tbh. Doggy people like them though and sensible people who aren't particularly doggy will judge by teh individual dog - but that still leaves everyone else.

[tabulahrasa]

Oh not that that should put you off - I'd have had a staffy, if I was allowed more than one dog, lol

[SpicyPear]

There is prejudice around but also many more people than you'd think who know the real staffy character and love them. At least once a week I end up having a lovely little chat with someone about what nice dogs they are and what a shame it is that certain types of owners have given them a bad name. Yesterday it was with my neighbour's plumber who has the same issue with his GSDs. I don't have a particularly thick skin but I manage fine and don't dwell on what people might be thinking when they see her. I also take a great deal of pleasure in seeing her change someone's attitude toward staffies.

For example, my next door neighbour recently came to give her a fuss and said "I wasn't sure about you at first, but you're alright aren't you?". And the other day I caught my DF (dead against us getting a dog, let adobe a staff) rubbing her chin, feeding her cheese and saying "you're a nice doggy aren't you, yes you are, a nice doggy" .

[D0oinMeCleanin]

My terrier can be slightly grumpy. There are only a few dogs he's allowed to play with off lead, these include two staffies, a doberman, a boxer and two JRTs.

He's best with the staffies really.

The staffy owners are often over joyed when they find someone who will let their dog's play but do tell me that at least 10% of the people they meet are sensible, so they are their dogs do have doggy walking friends. Others just get used to them being there eventually.

There is one man (he owns one of the staffies and the two JRTs) who I love. Whenever anyone calls their dog away from his he shouts over "If your dog is unsafe around other dogs off lead, I can give you some tips if you like?" He is aware they are calling their dog away because of the breed of his dogs but tries to make out like their dog must be the one with the issues if it needs leashing around other dogs

[SpicyPear]

Ah D0oin he could play with SpicyDog. If he got grumpy she would roll onto her back and do the "I'm no threat" paws up.

[AlmostAGoldHipster]

I started a thread about this yesterday in chat - alas, I have a very thin skin when it comes to folk being shitty about my gorgeous Staffie so I keep him on the lead so they don't moan at me when he want to play.

Having said that, I'd have five of them if I had the space, the money and a bigger lap for them all to lay on! They really are the soppiest, most affectionate animals ever! :)

Go for it!

[TantrumsAndGoldAndOrange]

See, im the opposite. I don't actually give a toss what people think of my dog. The little one has been terrorized 5 times by a JRT, on a flipping retractable lead which scares the life out of him and the owner always assumes its his fault cos he's a staffie.

I always laugh when she shouts out almost every day "is your dog safe?"

Yep, he's safer than yours love.

[Pernickety]

Thank you. So, friends or family who were sceptical, would you say they changed their opinion after meeting your staffie?

[AlmostAGoldHipster]

Yes, my mum was worried but that lasted about 30 seconds after he sat on her lap and gave her big licks, grinning away at her like a loon! She adores him now!

Tantrums - I wish I didn't care but I dooooo :(

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

My mil and fil were panick stricken when we got our staff, 18 months on and they are amazed at just how good she is with the kids and how loving and funny she is. We have had a few comments, especially since most people on our estate have Lhasa apso dogs since they seem to be fashionable round here, but most parents have been dragged over here at some point so the kids could show them the dog playing on the slide/hammer throwing the kong toy and they think she is fab. Decorator was terrified when she started growling at him, until he realised she was actually trying to have a conversation and when he spoke to her she would reply in huffs and growly noises.
She sings too. Badly, I admit, but better than me!

[Besom]

I've been looking at rescue staffs. The other day my dad said 'you'd never be able to trust it thought would you?' He said this like it was a statement of fact. He believes everything he reads in the Daily Mail though.

As for people on the street, I agree with 'stuff em!' I might have to change his or her name from Kaiser or Tyson though.

[clam]

My cockapoo's best friend is Nico the staffie. Apparently, he's the only dog in the park who's allowed to play with Nico!

[Pernickety]

I'm so sold on a staffie if we can have one (see my other thread regarding being out at work 2 days per week) because of all the lovely things people have to say about their dogs. I need to worry less about what other people think. I have noticed in my area more and more seemingly normal, nice people walking staffies, so I may not become an outcast

[SpicyPear]

Pernickety I met a very very well to do woman on my local common recently who used to adopt greyhounds and was thinking of switching to staffies because of the number in rescue. I would say where I live it's almost becoming a bit cool to give a staffy a home, and the status dog idiots have picked a new target - huskies...

[ClaimedByMe]

Where-ish do you live pernickety? I can reccomend the staffy rescue we used.

[Pernickety]

Suffolk

[SpicyPear]

Ooh Pernickety, when you have your lovely staffy, if a cheerful chatty lady comes up you in the street to make a big fuss of it, that will be probably be my DM. Since we've had SpicyDog she updates me every week on all the staffies she has met .

[ClaimedByMe]

Hmm I'm in Scotland and used a Scottish Staffy Rescue.

[UterusUterusGhali]

I've tried the Mumsnet hairdo.
I have the Mumsnet scarf.
And now I have the Mumsnet Staffie.

Dooin & others convinced me a Staffie would be an excellent family dog. And they were right!

You will get the odd idiot thinking they are fierce, but as said above, once you meet the other dog walkers on your patch they will get used to her/him.
The people who know most about dogs; the KC stalwarts & such will know from the off that they are a much maligned breed.

I've had collegues pull a face at my choice, and then admit their JRT just bit a family member.

It does get tiresome, the constant breed snobbery, but when you're snuggled up with your Staff, as I am now, you'll know you made the right decision.

[AlmostAGoldHipster]

Lovely post ^

Mumsnet Staffie! I can't believe I'm on trend!