Staffie bulldog cross?

[Schleckie]

My friend is a vet and had some puppies left at her practice. They've been checked and vaccinated etc, although obviously she doesn't know anything about their history. We're on the waiting list for a miniature poodle but she's asked if I want to re-home one of the pups before they go to the rescue. She thinks they're probably an English bulldog/staffie mix, with maybe some American bulldog. I'm torn really because I'd rather rescue a dog in need than be snooty about a particular breed, but I'm also not sure whether this would be a suitable dog to live with children (primary age) and a kitten.

From what I've read online bulldogs need firm training with a focus on socialisation with other dogs but then can make good family pets. I took in a staffie before from a friend who went traveling and she was an absolute dream but I didn't have DC or a cat then. Any thoughts?

Personally I wouldn’t although lots of people will probably jump on me for this.

A lot of temperament and final personality is genetic and this has been proven so many times, no matter how it’s raised like some people like to say that’s wrong. I like to see how the parents behave and interact with strangers and the puppies, check for any signs of nervousness or aggression. I wouldn’t consider bringing any dog into my home without having a pretty good idea how it till turn out when there’s children involved.
I have rescued in the past but with adult dogs that I can already assess.

Obviously they won’t be health tested either, that wouldn’t bother me too much although it’s also a consideration as bulldogs in particular have a lot of issues, just because it’s crossed does not mean it will avoid them.

Also there’s a huge huge difference between a poodle and an American bull, I suppose there was a reason you wanted a poodle over a bull breed and that still stands?

Thanks @Leonberger I'm definitely wary of not being able to see what the parents are like. I've had plenty of rescue cats where it's impossible to know where they've come from but it's completely different with dogs.

We settled on poodle because I'm home all day and really wanted an intelligent breed who'll be up for some training and lots of attention. They also tend to be good with other animals if socialised properly and I definitely wanted to avoid a breed with a high prey drive.

We're going to meet the puppy later today so that might make the decision easy for me if it's clearly not suitable.

I rescued a staffie x 10yrs ago. He's the softest, most gentle dog ever. He's suffered being climbed on by my toddler nieces, dressed up as batman by my tween DSs, has hidden behind me quaking in fear so I could 'save' him from a swan, ignores food that's not given to him (apart from a whole chocolate birthday cake which he snaffled in the time it took me to open the front door), follows me everywhere, has his nose in everything. He's almost 14 now and is coming to the end. I will miss him, he is my first dog and is irreplaceable.

If a Poodle is the breed you decided would best meet your needs then no, clearly this is not for you! So very different.

Let someone else take on this genetic lottery.

Oh and:

We're going to meet the puppy later today so that might make the decision easy for me if it's clearly not suitable.

Really bad idea LOL. All puppies are cute. You'd be better going to meet some adults of this type and see whether they appealed. Never go near puppies if you aren't already sure you want one for the right reasons.

DM has a staff x American bulldog who is around 4 years old now. He's utterly lovely but enormous and very headstrong so has needed lots of training, also very high energy, he's just about hitting that calm-down age as they come out of 'adolescence', it's been a looong teenage phase! I love both breeds (have staffs myself) but American bullies in particular can be hard work, very worth it in the end but you'd need patience and stamina to get there. Hope that helps a little OP, good luck with finding the right dog for you.

I would adopt one.
Bulldog/Staffy cross would be quite compact dog as an adult albeit stocky,they both have great personalities although I would probably worry about health problems from the Bulldog side.
If there is a mixture of American Bulldog the dog might end up a bit larger and pretty powerful although they also have great character if properly trained.
I have my Saffy x rescue for 11 years and I would not dream of a better dog.I had different breeds in the past but this one is absolutely best.Loving,gentle with children,still quite playful, crazily friendly with everyone.Very chilled.Never had health problems apart from developing a couple of skin tags later in life.

If you're looking to avoid high prey drive and want a sociable dog then I'd avoid bully breeds.

They're great with people usually but hit and miss with other dogs/animals. Of course there's exceptions but it's a big gamble to take on a headstrong stocky breed that could easily pull you over if excited.

Thanks everyone, lots to think about here and I won't be making any hasty decisions! Agree @Whitney168 that seeing the puppy might be a bad idea but my partner is much more ruthless than me so should keep me grounded!

I’d have one...

I’d be a wee bit worried about health with English bulldog as they’re a nightmare, but, most of that is down to their exaggerated shape so crossing with other breeds does usually fix that. (Not always, so that’s what I’d be looking at)

Do you have a spare 10k in savings for any health problems that arise?

You have no idea how healthy the parents are, if they had genetic conditions. You’d be absolutely mad to consider this. This mix of dog has breeds that all have significant health issues, especially if not bred well.

Wait for your poodle who you actually know the health background.

Do you have a spare 10k in savings for any health problems that arise?

If OP gets insurance (which presumably she would), why would she need 10k in savings?

OP - I think you'd be better off waiting. I actually have nothing against those breeds but they are big and strong and I would worry about a big, strong dog like that around a small child and a kitten. My concern wouldn't be aggression or a poor temperament, but more just the dog not knowing it's own strength

Well because for up to £4K a year insurance for a 4 year old dog of this type is £120 a month. And £4K is pennies in a breed like this and op will max out her insurance very, very quickly. To cover up to £12k it’s £170 PER MONTH for insurance alone.

