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Staffie Cross adoption

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Gravity

Gravity

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Joined
16 Sep 2003
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260
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Southport
Hey folks, a friend is trying to get us to adopt her neighbours dog, it's a staffie/german Shepard cross bitch around 17 weeks old.

Her current owners live in a flat with 2 adults and at least 3 kids, and it is fairly obvious they don't have a clue how to cope with her. She has never been out for a walk or been socialised with other dogs. She is kept outside in heavy rain with little shelter and is not house trained. Also very fond of chewing on your fingers or arm given the chance.

When I met her yesterday she was very excited as I don't think she has had that much positive interaction with humans and when I did get her to calm down she was very placid.

I've had dogs as pets pretty much through most of my life and feel that I could turn her around so to speak despite my own health/mental health problems. I've just never dealt with staffie cross breeds before and don't really know what their typical temperament is. I have two daughters, 3 and 6 next month, we also have a 2 year cat.

Do you think she will be worth taking on or not worth the risk the kids??
 
Staff are known as nanny dogs but poor socialisation might make her difficult. She's young enough that as long as you do things slowly and train her properly she'll be a great dog. Take her to training classes and build up her positive associations with humans and dogs. Crate training would probably be a good idea.

With regards to the cat though, it is a terrier breed x so she may chase. Keep them separate and intro them slowly, make sure the cat can always escape if it wants to.

Well done for even considering it. The home she's in sounds terrible. There's so much bad press around staffs but they're brilliant dogs :)
 
My dog is a staffy cross, and she is the most excitable wee thing ever. She is a very sociable animal and never seems to tire of human company, which I gather is normal for the breed. I'd say she's a perfect family pet- loyal, playful, and affectionate again I gather this is normal for the breed
 
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Less child killers more child slobberers tbh.

Gizmo on the left is becoming quite the skater.
 
Staffies/crosses are fantastic dogs and do make excellent family pets.

Any dog is ultimately capable of biting a child though, obviously.
 
If it leads to a better life for the dog, and more happiness for your family then go go go for it!

Always be aware though that yeah, these things can nibble on sprogs.

@Glmp, is that a skating bowl in your garden?!
 
phonemonkey said:
Surely how attractive a dog (or person for that matter) is in the eye of the beholder? And what evidence do you have that a staffy would 'chew kids'? My staffy would no more chew a child than eat poison.
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Read the news much? It's always a staffie or similar breed, when was the last time a Pomeranian mauled a child?
 
Gravity said:
I have two daughters, 3 and 6 next month,
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If I had my face bitten off because my stupid parents felt soppy over a dog, I would not thank them.

Put your family first and let somebody else deal with this,
it's really not worth the 0.000000000001% chance of being wrong is it?


your children, your call

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MrMoonX said:
Read the news much? It's always a staffie or similar breed, when was the last time a Pomeranian mauled a child?
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I'm quite sure it is what's reported in the press. The problem doesn't lie with the animal, but the way it's treated.

Since staffs have been popular with 'Chavs' who don't treat them properly, or train them correctly it's probably safe to say that there is a greater proportion of staffs are being mistreated than other breed of dog. It naturally therefore follows that they are more likely to react to that mistreatment and injure people more often than other breeds of dogs.

My staff is a handful, she requires lots of training, plenty of input and attention but as a result of getting what she needs she is as lovely a pet as you could wish for.
 
Disregarding the fact it's a Staffie, I wouldn't put myself through the hassle of house breaking an already known to be excitable dog.
 
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