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Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Staffs are very quick learners and love to please their owners.
They benefit more from positive training rather than being told off,
though will try your patience, normally a stern NO does the job.
They also love their food and will do anything for a treat (except
apparently let go of a tennis ball). Because of their love of food
they can gain weight quite quickly and obviously being overweight
can cause problems. They can also be prone to skin conditions
(something a bit of fish oil will sort out normally).
They are very active and love having a runround! They are sofa
kings/queens and despite trying my hardest could not keep Maddie off
the sofa so eventually gave up! At about 6
months old they would benefit from about 30 minutes excersise
everyday (not to much to stunt their growth) or 5 minutes excersise
per month of age (I got this from many stafford owners as a good
guidline). They also like nothing more than having a cuddle.
Staffs are renowned for being destructive if left, I have been very
lucky with Maddie, only came home to mess a couple of times. She has
really benefitted with a crate, and dives in at night before bed -
her crate has been a godsend also with toilet training.
Staffs are extremely loyal, loving and give the best hugs! If they
are socialised from an early age, you shouldn't get any problems
later in life with unsocial behaviour. They don't have a very high
tolerance level when it comes to other dogs, so if they are attacked
by one, they will retaliate - normally winning which unfortunately
gets them into the paper.
They love to say hello to everyone they come across (even if they
don't necessarily want them to say hello!) they just love people,
especially kids - they afterall the Nanny Breed.
They like being nosey out of windows and like to be involved in
everything. Despite their small but chunky size they have a hell of
a spring in their step, Maddie at just under 6 months cleared my 4ft
gate to get to me on the other side (thank you trellesing) so high,
secure fencing is a must.
Not really sure I can add anything more to that other than they
really are great dogs and would recommend them to anyone - I never
would have considered one before and now want a houseful!
Their loyalty to you is just astounding and have never met a dog as
quick a learner or as willing to please as Maddie is.
One thing you must be prepared for having a staff or a staff x is
the looks they will get from people who don't know the breed. I have
had people walk through mud and pooh to avoid walking near Maddie
and it is very upsetting, but you mustn't let it bother you as at
the end of the day, you know that your dog is sound.
Staffies are a shortcoated breed, don't moult much, and don't
require much grooming if any at all. Once or twice a year with a
rubber mitt should do. So they are ideal for people that either
don't like to clean too much, or are worried about dog hairs
everywhere!
Like most terriers not many toys last!
Another important factor if people are considering buying a
stafford puppy (this doesn't qualify for stafford crossbreeds as
apparently it will not affect them) is that you should ensure your
puppy or the puppy's parent's are tested against these two genetic
disorders:
L-2-HGA (L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria)
HC - Hereditary Cataracts
Information on these disorders can be found via the Animal Health
Trust website, on there you can also find information on how to have
your dog tested for the diseases if they are not already (if both
parents are tested clear then the puppy will be by birth so no need
for retesting).
I didn't find this information out until after I bought Maddie, and
will be carrying out the tests as soon as the money is together -
they are just simple swab tests done by the vet using the swabs
provided by the AHT, which are then sent to the AHT and tested. It
costs £100 for both tests together but is well worth it, even if it
is purely for peace of mind.
Not many people have heard of this testing and it is vital that it
is brought to people's attention as much as possible.
Written by Kimmie. |
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