The Staffordshire bull terrier, or staffy as they are affectionately known have gotten a bad reputation over the years thanks to irresponsible owners and even criminal activity. The biggest misconception about a Staffordshire terrier is that they will turn on you in an instant with no provocation. This is simply not true, though attacks by this breed of dog garner a great deal of press the truth is there is no proof they are more prone to attacks than any other breed.
Anti-breed legislation around the world has been instituted but proven in most cases to be ineffective at best and expensive at worst. All that being said, despite press to the contrary, this is a wonderful breed to bring home to your family.
Temperament and Intelligence A staffy is a dog full of energy and extremely friendly to people. They tend to do everything at full throttle, including love their family. This is a friendly breed that likes to spend time around people and lives to serve their master. Among dog breeds the staffy is one of the most intelligent you can find. When undergoing intelligence testing, measuring how quickly a dog learns a new command the Staffordshire has an 83% success rate. This test looked for dogs that would respond to a new command in five repetitions or less.
Training Although the staffy is highly intelligent, they are also prone to taking charge, which means you will need a firm but friendly hand when training. Avoid harsh punishments when it comes to training your pet, particularly those from pet rescue organizations. Staffordshire's are intelligent enough that harsh or extreme punishments are unnecessary and may lead to more stubborn behavior. Start training your pet as soon as the dog becomes part of your family. Clicker and crate training tend to be particularly effective with this breed. If you are not familiar with pet training, do some research or enlist the help of a professional.
Home Requirements The staffy is an energetic animal that needs room to run and while they can reside in an apartment due to their smaller stature you will have to set aside time to walk and play with your dog. The best scenario is a home with a decent sized yard and good fencing. You should be aware that some of these dogs are quite the escape artists so reinforce any weak areas before leaving them unattended.
Pet Rescue If you are considering adding, this lovable breed to your home check out the RSPCA for potential pets. This pet rescue organization has rehomed over 500 of this breed in 2009 and thanks to bad press, there are even more available now. Don't buy into all the hype, the staffy is a wonderful pet and with proper care, training and safe these dogs are brilliant companions.
Conclusion You can find Staffordshire puppies from breeders and individuals, however if you really want to make a difference when adopting a pet check the RSPCA for adoptable dogs. This organization takes the time to carefully match dogs to potential owners, taking into consideration your home life, needs, wants and family composition. Browse the offerings on the RSPCA website today to learn how to add a wonderful staffy to your home tomorrow.
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