[Closed] Staffie owners

The reputation is total bs. We've had a rescue staffie cross in the past and have one now.

We also volunteer at a local rescue which has its fair share of staffies.

They seem to be the quickest one to adapt to their new circumstance.

Unfortunately, lurchers seem to be the new Staffie in terms of chav dog with undeserved reputation.

I have a friend who once described Staffies as 'a set of teeth and an arse'. He was reluctant to come anywhere near ours. Didn't take him long to find that the reputation these dogs have is grossly unfair.

Pfft, 3 posts in and still no pics, disappoint...

Good friend of mine has two, the only word I’d use to describe them is giddy and daft. Not exactly aggressive.

by the way...

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/222419

Beautiful, fiercely loyal dogs IMO.

You are correct that they often end up in the hands of people unworthy of them, which is sad.

Are you worried that people will assume you are a chav, if you own one?

Have had two Staffies, both brilliant dogs, love them to bits. One was not good with other dogs, the other loved everything and everyone except for squirrels.

I would have another no problem, sod what other people think

Are you worried that people will assume you are a chav, if you own one?

Of course they will just as people think I am homosexual when out walking my 1.8kg chihuahuas.  Even get shouted at by white van men but I just blow them a kiss.

Lovely dogs don’t deserve their reputation ask that guy.

You could do worse than PM Ming, https://singletrackmag.com/members/ming-the-merciless-2-2/.   He has two plus a foster staffie.

It seems ensuring that the dogs see you as pack leader is key to a a responsible staffie owner, so you need to be dominant.

P.S I expect Ming will read this thread anyway so I'll just point out that being a responsible dog owner doesn't necessarily suggest that you will be responsible at any other aspect of life 😉

Unfortunately, lurchers seem to be the new Staffie in terms of chav dog with undeserved reputation.

Lurchers have always been the Travellers dog of choice with an undeserved reputation.

It seems ensuring that the dogs see you as pack leader is key to a a responsible staffie owner, so you need to be dominant.

This bollocks comes up all the time and is bollocks. Dogs just need training.

It's true that you have to be pack leader but that applies to any and all dogs.

It's not true that you have to dominate the dog to be seen as pack leader, that also applies to all dogs.

Ours is happy of her place in the pack primarily because we control desirable resources.

Totally agree that dogs need training and it's a job that's never finished. You do however, need to be in a position where the dog sees you as someone it will take instruction from.

i Know this is anecdotal evidence, but I see more people being dragged round by staffies that they don’t dare let off the lead in my local park than I do with other dogs. Having said that, the consequences of a a staffie biting someone differ greatly from my daft whippet biting someone.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">I have owned Staffies for over 30 years. I always keep mine on a lead in a public place. Its not about my dog biting someone at all it's about other people's dogs being unfriendly and a fight ensuing. I have never owned a staff that was aggressive to any human but I have owned one that didn'tike dogs. </span>

It’s true that you have to be pack leader but that applies to any and all dogs.

This is pretty much a myth made worse by TV personalities such as Caesar Milan. They just need training and consistency. Back on topic, Staffies are great, fun loving, loyal dogs.

Brilliant dog.

I used to work at a well-known rescue centre & they were by far my favourite to work with. In 3 yrs of working there I didn't have one problem with a Staffie.

If you think the dog is the problem - then you're looking at the wrong end of the lead,  was something that got said a lot.

I always keep mine on a lead in a public place.

It's about expectation. I expect a well behaved dog and that's what I get, my daughters dog walks off lead when I dog-sit him. He doesn't know all that's needed yet but he's 98% there. He sticks like glue to me unlike the Dalmatian who investigates all the edges, bins and, if allowed, the humans. The last 2% is knowing to leave when told and going past the dog on a lead because that dog is not or refuses to be trained.

A lot of that is due to him being a Hatfield dog where the locals regard Staffies as Satan's Dog who will kill fluffy and eat their children's faces off before going on a baby robin killing spree.

Here he is learning to be a good host, spot the wary look!

we have a rescued staffie that has been part of our family since 2010, I have never in my life met a more obedient and submissive dog in my life, she loves it when our youngest Granddaughter pays us a visit, as she and her "Mooch" (the staffie) are the best of buddies, Mooch is so gentle with the granddaughter it's a sight to behold.

The wife's family have always had Staffies. Lovely good natured dogs. Also known as Nannie Dogs due to the loyalty to kids.

We have an English Bull terrier puppies who is 4 months old (not sure how to post pics otherwise would love to share) Chris one of the friendliest happiest pups ever!

local dog rescue centre, as usual 90%+ of the dogs are staffies

Just checked with our local re-homing centre and there is nowhere near that % of staffies, perhaps you need to move somewhere with a better class of animal neglecter. 💡

@fukmasterp, thanks for the out of context partial quote.  Seems you didn't actually read the line after that.

