Staffy

[FawkesThePhoenix]

Me and DP have wanted a dog for ages and will finally be in a position to do this in a few months. Weve been round in circles about which breed we would like and would suit us and we always end up back on staffys.

I had a staff cross as a teenager and she was amazing and I really miss her. She and the rest of her litter were in the dogs home and I remember begging my mom to get her (last pup left) and we never ever regretted it.

We would like to have a pup and I've been trawling through champ dogs looking for a suitable breeder. I would like to start sending some emails to breeders but haven't a clue what to ask. The most important things for us is health and temperament. We dont plan on 'showing' the dog and will never be interested in breeding her (we'd prefer a bitch).

Does anyone have any advice on what I should be asking any potential breeders?

I've had a quick look through pet for homes and I'm shocked at the amount of blue staffs listed. This used to be quite a rare colour when I was young but nearly every advert is a blue staff. I really dont like that site and am quite suspicious of almost every advert.

My wonderful staff was pts last month, he was almost 14. I rescued him when he was 3 - have you considered a rescue?

Blue staffies are considered fashionable so there have been plenty of backyard breeders breeding solely for colour.

Would you consider a rescue at the younger end of the spectrum? Plenty of them do come in and they're often harder to re-home because of the ridiculous prejudices some people have about them.

Thanks for responding. Weve been round in circles about adopting a dog from a rescue but have settled on getting a pup. We also have a young child (age 4) will probably be nearly 5 by the time weve researched, found a bredder etc...

A relative has horrible things to say about staffys and when they heard that we were considering one said that they're dangerous and would bite our child. They themselves have an over bred popular breed with major behavioural problems so they're not the best person to take dog advice from!

Breeder

Did you tell your relative that staffies are also known as nanny dogs because they're so good with children?!

I would avoid pets for homes like the plague. Could you join some staff groups online and ask there for reputable breeder recommendations.

I had a staff and she was one of the sweetest most loving dogs I've owned.

It upsets me how misunderstood they are. I think they're such lovely dogs and if they're treated well they will be loving and loyal forever.

My old girl used to have a weird smile...she had the normal staffy smile but when she was happy she would show her teeth (I promise this wasnt at all aggressive), the teeth showing would make her sneeze and whilst all the was going on she would wiggle her bum so madly then the couldn't walk...oh I really do miss her. She also got 'embarrassed' and would take herself off to her bed if anyone said that her fart smelt. If it was a loud fart she would shoot up and run off as if it had scared her. She also had an 'attitude', if I dared to tell her off, she would refuse to look at me for a good hour.

There are some brilliant breeders on champ dogs but I'm worried that they wont even bother to read my email as I assume that they've had non stop emails since the start of the puppy buying craze of the past year.

Its nice to see that people still appreciate this lovely breed!

Stafford owner here. I would recommend contacting your local breed club in the first instance. Take a look on champdogs for those listed. Avoid blue pups- many are mixed with other bull breeds and are not rare- far from it. Higher number of blue Staffords are registered than any other colours. Originally the colour was recessive and although it’s not a non-KC colour it’s linked to more health issues (skin and eye issues usually). Other signs for mixed dogs include large litters (more than 5/6 is high for a Stafford) and the general size of the dogs. If you contact a decent breeder don’t say Staffy- it’s a Stafford or an SBT.
Usual puppy rules apply- you want low co-efficient (sign of no inbreeding -see comment above on blue pups). Be prepared to wait for a decent breeder. Eye tests and DNA check for l2- HGA which is a horrible condition which causes fits. Decent breeders will talk about this. Prices have gone up since we got our boy early last year, but a decent breeder will want you to be right and won’t charge silly money. Good luck.

A friend of mine has one and I'm absolutely obsessed with this wee girl. She's the sweetest, most affectionate little thing ever. When I'm in a position to get one I'm 100% having a staffie. Absolute dreams.

Love this clip from Tiktok..

vm.tiktok.com/ZMev6dtoe/

My SIL had a Staffy bitch who was great with her two very small kids (she had the dog before the kids came a long). The Staffy was very protective of them, but my SIL never ever left the kids alone with the dog just in case.

I think (and I totally admit it may irrational on my part) the many incidents in the press of Staffies being aggressive towards kids would put me off getting one, but SIL and BIL adored their Staffy. So I am not basing this on any real life experience.

But if Staffies are as soft and amazing as people say, why do so many end up in rescues?

