wtd. staffordshire bull terrier

johnmaloney88

lookin to get a male staffie for a bit of company for my collie x bernese bitch. (i'm using that as an excuse cos i just really want another one for myself!!! had a brindle and white girl before.) We had a male lab that got stolen and she's gettin a bit lonely, he'd always come with her whenever we used to go to the beach or river to play. i'd need a male and not a pup. She's good with male dogs only, i tried to introduce another bitch to her before but she wouldn't take to her at all. Obviously he'd have to be good with other dogs and people, i'm not lookin for a guard dog! is there any rescue centres in the west that might have one? Thanks.

Lauragoesmad

http://dogsindistress.org/blog/?p=2055

This fella is a beaut!!

Inexile

have you tried contacting EGAR. East Galway Animal Rescue - www.egar.com they take in all sorts of bull breeds. From what I can tell Staffs dont always get a fair chance in pounds around the country and rely on rescues for their second chance. Im sure if you contact your local rescue centres they will be able to help.

wexford202

There are many staffs in the kennels at the moment. I got mine from a breeder down in Wexford but I have seen many in shelters.

With the male Saffies though you would honestly need to be careful. They are great with people and generally good with bitches but with other dogs can be a nightmare. As you get one from the kennels it will most likely be fully grown and it's reaction to other dogs you will be unable to change.

Also with a saffie it's interest will not always be in the bitch as it they are peoples friends and it will want to be in your bed, on the sofa with you or lying at your feet constantly.

wexford202

Lauragoesmad wrote: »

http://dogsindistress.org/blog/?p=2055

This fella is a beaut!!

It is a beaut and also a red staffie is very difficult to get.

johnmaloney88

ya he's lovely, real friendly lookin face! maybe it would be safer buyin a pup and raising him with my other girl. that was i know he'll be properly socialised etc. and you're right about rescue dogs, and from past experience they can act very different once they get to your home than the way they act in the rescue centre.

Toulouse

Yeah but if you're dealing with a rescue like EGAR who know pretty much all there is to know about bull breeds and provides rescue back up then what's the harm in trying? At least see if there's anything suitable before you go out and buy.

Blueprint

How about this lad? I got my dog from Madra and they give great back up - all dogs are temperament tested.

http://www.madra.ie/dogs.aspx?id=71

johnmaloney88

@blueprint, he's perfect! they way i look at things is that's i'd much rather get an older dog from a rescue that go out and buy a pup that will probably find a home anyway and u don't have to deal with as much of the stress of raising a puppy!

Blueprint

Yes, I found getting a rescue dog very rewarding indeed. It's lovely to see their characters bloom as they settle in and it's great to know that you've probably saved a life by getting one!

johnmaloney88

i'll fence off an area of the house to keep him if i'm ever not at home, which isn't too often, the joys of unemployment! i could take him with me everywhere i go anyway, my sister owns a pub which is dog friendly! lol, she brings her german shepard cross, yorkie, into work everyday, he's a local celebrity! the softest dog i've ever met, my friend had his new rottie pup in the last day too! i'll just have to see if that staffie in madra gets along with other dogs, my dog, suzie's happiness is kinda the number one priority, she's my best friend!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Lauragoesmad wrote: »

http://dogsindistress.org/blog/?p=2055

This fella is a beaut!!

An absolute ringer for my puppy Ruby (who was one year old last week!).

I wonder what's this dogs status now as I brought her to someone's attention about three weeks ago and she was short listed then :mad:

.

johnmaloney88

Kylee Uneven Rowboat wrote: »

I wonder what's this dogs status now as I brought her to someone's attention about three weeks ago and she was short listed then :mad:

.

how do you mean?

clairem

We got our staffy from dogsindistress last year. We fostered her first so we knew that she got on well with our other dog before we adopted her. Maybe you could try fostering with a view to adopting? I'd definitely recommend dogsindistress - they give you great backup when you adopt from them and do great work for the staffies in the pound.

I've looked on the EGAR website before and that place looks great aswell. I'm sure the lady who runs it would be able to tell you everything you need to know about the temperament of the dogs before you adopted one.

Good luck and please post up some pics when you get your new staffy

johnmaloney88

Dublin is a little too far for me to travel at the moment, and as most rescue centres want to see your home first it wouldn't be practical. i'll try galway.

arybvtcw0eolkf

johnmaloney88 wrote: »

how do you mean?

Staffies get the sh*tty of of the stick up in Ashtown - however the volunteers with DID.org do their best of get them out of that kip and rehomed.

.

johnmaloney88

the place is a bit rough is it? i think i found the dog for me, this is him
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/33/43966233.html
there's a fella lookin at it first so if he doesn't take him hopefully i will, failing that i'll try madra.

DBCyc

johnmaloney88 wrote: »

the place is a bit rough is it? i think i found the dog for me, this is him
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/33/43966233.html
there's a fella lookin at it first so if he doesn't take him hopefully i will, failing that i'll try madra.

