Staffys - nice or nasty? Discussions

Hi, we're new to this site, signed up coz wanted to research staffys before we go to collect ours in a few days. We've been looking after our friends staffy who is ridiculously soppy, and once he goes home we're going to get our new pups. Yes, 2! The thing is I've always been a staffy fan, but after reading the horror stories on here I'm now a little worried. Is it their natural temperament that makes them turn nasty? Or is it wholely the responsibility of the idiot owners?
Could do with some advice!!
Thanks in advance!

Welcome to Dogsey.
What horror stories? As far as I know, any dog will respond to how it is treated, unless there is a medical problem. The majority of dogs we meet (including staffs) are lovely.

There's a thread on here about loads of small dogs and people getting attacked by staffs!
I figured that it depends on how they are treated, there's just that tiny doubt in my mind that listens to the horror stories of how all staffys "turn" at some point. Also it said on one of the posts here that if the parents aren't very sociable then it's likely the pups will grow up with behavioural problems. Kinda just wanted someone with personal experience to confirm that they are in fact wonderful pets

I have met staffies that are adorable and staffies that are nasty.
I don't believe that all staffies are bad, nor do I think it is entirely the owners fault.

My word of caution would be two pups from the same litter can be a recipe for trouble regardless of the breed they have a relationship between litter siblings that it is hard to break into as an owner. Make sure you do lots of individual training with them and spend time with them separately not treat them as a pair all the time.

Good luck with your new babies and welcome to dogsey

hi
i would agree with the above, being involved with staffie rescue i am currently trying to help rehome two staffie brothers who have had to be kept seperated now after 3 yrs living together.... heartbreaking for the owner, and upsetting for all concerned, also could have ended up so much worse !!

I also wouldnt recommend 2 staffies for a first time staffie owner.

And imo a reputable breeder should not allow two littermates to a first time staffie owner.

JMO
dani

I dont have experience with staffys but i do think any dog is capable of 'turning'.

I think breeding has a huge part to play in temprement of the young, breed from bad parents, get bad pups.

I have a badly bred/raised border collie and a collie x alsation that go for everything they meet so i dont think agression can be attributed to one breed although of course some breeds are more likey to fight as its the genes.

Although its my opinion that a staffy could probably do more damage if it attacked than other breeds.

i would agree with others though, 2 pups from the same litter is never a good idea, not only will they bond with each other more, once they mature it could spell disaster if they have the same personality as they are both an equal match in sixe, age and temprement its likely they could both want to be top dog and that will cause no end of problems.

good luck with your new pup(s) though

My 2 sons have staffys, 1 likes some dogs and hates others with a passion but brilliant with children, and the other likes all dogs and loves children. I can only say what others have said having 2 pups at the same time is not a good idea, maybe ok when they are very small, but when they reach their teenage years it could well turn out to be hell. I really would give it some serious thought. But best of luck whatever you decide.

Personally, I've only met nice Staffies and any that I've encountered have always been kind and gentle with the Chis. I have heard a few stories of nasty Staffs. Then again, I've hard nasty stories about Chis, so there's good and bad in all breeds. If you raise your pups to mind their manners and they come from a good breeder and nice parents, then I can't see there would be too many problems. They are obviously a very powerful breed, if they want to be, so I think so long as you bear that in mind when training, etc., you should be okay. My Cousin has three, a boy and two girls and they are as soppy as they come

As far as getting two pups from the same litter, I've heard many many times that this is a bad idea. The only experience I have of this is my Frankie and Phoebe who I bred and kept from the same litter. They get on absolutely fabulously together. Both are wonderful pets and have completely different natures. Phoebe is attached to me like glue and Frankie just runs around being a "boy" looking for mischief and fun. However, as soon as I sit down, he's on my lap and snuggling for cuddles. I wouldn't change anything about the two of them at all. They really are fab dogs. The only thing I found difficult was housetraining two at the same time. That takes patience and time. Phoebe was a bit slow on the uptake but got there in the end. They are six months old now and they get on like best pals.

Best luck with the pups and lots of piccies are a must

I owned a Staffie, however not one that you could introduce to stange dogs 100% as he'd been used previously for fighting, but he was brilliant with people and children.
Our old neighbour used to have two bitches, who were beautiful, but proned to fighting each other (mother and daughter)

Having said that the majority I met are gorgeous, we have a neighbour 6 doors down with a bitch and she is the friendliest staffie you could wish to meet, with other dogs, etc.,.

I think it depends on the person who owns them how they are brought up, socialised etc.,

I am not sure if I would take two pups on together, Staffies can be chewers of skirting boards and door frames (as alot of puppies can) I think having two (for me) would be a handful
Best wishes with your new arrivals,.