Wow thank you @PinkJammie that's really useful. I had my suspicions about all of the blue staffs listed on the internet. When I was young you didnt really see many of them but now they're everywhere. I've also noticed that a lot of the 'staffs' around are actually quite a lot bigger than a pure bred staff. I didnt realise that people dont like the name 'staffy' thanks for letting me know.

That's tik tok video is hilarious.

Love a chunky chops staffy, my dog is a greyhound x staffy and has many of their lovely characteristics

The breed clubs they used to be listed on KC site for different regions but I can't find, it does list the breed health tests
eastmidlandssbtclub.co.uk/buying-a-puppy-guide/

We've had two staff's (I don't really care if others find that name offensive). Both very different in temp erant, but both very calm and loving dogs. One was great around children, one was terrified of then, and would crawl on her belly to get away from them.

But that's the risk you take when you get a rescue. You don't always know their backstory, and they cannot tell you.

Id have another staff in the blink of an eye.

As for "i wouldn't leave that dog with a child", I wouldn't leave anyone alone with my dog, let alone a child. Until they have shown they can control the dog in the methods we use (positive reinforcements), they cannot, under any circumstances be left with our dog.

We currently have a Jack Russell, she's eleven months old, and a right handful.

I would have trusted both my staff's with children, rather than her.

Although I love current dog to bits, and she will get there, she's a work in progress. Patience and continued training is the key.

Definitely what Pink said. Go through the breed club. Avoid pets for homes and similar sites like the plague.
Good luck OP. Love a staffie smile!

Go through the breed clubs. Contact the secretaries, listed on the Kennel Club website. They’ll know which members may be planning litters. If you contact one you often get passed along to others once you’re on the grapevine. Members, especially exhibitor ones, all know each other well & their breedlines & plans.
Having past experience of the breed, which you have, always goes down well with breeders. Just ask what you really want to know. You’ll be interagated anyway
They’re a lovely breed, much maligned by people who don’t know any better. Just watch which ring at any terrier show has the most children & baby prams round!

I think blues can be prone to alopecia & possibly thought to be linked to other health issues so weren't popular in showing lines, but then took off in pet market . It's happened in many breeds as pet buyers like a pretty coat colour and aren't bothered if non show standard, potentially for good reason like merle's effecting health.

I am also wishing for a staff but not until we move. I love them so much I've been fussing one today.
I know they have an image but it's rubbish. I'm a social worker I meet staffies every week and none of them have ever been an issue.

Definitely not interested in a blue staff. Just so many around and it makes me very suspicious!

Thanks for the advice I will contact a few clubs and see if I can get going with finding a breeder. I've always thought champ dogs was very trustworthy when looking for a breeder but having looked a the current litters listed, they're all blue and one is £3000 per pup! I prefer breeders that do show their dogs as I think it's an indication of their commitment to their dogs. Just need to find one that taking a liking me and my family

@OldTinHat

Did you tell your relative that staffies are also known as nanny dogs because they're so good with children?!

That was made up about staffies in the 1970s. In any case, no dog is a nanny dog.

Like Jack Russells, they are prone to dog aggression, so that is something to bear in mind.

Even if the nanny dog thing isnt true, they are still wonderful around children but I obviously would never leave dog and child alone together no matter what the breed.

I'm aware of the dog aggression and will try my best to ensure it doesnt occur but I know I'll never be able to guarantee that. If it turns out that our dog is dog aggressive then we will take measures to ensure that they and other dogs are safe. My old dog wasnt dog aggressive but hated squirrels and cats so we had to ensure she wasnt let off the lead.

Good choice op I’ve known many over the years and they’ve all been lovely a lot where rescues from some harsh backgrounds and still beautiful family dogs. Sorry can’t help with breeders though

www.bluecross.org.uk/story/do-staffordshire-bull-terriers-make-good-family-pets

No pet should be left unsupervised with children, not a hamster, rabbit, dog or cat.

Does anyone know the names of any staffy clubs?

I didn't think it would be so hard to find a decent breeder. I've had a look on champ dogs and the breeders that I've liked the look of haven't responded to my emails so I'm assuming they dont like what I've written.

I've had a Google of SBT clubs but a load of unhelpful pages come up.

The other breeders seem to be breeding absolutely massive blue staffs with a guide price between £2000-£3000!

Appears to be parent breed club, other cover various areas.
thesbtc.co.uk/

This post from them handily has the FB links to the other 16 SBT groups
www.facebook.com/groups/462557977227620/permalink/2025005117649557/