He's a cracking looking fella alright! Have you asked the owner what he means by this comment...

great dog but needs little bit of work to regain trust for people

If you get to have a look at him, I would recommend bringing your girl along to see if they get on. Good luck!

johnmaloney88

he says that he lived with another bitch so he's good with other dogs, but we only chatted for a minute or so cos of the fact someone else is looking at him first. if the fella doesn't take him i'll ask all the questions.

bigdogbarking

"great dog but needs little bit of work to regain trust for people"

Seriously a comment like that would make me run a mile. a staffie shouldn't "distrust"
I've been round the breed most of my life and i'd be worried about hearing a comment like that? have you any kids around? i'd probably look elsewhere if i were you, but best of luck with your search i couldn't recommend a better companion than a staff

johnmaloney88

maybe he was abused or somethin? it's always a nervous dog that could turn on you. i wonder what happened him?

arybvtcw0eolkf

Have a look at 'socks' on dogsindistress.org and tell me she doesn't pull on your heart strings!.

.

wexford202

You will often find that when a staffie turns from being a people doggie there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Thats life and although unfortunate there is no point in risking anyones safety inlless you are the dog whisperer!

My friend got an abused dog before and although she now has her for 3.5 years the dog is still only ok with her and her husband. It runs a mile or growls at everyone else still.

arybvtcw0eolkf

wexford202 wrote: »

You will often find that when a staffie turns from being a people doggie there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Thats life and although unfortunate there is no point in risking anyones safety inlless you are the dog whisperer!

And where in the name of sweet Jesus did you get that from?.

.

wexford202

bigdogbarking wrote: »

"great dog but needs little bit of work to regain trust for people"

Seriously a comment like that would make me run a mile. a staffie shouldn't "distrust"
I've been round the breed most of my life and i'd be worried about hearing a comment like that? have you any kids around? i'd probably look elsewhere if i were you, but best of luck with your search i couldn't recommend a better companion than a staff

here

johnmaloney88

was talking to him again and saw the dog, it wasn't what he intended when he said he distrusts people, dog definitely wasn't abused,he's as friendly as anythin and he looked to be a really caring owner, another fella looked at the dog but he wouldn't let him take the dog as he didn't feel it was going to a good home.

johnmaloney88

also, does neutering a staffy change their personality much as in reduce any aggression they may have? my sisters german shepherd went from a very giddy excited dog that u couldn't walk on a leash to a more calm easy going dog that's eager to please, still very lively though of course!

Whispered

Neutering would make a small difference, depending on age, if they have "learned" agression, or peeing indoors etc they might continue to do it. Keep in mind too, that a lot of dogs are neutered around the time they begin to mature and become responsive anyway. Neutering is best for your dog (or any dog) to deter would be thiefs and prevent your dog trying to escape when a bitch in heat is around.

Staffs are not naturally agressive. I had very little experience with them up until 11 months ago, now my dog (staff X) socialises with them all the time. If anything, the only thing I've seen with him which could lead to problems with other dogs, is his complete lack of ability to read the others dogs signals.

Seriously, it's like they have some sort of social disorder. They just don't know when to stop the playing/chasing/jumping/wrestling/body slamming. It's all done from a very sweet and nonagressive place but I've seen the nicest of dogs get frustrated with Harley because he just doesn't back off. He has been growled at, snapped at, bitten on the ear, knocked over, and sat on (by a rottie) and he STILL jumps up trying to play. :rolleyes:

I mentioned this to a dog professional in my area who has a lot of staff experience and he confirmed that they tend to be like that. :cool:

bigdogbarking

As far as neutering goes it will be beneficial especially in unruly and hyperactive dogs and it does solve some behavioural problems, and just as importantly, there are enough unwanted dogs in our pounds without adding to numbers by careless owners so unless it is your intention to breed,then it should be done asap.

Best of luck with him, he'll undoubtedly be a wonderful companion and will bring you a lifetime of happiness

helena.ryan wrote: »

Staffs are not naturally agressive. I had very little experience with them up until 11 months ago, now my dog (staff X) socialises with them all the time. If anything, the only thing I've seen with him which could lead to problems with other dogs, is his complete lack of ability to read the others dogs signals.

Seriously, it's like they have some sort of social disorder. They just don't know when to stop the playing/chasing/jumping/wrestling/body slamming. It's all done from a very sweet and nonagressive place but I've seen the nicest of dogs get frustrated with Harley because he just doesn't back off. He has been growled at, snapped at, bitten on the ear, knocked over, and sat on (by a rottie) and he STILL jumps up trying to play. :rolleyes:

I mentioned this to a dog professional in my area who has a lot of staff experience and he confirmed that they tend to be like that. :cool:

Ha yeah there's no off switch

johnmaloney88

can't wait to pick up this little scamp, i've movin out of my own house so he'll be an only dog with loads of space to play, just have to fence off an area to keep him in if i'm ever not there and i can't bring him with me. i'll definitely be gettin him snipped as i only want him for a friend. i'll go back home every evenin to visit the family dog and take the two of them down to the river to play (not pray) as it's right in front of the house. i'd miss her too much, i didn't like bein away at college without poor lil suzie!
here she is

arybvtcw0eolkf

Dammit I want another Staffy

I absolutely love the breed.

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