We're looking for a little dog that acts like a big dog.

[UterusUterusGhali]

DH & I have always had big dogs. (Him boxers, me GSD X, lurcher etc).

We have decided we are ready for, and would dearly love another dog, but if we are realistic we don't have the space for a big 'un in our house/car/garden.

So what breeds should I look out for? (I much prefer mongrels. )
We can't stand yappy, nervous, bolshy dogs. Are all terriers like this?

I agree totally. Staffys just want to be your best friend and please. Unfortunately, if the owner wants them to be aggressive, they'll do their best to please them .

My Staffy simply wants a belly rub and food. That's it. A chase around the garden with his beloved kong wubba is welcomed. Other than that....he's just pleased to have us around.

Some very insightful posts re staffys.

I think we're on our way to getting her.
I do think I'd like something smaller, but the rest of the family have fallen for her.
She looked a bit sad when we went the other day. (we have been walking her about the shelter almost daily)

We just have to convince the blue cross our garden is secure.
We have cancelled our holiday.

Whenever I mention it to collegues though they pull a face. I can't believe they bite more people than, say, JRTs though. It's just the meeja pounce on it when they do.

I get "the face" from colleagues all the time. A friend said to me, when I told her I was pg with DS1, "oh, shame about the dog then, whos going to have her?" Told her the dog wasnt going anywhere, why would she and she said some shit about those dogs always attacking babies etc etc blah blah. We dont tlak anymore because of her ridiculous view, she isnt scared of dogs in the slightest, but woudl never come to visit me because she didnt like the way SBTs look at you . Even me ofering to shut the dog in the kitchen when she visits wasnt enough.

The media are arseholes about them, they print "Staffordshire Bull Terrier-Type dog" hmmm, well is it a staffie or not you dicks, oh and dont forget the obligatory pic of a snarling pitbull

It's not that they bite more people than JRTs, having met many JRTs I can assure you I'd feel much safer leaving my children with an unkown staffy than I would a JRT, that's not to say they aren't both lovely dogs when they are treat right, they are, it's just that a JRT is more independant and pleases itself more often, staffys are big people pleasers and want nothing more than to be loved.

The reason more bites are reported is that there are quite simply more of them than of any other breed. They are over bred and unfortunately their muscular frame makes them the prime choice for eejits to own, meaning there are more of them that are badly treat and badly trained or worse trained to be aggressive.

And as the above poster pointed out, they've been the focus of a pretty nasty media campaign against them. Most of which is completely unwarrented, they make excellent family pets and have a natural affinity with children.

Even though there are more of them than any other breed it's still a rare occurance to read about a staffy attacking. It's unusual. That's why when it does happen, it makes the news. So many more staffies live happily with their family's year in year out. But that's not news, so goes unreported.

Really interesting!

Spoon, are they the most popular dog in uk then? Or most common?
I was thinking about this earlier, and I couldn't think what would be the most ubiquitous. Maybe labs or cockers? That could be in these parts though.

DOoin, not spoon.
Do you get that a lot with autocorrect?

Ha. I turned autocorrect off the day I sent DH a text asking him to 'free the diggers pls" and my dogs went without supper because he assumed I was just sending him 'in jokes' meant for my sister.

They are, sadly, not the most popular. Probably the opposite, as far as the right families are concerned. I think the lab is the most popular family dog. The staffy is most popular with the hoodies and people wanting 'status' dogs. Once they realise that the 'savage' dog they bought is actually a 4st lap dog they dump it. This doesn't stop 'breeders' cashing in knowing that a numpty will be along soon willing to part with £200 for a 'chunky' staffy pup.

Staffies are the most over bred and it's never by reputable breeders. Always BYBs and numpties out to make a few quid.

They are put to sleep en masse in shelters all around the country because people keep breeding them and due to the medias hate campaign against them and people's misconceptions of them, there are not enough families willing to take them on. Which is a massive shame as they're ultimate family dog and they can smile. Who can turn their nose up at a smiling dog?

ahh but how about an upside down smiling dog? Dooin

We regularly see SBT's being walloped round my way with metal chains for really dumb stuff like wagging their tail at our dog from a few yards away. With owners around like that, I'm constantly suprised there aren't more serious biting incidents tbh. Many SBT's don't have happy lives

The few I've come across on my travels that do have owners with a higher IQ than an ameoba have all been lovely, lovely dogs with huge grins and soft as butter temperments.

That site is hilarious, hairy!

We were going to have the final meeting and formal adoption of "our" staffy today, but the bouncy wee bugger has hurt herself, so needs to see the vet etc.

So so disappointed.
Tears from the dc etc, but I just hope she's ok.
Really excited about her now.

JRT - ours isn't yappy or in your face, just an adorable energetic yet calm little gentleman.

I'm considering getting a metal chain lead for ours -he sat quietly and beautifully while I talked to someone. I looked down to see his lead half-severed [Hmm]

Hehehe.

Soba, really? Ime they are few and far between. You must be a lovely doggie mummy.

A chihuahua is the one to go for! The tiniest dog with the biggest personality!
We have one and adore it, very smart, very trainable, lovable and do not smell nor bark!

I think you should just buy a ridgeback. They curl into the smallest spaces and don't take up any floor space because they are always sitting on your lap. Problem solved

Arf.

Update; we have our staffy!
She has a but of a bad paw but I think the Blue Cross wanted her out and on our sofa in a home, so she's here!
So exciting!
And she is a lap dog! Very much so, in fact.

She keeps trying to eat our rabbit and cats, but I'm sure we can iron that out over the next 15 years. Hopefully.

It's like she's always been here!

So pleased for you! Pictures?

Ha! I knew once you had your eye on a staff you would be hooked! The ultimate big dog in a little body. Now we just need some pics.....

Yay for the staffy.

Now all you have to do is send her to me and everyone will be happy

We worked out the dog v cat thinkgy quite sucessfully, in the end.

In fact dog is currently by feet and cat is by my keyboard and no one is growling or hissing.

I'm not sure how to put pics on; theyre all on my phone.

She's wuvely. We're so lucky.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!