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Original poster

Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

41 replies

MissWooWoo · 24/11/2009 15:02

what are people's thoughts on having a staff (from puppy) in the house with a 6 yr old girl?

My sister has just got one, I am not a dog person at all (bitten twice in childhood) so somewhat scared anyhow. I'm afraid I (and the rest of my family) have reacted very badly and I do not wish to visit with my 2 yr old. Having spoken to my sister about this she assures me that they are "child friendly", that two of her friends with kids have them, she will train the dog, will never leave dog and child alone in same room (is this possible when they are flitting from room to room?).

I've had a look on the internet, the RSPCA says they get a bad press and that often owners of (now illegal) pit bulls re-classify them as staffs (can this be done??) - hence all the stories about kids being mauled by staffs over recent years. The RSPCA say that they are family friendly.

Are they?

What is your experience of staffs?.

I am at my daily mail attitude (very unlike me!) but I am pertrified for my lovely niece. Should I be worried? Are they good family dogs?

Please talk to me about this

OP posts:

Vallhala · 25/11/2009 01:25

Thumbs up for SBTs from me. I owned a SBT cross when my DC were babes, have fostered SBTs and deal with/meet a load in rescue. The VERY, VERY vast majority are brillant with families but the breed are being killed in huge numbers in pounds each week due to bad press.

I see no reason why a pup who is well trained, well socialised and well cared for shouldn't make a delightful pet.

ceres · 25/11/2009 07:58

fabulous dogs. ours is a joy - loves everyone, has never shown any aggression to anyone, human or canine.

like any dog they need to be well trained, unfortunately some people get them because they think having a staff makes them look 'tough'. poor dogs that end up with these sort of people.

Original poster

MissWooWoo · 25/11/2009 12:04

good points made here, thanks to everyone who took the time to share their view.

I am now feeling more rational about things, and will just see how it goes.

Any ideas on how to bring the parents round to a more accepting postion (currently ready to disown sister ?!

OP posts:

ShinyAndNew · 25/11/2009 12:12

SBT are very, very bouncy as puppies. But your two yo will be in more danger of being licked to death by the dog. SBT love people, especially children.

They are one, of ony a few breeds the KC recommend to be around children.

I had a SBT puppy (unfortunately she was involved in an accident whilst in the care of someone else while I was on holiday this summer ) She adored my children. I have a 5 and 2 yo.

I would love another one, but we have recently rehomed a Fox Terrier X. However, I'm not ruling it, if we ever get a bigger house

JaynieB · 25/11/2009 12:24

Staffies are generally thought to be very good pets and good with children. I'd agree with most of the posts here that if it is well trained and socialised that should minimise the danger of any problems.
As a dog owner myself, (not a staffy though) I am extremely careful with contact between my 2 yr old and the dog, the dog has always been exceptionally well behaved, but I would never leave them together and make sure all contact is closely supervised. Some dogs can get aggressive over food, toys etc, and if unwell or teased they can growl or snap. Personally, I would have no problem with confining the dog to another room if I had guests who were not comfortable with her being around.
On the plus side, my DD likes the dog and will often raid the cupboard where the treats are and give the dog extra biscuits. Dogs can be great fun.

gina84uk · 25/11/2009 12:28

i was sh*t scared off staffy's i would cross the other side off the road when i saw one coming.i now have a 9 week old girl staff
and i have a 3 year old son and they get on great.i did a lot off looking into this breed before i got her and my mum was the same with this breed scared and she has my pups sister what i saw and read about them i known straight away this is the dog i want and it's the way you bring them up.
my girl loves people coming in cause she loves getting fussed over,i know you are scared off dog's but my advice would be when you go and see your sister try and pet the dog that way it will be used to you going in and it will know there is nothing to fear from you and let your 2 year old pet and play with it
i had a jackrussel before and that one would eat you

Vodkaontherocks · 25/11/2009 12:35

Hi, I have a staffy, he's an old man now, but he's absolutely brilliant around children. He loves them, you can see his temperament changes immediately to be a protector, even when he's playing.