We're singing from the same hymn sheet FFS.

Training and consistency are leadership. I feel sorry for dogs that don't get that as the poor things never know where they stand.

Used to be quite wary of them when they were idiots dog of choice. Having worked in lots of houses with them in last 5 years or so they have always been fun friendly dogs in my experience.

Are you worried that people will assume you are a chav, if you own one?

It was my parents who were looking.  They wouldn't consider a Staffie, partly due to the reputation I think, but more because it probably wouldn't be the most suitable dog for them anyway.  Isn't it a shame that the attitude of the ignorant minority who own these dogs can spoil the image for the decent owners.

I absolutely love staffies.  Grew up looking after a neighbours dog (Rocky) and spent many many hour playing with it off the lead on my school field.

However I wouldn't have one now.  Its just too much hastle these days.  Its not that they are overly aggressive.  A trained staffie will be as good as any other dog.  The trouble is they can be a target for other dogs to have a go and staffies in general don't back off if attacked.  Its not easy to separate a staffie.  I had to do it a few times when I was younger and OTHER dogs attacked my fella on his lead.  I was so tempted to just let them get on with it but I would jump in and usually end up bitter by the other dog.

There was never any issue about who was boss.  I always found staffies didn't really care as much as other dogs about being head of the pack.  They just want to be a pal.

We had kids who were nervous of dogs so we went down a puppy route which has worked amazingly for us.  If it was just me I would have a staffie in an instant.

@fukmasterp, thanks for the out of context partial quote.  Seems you didn’t actually read the line after that.

Sorry Onzadog. My fault, should have read properly.

Anyway, serious lack of pictures so far.

Mooch is so gentle with the granddaughter it’s a sight to behold.

Staffies used to be nicknamed 'nanny dogs', because they were so good with children.

I'd have one, Mrs is unsure (mainly because she doesn't like 'aggressive' looking dogs).

It’s true that you have to be pack leader but that applies to any and all dogs.

I don't think this is a myth to be honest. I think some of the 'dominance' stuff gets overused, but dogs do need to know who's in charge, and that it's not them. This generally comes from training and general behaviour around the dog, setting boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not.

Had a couple of Staffies from local rescue centre (Blue Cross).

Both lived to 16 years and were great loyal dogs and very 'todler' tolerant when we had the nipper.

Isn’t the whole dog breed thing like humans.

It’s the way that they are treated that can mean the difference between a misbehaved one and a well behaved one but that can change slightly over time.

Having not been brought up around dogs, an old m8 (read chav) had a staffie that was really a lovely mutt. I still wouldn’t want to come inbetween him and his food though.

If I were to be a dog owner then a lovely greyhound or border cross terrier (as long as it was a quiet one) with bags of character would be my choice.

Rottweilers can be alright but having had a pitchblack experience with an old m8s one  means I wouldn’t rush to get one.

Oh and dobermans  -  no chance as those ones in resident evil haunt me to this day plus I had 2 chase me down on the motorcycle once. They musta liked the noise of my can 😝

Isn’t the whole dog breed thing like humans.

Yep. The things you need to do to have a settled, calm and well-behaved dog are essentially the same as those you have to do have a settled, calm and well-behaved child; provide an environment where they feel secure, loved and  know what is expected of them.

Edit.

Picture posting still working well then. 😠

@ Angeldust - if your parents are still looking for a dog then I would suggest they visit a staffie rescue (or any local rescue) and walk a few. Many dog rescues allow you take dogs on a short term foster.

I got my mongrel from this lot -  http://www.rescueremediesdogrescue.co.uk   There is a bit of Staffie in him.

As above, most Staffies are good dogs and a lot of the time it comes down to the training and socialisation when young.

Isn’t the whole dog breed thing like humans.

It’s the way that they are treated that can mean the difference between a misbehaved one and a well behaved one but that can change slightly over time.

Not sure what we you really mean but dog breeds do have breed specific traits that you need to consider prior to getting a dog, when training it and in everyday life. Staffies as noted about are very very friendly dogs towards humans as a breed. Far more gregarious then say our Lurcher who avoids people for the most part but then a lurcher will usually avoid fighting another dog but a staffy will not back down. Obviously these are generalisations and poor training will alter them but breed specific traits should be thought about.

The fact they are there is a reflection of the type of people that buy them, according to the volunteers.

What the explanation of this? Folk but them as status symbols then get bored?

Don't staffies stink? Ok all dogs can stink, but the stinkiest ones I've ever encountered were staffies.

