our staffordshire is almost two yrs old but still very boistrous and sometimes aggressive towards other dogs , a friend of ours who happens to be a vet said she would have him snipped to calm him down but we would like him to stand stud at least once then maybe have him done or is it wiser to take her advice ? hes really healthy with no known problems and seems a shame not to let him do what nature intended , any advice/views would be appreciated .

If he's nasty with other dogs then he shouldn't in reality be used.  What health tests have you had done on him so far?

Seriously, why would you want to breed from a dog that is known to be aggressive towards other dogs ?
Also, allowing him to be used at stud possibly just the once could cause you more problems and possibly heighten his aggression towards other (male) dogs.
I personally take your friends advice and have him neutered.

What are the reasons behind using him at stud ? Is he health tested and has he been shown ?

If you consider his aggression do you think it is wise to use him at stud and pass this possible temperament issue onto the resulting pups ?

seems a shame not to let him do what nature intended

Far worse to use him once and then never again. If he's been used at stud then even if neutered he will still be wanting to mate bitches.

Very few male dogs are suitable or stud work, it has to be the cream of the crop, the very best as far as looks, health and temperament goes. Especially in Staffies as it is such a badly overbred breed with far too many puppies born and not enough suitable homes.

Its not contributing to the breed if you stud him.  Aggression in any dog can also be magnified in their offspring.  So no its really not a good idea and i would take your friends advice and get him neutered.

I would definitely go along with the vets advice and castrate him. Staffs get a bad enough press without using a dog at stud with a poor temperament.

Agree with every single word that everyone has already said.
There is no need to use him as a stud dog.
There is no need to produce even more pups into our already over populated Stafford world.
He won't know any different, honestly.

Get him castrated, best all round.

Agree with other posters.  Firstly any dog being bred from should be of good, sound temprament ... if that's not the case, they shouldn't be bred from, irrespective of how many health tests have been passed or how many shows they've won or how much the fit the 'breed standard'.  As others have said, to use once isn't going to help, it'll make him more interested in bitches.  I'm sorry, but why does he have to be used?  Do we really think that all men have to use their bits??  Personally (being in the teaching profession) the world would be a better place if some men (and women) didn't use their bits at all throughout their lifetime.  Look around the rescue centres ... the same can be said of the dog world.  Staffies (and their crosses), I believe, make up the greatest percentage of dogs in rescue centres.  I'm not saying that's 'cause they're Staffies, it's because too many people are breeding from them irresponsibly.
In my opinion, the owner of the stud dog has just as much responsibility as the owner of the bitch.  Ie, ensuring all health tests cleared (bitch and dog), all of good temprament (bitch and dog), ensuring there are sufficient orders for pups and ensuring the welfare of the pup, throughout it's life, ie, if owners cannot keep dog (if they die for example), then I expect that dog to come back to me in the first instance.
Forget your perceived notion of 'what nature intended' - not all animals in the wild breed - you can enjoy him as he is.
Did you know that castration reduces the chances of prostate problems later on?  Good incentive in my books to not breed from him.

what he hasn't experienced he will not miss.

if he gets a taste for sex -then is denied it he'll be a very peeved dog. better he doesn't know about it in first place.

thanks for all your advice you have confirmed what i suspected and i am now definately not going to use him as a stud, hes a great family dog which i wouldent spoil for anything.

> hes a great family dog which i wouldent spoil for anything.

This is where you can be of real service to your breed.  These dogs were generally known as great family dogs but that sometimes gets missed nowadays as there are some dubious examples around.  Great decision not to use him at stud by the way.  What really is wise is that you ask for opinion and obviously listen to the responses, well done you :)

Hi Staffylover007
I have to congratulate you on your sensible approach. I hope you have a very happy life ahead with your boy, he is lucky to have you, just as you feel lucky to have him.