Hello, I am totally new to this! My Fiance and I are looking to get a Staffordshire Bull terrier in a years time (getting our wedding out the way 1st!)

We are at the stage where we are reading as much as we can etc and looking into them. We are both devoted pet lovers but wanted to wait till we were married till we took the commitment for a dog.

We live in a large 2 bed apartment backing onto a large park.I am a nurse so work shifts and would be there in the afternoons when my hubby won't be.

We would take him/her to puppy classes and take a week or two off work.

Please feedback any advice, are we wrong having a staffie being in an apartment?- we're both outdoors people but want to be really certain we're going for the right dog.


Apologies for long post!!

Natalie

Our staffie is brilliant but she does destroy the house if left alone she has eaten our new kitchen, bed sheets, babys toys, the bedroom wall and all the doorframes lol but i wouldn't change her for the world.

As long as there will be some one in all the time it shouldn't be a problem. They should be ok in an apartment.

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Anna xxxx

..Yeh we;d have to change our place a lot-we need carpets-the lounge is large-but wooden floored so they'd slide all over the place...thank you. The books seem to say as long as they have lots of attention and walks etc they would be ok in an apartment.

We have lots of living space for an apartment, so lots of space but on one floor!


Thanks for your advice.

Here's a pic of my little horror she's been pretty good since i've been on maternity leave she's not chewed anything. I usually only work part-time and we have a Boxer now to keep her company.

Attached Images

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Anna xxxx

Aww they are beautiful! I am enjoying learning about them! Sounds like you'e very busy! They look wonderful dogs.

Our staffie Duke is simply the best for us. They only have one gear, overdrive. They are known to be the Jekyll and Hyde of the cainines, loving with its family but not so with other dogs, this trait has been reduced by selective breeding - we found early socialization, linked with training classes has been the ticket.

We picked our little lad up Friday evening August 12 2005 from Barton on Humber (quite a drive for us). After a little exploration he settled down and slept, I expected him to cry at least the first night. We heard nothing I got up at about 2.30am to check on him, he was fine.

He was quick to learn (good as well as bad habits) and house trained within weeks. I expected a certain amount of chewing/destruction especially when he started teething, he didn't and never has. He did use to chew his chews and the bottom of the coffee table at the same time though - can't really complain!

He gets on great with other dogs (provided they are social he wont stand any nonsense). He gets on well with our cat Jasper (Jasper is the boss).

He is brilliant with our grandson, the two are inseparable.

Sometimes he is left for long periods during the day as both my husband and I work full time. My son works shifts so there are times when he isn't left as long.

I tend to give Duke loads of exercise although I have been informed on a previous thread that an adult STB will be happy with as much or as little as you can manage the average being between 1 to 2 hours.

Sue

Good Post Sue!

We own two SBT's,once you have owned a stafford there is no going back.There isn't a breed that compares,they definatly have an addiction factor!
They are a very people orientated breed,they love humans and adore children,there nickname is the nanny dog,the breed is one of only two that has the following written into the breed standard by the KC,
Highly intelligent and affectionate,especially with children.

My two have both been socialised with other dogs and people,Tyler is a great all round dog both with other dogs and people,my bitch isn't so good around other dogs,but adores humans and loves kids.

They have a real character and presence about them,they are also very sensitive,shout at them and they sulk.

If you are getting a puppy,I recommend you get in touch with one of the breed clubs (listed below) who will be able to point you in the direction of a good reptuable Breeder.
All Staffords need to be tested for L2/HC PHPV & PPSC.

Breed Clubs,
Alyn & Deeside SBTC. Sec.Mr A Moran. Tel No:0161 320 6485

Downlands SBTC. Sec. Mrs A Gatenby. Tel No:01730 828402

East Anglian SBTC Sec. Mrs L Mcfadyen. Tel No: 01992 427698

East Midlands SBTC. Sec. Mrs N Vann. Tel No: 01664 840570

Merseyside SBTC. Sec. Mrs C Kerrington. Tel No: 0151 546 7516

Morccambe Bay & Cumbria SBTC. Sec. Mr G H Earle. Tel No: 01697 320217

North Eastern SBTC. Sec. Miss J M E McLauchlan Tel No: 01642 783948

North Of Scotland SBTC. Sec. Ms J A Smith Tel No not available please contact The Kennel Club.

North West SBTC. Sec. Miss S Houghton. Tel No: 01942 708161

Northern Counties SBTC. Sec. Mrs L King. Tel No: 0113 2632 462

Notts & Derby District SBTC. Sec. Mrs Jenny Smith. Tel No: 01332 781062

Potteries SBTC. Sec. Mrs S A reader. Tel No: 01782 611514

Scottish SBTC Sec. Mr Fleming. Tel No: 0141 763 2349

Southern Counties SBTC. Sec. Mr Meneer. Tel No not available,please contact The Kennel Club.

SBTC. Sec. Mr J Beaufoy. Tel No: 01299 403382

SBTC Of South Wales. Sec. Mr K Jones. Tel No: 01639 821410

Western SBT Society. Sec. Mr Grimwood. Tel No: 01495 759254

Hi NattsHampshire,

Invest in a crate for the new pup, that way it can't destroy anything when your out crate works well for us.

whats happend to all the helpfull posts

Can't seem to find your helpful post garryd