St Bull Terrier - what to expect, what to read!

[Frith2013]

Hello!

We've not long got back from meeting a SBT in our local rescue kennels.

What we know about him is that he was well trained in a house with children until 7 months when the dad in the house became seriously ill. He's been in kennels for several months so just over a year old.

He seemed daft as a brush - friendly, rolling on his back and is friends with the other dogs. He knew quite a few commands. He's been neutered, chipped etc and is quite small for his breed.

What should we expect? We've got the house visit on Wednesday and (until then) have bought nothing, dog-wise. I had dogs growing up but none since leaving home - 20+ years ago!

I've 2 high school aged sons and 2 cats that live outside (one old farm cat who has never been in, and one who gets shut in the living room if the temperature really drops overnight).

Can anyone tell me what I need to buy, what book I should read (I really want a well behaved dog - ours growing up had no training and were silly with visitors/ran off etc) and what to expect from a SBT?

Thank you.

It was the right thing to do, he really needed an experienced, specialist home.

I think you've done the right thing but I'm so sorry. You must be really sad and upset.

Please don't give up - you will find the right dog for you but I'd try a different rescue - dogs trust are good if you're not massively fussed about breed. As are greyhound trust

... and please don't let it put you off Staffies for good! They honestly can be THE most amazing and wonderful pets!

Its obviously been more than you felt able to cope with in your circumstances & the information you've given the rescue will hopefully lead to a more suitable home.
Perhaps look into rescue's that use foster homes as they've a clearer picture of what the dog is like in a more normal home environment, there's lots of staffie/bull breed specific rescues about, many rescues home nationally or out of there local area. They can sometimes assist with transporting the dog too, but usually preferable for adopters to visit the dog.

It is normal for a dog to be a bit unsettled by the change as we would if suddenly dropped off in a strangers home in a foreign land. Sometimes they seem fine and after a few weeks and their confidence has grown they test out the boundaries and so suddenly may act up or chew on something thats been left previously.
Sometimes its best to treat even an adult dog a bit like a new puppy til you know they are ok with where to toilet in a new place & also helps you learn what there "i want the toilet" signals are, some dogs are very subtle. Doing a bit of dog proofing if left unsupervised in an area is also a good idea as the dog won't automatically know things left within reach aren't acceptable chew toys, expecially if its needing for a bit of stress relief . I prefer taking on adult dogs preferably over 2yrs, less intensive work than a puppy and they can equally end up with issues that need working on.

My dog would probably have eaten the bongo, anything leather/hide is just too tempting for him

Yes, when you're ready to look again, I'd second Dogs Trust and maybe even, as I said upthread, get on the puppy waiting list. That's what we did and got our staffy cross at 9 weeks. Dogs Trust have subsidised puppy classes and won't let you go home without listening to a behaviourist's talk and give you tonnes of hand-outs and info and also that behaviourist is at the end of the phone for you for the rest of the dog's life. A pup might be the way to go.

You did all you could have, and at least now this dog's problems are highlighted to the rescue.

A friend of mine is 72, has small grandchildren, and hers is a lover not a fighter. Her parrot has learned to call him over to the cage and he good naturedly goes along with it.
A well socialised terrier is a great family pet, not always so great with small furry animals and cats. They tend to be chewers so as well as the black kong another user suggested look at antlers and bully sticks, and the big rawhide chews.
He will love being brushed and will probably greet everyone you meet when you walk him.