Staffordshire Bull Terriers - a plea

[annavc]

I want to make a plea to everyone out there thinking of getting a Staffie.

Please please please think about it carefully first and go to a rescue centre and give a home to one of the many that have been dumped.

I volunteer at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and I was there this weekend. In just one area of the kennel which houses approximately 50 dogs, over 30 of the ones in there at the moment are Staffies.

They have become a fashion accessory and as a result people who have no knowledge of the breed are getting them and then when they find they can't cope they get dumped. They are rarely neutered so the population of Staffies and Staffy X is growing rapidly. These are beautiful dogs which when cared for and handled well can make marvellous pets.

One example from this weekend - i spent an hour with a lovely female Staffy. She was the soppiest, most docile dog I've ever met - she just wanted to be cuddled. She was 3 years old, had been brought in to the Home by her owners. They had had her for 18 months and in that time she had had 3 litters of puppies. The 3rd litter resulted in a ceaseraren having to be performed and the vet spayed her at the same time. That was less than 3 weeks before she was brought in to the Home - brought there simply because she could no longer reproduce and make her owners money.

I was glad she was there because it gives her a chance of a decent home instead of simply being used as a money-making machine but it made me so sad to see this wonderful, friendly creature who had been through so much and who just wanted to be loved.

Please think carefully if you want a Staffy - they are creatures to be respected and loved - not a fashion accessory or a cash machine.

[B00]

They are beautiful dogs, but I sometimes think potential owners really do under estimate how ruddy powerful this breed is. A friend of mine has a 2 year old beauty and he has been known to knock over both their kids when playing due to boisterousness, and one of the kids is a hulking 6 foot 16 year old!

When we both take our mutts out you can REALLY tell when you're holding his lead, it feels like your arm's going to be wrenched from the socket.

[happy_face]

awwww....annavc, that's really terrible. I don't think I could ever go to a rescue center as I would just be bawling my eyes out and wanting to take them all home with me.
I've got 2 staffies and as you said, they are loving animals. I hope your post helps and that none of the animals in the shelters have to stay too long.

BOO, why don't you train your boy on lead walking to save your poor arms? Walking the other way whenever they pull really gets the message to them quick

[leelapops]

annavc, I couldn't agree more! I don't have much breed knowledge of Staffies, but I have never met a " nasty" Staffie. They have a beautiful nature, and should be respected as a breed. They are given a bad name by those who own them as a mark of "status".
I would always recommend Rescue dogs; our first dog, Jack, is not a Rescue dog, due to circumstance (their stringent checks meant that where we lived wouldnt've been deemed appropriate for a dog, but Jack is so loved and cared for!) But in future, I will always look at the Rescue. How could anyone not want to give a beautiful, loving creature a second chance?
Lisa :)

[burchgirl07]

I have never heard of this kind of dog. What do they look like?

[devilhunter]

Anyone who thinks a dog is a fashion accessory should not allowed to keep them.
Most owners of these type of dogs seem to be tattooed,drug dealers living on council estates.
The sooner dog owners are vetted the better but I wont hold my breath.
Nice post btw annavc