Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have fallen in love with Staffies?

231 replies

WellAlwaysHaveParis · 01/09/2018 16:44

I went to a dog show earlier today, and loads of people had come with their dogs to spend the day there.

I met some people with Staffies, and the dogs were absolutely beautiful. One of them was so calm and quiet, and she would just let people pet her and stroke her, and the other one was a bit overexcited and would jump up and lick everyone who stroked him 😍

I’ve never had a dog before, as we’ve always had cats, but I’d love to have a dog one day.

I’d definitely get a rescue dog, as we’ve always had cats from rescue centres, but the idea of having a big rescue dog like a Staffie worries me a bit, as I’m not sure how I’d train it. I know Staffies have a bit of a bad reputation, but I’ve heard lovely things about them and would really love one one day. I just wouldn’t know where to start with training one and looking after one as I’ve never had dogs before.

Would I be unreasonable to think about getting one at some point? Does anyone on here have one?

(Part of this thread is a ploy to ask for your Staffie photos Grin😍)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
27
Munchyseeds · 01/09/2018 17:57

ANY dog could do a small child serious injury....it is up to us as owners to make sure it never happens
All I can say is that we love our staffie rescue , he is a fantastic dog and as soft as you like

MissVanjie · 01/09/2018 18:01

o ello

watching this thread with interest as I am in the market for a dog and want to get a rescue and they all seem to be staffies that no one wants :( poor little things. I love their daft smily faces.

ADastardlyThing · 01/09/2018 18:03

Dog, that pic is breathtaking! What a beautiful girl!

MeyMary · 01/09/2018 18:04

@EverlastingGodstopper

Aww, what a cutie! I'm so glad she was adopted. Hope the other puppy found a home as well...

My parents used to have boxer dogs when I was a child (actually still do), a breed some people also seem to dislike / are afraid of.
Rocco ("my boxer" when I was little) was such a gentle and playful dog. But would also calm me down when I was freaking out, was anxious because of background noise etc...

So anyhow, no YANBU OP. There's a reason these dogs exist / were bread...Wink

Pissedoffdotcom · 01/09/2018 18:05

Was this show to support an Essex rescue by any chance 😁
I LOVE staffs they are my breed of choice. My last dog was an old staff left to rot in the pound after god knows how many litters. Best dogs ever imo

Madmarchpear · 01/09/2018 18:05

It's like a cult.

ADastardlyThing · 01/09/2018 18:07

I like to binge watch 'pittie' (SBT but they are always labelled pittie) youTube vids, the ones where they are service dogs to people with autism and PTSD are amazing to watch, very intelligent dogs, mind you I think a lot of breeds are intelligent but there's something special about sbts and their ability to suss things out. Imo and ime only of course.

Pissedoffdotcom · 01/09/2018 18:10

Any dog can turn. Great Danes were, i discovered recently, initially bred for some type of fighting - will have to check - yet they get none of the stick staffs do yet they're double the size.
Oh & a jrt can seriously injure a child. Seen it. It isnt pretty. As can a 'family friendly' Labrador. Wish people would stop damning dogs based on their breed

Ski37 · 01/09/2018 18:10

I used to work with someone who had a staffy, he was a brilliant dog. If he came to visit he would walk round everyone and sit quietly at their feet and not move on until they had made a fuss of him- it took some time for him to get around the whole room because as soon as you started stroking him he would roll over for a belly rub! He was so gentle with his mouth his party trick was to eat apples and leave the pips.

EverlastingGodstopper that link almost made me cry, I just don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Your girl is absolutely beautiful!

Shortandsweet20 · 01/09/2018 18:11

Truly lovely dogs! All the staffs I've ever known have been good with children, people and other dogs. Just because some people abuse the power they have doesn't mean all of the breed is bad. I've seen a lovely golden lab rip someone's lip off and cause serious damage to an adults face. No dog should be left alone with children and ALL dogs can be unpredictable because they are an animal.

Most of the problems occur when people cannot read the message that a dog is uncomfortable. Sadly they can't tell us which is when accidents happen. SBT are lovely dogs

maxthemartian · 01/09/2018 18:11

Absolute darlings. They seem to have phenomenal emotional intelligence. I was once having a panic attack on the train and there was a man with two staffies and they spotted that I was struggling and comforted me.

Sugarformyhoney · 01/09/2018 18:12

I always liked Staffies until one attacked my puppy. I know all dogs can etc but I’ve never witnessed such aggression and power in a dog. I just think if a dog turns, staffies can cause far more damage than other breeds.
I’d not leave a dog with a child anyway, but would be super wary of this breed

BanjoStarz · 01/09/2018 18:13

Staffies are the best!

I’ve owned dogs for 35 years, had all kinds of different breeds, every Staffie we’ve had has been incredibly soft and loving - even the part pit bull we rescued before the laws changed.

The Chihuahua and Jack Russells we’ve had however...they’ve taken much more training to be pleasent to be around.

Our current chihuahua gets aggressive and defensive very easily.

Allegorical · 01/09/2018 18:13

Many people don’t like them and they will judge. People will always be wary of you when you are walking them. Their reputation is what it is for a reason. Why get a dog that was originally bred for aggression and is capable of doing serious damage?

dietstartsmonday · 01/09/2018 18:13

My staff is a real softie. My cat is his best mate

To have fallen in love with Staffies?
Charm23 · 01/09/2018 18:14

No way in hell I would even consider getting a Staffie.

HairyAntoinette · 01/09/2018 18:15

Never used to like them but this one needed a home and I've since found out staffie are the hardest to re-home. So looks as though I'll have a string from here on in. :) Absolute nanny dog - when my kids are away with their dad for the weekend he spends the entire time fretting and shaking.

MeyMary · 01/09/2018 18:16

Why get a dog that was originally bred for aggression and is capable of doing serious damage?

Because many of them are in desperate need of a home?

Because they're actually great family dogs and modern staffies have a family dog appropriate temperament/character?

MrsTommyBanks · 01/09/2018 18:18

I love Staffies. I've had 2 in the past and currently have a Staffie Jack Russell cross. They have all been amazing and much loved (and much missed) dogs.
My current lass is coming to the end of her life and I will definitely rescue another Staff.

MeyMary · 01/09/2018 18:18

And anyhow, most dogs (even traditional family dogs) are capable of doing a lot of damage.

My worst dog experiences were with a Chihuahua, a mutt and what seemed to be a Dobermann...

MrsTommyBanks · 01/09/2018 18:19

Why get a dog that was originally bred for aggression and is capable of doing serious damage?
Utter tosh.

NameChangingParanoid · 01/09/2018 18:19

Loving all the pics.

I’m a committed lab lady so wouldn’t ever have one but the ones I have met have been awesome.

YANBU & rehoming centres near me are full of them so I’m sure you’d be doing a really good deed.

squeekums · 01/09/2018 18:20

Gorgeous dogs. Never met one i was scared of.
We have an american bulldog, looks tough but is a sook, much like all the staffies ive ever known, looks tough but they sooks

Any dog can be aggressive and bite, hell little overgrown rat dogs can be the worst. Like any dog train it well, let it know that humans are the pack leader and teach your kids how to act around dogs safely.

Pissedoffdotcom · 01/09/2018 18:21

Give me a staffie over a little dog any day of the week. I know which I personally prefer around my children!

To have fallen in love with Staffies?
MrsTommyBanks · 01/09/2018 18:22

The most aggressive dog I ever met was a border collie. I've never met a Staff with an once of aggression. And I've met more than I can count.