Dogs

[GJL]

Anybody got any experience of Staffordshire Bull Terriers? I have 3 small children and I am reading they are a great family dog? Thinking about getting a pup.

Is that not the canine equivalent of asking has anyone got any experience of renault diesels? 

Are they that bad? I'm reading they are a great family dog and great with kids?

[Hardy]

Anybody got any experience of Staffordshire Bull Terriers? I have 3 small children and I am reading they are a great family dog? Thinking about getting a pup.

Is that not the canine equivalent of asking has anyone got any experience of renault diesels? 

Are they that bad? I'm reading they are a great family dog and great with kids?

Maybe not (at least according to the Daily Mail):

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2952492/Shocking-injuries-suffered-toddler-attacked-neighbour-s-Staffordshire-bull-terrier-leaving-needing-240-stitches.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2975454/Schoolboy-7-suffered-huge-wound-eye-Staffordshire-Bull-Terrier-trying-cuddle-bit-face.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379622/Dog-attack-Staffordshire-bull-terrier-mauls-girl-7-chewing-eyelid-exposing-skull.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2568708/Owner-Staffordshire-Bull-Terrier-left-boy-5-needing-surgery-brutal-attack-admits-dog-dangerously-control.html

[5 Sams]

Anybody got any experience of Staffordshire Bull Terriers? I have 3 small children and I am reading they are a great family dog? Thinking about getting a pup.

Get a Labrador...while I'm not saying you can trust all dogs I wouldn't trust a terrier of any kind....labs have a great temperament.

Bottom line is though I wouldn't leave a child alone at ANY time with ANY sort of dog.

[moysider]

Staffie's would be great with the family kids. Strangers -inc strange kids and other dogs- might be a different story though. The trick is that the dog needs to be really well socialised with strange people and other dogs from a young age. Easier said than done. There are classes that cater for that kind of thing but they won t be cheap.
Still trips to hospital are not cheap either. Unless you re an experienced dog owner stay away from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Start with a Jack Russel or if you want to be 100% safe get a Labrador bitch.

[GJL]

Staffie's would be great with the family kids. Strangers -inc strange kids and other dogs- might be a different story though. The trick is that the dog needs to be really well socialised with strange people and other dogs from a young age. Easier said than done. There are classes that cater for that kind of thing but they won t be cheap.
Still trips to hospital are not cheap either. Unless you re an experienced dog owner stay away from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Start with a Jack Russel or if you want to be 100% safe get a Labrador bitch.

Labs are a really nice dog but I'd really like a staff. Have some experience of dogs but would like to learn more. Any links to people/companies that do these courses or info on how to self train?

Jack russells can be a sharp enough little dog!

[moysider]

Staffie's would be great with the family kids. Strangers -inc strange kids and other dogs- might be a different story though. The trick is that the dog needs to be really well socialised with strange people and other dogs from a young age. Easier said than done. There are classes that cater for that kind of thing but they won t be cheap.
Still trips to hospital are not cheap either. Unless you re an experienced dog owner stay away from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Start with a Jack Russel or if you want to be 100% safe get a Labrador bitch.

Labs are a really nice dog but I'd really like a staff. Have some experience of dogs but would like to learn more. Any links to people/companies that do these courses or info on how to self train?

Jack russells can be a sharp enough little dog!

There are loads of these dog whispering courses about now so you could google one near you. They are obviously a big earner because people spend freely on their pets. There was a discussion today on newstalk about this. You might be able to get that online.

a Jack is a great little dog but any terrier should have a bit of spirit or it wouldn t be a terrier. But comparing a Jack to a Staffie is like comparing a flyweight to Mike Tyson. Terriers can be quick to bare their teeth but in fairness most are smart enough not to bite. But you don t wan t a friend of your kids bitten by a Staffie. Or a neighbour's pet. A JR is a rat dog while the Staff does what it says on the tin. He doesn t just nip and let go. He is bred to hold on and persist. He was bred for bull-baiting.
Another consideration is that some terriers are a nightmare to housetrain.
Anyway good luck with the Staffie and let us know how you get on.

[GJL]

Staffie's would be great with the family kids. Strangers -inc strange kids and other dogs- might be a different story though. The trick is that the dog needs to be really well socialised with strange people and other dogs from a young age. Easier said than done. There are classes that cater for that kind of thing but they won t be cheap.
Still trips to hospital are not cheap either. Unless you re an experienced dog owner stay away from a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Start with a Jack Russel or if you want to be 100% safe get a Labrador bitch.

Labs are a really nice dog but I'd really like a staff. Have some experience of dogs but would like to learn more. Any links to people/companies that do these courses or info on how to self train?

Jack russells can be a sharp enough little dog!

There are loads of these dog whispering courses about now so you could google one near you. They are obviously a big earner because people spend freely on their pets. There was a discussion today on newstalk about this. You might be able to get that online.

a Jack is a great little dog but any terrier should have a bit of spirit or it wouldn t be a terrier. But comparing a Jack to a Staffie is like comparing a flyweight to Mike Tyson. Terriers can be quick to bare their teeth but in fairness most are smart enough not to bite. But you don t wan t a friend of your kids bitten by a Staffie. Or a neighbour's pet. A JR is a rat dog while the Staff does what it says on the tin. He doesn t just nip and let go. He is bred to hold on and persist. He was bred for bull-baiting.
Another consideration is that some terriers are a nightmare to housetrain.
Anyway good luck with the Staffie and let us know how you get on.

Thanks. Will do.

[laoislad]

Don't let it into the house though GJL.

[GJL]

Don't let it into the house though GJL.

I have no intentions to.

[MoChara]

Out at the dog run with my pup on Saturday and met a fella with an American Alsation easily one of the nicest most impressive dogs I ever met, absolutely huge but with a really pleasant passive temperament, and played with each different dog differently depending on size, and it was only 10 months old itself.

He was telling me they are used pretty extensively for Therapy dogs I'd say if anyone is looking a proper big dog as a companion animal to have a look at them.

[Milltown Row2]

Looking a family pet, I've  have finally given in and the kids are looking for a Cockapoo, would be interested in breeders who are reputable and established, this would be a must...

[Dougal Maguire]

Any dog with cocker blood in him will be fun, friendly and very energetic. I'd strongly advise you, though, to get a fully grown dog if you can, about 3 year old, rather than a pup. A pup is a torture.

[Milltown Row2]

Any dog with cocker blood in him will be fun, friendly and very energetic. I'd strongly advise you, though, to get a fully grown dog if you can, about 3 year old, rather than a pup. A pup is a torture.

I fully agree but I'm not in charge lol

[Dougal Maguire]

What age are the kids?  If you go for a pup it's worse than having a new kid. There's the hassle of toilet training, preparing secure space for him in the garden, cleaning up the poo outside, deciding where in the house he can have access to, getting up early in the morning to let him out etc.  There are also costs involved, neutering ( a must ) kennelling, grooming, etc. As regards food, go for the nuts and remember the better the food, the less cleaning up you'll have. We had a cocker and they are class, great fun but completely mad and need lots of exercise. We have a Bichon now got him when he was 15 months and still a handful. Finally Bitch is better than a dog. I know I've had cross words with you in the past, can't even remember what it was over to be honest, and nor do I care.  Good luck with the dog, whatever you decide.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Looking a family pet, I've  have finally given in and the kids are looking for a Cockapoo, would be interested in breeders who are reputable and established, this would be a must...

They do say choose a breeder who has paid to advertise rather than a free advert. My only advice would be, do alot of research into the breed and get insurance.