Does anyone have a staffordshire bull terrier that isn’t dog aggressive/reactive?

[Flowerpotmen87]

Absolutely love the breed. Had a cross breed boy (with springer spaniel) years ago but he was hugely reactive to other dogs and this made for a stressful existence for both us and him. This was despite socialisation as a puppy. Perfectly well trained and affectionate dog otherwise. In hindsight, he was quite a timid puppy and we stupidly followed the advice of other people and had him castrated at about 7/8 months. I’m sure the lack of testosterone then led to the escalation in his reactivity.

We’re not in a position to get a dog now, but would love to in the future. I’ve tried asking SBT breeders their opinions on the dog aggression trait, but they’re not being direct in their answers. We would get a bitch to try and reduce the chances and would do all puppy classes/socialising as good owners should.

So, from any SBT owners, any experience of dog friendly ones? We don’t need a social butterfly, just really wouldn’t want to go down the muzzle/behaviourist/isolated walks route again.

@schadenfreudepersonified my staffie that can get a bit defensive is as a result of being attacked too. Shes only ever so if the other dog runs up to her or growls at her though. Shes perfect with dogs she knows and likes and shes also good with cats. A true softie. I love staffies so much. Theyre so clever and affectionate

Interesting that a few owners have said that an early negative experience was all it took to then make for a fearful dog. I think possibly we were so conscious of socialising our dog that we went too far in the other direction, and perhaps overloaded him with interactions. For a timid natured dog (which he was) that maybe wasn’t the best approach.

I also used to find it so unbelievably stressful when walking him on lead and other owners let their ‘oh he just wants to play’ dogs come bounding up to my aggressive dog. It’s really difficult to control their interactions when dog walking etiquette is so varied.

Loving reading about all your soppy staffies. Our boy was the softest, most cuddly dog and was stuck to us like glue. We have family with quite a few different breeds and none seem to have that cuddly and soft trait quite so strong.

I know a couple who are real softies. One was a puppy rescued from Battersea and another was a work friend’s who said he would never trust his collie but would trust the staff is implicitly.

Problem you have is there are dodgy underground breeders breeding for aggression as there is a demand for staffies as guard dogs. But find the right breeder and you should get a really nice dog, (they were known as nanny dogs as they are so good with kids). I also know true staffies are actually quite small and the demand for guard dogs is what has led to them breeding oversized dogs with bad conformation.

@Flowerpotmen87

Absolutely love the breed. Had a cross breed boy (with springer spaniel) years ago but he was hugely reactive to other dogs and this made for a stressful existence for both us and him. This was despite socialisation as a puppy. Perfectly well trained and affectionate dog otherwise. In hindsight, he was quite a timid puppy and we stupidly followed the advice of other people and had him castrated at about 7/8 months. I’m sure the lack of testosterone then led to the escalation in his reactivity.

We’re not in a position to get a dog now, but would love to in the future. I’ve tried asking SBT breeders their opinions on the dog aggression trait, but they’re not being direct in their answers. We would get a bitch to try and reduce the chances and would do all puppy classes/socialising as good owners should.

So, from any SBT owners, any experience of dog friendly ones? We don’t need a social butterfly, just really wouldn’t want to go down the muzzle/behaviourist/isolated walks route again.

I have a female staffy, but If they don't get the exercise, they can be very very hyper, I know that's with all dogs). Ours isn't great off the lead so she stays on, and is hit and miss with other dogs. We adopted her from a previous family so we don't know her history before that.

@Flowerpotmen87

Absolutely love the breed. Had a cross breed boy (with springer spaniel) years ago but he was hugely reactive to other dogs and this made for a stressful existence for both us and him. This was despite socialisation as a puppy. Perfectly well trained and affectionate dog otherwise. In hindsight, he was quite a timid puppy and we stupidly followed the advice of other people and had him castrated at about 7/8 months. I’m sure the lack of testosterone then led to the escalation in his reactivity.

We’re not in a position to get a dog now, but would love to in the future. I’ve tried asking SBT breeders their opinions on the dog aggression trait, but they’re not being direct in their answers. We would get a bitch to try and reduce the chances and would do all puppy classes/socialising as good owners should.

So, from any SBT owners, any experience of dog friendly ones? We don’t need a social butterfly, just really wouldn’t want to go down the muzzle/behaviourist/isolated walks route again.

Just to add though that we love her very much and is great with people, she just jumps and licks new people alotttttttt.

