Discussion
Looking for some advice from staffie owners please, its been just over a year since we lost our westie and we'd love to get another dog - our local dogs trust always has a few staffies needing a good home.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
yellowbentines said:
Looking for some advice from staffie owners please, its been just over a year since we lost our westie and we'd love to get another dog - our local dogs trust always has a few staffies needing a good home.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Hi yellowbentinesId rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Thank you for considering a rescue, I'm sure it will work out well.
I'm no staffie expert but I have helped out at a staffie rescue on occasion. The staffie's at Surrey's Rescue Remedies seem to be able to cope with everything life throws at them. Some need more 'work' than others though, as they all have their own individual traits. The best way to find out about a dog is find a good rescue and ask as many questions as possible and make sure the rescue match you with a dog that matches your lifestyle and requirements.
http://www.rescueremediesdogrescue.co.uk/viewforum...
yellowbentines said:
Looking for some advice from staffie owners please, its been just over a year since we lost our westie and we'd love to get another dog - our local dogs trust always has a few staffies needing a good home.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Firstly, well done for looking at the rescue route. There are far too many Staffs in rescue centres. Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Staffs are bouncy and energetic by and large, and are always up for exercise. Their playful nature benefits from having plenty of toys around, to capture their imagination.
You shouldn't have any bonding issues, they are people dogs and very affectionate. Maybe get to know 'your' dog a bit before rehoming, by visiting on a number of occasions.
eskidavies said:
Saw this last night, great to see them get some positive press in the mainstream media for a change.
yellowbentines said:
Looking for some advice from staffie owners please, its been just over a year since we lost our westie and we'd love to get another dog - our local dogs trust always has a few staffies needing a good home.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
Anecdotally, Staffs just seem to have this wonderful ability to be totally un-phased by poor upbringing - their friendly natures just being so prevailing. Some can be put through horrendous treatment but never lose their trust and affection for people. Put something like a Collie through the same scenario and you'd probably end up with a dog with lots of neuroses because they are so sensitive and absorb so much of the world around them.Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
In a few years, once my springer is fully under control, we'll get a second rescue. I fully intend to go to the SSPCA and just ask for the friendliest dog they have. Don't care about breed, size, age, or appearance. I can almost guarantee they'll come back with an old brindle Staffie! I can't wait!
My experience of the Dogs Trust is that as soon as you mention kids - even if they are just going to be visitors to your home - they will only consider matching you up with the most bomb-proof dogs. These will usually (but not always) be dogs which have been handed in to them with a decent history of the home they have come from and their temperament. They won't usually take the chance of rehoming a stray to a home where children may be present. It was a sensible policy I suppose, but it meant at the time when I went to Dog's Trust Glasgow, I was turned away because there was no suitable dogs which seemed a shame when there was so many there needing a good home. I would just temper your expectations and be open to letting the staff guide you to the right dog - you might have very few to choose from at the end of the day.
Wrathalanche said:
Anecdotally, Staffs just seem to have this wonderful ability to be totally un-phased by poor upbringing - their friendly natures just being so prevailing. Some can be put through horrendous treatment but never lose their trust and affection for people.
We're currently on our third rescue staffie, 2 of which have displayed signs of being mistreated in the past. Nothing but affection and devotion to you from them.Wrathalanche said:
Anecdotally, Staffs just seem to have this wonderful ability to be totally un-phased by poor upbringing - their friendly natures just being so prevailing. Some can be put through horrendous treatment but never lose their trust and affection for people.
Thanks everyone for the responses, the above sums up what I was hoping to hear, and funnily enough its Glasgow Dogs Trust thats my closest rescue centre, I think we'll pop down for a chat.I know they have a reputation for demanding multiple 'get to know you' visits as they should, and are strict with who allow to adopt.
It wouldnt be around kids very often, and even when we had our Westie we never left him in a room with kids without one of being there, but I think its good for them to be gradually introduced and socialised - for the dog and the kids!
yellowbentines said:
Wrathalanche said:
Anecdotally, Staffs just seem to have this wonderful ability to be totally un-phased by poor upbringing - their friendly natures just being so prevailing. Some can be put through horrendous treatment but never lose their trust and affection for people.