It’s cheaper when they’re a pup of course, but it very quickly adds up, especially for a dog that op has absolutely no idea of their background.

@Ostryga

Well because for up to £4K a year insurance for a 4 year old dog of this type is £120 a month. And £4K is pennies in a breed like this and op will max out her insurance very, very quickly. To cover up to £12k it’s £170 PER MONTH for insurance alone.

It’s cheaper when they’re a pup of course, but it very quickly adds up, especially for a dog that op has absolutely no idea of their background.

Yes, but she still doesn't need that amount in savings from day one.

Insurance costs money - that's part of having a pet and what you need to budget from day one, but it doesn't mean you need 10's of thousands sat in the bank when you bring the puppy home.

If you plan on travelling on holiday, please be aware of the problems that can be faced if you have a dog labelled as a Staffie X or American Bulldog X.

It's probably a lovely dog, but the problems are likely to be with the non-Staffie elements of the mix. I'm pro Staffie biased, they have lovely temperaments - but if there's a belligerent breed in the mix you're not sure what combination of physical and temperament traits you'll end up with.

I'm a huge fan of bull breed crosses, except for the English Bulldog genes (due to selective breeding for £££).
These are great dogs with kids and they are as clever and biddable as any poodle.

@sunflowersandbuttercups how do you know that? Plenty of poorly bred pups get sick very, very quickly and there is a breather period before you are covered with insurance.

It isn’t about how cute they are, or how much someone likes the breed. A poorly bred, abandoned puppy that hasn’t had the proper interaction with its mother, and who hasn’t got any health history is not a good dog.

People will obviously choose cute over practicalities, but that is stupidity.

[quote Ostryga]@sunflowersandbuttercups how do you know that? Plenty of poorly bred pups get sick very, very quickly and there is a breather period before you are covered with insurance.

It isn’t about how cute they are, or how much someone likes the breed. A poorly bred, abandoned puppy that hasn’t had the proper interaction with its mother, and who hasn’t got any health history is not a good dog.

People will obviously choose cute over practicalities, but that is stupidity.[/quote]
If the vet has checked them over and declared them to be healthy, I'm sure OP doesn't need to worry about them falling deathly sick within the first two weeks of them coming home!

I wouldn't advise she gets one but that's due to the size and strength of the breeds involved, not any potential health issues.

Ive had both breeds and would most definitely go for it! Both breeds are very loyal and easily trained. Both great with kids as well.

Also the amount of rubbish written on this thread about both breeds is actually astounding!

@wewillmeetagain

Also the amount of rubbish written on this thread about both breeds is actually astounding!

Nothing on this thread is against the breed. It is against puppies from breeds that can have horrific genetic conditions, which cause pain and suffering to the puppies. And the puppies have no health background.

Please need to start thinking with their brain, rather than liking dogs because of a breed.

@sunflowersandbuttercups a vet check? You know that means a vet checks their temp/muscle tone/eyes/gums right? It doesn’t actually do A SINGLE THING to find any congenital defects or inherited diseases.

Please don’t get a puppy, I feel like you would be spending thousands to keep puppy farms which mutilate and injure dogs for cash running. Seriously.

@sunflowersandbuttercups a vet check? You know that means a vet checks their temp/muscle tone/eyes/gums right? It doesn’t actually do A SINGLE THING to find any congenital defects or inherited diseases.

Do you realise how patronising you sound? I am well aware of that but those issues will be covered by insurance - just like they're covered in rescue animals where people have no idea of the background.

Please don’t get a puppy, I feel like you would be spending thousands to keep puppy farms which mutilate and injure dogs for cash running. Seriously.

Sorry to disappoint you but I already have a dog. From, gasp, a breeder. My puppies parents had all the relevant health tests for the breed, excellent hip and elbow scores, no history of congenital illnesses and I'm still in touch with the breeder and all the owners speak regularly about the puppies.

Seriously, get off your high horse and don't patronise people. I'm not the idiot do you seem to be trying to make out I am.

a vet check? You know that means a vet checks their temp/muscle tone/eyes/gums right? It doesn’t actually do A SINGLE THING to find any congenital defects or inherited diseases.

Do you realise how patronising you sound? I am well aware of that but those issues will be covered by insurance - just like they're covered in rescue animals where people have no idea of the background.

Please don’t get a puppy, I feel like you would be spending thousands to keep puppy farms which mutilate and injure dogs for cash running. Seriously.

Sorry to disappoint you but I already have a dog. From, gasp, a breeder. My puppies parents had all the relevant health tests for the breed, excellent hip and elbow scores, no history of congenital illnesses and I'm still in touch with the breeder and all the owners speak regularly about the puppies.

Seriously, get off your high horse and don't patronise people. I'm not the idiot do you seem to be trying to make out I

We had a poodle in the family who was an absolute nobhead tbh 😂 Extremely clever (to be point of too bright - wouldn't listen to a word). Escapee to the highest degree scaling fences/burying under/chewed through chicken wire. Highly strung, very vocal, didnt like cats, headbutted a goat 😳 (don't ask!). So you don't always end up with what you think you'll get.

Wandavision I wonder how much training and stimulation the poodle in your family got to behave in that kind of a way. I suspect not enough.

OP there's a huge difference between the poodle you've set your heart on and a staff x bull breed. I'd steer clear of this puppy personally. That said, I've lived with many poodles and know what fantastic dogs they can be with the correct training and stimulation.