A friend's three staffs, big ones, if there's a technical term, are wonderful dogs. They're not reactive as such but she doesn't off lead them in parks with kids around for example because they are so strong and can take a kid down in excitement in a nanosecond.

I have always had rescue staffies, yes some
have come with issues that we have overcome. Having lost two in the last two years I have one girl left( have other dogs not staffy) she is possibly perfect, very sociable with dogs and ppl, has been a foster pal to many dogs.
I don’t agree with the genetic idea as the dogs that come from breeders have not been bred for purpose for a long long time, if that was the case other breeds bred for aggression/hunting etc would have issues, are shar peis hunting livestock??
I wouldn’t go to a breeder, I have always rescued, there are some fantastic bull breed rescues, nearly all foster based; that is a much better way of getting to know a dog and it’s needs than a kennelled dog.

Loving reading about all your soppy staffies. Our boy was the softest, most cuddly dog and was stuck to us like glue. We have family with quite a few different breeds and none seem to have that cuddly and soft trait quite so strong.

A staffie is just a heart with fur and a sloppy tongue. The most affectionate dogs we've ever known - they have to be touching you - sitting on your foot, leaning against your leg - anything, just to have contact.

They are very "talkative" too, and have a huge vocal range of grumbles (which non-staffie people ofen think is growling), chirps, a sort of yodelling, a definite purr, a sort of clucking noise (a visiting workman once thought we had chickens), and a lot of other sounds in between.

I would add one warning, though - their f*rts are weapons-grade. Just sayin'

My friend used to have 3 Staffies and they grew up with other dogs, cats and rabbits (they were all free to roam) and they were never aggressive.
Read so many bad things about staffies these days.

The staffi's I have meet have all been friendly funny bundles of energy. I met them through dog sports so maybe only there as they they were dog friendly hence being happy to mingle (my new word thanks bj!) with other dogs.

I am surprised to hear that this thread thinks most are dog aggressive. The collies and jack russells they were with seemed much worse

Go to a rescue, you'll know the dog's personality then.

Our neighbours staff is an adorable, happy, tail waggy bundle of adorableness. She loves everyone, dog cat or human.

Another dog I know doesn't have the happy waggy look, but enjoys the company of other dogs anyway.

This is all sounding so much more positive. Thanks everyone.

We would feel much happier getting a rescue dog but we have children (the reason why we want to wait a couple of years until they’re bigger and can handle a boisterously affectionate and playful dog), but most rescues we’ve looked into won’t rehome to houses with children under 14.

If anyone knows any rescues where this isn’t the case it would be great. I can see why they don’t (litigation, increased risk of failed adoptions or future rehoming etc) but it is such a shame.

@Flowerpotmen87
As I mentioned above there are many excellent foster based rescues who don’t have rigid rules and each dog is rehomed based on the knowledge built up
in foster home.

I’m shocked by this thread I have know countless Sbt some rescued from awful situations some that where discarded by young boys in gangs and they’ve always been very friendly the only ball breed I know that is dog aggressive is a illegal pit bull but it’s had a shit life maybe look at rescue there are countless staffs in rescues I’ve looked through rescues that are not breed specific but only have Sbts in them sometimes even puppy’s atleast that way you’d know if it was dog aggressive and I’ve never met one that couldn’t go off lead.

DD and SiL have a young SBT who they've had from a pup. She is regularly off-lead around other dogs, and is walked in a pack on and off lead by a dog walker. She is totally non-aggressive with other dogs - in fact all she wants to do is play with them and be their friend!

Sorry to hijack the thread but as being as it's a staff thread...i've got a quick question about staffies if you dont mind...

I had a staff cross as a teenager (we got her from the dogs home as a tiny pup so dont know for sure what she was crossed with) and she was the most wonderful dog ever!

When we used to walk through the front door after school she would show her teeth and then sneeze and was very excited to see us. All I've ever heard is that when a dog shows its teeth it's a warning to fuck off but I genuinely think it's because she was happy 😂 she would be so so so excited that she could barely walk over to us and everytime she showed her teeth she would sneeze. I never, ever found this aggressive it's almost as though she could smile.

So my question is....has anyone else experienced this? Was she telling us to go straight back out the door or does this sound like she was over the top happy?

It's so nice to see people speaking so highly of staffs as they are amazing and I luffs them 😍

I did, to this day that dog was the best dog I ever had. Highly recommend.

