to get a dog..

[bigbitch90]

with a 1, 2 and 3 year old?

I've had afew comments from family and friends saying I shouldn't have a dog with young children.
I'm buying it as a puppy from a friend and have done alot of research online about the breed and its an ideal family dog and excellent with children. It wont have the run of the house as I have stair gates up so can keep it away from the children say if I'm cooking or cleaning.
So.. AIBU?

Fabby, I disagree. I work but I take my dog to the woods at 7.30 every morning and am lucky enough to have a job a couple of minutes from home so come back most lunch times to take her to woods again. I don't think its fair to choose to have a dog if you are out all day and can't get back to spend time with it.

"there is nothing wrong with them being home alone all day"

FabbyChic, where on earth did you get that utter bullshit from?

Animal welfare organisations such as reputable rescues? The Dogs Trust? Reputable breeders?

I don't think so!

Even the shitty RSPCA wouldn't agree with that twaddle!

If your friend didn't happen to have puppies, would you have actively sought to get one? I've been wanting a dog for a while, but can't afford to buy an overpriced dog KC reg Also, is your friend a responsible breeder? Yes
Have all the correct health tests for the breed concerned been carried out with good results, are the puppies KC registered? I will find out but both the parents are I presumed the puppies would be
What socialisation will they have I have friends with dogs I will socialise the pup with and it will be around alot of different people what temprement are the parents? Both live with children and are good natured friendly dogs the father I'm atually in love with
What vet checks will the puppy have prior to being homed? I'm sure she will have whatever checks are needed breeder does things by the book I will find out
Are the parents both proven either in the show ring or working field? Working field

Val-I said I plan to get a job when the children are in school in 2 years time. OH works evenings and will be here in the day for the dogI wouldnt keep it outside either.

What breed are they?

Staffordshire bull terrier

Thanks slubber - its all rather scary. But the animals will be fine and will stay with me. Not sure how yet but I will make it work somehow. They (the animals) are part of my family.

But I just wanted to make the point that all rescue animals are not potentially vicious child attackers. Many are just unfortunate victims of circumstance.

Oxo- i did say earlier that I wasn't implying all rehomed dogs were like that

Oh for suck's sake. Now I've heard it all.

Staffies!

A beautiful, beautiful breed and much maligned. But there is NO SUCH THING as a responsible SBT breeder. If the "breeder" loved the breed she/he wouldn't be bringing any more into the world when SBT are the breed which are killed in the greatest numbers each week for want of homes. They'd be telling you to go to rescue instead.

They're not a reputable, responsible breeder, they're at best extremely ignorant and misguided.

And if you don't know that so are you... as you are for not knowing if the dogs are to be KC reg, whether the parents have been health checked or whether the pups are to be. So much for you doing your homework as you claim!

And as for Staffies being from working stock... what work would that be then.

OP, I said it before, I think you are probably very young and I now know you are very naive. I fear that in less than 18 months time someone like me will be trying to find a rescue space for your pup... if he's lucky enough to get to the stage of finding someone like me to help him.

And I can tell you without a doubt that your friend the "breeder" is a backyard breeder.

But I know you won't listen to a word I have to say on this because you know better than this 46 year old rescuer.

Now I'm sorry for my arsey tone but I regularly see dogs die because of people like your friend the breeder and because of naivety such as yours and it breaks my heart.

oxocube, bless your heart, I wish there were nore out there like you. :(

And while I'm here I'll try again with the first sentence above.

OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!

I bet the friend owns both Mum and Dad. If not, and she just owns Mum, I bet the owner of Dad lives less than a mile away.

Dad won't have been chosen carefully to complement Mum's characteristics, that's for sure.

What "work" are they bred for, exactly?

Oh jesus no, do NOT get a bull breed as your first puppy fgs. I love Staffies, I mean seriously love them. I have trained pups of my own and the family pups when I was younger. My fathers friend used to breed to staffies, so I was aware how hyper they were as pups, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer energy, tenacity and relentlessness of a staffy puppy.

Rehome a lovely young stafford instead, who has already outgrown the nightmare stage. Or at the very least get a less energetic pup.

... oh, and there are LOADS of Staffie pups in rescue, too. You'd know that if you'd looked into it.

Bigbitch90 - please have a look at the battersea dogs home website - its chocca full of staffies - there is a reason for this.

Im 100% behind Valhalla, and WTF do you mean by working staffie? The only thing they were bred for is bull baiting and dog fighting - both illegal.

