What breed?

[redandyellowand]

Ok, quite specific. We would love another dog at some point.
Staffys are my breed of choice, cuddly, robust, solid, pig like, snorty, good with people, excellent with kids, very short fur.
I’ve had staffys in the past and the only part of their breed I have struggled with is the separation anxiety (made holidays hard when wanting to leave them for an hour or so, complaints from neighbours due to barking for the first couple of years etc when they were puppies, the refusal to sleep downstairs as they would cry for 8 hours solid all night long etc)
And I would say the biggest problem is that I’ve never known a staffy to be particularly dog friendly. I’ve always socialised them from tiny, but they’ve hit around 2 years old and always been a bit scrappy, so didn’t feel comfortable letting them off lead unless no dogs in sight. Even worried walking past other dogs when all dogs on leads. I struggled with the non dog friendly aspect the most, especially when out trying to watch 2 little ones and a dog prone to the occasional scrap.
Can a staffy ever be taught to be dog friendly?
We dog sat a cockerpoo a few weeks ago who was a dream, amazing recall, very well trained, walked/ran past numerous dogs without batting an eye lid, could be left in our house where she had never been before for a couple of hours without a peep from her when we popped to the shops.
She was lovely, easy, perfect with kids, but just didn’t float my boat breed wise, too hairy, a bit smelly having long fur, not the look I would usually go for in a dog.
What big, short haired, robust, good with kids, fantastic with other dogs and pretty obedient dogs are out there?
I should probably not focus so much on breed or looks, but staffys have won my heart and I’m struggling to imagine owning anything else, but right now, with the age of our kids I’m not sure that’s the best choice.

[redandyellowand]

How about Boston terrier? They’re the closest I can find, and apparently are dog friendly.
Or beagles? I’m worried that they follow a scent and run away?

[bunnygeek]

The only Cockerpoo I know is ok with people but positively savage with other dogs - every doggo is different!

I know a few Staffies, not young ones either, and they are vocal and dog friendly. They are curious and can be a bit possessive with toys so that may be where a scuffle could kick off. Staffies can play a bit rougher than other breeds. A friend's very-much-not-dog-friendly American Bulldog mix's only doggy friend happens to be a Staffie as they can really rough each other up in a happy way!!

[redandyellowand]

It’s just so hard to know what temperament a puppy will have.
I live next to a huge dog walking field and they have been socialised from really young ages, but were always a bit fighty, and as you know the staffy always gets the blame, even if a chocolate lab was right in their face and they snapped as they didn’t like it etc.
I’ve always been lucky having rescue staffys from really young ages, but I’ve just looked at pedigree puppies of other breeds and god they’re expensive.

[CMOTDibbler]

I have two lurchers, one of which is probably a doberman x whippet ish. He's big, solid, very loving, dog and people friendly and short haired

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Boston Terriers are brachycephalic and so prone to lots of health problems in the same way that pugs and frenchies are.

Beagles can make good pets, but from what I've heard they can be hard to recall once they have a scent, are very food orientated and need a lot of exercise; most of the pet ones I see are distinctly overweight.

[DragonBone]

Staffys all the way for me. (I have 6)

[Jamct23]

We have a golden retriever 1 bad trait and only 1 (beyond he’s control) the hair but with regular grooms and daily brushing they are perfect. He’s temprament is perfect and he’s the most loving dog ever, They train so easily we never had any problems.

[redandyellowand]

I really prefer the feel and look of short haired dogs. I wish I was guaranteed a dog friendly staffy as I’d get another.
I’ve seen that Boston’s have the breathing problems. That’s a worry.
I know a few beagles that have gps trackers and the last thing I need is a lost dog to chase around after!
Greyhound/lurchers are growing on me. Rest of the family aren’t too keen.
Boston terriers also appealing to me as they’re small but solid! Nice and compact looking, but got the sturdy staffy look I like.
Even Labs I find a little too long haired after being used to really short haired dogs.
My favourite bit of staffys is their bald bellies!

