Help me add a SBT to our family...

[hopefuldogowner]

Hi all,

My DP and I have been in talks for years re adding a dog into our lives. We've decided (finally) on a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Would love to rescue but we have young children so probably not the best route. We will rescue later on in life.

On all of the puppy sites we'd like to use (kennel club, champ dogs etc) they are EXTORTIONATE, talking £1,800-£3,00! We are so set on one but also really hesitant to pay this price. Obviously on the more dodgy sites they seem more reasonable between £500-£1,200.

Understand fully the reason for choosing a reputable breeder and we definitely want to but are the ones on kennel club/ champ dogs etc marked at that price due to being bred as show dogs? We are not interested in this or rebreeding.

The cheaper sites obviously have their dodgy breeders but I've found a fair few which seem to be genuine and the puppies come with full papers, Health tested and KC registered.

My question would be if we were to buy a KC registered puppy from a site for around £1,000 with health tests inc eye tests, seen in family home with Mum and or Dad - would this seem genuine and ok to do?

I'm asking for advice regarding this. Please no advice regarding having a SBT with young children, we've thoroughly researched for years and are sure this is the breed we'd like.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice

I'm just here for photos!

Mine is a kc registered sbt but I got her through rescue.

They are great family pets, I've never been brave enough to take a puppy though! My dc were 7 and 9 when we got our first Staffy and she was amazing with them.

Goid luck!

@RoseDog Aw we only have 1 pic here so far! Thank you. We'd love to rescue later on in life for sure. Rescue centres are so strict (understandably) rehoming with young children, we have looked into it for many months! Definitely when they've left home though

She's super healthy. She once cost us £2k in investigations because she was limping. Turns out she was just attention seeking 🤣

She's not KC registered. We did see health papers for both the parents though. We spayed her promptly. I would honestly never have anything other than a staff bitch, she's the best dog I've ever had.

@OneAndDon3 Oh no! I know the feeling, we had the same with our Bichon a couple of years ago, not quite £2k though  Thanks for the info. Only right we request a pic of your girl. I think @RoseDog would agree!

Here she is on her birthday this year. Starting to slow down now she's 6.

@OneAndDon3 Oh, beautiful 😭 she looks so happy with her cake, lovely girl.

Neither of my SBTs are KC registered and both are fantastic and very healthy. Both are bitches (large age gap so they work very nicely together, close age gap isn't advisable in bitches) and I wouldn't ever have anything else.

I didn't have anything to do with the choosing of the eldest but the pup I chose. Eldest was £475 10 years ago, the pup was £1K. I did find her on Pets4Homes. I did many visits, spent hours with pups, mum and dad. The breeder asked so many questions to make sure we were the right fit and is still in contact now. You can find excellent dogs from non-registered breeders, you just have to do the research, ask the right questions, spend as much time with them as possible with them and be willing to walk away at any red flags or any bad feeling you may have.

SBTs are generally very hardy dogs with few health issues.

You won't regret getting an SBT.

@Cluckycluck Thank you for sharing your experience. Really appreciated!

Without speaking too soon, I think we've found the one!

We have found her on pets for homes but breeder seems absolutely lovely. Have been in contact for a couple of days, I have followed their family instagram, not asking for a deposit etc and is keen to meet us with the whole family and their whole family. Dog is KC registered and not available to buy until they are 12 weeks old.

We're very excited and hoping to meet the pups for the first time this evening or tomorrow evening!

Why 12 weeks? What socialisation are they doing?

Staffies are a great breed, but, they do have a higher tendency towards issues with other animals than some breeds, those extra 4 weeks could make a huge difference.

I’d want to know why they’re keeping them that long and exactly how they’re socialising them, especially as they’d have to be doing it with the full litter.

@tabulahrasa Sorry my mistake I'm not sure why I'd written 12 weeks, I meant 8!😬

That's so exciting OP, I hope it works out for you.

We will, of course, need photos !!

@EmilyBrontesGhost Eeeek! Thank you 😊 Just confirmed with owners we will be visiting tonight!

Fantastic, I bet you can't wait :)

Good luck x

Ahh how exciting!

What colour is she?

Hopefully, she is the right pup for you!

@EmilyBrontesGhost @Cluckycluck

Thank you both! We're very excited.

Colour is blue brindle with white chest and toes 🥰

We have met and reserved our new girl, Sadie 🐶 Our kids were so excited and gentle. We get to take her home the end of Sept. She's lovely! Pic of Sadie here 🥰

Aaaahhh! She's lovely! Look at that little patch on her chin.

@Cluckycluck Thank you 🥺 I know! She has a white chest too, looks like a little bib.

Oh she's such a cutie. Just remember that the land shark phase is going to pass.

@OneAndDon3 We've just got all new living room furniture so I'm dreading it 😬 haha. All will be forgiven though, she's just too cute. Mum and Dad are also absolutely gorgeous.

Oh she's gorgeous ❤️❤️

@Chesneyhawkes1 We think so too❤️

Oh she's adorable ❤

So pleased for you and your family and little Sadie too x

Please do not buy a blue puppy .. this dog will have been bred for colour and not health. Unfortunately KC reg means nothing, you are setting yourself up for heart ache. What is the pedigree behind this dog.? If you give me the names I can check it out. If it’s blue to blue then it’s unethical breeding and destroying the breed.

please take the advice and contact your local breed club. I have attached the details for UK clubs.