Actually, a well trained SBT is a joy, but they have to be well trained, have you ever owned a dog before? Have you trained a terrier type before? SBTs are not great with other dogs, they need socialising from a young age, and not just being introduced to friends dogs. Local vets do socialisation classes and i would totally recommend training classes for you to do with the dog when its a bit older. What about vaccinations, do you know how much that costs? It will need to be castrated when its six months, you are getting a boy are you? more for a bitch.

I love SBTs they are fantastic, but they are mad as a box of frogs, and they are big strong dogs and no way suitable with a young family like you have, even if it doesnt get pissed off with the kids pulling it about (dont tell me a 1 2 and 3 yo wont pull it about - if you think that your mad too) and bite them, its general exuberance will be too much. Are you prepared to walk it for two hours a day? Training?

Please don't get this dog, big mistake

Op, We got a Puppy from the rescue centre, she was only 10 weeks old. Please go and have a look there first. Honestly there are so many dogs desperate for some love. They even spayed her for us for a reduced price when she was old enough and paid for all her vaccinations.

bb90 - many many responsible breeders' dogs are expensive - but not overpriced. they are expensive because breeding a dog, with all the correct health support and checks is expensive. if this dog is relatively cheap then you really need to question hard whether it has all been done "by the book". Use the KC website as a guide(it's not perfect, but it's not bad).

your answers indicate you need to think a bit harder - you say your friend is a responsible breeder - but also that you're not actually sure all the checks have been done. so, in actual fact, you don't (yet) know if your friend is a responsible breeder.

good that you getting a job won't mean the dog is alone though.

dh and I waited until dds were both at school and both our working patterns had changed so we worked form home a lot - it was worth the wait - because our puppy was a fantastic source of fun that we had time to train and exercise - not just another "job". I found daily training (with the peace and quiet that comes when children are out!) incredibly bonding and fulfilling. I'd really urge you to think about delaying util you really have time for him/her.

I said I had researched the breed, I haven't had a chance to speak to the breeder but I will ask him about the health checks etc.
I thought you meant the origin of the dogs and read that staffs were originaly bred to 'work' so I'm sorry I didnt understand the question!
I'm not being naive I'm taking into account what everyone is saying and even if I am young does that mean I'm stupid? Why do you keep saying 'you must be quite' I'm more responsible than alot of dog owners I know.

He owns the dad atually out of the parents I know him better.
I've just been looking on my local rehoming site and most of the dogs are not suitable for children let alone young children. So I have looked to make everyone happy

Oh and they microchipped her for free too.

oh yes sunshine reminded me - I too was mystified by the reference to a "working field" staffie. and also - do you realise what socialising means? it means taking him/her on buses. on trains. round towns. in parks. along rivers. making sure he/she sees people in hats, in helmets, on cycles, on scooters. ideally it means exposing them to a huge range of loud and horrible noises (we took ours to a civil war re-enactment) - and to a range of animals. all this needs to be done in a crucial short period. they need exposing to everything they might encounter in their life to give them the tools to cope with it.

Calamity- I didn't initially want a staff so no I'm afraid I haven't looked into rehoming one and can't see where I have said I've done so?

I don't get it. You think dog training is so hard the rescues can get it wrong and give a young family a dog that doesn't get on with children, but you think you can train a puppy from scratch to be a really well-behaved dog when you have no experience? I think you need to listen to Valhalla, honestly. :( I don't know the first thing about dogs, and neither do you, so trust people who do! They've got no reason to try and mislead you. They don't want your kids to get hurt and they don't want you to get an unsuitable dog and get rid of it. They're on your side!

Just checked my local dogs home website and I am shocked. 90% of the dogs on there are SBTs or a SBT cross! Why are people still breeding these dogs!?

I get an average of 15 to 20 appeals for rescue places, (mainly for Staffies) emailed to me DAILY. This is just one of them... I only wish I could post the photos too.

Have a read of this:

"HEARTBREAKING AND DESPAIRING NEWS YET AGAIN FOR UNWANTED 'BRITISH' DOGS- SOME OF THESE DOGS ARE STILL BABIES!-CAN YOU HELP?

VERY URGENT-UK pound dogs due for slaughter yes slaughter is the correct word as 'put to sleep' is just a kinder way of saying SLAUGHTER! This will happen to these poor, desperate dogs in the next few days- please help them ASAP!!

PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO SAVE THESE PRECIOUS LIVES

Please read the urgent appeal from XXXX below and if you can help please contact XXXX who is trying to save these precious lives on XXXXX

Rescue spaces/forever/foster homes needed now for these poor, unwanted pound dogs please. Thank you. Can you also please help with boarding fees to buy more time at the dog pound? Please speak to XXXXX about this asap. Foster homes or help with boarding fees will help to get these lovely dogs off the danger list.

Any rescue centres that kindly offer help please meet the following criteria:
1- A NO DESTRUCTION POLICY
2- HOMECHECK ALL PROSPECTIVE OWNERS
3- DOG GETS RETURNED TO THE SANCTUARY IF OWNER CAN NO LONGER KEEP
Individual homes offered will be homechecked

Please see details of the dogs in the appeal below

Thank you very much for your support
SWAP team UK
We all make the difference
EVERY LIFE COUNTS
- Original Message -

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 9:56 PM
Subject: 1 Week to live

Hi XXXX

I know how busy you are and I'm sorry to ask you to do another appeal for me but times are so hard, I know everyone is bursting.

I need to find these dogs rescue places ASAP. The following dogs are just youngsters and all seem ok with other dogs.

Would you please when you get a moment please send to all your supporters.

These babies have 7 days from tomorrow 18th Feb or they will be PUT TO SLEEP!!

Thanks so much in advance

XXXX

Fudge
White and Brindle Staffie Female Approx 4-5 years.
Fudge is a lovely girl who loves being around people and other dogs. She seems ok with cats too. She loves her treats but she is not really into her toys so she will need someone to show her how to play. Fudge is a clever girl who knows ?sit?, gives her paw and comes on command. She is such a fun happy dog who loves attention and a cuddle.

Juliet
Brindle/wht SBTX Female approx2 yrs old.
Lean bodily condition. 1st vax 16.02.11. Good with people and dogs-not cat tested!
Likes treats and toys! Busy little girl who likes to be on the go but once she settles
is very obedient and eager to please! Only a small dog, lovely nature nice pet, ideally
would suit an active family!

Gucci
Biege/wht SBTX Female. Approx 1-2 yrs old.
Chipped. No response from owner. 1st vax 15.02.11.
Good bodily condition, good with people, dogs, not cat tested.
Knows sit, down,and paw. Likes treats and toys.
Bouncy playful girl who is full of beans! Likes lots of interaction. Knows basic
commands but can get a little excited, just needs some guidance and discipline. Lovely
natured, she even smiles at you!

Flo
Tan SBTX Breed girl . This little girl is only about 8 months old, she is really sad at the moment and really needs a space asap. She is the longest resident at the pound and will be the first to be PUT TO SLEEPT next week.
She is fine with other dogs and adores people, sits lovely when asked. A really really sweet little dog.

Marg
Lovely little Staffie girl of around 3 years old, she takes no notice of other dogs and adores a cuddle, really happy go lucky girl who is very eager to please. She just wants to be with you. She would make a lovely pet.

Pepper
SBT. This girl is ADORABLE just a baby less than 12 months old, she loves other dogs and everyone she meets. She tries to climb into your arms, she adores cuddles, a really pretty and sweet little girl inside and out.

Ziggy
Around 4 years old. Ziggy is a lovely, gentle and calm SBT girl. She looks like she has recently had pups. She loves to be out of her kennel and to be with you, she seems fine with other dogs and is eager to please you. A really nice lady.

Sapphire
A gorgeous Rottie girl of around 12 /14 months old. She is great with other dogs, she wags her tail like crazy when she sees you coming and loves to be out of her kennel and spending time with you. She does a lovely sit when asked and would excel with additonal training.

Cherry is around 18 months old and just the sweetest little girl, she adores people and is great with other dogs, a real cuddle monster! Really Really sweet SBT girl."

NEED I SAY MORE?

Zack is good with children and other dogs and is only being rehomed due to the resident ct taking a disliking to him.

Why would anybody BUY a staffie pup when are too many of them in rescues. Last year I was tempted to rehome a 12 week old sbt pup which was one of 5 + their mum who had been rescued from a drug dealers house. There are lots of them out there if you take the trouble to look. - decided against it at the time because of an imminant house move. I think the risk of the pup not being a sucessful addition in your home with three young children is too great. If you want a puppy expereince smear the contents of your youngest child's nappy over various parts of your house several times a day for two whole weeks. Then cut tiny holes in ALL of your childrens' clothes (mimicking the effects of sharp puppy teeth). If you can handle it you MAY be able to cope with a pup