Unfortunately their stunning looks are their downfall with a HUGE amount ending up in rescue (just below Staffie numbers) due to people failing to realise how much work they can be.

They featured on Daybreak this morning for this very reason.

As long as you are totally realistic about not letting the dog off the lead, their moulting and your expections about obedience and exercise needs then hopefully it will all work out.

Maybe the following might be helpful?

Apologies if it feels like I am overloading you with info

http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/Th...oneHandout.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/ch...dogs%20doc.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/pr...t_for_baby.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/dogsandbabies.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/te...tobegentle.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/whydogsbite.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/th...fdogsafety.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R66Me...mbedded#at=159
http://www.cleverdogcompany.com/tl_f...and%20Dogs.pdf
http://www.apbc.org.uk/system/files/...e_sheet_13.pdf

No that's great! I really appriciate you taking the time to help me. I like to research/ read then I feel more informed and hopefully then we can meet his needs and have a wonderful family dog for life.
I have emailed local training groups do you think it is advisable to taking him training/puppy classes?

I think dog classes can be very helpful.......... if they are good ones.

There are many dog trainers/training clubs in the UK. Some are independent, some are aligned to a particular body or bodies and some are franchises. Some are KC registered, some are not. There are good, bad and indifferent in all spheres. Whichever trainer/club attracts you, the best course of action is to go and observe a few classes to determine whether or not you agree with their philosophies.

http://www.adtb.co.uk/
http://www.apdt.co.uk/index.asp
http://www.bipdt.org.uk/
http://www.borderdts.co.uk/
http://www.cleverdogcompany.com/
http://godt.org.uk/index1b.htm
http://www.imdt.uk.com/
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1448
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2618
http://www.puppyschool.co.uk/
http://positively.com/dog-training/trainersearch/

NB some of the best trainers in the UK do not appear in any of the above!

I can personally recommend Suzanne Hough and Wendy and Paul Beasley, not sure how near they are too you though.

We are in Ipswich Suffolk. There is a training place in stonham barns near us. Which has been designed for training. I'm just waiting for them to get back to me! Do you know where Suzanne Wendy and Paul are? I'm willing to travel 30 minutes either way to ensure we get the right support.

I cannot comment on the Pet Dog Training Centre as there is no mention of who runs it or their skills, knowledge, ability, training and experience.

The address of Wendy and Suzanne are on the links above.

I know Henri(etta) who runs Stonham barns. She is very good I can also rec.a very good one just outside of Bury St Edmunds(I live halfway between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds)

Jeanette