Obviously, as a responsible dog owner, you would never leave ANY breed of dog alone with a child and train your dog properly from a puppy.

I love my staffy, he is the most loyal dog, he makes me laugh and he is the most sensitive, loving dog I've ever had the privilege to own.

Marne · 25/11/2009 12:42

We have got a Staffie bitch, we got her as a pup, she's great with the kids (very gentle), the only down side is she is very hard to train and full of energy, people say Staffies don't need much exersize (they need to be walked at least once a day).

Marne · 25/11/2009 12:45

There's a picture of my Staffie on my profile page with my dd2, they are best friends.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 25/11/2009 12:49

I have always been nervous around Staffies but have read on MN over the years about how they get a lot of unfair bad press and I read this thread yesterday.

Very handy it was too as on way home school there was a staffie running loose on the pavement. Everyone was looking but no one doing anything so I decided to be brave and catch it - to be fair most other people did have children in buggies. I squeaked "sit" first but wasn't very convincing and it took no notice so had to just lunge for him. His owner luckily turned up as I was trying to juggle holding onto his collar and getting my phone out of my pocket. He won't sit apparently so it wasn't my pathetic squeak that did it. Someone watching said she'd seen him shoot round the corner from the main road where he'd nearly been hit by a car so am hugely relieved I did get him.

Had it not been for this thread I might well not have tried.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 25/11/2009 14:10

That was really nice of you Wynken. My staff is very reluctant to sit when outside because she doesnt like the feeling of the cold ground on her bum, she will sort of hover over the ground like one would over a public toilet!!
She is certainly one of a kind.
Vodkaontherocks, your post made me smile, I feel pretty much the same way about my dog.
She is so considerate, if im upset she will come and "cuddle" me by putting her 2 front paws on my shoulders.

Original poster

MissWooWoo · 25/11/2009 15:39

WOW! WBandNod .... that's bloody brave, well done you!

Must say, with all these comments and I am warming to the idea .... dp is dead set against us setting foot in sister's house ever again he's usually such a rational person and loves animals so will have to present him with some "evidence" to let him know they are ok really.

OP posts:

crispycake · 27/11/2009 13:30

I have a staff she is certainly one of a kind. She is 8 now but still acts like a puppy. She is so kind and loving. I have recently broke my leg so when i was in pain crying she would come over and cuddle me, she also follows me to the loo to make sure im ok! If you ask her for a kiss she comes over and actually plants one on your lips
I think its sad that gangs etc are using them as status dogs and fighting them its them that are giving the staff bread the bad press its unfair.
I would have 10 if i could

Totallyfloaty35 · 27/11/2009 16:26

My friend had one,it grew up with her 3dcs,it died of old age a few yrs back,whole family were distraught.She always says her staffie was much better behaved than the kids and she trusted her dog completely with her kids and they were 5,3 and 1 when she got her.

slushy06 · 27/11/2009 17:01

op I was terrified of dogs as a German shepherd bit me when I was 8 and perforated my lung if I hadn't have been right by the hospital I would have died. At 8 months pg I got out of the car to see a doberman barking and managed to scramble on to the roof of the car.

My sil has a staff and she is so gentle and loving even I got used to her and am now considering a dog after seeing how great they can be when properly trained. The staff was so gentle my 2yo ds held her lead and she walked very calmly and made sure not to pull staffs are great Although intimidating at first.

sowhatis · 28/11/2009 08:42

had staffies all my life as a child and had 2 of my own as an adult and not ONCE did they show any aggression to us kids, or when i had my own to my own children. it is all about how you bring them up.

alot of my family had concerns when i got my BM and DDB - which have proven to be unfounded.

ne sensible around the dog - dont leave your child alone with it - like you wouldnt any other dog.

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