I didn't realise it was a bad idea to get 2 from same litter, is it just staffys that have this problem? Up until my current dog, I've always had siblings as pets and not had problems but they weren't such powerful dogs!
I can't really change my mind now, not only is it set in stone, but I'm already in love
I appreciate that it's going to be hard work, esp with already having pets, but I will do everything I can to make sure they have a healthy and happy home, and I would greatly appreciate any advice and tips along the way
Will post pics soon!

I am sure you will, good luck and don't forget the pic's xxxxxxx

Littermates, in general, regardless of the breed, can be double trouble. I wouldn't recommend two.......

One will keep you occupied plenty!

I own two Staffords,
My dog is super,great with people and children,he also gets along with other dogs,however my bitch can be aggressive with other dogs and she is very hard work,you need eyes in the back of your head.

I do think you need to think seriously about taking two puppies from the same litter,you could be setting yourself up for a disaster.Can you keep them seperated if at some point they decided to fight ?

In all honesty the breeder doesn't sound very reputable,there are also health tests Staffords need,so your pups Parents should hhave been tested for the following L2/HC and PHPV & PPSC.

Ok, like I said, I'm new to buying a special breed, I don't really know what I'm supposed to check for. I don't mind if it's not pure bred, or show standard etc, things like that won't change how much I love it, but I am intrigued by the health checks you mentioned. What is the breeder supposed to show me to prove that the pups are all in good health etc? He did mention that, altho I can see the pups with both parents, the dad is nervous and will be kept away from us. Should I be worried by this?

I wouldn't necessarily let it overly worry you about not being able to see the dad because ultimately you've fallen in love and got a verbal agreement that you're going to take pup A and pup B from the litter.

BUT for future reference, I would only ever buy pups from a breeder whom would let me see the sire and the dam. Alarm bells do ring when suddenly you get told the sire is nervous. Is he really nervous or is he in really bad condition/health? Or indeed is he aggressive towards strangers? These are all questions that would be running through my head.

Regarding him maybe (probably not - but maybe!) being aggressive towards people - you then have to question why he is that way and then will that have some bearing on how the pups will turn out?

Its the age-old nature/nurture debate.

On the whole, 99% of staffies I've met in my time have been soppy as 'owt but the 1% who haven't been soppy/trustworthy pets have been real terrors that can take a LOT of work to get towards the "good pet" status.

Good luck. Just spend lots of time training, get them as good as required and beyond. Take them out individually too and train them as individuals. Don't just do it entirely with them both always together.

I hate to say it but if the dad is nervous to the point where he needs to be kept away from you, I would run a mile from buying one of these puppies. Temperament is HUGELY influenced by genetics. If the dog has an iffy temperament (Staffies are not supposed to be nervous; they should be bold and very people friendly) there is a good chance that your pup could end up the same way.

And yes, the puppies parents should be fully health screened for genetic disorders that affect their breed.

Have to agree with Labradork here, if the dads temperament is iffy he should not have been bred from. All the staffys I know love to meet people and have a fuss made of them.

Hmmm i would be concerned about the father to. That sounds very iffy, have you paid a deposit?

They always say the golden rule is to always see both parents, i did the exact opposite being a soft touch and got a pup who had been dumped as part of a litter at kennels, this dog has turned out to have so many issues as does his sister who i chanced across in puppy class it cant fail to be at least a part of bad breeding, i woud never have thougth an 8 wek old pup could have so many issues and i was even to told to have him put down!

It pays to know and see both parents as its highly likey your pups will turn out like one of its parents, id still get my pup again despite his troubles as im very much a rescuer and could never entertain buying from a breeder but thats just me and i have to accept im likely to get unwanted problem dogs but if i were to go to a breeder i certainly would want to see both parents.

I know your very excited and in love but it could save a lot of trouble and future heartache if you could find a more reputable breeder.

Well when I made a point of saying that I'd like to see the pups with their parents his exact words were: "yeah, no problem, they're both here, but the dad's a bit nervous so you can see him but then I'll lock him away til you've gone"

I feel like a fool cos i clearly let my heart rule my head on this one, and after researching a bit more (which i admit i should have done before i paid the deposit!) and looking back on my conversations with the breeder, coupled with how cheap they are, I'm really starting to wonder about the reliablity of this guy

and in answer to your questions:

yes, there is someone else to train them too, my other half will be having EQUAL responsibility, lol!

and they are both girls, please don't tell me this makes it even worse

if it does become necessary then yes, it is possible for them to be separated without any harm, neglect, or rehoming, but I do hope it doesn't come to that

thankyou for all your advice!!