Thanks everyone for the responses, the above sums up what I was hoping to hear, and funnily enough its Glasgow Dogs Trust thats my closest rescue centre, I think we'll pop down for a chat.I know they have a reputation for demanding multiple 'get to know you' visits as they should, and are strict with who allow to adopt.
It wouldnt be around kids very often, and even when we had our Westie we never left him in a room with kids without one of being there, but I think its good for them to be gradually introduced and socialised - for the dog and the kids!
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...
If your kids are under 14 you at least have a way in, if you can persuade them they're mature enough.
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
They have one, with no pictures, who they say is OK with over 14 year olds.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...
If your kids are under 14 you at least have a way in, if you can persuade them they're mature enough.
We have no kids! We do have about 30 nieces and nephews of all ages, though they dont all visit at once thankfully.https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...
If your kids are under 14 you at least have a way in, if you can persuade them they're mature enough.
yellowbentines said:
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
They have one, with no pictures, who they say is OK with over 14 year olds.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...
If your kids are under 14 you at least have a way in, if you can persuade them they're mature enough.
We have no kids! We do have about 30 nieces and nephews of all ages, though they dont all visit at once thankfully.https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/fil...
If your kids are under 14 you at least have a way in, if you can persuade them they're mature enough.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/filters...
yellowbentines said:
Looking for some advice from staffie owners please, its been just over a year since we lost our westie and we'd love to get another dog - our local dogs trust always has a few staffies needing a good home.
Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
Staffies are as a breed, tougher than old boots, they'll take anything life throws at them and keep buggering on.Id rather rescue than fuel a puppy farm but should I be concerned too much about its previous life, or do these dogs come round and thrive in a loving home? We have no kids but there are lots in the extended family so any dog will be around them.
How much exercise do they need or want? There will be someone at home most of every day so he'll get good walks, but are they quite quiet and happy to chill out inbetween? I mainly work from home and have ruled out a jack russell for this reason! We also do a bit of hiking and longer walking, are staffies in general up for this?
TIA.
As a family we've had Staffs and Staff crosses over the years and as an owner you'll need to provide in no particular order...
1, A comfy sofa
2, Either an open fire or wood burning stove complete with rug.
3, Food
4, Hugs, cuddles and ear scritches, a Staff needs affection more than oxygen.
5, Something to chew, Kong toy, postmen, nextdoor neighbours car, Nimitz class aircraft carrier, anything they can get their teeth into really...
6, Exercise, running from the fire place to the food bowl back to the sofa or twice round the planet works equally well.
Just to be aware, Staffs don't 'do' snow or cold weather. My mum let one of here Bull Terriers off the lead to run across a snow covered field one winter and the dog was heading for home before the lead was in my mums coat pocket, another had a snowflake land on his nose and looked at my mum like she was some sort of she devil before he ran back to the wood burning stove
Some of my post is in jest but you really can't go wrong with a Staff.
Duncan isn’t too impressed here in the snow. Once he realises that he can’t eat ALL of it he wants to go home.
Somewhere on this walk he managed to almost completely rip one of his claws off - completely detached from the bed but attached at the root.
Visit to the vets, sedation and removal, plenty of meta cam and antibiotics - thank got for insurance!
He has completely forgotten about it but isn’t afraid to use his “poorly” foot to gain leverage on the couch : sad eyes, whimpering and actual waving of the foot around all means he’s not as stupid as he likes you to think he is.
driverrob said:
tedmus said:
They don't like rain either.
Open the door to let them go out and if it's raining ours take a look and decide better of it. One of them used to drag me to the direction home if it started raining on a walk.
And they drop vile farts, real eye waterers.
Open the door to let them go out and if it's raining ours take a look and decide better of it. One of them used to drag me to the direction home if it started raining on a walk.
And they drop vile farts, real eye waterers.
As you can see they're ferocious!
Bruce is a rescue, and took some time to be comfortable, however he bonded with us very quickly and is supremely loveable, but like others he won't go out in the rain, nor walk in the direction he doesn't want to go in.
If you put the time in, they're the best family dog bar none
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff