Tell me about your staffies!

Just wanting some info on the breed as it's not a breed I know much about really.

Temperament, exercise needs, okay to be left or clingy, good with strangers/other dogs, health issues?

That sort of thing!
Plus pictures.... Obviously!

Well first to clarify "staffies"...a Staffordshire has several differences from an American Staffordshire. But there are some groups that don't recognize AmStaffs as a actual breed so it gets complicated. I can write about my Sophie as an AmStaff/boxer mix.



Basically they are Velcro doggies, they want to be with you around the clock...preferably as close as is physically possible. They need daily playtime plus ideally an hour or more of exercise. Someone who's idea of walking the dog is a leisurely stroll around the block will be miserable with the bully breeds.
They are physically strong. That does not mean aggressive it just means with young children or fragile adults there is the potential of them getting knocked over like so many bowling pins. Even a well trained happy staffie can be incredibly exuberant. I would serious suggest a few months of weight training prior to adoption...seriously, you'll thank me. All that being said- a staffie that has bonded to you will be your bodyguard and the greatest love of your life.

Ah yes, the 'bully run' is a sight to behold my friend has an english bull and shes fab

The most loving affectionate dogs, not dogs to be left alone, their lives are all about their people, mostly prefer people to other dogs. I can, of course, only speak for mine but from what I hear and read that about sums them up

Another consideration in the exuberance department. You can see the long tail and long legs in the pictures. That tail can sweep off a low table in seconds and she can leap like a gazelle. Even being advanced in years she can clear a park bench...one jump and she's airbourne

I am a real staffie fan. I absolutely adore them and have been known to cross a busy road to talk to one!

I agree about the exuberance - they're not all the same but the exuberant ones are not for the faint hearted.

My one loves other people but demonstrates this by literally leaping 6-7ft into the air right into people's faces - not an attractive quality and a devil of a job to train out of.

I think they're incredibly patient dogs and in my experience love children and are very good with them. My one is not good with other dogs and I've come across other staffie owners who say much the same.

In terms of exercise - my one doesn't seem to need a huge amount. He doesn't suffer any separation anxiety at all and when left alone he sleeps.

We've always had bullies or staffies and they are very similar to eachother in some ways but different in others. The famous 'bullie runs' are only done by bullies, in my experience - not staffs. They are both very people-centred breeds - comes from the staffs' history of dog fighting - you needed a dog that, mid fight, would reliably not bite humans if he had to be pulled from another dog. Also they exchanged hands for lots of money and so had to adapt to changing owners at the drop of a hat. This makes for a very people centred dog.

They tend to go nuts when someone knocks the door and will bowl people over - bullies are a bit less exciteable. But not a lot. I always found that the hardest thing because you have to train your visitors, as well as the dog. Ignore them and they calm down fast. It's harder to train the humans than the dogs!

The most dog friendly staff was my second - I didn't socialise the first one adequately so the second we took him everywhere with us from when he was a pup. He was very very good with other dogs and very friendly. (My first was brilliant with people but awful with other dogs so I was determined to train my next one differently).

Staffs tend to be very active. I used to run 5K every day with mine and he could have done that all over again ten minutes later! They also love to play - very active. I never had a staff or bullie who was possessive over food. You could take their bowls from them mid-dinner and they'd let you. Our staff also would queue patiently behind the cat if she decided to have a go at his food first!

I guess I want to add comments to Charmy's post to explain the variables of the delightful Staffie