My sister loves her bull breeds, and would love to rescue a a staffie! She works for a dance company, but can be home a lot, and a well behaved dog is more than welcome in her office! She's been looking on all the rescue sites, etc, and has fallen in love with a few. She's obviously read up, but there is nothing like first hand info on them! So if there are any pearls of wisdom anyone could impart she'd be grateful!
All the staffie's I've met have been well trained, well mannered and real home bodies! Not to mention good with children and excellent off lead.
Hi they are all of the above but need heavy socialisation to achieve, they can be so happy to see you that they literally bowl you over so need training from tiny to stop that as they are big and heavy in the blink of an eye They love their family and want to be where you are, they really are a pleasure to own but you'll still see me on here getting guidance as each dog is unique, I had a staffy before these 2 and wouldn't be without one now, but all 3 have/had different good and bad points but all of them love/loved their family. Anoushka used to sit up worrying if one of the kids had a night at a mates and she was worried where they were bless her
I saw one yesterday that was retrieving toys thrown out of a pram haha. She's keen to rescue an adult, and wants to do lots of 'doggy stuff' with him/her, have a go at agility, fun dogs shows etc. I think she'd do quite well with one, but is keen to hear as much first hand, the good and the not so good! Hopefully it all works out!
They are very good with babies and enjoy walking by the pram and guarding their 'charge' so that doesn't surprise me. I'm sure if she tells the rehoming center what things she wants to enjoy with her dog then they will match her closely, the trouble with rescue is that people sometimes lie when they hand them in so i'd suggest several meetings with the dog to check there is potential there, please make her aware that they have big old seal pup eyes that bore into your very heart and that it will be very hard to choose just 1 out of the dozens i'm sure are in most centers sadly :-(
They're like a concrete block on legs, an immovable object that if you accidently walk into you'll walk away with bruises and they haven't even noticed. One shake of Diesels head and I'm battered and bruised . Seriously Diesel is pretty much faultless, he loves his people, his kong, his ball on a rope and his sun lounger and nothing much bothers him tbh. He walks well on lead and always has, excellent recall especially when the ball makes an appearance and is very tolerant of other dogs when out and about.
im a pit owner and have had some experience with staffies as well.30+ years,one thing iv learned over the years,is,a tired out staffie ,is a good staffie.tons of energy and need lots and lots of exercise,they need to run and exert.very loyal.powerfull and that comes with lots of responcibility.iv met lots of people over the years who thought they had what it takes.thats why the rescues are full.i would say do your home work and have a plan...most of all,there a stunning dog.good luck and feel free to ask anything,im sure you will get some of the best in fo here at dogsey
Some may disagree, but if i was going for a rescue, i'd go to either a very well respected rescue such as Battersea, or a breed specific rescue that will have tested the dog properly and be able to give a reasonably accurate idea of the dog's nature. Don't get one of Gumtree or similar, as has been mentioned, people lie to get rid of their dog. Most Staffords are fantastic round people, even complete strangers can be welcomed as life long friends. They are masters at claiming the most comfy place to sleep, and if they can get in the bed, under the duvet, their life is complete. They are utter wimps at the vet, the slightest procedure can have them screaming the place down, they also make all manner of weird and wonderful noises. They fart. They snore. They thrive on affection. They love to learn, I've found them to be a doddle to train. On the negative side, they don't always like other dogs, and can have a high prey drive, although I've found the prey drive relatively easy to control. Personally, I don't think I could live without one now, I adore the very bones of the breed, and in the right hands, can think of no better companion and friend.
Oh yes the Staffys do chatter, tell her to be prepared to get an answer back if she tells one off lol Samson is very vocal and has a good moan back
My sister lives one stop on the train away from Battersea, so i think that will be her first port of call! Thanks for all the info, i'll be sure to pass it all on!