@GotOutOfBedOnTheWrongSide

Sorry to hijack the thread but as being as it's a staff thread...i've got a quick question about staffies if you dont mind...

I had a staff cross as a teenager (we got her from the dogs home as a tiny pup so dont know for sure what she was crossed with) and she was the most wonderful dog ever!

When we used to walk through the front door after school she would show her teeth and then sneeze and was very excited to see us. All I've ever heard is that when a dog shows its teeth it's a warning to fuck off but I genuinely think it's because she was happy 😂 she would be so so so excited that she could barely walk over to us and everytime she showed her teeth she would sneeze. I never, ever found this aggressive it's almost as though she could smile.

So my question is....has anyone else experienced this? Was she telling us to go straight back out the door or does this sound like she was over the top happy?

It's so nice to see people speaking so highly of staffs as they are amazing and I luffs them 😍

Dalmatians definitely smile like that - staffies it’s usually more of a big goofy grin...

But if she looked happy, I’d assume that’s what it was tbh.

I have one. She’s great with other dogs but more often wants to bypass the dog and get to their owner for a pat on the head

@GotOutOfBedOnTheWrongSide
My dog also grins and sneezes! This is normally when she hears the alarm go off for her dinner. I think it’s excitement as she then goes into a routine of circling and hopping in excitement.

@tabulahrasa @MellowMelly

I'm glad she wasnt the only one. I loved it and it made me giggle every time she did it but when I've told other people about it they give me a weird look 😂

Yes. My niece has had two, but both times she's had another dog at the same time. My neighbour has a bitch that he walks off lead most of the time. Shes an absolute weetheart and ignores other dogs and even cats.

My boy isn't dog aggressive. We let him off lead in the fields/dog parks as soon as he was able to go out. He is also intact.

He has lived with a lurcher and my other staffy with no problems. Early socialisation is definitely the key. On walks he ignores other dogs, unless they initiate play and is happy to run around with them. He's more interested in gaining attention from people .

The breed is definitely not for the novice owner (I know your not). We set firm boundaries with him from the start and put in a lot of command training from the day we got him; move, down, sit, wait etc.

I love staffs

When we used to walk through the front door after school she would show her teeth and then sneeze and was very excited to see us. All I've ever heard is that when a dog shows its teeth it's a warning to fuck off but I genuinely think it's because she was happy 😂 she would be so so so excited that she could barely walk over to us and everytime she showed her teeth she would sneeze. I never, ever found this aggressive it's almost as though she could smile.

You said it's almost like she was smiling. You are wrong.

It is exactly like she is smiling . Many dogs do this (and our staffies did too). It tends just to be the very front teeth they show, just pulling their lips up, as opposed to a snarl - though non-doggy people can confuse them (in the same way that an affectionate "grumble" can be confused with a "growl" if you don't know the dog.)

Staffies also give a very wide "grin", too when they are happy - you'll know it when you see it!

One thing I should mention because it canals be confused with an aggressive action, and it isn't (though it can be painful). Some dogs - especially "mouthy" breeds like staffies and spaniels which like to hold something in their jaws - will often take hold of your arm and squeeze it firmly - it's not biting, it's a doggy "hug", but I have had small bruises on occasion from it, so I always discourage it. (One of my present spaniels is a bugger for doing it "I love you SO much, mammy.", but she has a very soft mouth so isn't a problem, but we still stop her on principle>)

Handsome dog Lucky

Your pup's very sweet, too.

I have always found intact dogs less of a problem than neutered ones (despite common perception being the other way round). They have more confidence in themselves, I think, know where they are with others of the same sex and can reach a state of mutual respect. I honestly think that all of the neutered dogs about can cause confusion for others (I speak as the owner of two spayed bitches and an entire dog).

I've had both neutered and entire animals of both sexes, and this has been my personal experience. (However, I have also had a bitch with pyometra, and it was dreadful, and I'm not risking it again)

@SchadenfreudePersonified

Handsome dog Lucky

Your pup's very sweet, too.

I have always found intact dogs less of a problem than neutered ones (despite common perception being the other way round). They have more confidence in themselves, I think, know where they are with others of the same sex and can reach a state of mutual respect. I honestly think that all of the neutered dogs about can cause confusion for others (I speak as the owner of two spayed bitches and an entire dog).

I've had both neutered and entire animals of both sexes, and this has been my personal experience. (However, I have also had a bitch with pyometra, and it was dreadful, and I'm not risking it again)

Yeah I find this also regarding neutering. Bitches are always speyed tho