[whateveryousay]

I’ve got a Golden too, and agree with everything jam says, she is perfect! (I don’t mind the hair!). She does take a lot of grooming though, as she loves mud and water. (I don’t mind that either, as she gets so much enjoyment from a wallow).

[whateveryousay]

Sorry, cross posted! Goldies not for you then 😊

[Rescuedontbuy]

We have a staffy and have never looked back,he's been the easiest going dog we've ever owned.He is great with our kids,our cats,loves everyone he meets and is ok with other dogs as long as they don't bound up to him and a million miles an hour.

[anniehm]

Most the Staffies are a bit off with other dogs, plus many dogs (mine included) are very wary of them (plus certain other breeds like boxers which used to have their tails docked) I think it's because they don't wag their tail in the same way, no proof just observed how differently my dog acts (he gives them a really wide berth!)

For us it's collies all the way (you can get smooth coated ones, ours is) because you can train them easily and they don't pester other dogs preferring the ball. Very good with younger kids in our family though can be a bit too protective if a stranger comes close. Great guard dog too. They need around an hour of exercise (a mixture of on and off lead ) a day though but in between will simply sleep and snooze - seriously the laziest breed I've had.

[hallodarknessmyoldfriend]

How about labrador or boxer?

[Fstar]

My staffy is very dog friendly, never on a lead unless he goes to vet. Runs about with All breeds on our walks but especially loves all labs he meets. True about them being your shadow and he follows us to bathroom and sleeps down the side of our bed. They are amazing dogs and i would always go for them as too many in shelters.

We got him when he was around 2 yrs and he is the polite one of the group of dogs we walk with, always sits at the back and lets the others get a treat first. He has been attacked twice by the same jack russels and never fought back once.

[hallodarknessmyoldfriend]

Oh sorry, just saw you said no to labs.

Weimaraner are also great, if you have enough time to walk them / keep them busy.

[sunshineandthunder]

Bavarian mountain hound? I LOVE them!

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

My rescue (as adult) staffy cross is ok with nearly all dogs - doesn't seem keen on GSDs, presumably there is a history there. Since she started holiday boarding with a man locally who generally has 5 or 6 dogs at a time in the house, either boarding or daycare or just joining for walks, she has become even better with other dogs and much more sociable. She isn't good with children (definitely must have been abused by children whilst she was on the inner London streets) but that's a separate matter and can be easily managed as there are none at home. She has very good recall so I can let her off the lead and just call her back if I see a dog she might not like (or who might not like her).

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Forgot to say - she is about 6 years old. Also, I work and she is fine being alone for 5 hours or so at a time - dogwalker comes halfway through the day.

[Aprilislonggone]

I am like you op, prefer a bigger dog! I have a rottweiler and a husky tho def not recommending either!
We have ended up with these also!!
Can't imagine not having our adorable Lurchers!

[longwayoff]

There is no dog to compare with a Welsh border collie. If they had thumbs you could train them to cook. Everything you could wish for in a dog and a dream to train.

[Ifeelinclined]

We love our boxer, but she is very needy! So boxers may not be the breed for you either.

[tabulahrasa]

Thing is if you want a dog that’s most likely going to be ok with other dogs you either need to find good breeders for a puppy where they’ll be breeding for that (as well as other things) or get an adult dog from a rescue where it’s already old enough so you know how it is.

Temperament is mostly hereditary... so sadly a puppy from a rescue is the biggest gamble you can take with that.

That’s the case no matter what breed you go for.

[redandyellowand]

LOVE boxers, but every one I’ve known has been bloody mental, a couple not so dog friendly and 2 out of the 3 I’ve known have died quite young unfortunately, between 4-6 years old for various reasons.

[redandyellowand]

Would happily get a 3ish year old from rescue as I know they’re extensively tested.
The rescues I’ve seen won’t allow staffys with under 8s though.

[GeoEm]

I have a Lhasa apso. He's superb.