What breed?

[redandyellowand]

Ok, quite specific. We would love another dog at some point.
Staffys are my breed of choice, cuddly, robust, solid, pig like, snorty, good with people, excellent with kids, very short fur.
I’ve had staffys in the past and the only part of their breed I have struggled with is the separation anxiety (made holidays hard when wanting to leave them for an hour or so, complaints from neighbours due to barking for the first couple of years etc when they were puppies, the refusal to sleep downstairs as they would cry for 8 hours solid all night long etc)
And I would say the biggest problem is that I’ve never known a staffy to be particularly dog friendly. I’ve always socialised them from tiny, but they’ve hit around 2 years old and always been a bit scrappy, so didn’t feel comfortable letting them off lead unless no dogs in sight. Even worried walking past other dogs when all dogs on leads. I struggled with the non dog friendly aspect the most, especially when out trying to watch 2 little ones and a dog prone to the occasional scrap.
Can a staffy ever be taught to be dog friendly?
We dog sat a cockerpoo a few weeks ago who was a dream, amazing recall, very well trained, walked/ran past numerous dogs without batting an eye lid, could be left in our house where she had never been before for a couple of hours without a peep from her when we popped to the shops.
She was lovely, easy, perfect with kids, but just didn’t float my boat breed wise, too hairy, a bit smelly having long fur, not the look I would usually go for in a dog.
What big, short haired, robust, good with kids, fantastic with other dogs and pretty obedient dogs are out there?
I should probably not focus so much on breed or looks, but staffys have won my heart and I’m struggling to imagine owning anything else, but right now, with the age of our kids I’m not sure that’s the best choice.

I have had three whippets over my life .All have been the perfect dog. Love kids don't mind other dogs and their preference is sleeping. Don't need much exercise etc . One lived to sixteen and the other was fifteen. Currently we have a four year old . Had them all from pups , through births and growing children and apart from the first puppy year when they can be bonkers all perfect dogs

We have a Hungarian vizsla puppy who would meet all the criteria you noted. They have a reputation of "velcro dog" but our breeder gets very annoyed by that and says that's the owners doing. Fantastic with our 3yo DS. Ours is wirehaired but of course you get smooth coated too.

Lots to investigate.
I like lurchers/greyhounds but it has to be a family decision and DH not keen. Maybe I should rehome the husband!
Will look up some of these breeds!

Vizsla looks good. Deffo my type of dog.
Just concerned by the potential to bark/whine and separation issues when you google the breed!
I don’t suppose there ever is a perfect dog, just like there’s not a perfect human!
All will have some pros and cons!

Ahhh I love a Boston terrier! Their bonkers but all the ones I have met are great with people and other dogs. I think they are quite close to staffs but I’m not sure about the separation anxiety side of things.

I’ve looked after multiple shi tzus (they aren’t my thing either) and they have been so easy they have been almost boring. They really are a dream with regards to toilet training, being left alone for a few hours etc if that’s what you are looking for!

I know you say your husband isn’t keen on greyhounds, neither was mine. I persuaded him and he ADORES our greyhound now. They are amazing dogs.

A Wire Fox Terrier?

Labrador.

Love the short hair on a greyhound.
I think DH just thinks they don’t look very bomb proof! I suppose we are used to solid stocky dogs and greyhounds are the total opposite of solid and stocky.
Also embarrassed to say that I’ve never actually met a greyhound in real life!
Our area is very much a spaniel, lab, golden retriever, cockerpoo type area!
I think so far Boston terriers are probably hitting the mark the most, but I know nothing about them. I’m 100% comfortable with staffys and their ways so Boston’s will be a big change.

I’m beginning to think that greyhound is fate!
Sssooo many people have told me they meet my exact requirements.
I worry about prey drive though.

My greyhound is a solid ass 40Kg!!

They are incredibly deceptive dogs.

We’ve had him 3 months and I’m pretty sure he’s mute as he doesn’t bark!

He’s gentle and biddable and frankly hilarious.

And they are very lazy.

What big, short haired, robust, good with kids, fantastic with other dogs and pretty obedient dogs are out there?

Beagles are brilliant. They fit the bill in every respect but obedience. They can certainly be trained to walk off the lead but they're scent hounds, so they will never be 100% reliable, and you will need a sense of humour about their criminal tendencies.

Many lurchers end up in rescue because they don't have any prey drive - ddog1 was handed in at 6 months when it was obvious he was being bullied by rabbits not chasing them! And of the 20 or so lurcher puppies who we've fostered, only 2 haven't been cat trainable. We have a lot of puppies come into the rescue I foster for - dumped pregnant bitches, brought in a day after whelping, dumped at a few months old. My next two arrive on Wednesday!

Loads of suggestions here but I wanted to feed back on your question: Can a staffy ever be taught to be dog friendly?

I volunteer at a dog charity and they have the most adorable staffy at the moment who is cuddly, calm, brilliant on the lead, able to be left and very dog friendly.

So it can be done

Tiny, beagles are irresistible but awful food thieves and uncatchable scarperers if they come across a scent. They are gentle with everyone but might snatch food from a toddler so not ideal with small tasty kids round.

“I suppose we are used to solid stocky dogs and greyhounds are the total opposite of solid and stocky.”

If you’ve never met one, you’re possibly thinking they’re a lot more delicate than they are... they’re a lot larger than they look in photos, some are huge in fact.

That photo is an Italian greyhound, whippet and greyhound, Italian greyhounds are staffy height (not build obviously) so yes, you can see they’re slender built, but in greyhound size they’re really not delicate...and that greyhound is IMO small as well.

Their skin is delicate, but that’s it really - they’re athletic, not fragile.

Helps if I attach it

I do really like the look of greyhounds. Will see if I can find one in real life to have a stroke of!
Might try and do some dog walking for a charity. See who we meet.

Another rescue greyhound owner here! 😊 (I'd always had golden retrievers before so was a big change!) My DH wasn't sure either and now loves them as he's besotted with ours. Our boy is a sturdy 30kg and his prey drive has greatly reduced over the 5 years we've had him. A rescue centre will often be able to tell you what their prey drive is like, as although it's common not all greys have it. I even know a few living with cats and house bunnies at home! Good luck finding the dog for you OP x

This is my boys

They’re all cute.
Didn’t realise so many people were greyhound owners! How have I never seen one in real life?!
Will look up some greyhound charities re fostering.
Just looked at my local charity re dog walking and maybe meeting some dog friendly staffys and you are not even allowed to walk them with an under 8 let alone rehome one.

Just looked at our local greyhound charity and they’ll only foster or rehome dogs with over 8’s too.
This is impossible.

Definitely not all like that. We got our greyhound from greyhound trust and just before I took him a family left with one and they had a little boy who couldn’t have been more than 2/3.