They buy them as status symbols, don't train them, realise that an untrained dog is a bit of a liability, then get shot.

realise that an untrained dog is a bit of a liability

That or some idiots train them but teach them the wrong things.

Fortunately they seem to be less fashionable nowadays since all the ones I have met have been really nice friendly dogs. With the occasional downside of loathing other dogs and so had occasional problems which arose from other people not realising that just as some people dont like some ill trained dog jumping on them some dogs dont either and may be more willing to let their unhappiness show. Oh and there was one which one of the pub locals owned and used to bring in. Was always a bit risky since if it saw you and the owner didnt tell it not to in time it would drag the table it was tied to over to say hello.

My wariness around a Staffie would depend on my wariness about the owner.

You know the funny thing about dog owners. You all think you are great at it! 😆

They buy them as status symbols, don’t train them, realise that an untrained dog is a bit of a liability, then get shot.

The life of a drug dealer is a dangerous one.

What the explanation of this? Folk but them as status symbols then get bored?

Yep.  The implication was that Staffie owners are 'chavs' (volunteer specifically used the term).  They want the 'image', but are too stupid, too ignorant, and not capable of looking after them properly, so they get abandoned or taken/given away.

if your parents are still looking for a dog then I would suggest they visit a staffie rescue (or any local rescue) and walk a few. Many dog rescues allow you take dogs on a short term foster.

Nice idea, but my Mum wants a small, less powerful dog.  She probably couldn't hold on to a staffie if it did decide to run off/chase a squirrel etc, so not the best fit.

<div class="bbp-reply-author">seosamh77
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You know the funny thing about dog owners. You all think you are great at it! 😆

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8 months ago, we adopted a 4.5 year old lurcher with issues. After a lot of work, patience, understanding and more hard work, no sign of the issues anymore and we even use her as a stooge dog to help other dogs in rescue that are nervous around dogs.

We also pick up her poo, even out in the woods.  So yeah, I think we're pretty good dog owners.

You know the funny thing about dog owners. You all think you are great at it!

and lots of people that hate dogs seem to think all dog owners don't do it very well!

People that don't have kids wish parents would look after their kids better

People that don't ride bikes will tell you that every cyclist jumps red lights etc etc

I make my dog wear a helmet.

Just in case.

I make my dog wear a helmet.

pic?

My dog's incredibly bright for his age.

pic?

I'd love to  but she's very protective of her image rights.

Notoriously litigious are cockapoos. 😉

My dog’s incredibly bright for his age.

What grade piano?

My dog’s incredibly bright for his age.

Blacksmith?

What grade piano?

We stopped the piano at grade 6, it was getting too much, what with the athletics championships, the debating society and in any case he's showing much more flair for the oboe.

Blacksmith?

His artistic flair is more directed through his watercolours at the moment

His artistic flair is more directed through his watercolours at the moment

That's a pity. I was needing a new bolt for the back door.

His artistic flair is more directed through his watercolours at the moment

I would be wary of encouraging this. Depending on the breed the dribbling can really ruin the work and make them feel a failure.

That’s a pity. I was needing a new bolt for the back door.

I might be able to help you.  I got a dog from the blacksmiths the other day.  Soon as I got him home.....

*penny drops*

Once he's made the bolt ask him to make a spring for your balls.

Ha love a delayed punchline

after all, comedy is all about

I know a few people who have/had staffies & loved them. I just don’t like the look of them so that’s me out of the rescue equation!

Got my first Staffie for passing my o levels back in the mid 80s, family has had them ever since - we've not got one at the moment but would have no hesitation at all in getting another.

Amazingly tolerant, affectionate, loyal dogs, our last one watched over our kids as they grew up, let the kids use her as a step to look out of the window, guarded them from any threats. They can be absolutely superb.

For the chav side, don't leave the dog outside shops/in a car and visible as they are target to be stolen.

I used to have the local police car slow down and watch me and the dog when put for a walk, but it turns out he bred Staffies and was taking a look at the dog

For the whole risk thing, I've been bitten by dogs 3x, twice by collies, once by a spaniel. Almost licked to death multiple times by a Staffie

Staffies are lovely dogs with a big heart. Pretty smart too, and you have to be careful not to hurt their feelings, but physically tough. It's really a big dog with bonsai legs.

They are the world's greatest enthusiasts, loyal, and don't need an excuse to be happy.

Often it's not the case that they cause the trouble, but they certainly usually finish it.

For the chav side, don’t leave the dog outside shops/in a car and visible as they are target to be stolen.

Which is odd considering you can get them for a small charge (& legally) at many rescue centres.

timing