I have heard that a bitch staff is better with children than the male.
My thoughts were that as long as you train and socialise a puppy, regardless of its sex, before 4 months...it will be fine.
As ive never owned a dog before I have no idea if its true...could any1 clear this up for me please??? :s
It sounds like rubbish to me!!!

I have one of each and both of mine are sound with children so I would say its rubbish! :-)
My boy is much more willing to be pulled around then the bitch tho if anything, my bitch runs off to play to get away but my boy will just sit and take it with a big smile on his face!! lol

If you haven't had a dog before and have kids, why would you ever risk it with a staffordshire of either sex?

I totally respect the fact its a dog (a staffy at that) and will not be leaving my daughter alone with the dog at ANYTIME! the dog will be properly trained and be going to classes to help me with this...As i am a first time owner I know that there is still alot for me to learn, but im not totally ignorant to the breed and the stigma that goes with it with regards to children. The puppy is a staffy x jack russell, 8weeks, which is good time to socialize the dog with my daughter. Having said all that Staffys are the most loving dogs, and not difficult to train. I intend on getting fully clued up and have already spoken to vets, rescue centres and over staffy owners for advice. I haven't made my choice lightly.

http://www.alldogsmatter.co.uk/?staffie-myths,55

Each to their own, but that website is just a good sales pitch, a cross will potentially be even more unpredictable. I would defy anyone to say they NEVER had left dog and baby alone for a moment or two, which is all it takes. Risks that can be minimised imo should be

If you haven't had a dog before and have kids, why would you ever risk it with a staffordshire of either sex?

Risk what?  If you mean because the OP hasn't owned a bull breed before then I would agree.

I have one of each, my first being a b*tch who was with us when my son was around 10 years old.

Both dogs are of equal temperament around children.  Have to say though the male is a bit more 'ditzy', but nontheless still mild mannered.

I wouldn't leave either of them alone with a young child, simply because they are so loving and full on with their licks, I would be concerned about them knocking a child over by accident or similar.  Nothing ominous, just that they're fairly strong dogs and it's the sensible thing to do.

The only thing I'd be concerned of is the temperament of the parents. If the were unsound it will be passed on, and who would breed a sbtxjrt someone who hadn't the knowledge perhaps and let there questionable tempered dog reproduce.

My two babies were brought up with a male staffordshire with no problems at all. Contrary to some media reports they dont eat babies and children and as with ANY breed of dog children and dogs should ALWAYS be supervised

> I would be concerned about them knocking a child over by accident or similar.  Nothing ominous, just that they're fairly strong dogs and it's the sensible thing to do.

I always think of a friendly Staff as a canine cannonball.

Re. why would you risk a Staffordshire of either sex - I wouldn't pick a Staffy out as being a particularly risky breed to have with children - they have the strength to hurt a child as does any medium sized breed upwards but temperament wise they are not a breed I'd pick out as being a risk. 

On male or female - a male will on average be bigger, stronger and possibly a bit more bouncy - or maybe they just seem more bouncy because there is more of them to bounce.  

I have been around staffs all my life and i don't think i have met such a kind dog to adults and children, if there brought up correctly as with any dog they are one of the bests dogs you can ever have IMO. I have had all sorts of dogs and i have always found staffs to be the most loyal companions.

But just with all dogs, young children should never be left alone with them.

The only thing I'd be concerned of is the temperament of the parents. If the were unsound it will be passed on, and who would breed a sbtxjrt someone who hadn't the knowledge perhaps and let there questionable tempered dog reproduce.

:-o
You could say that of any dog from a toy poodle to a mastiff!!!

Staffords are known as the nanny dopg for their affinitive love of people, espicially children.
Staffords are very safe around any child of any age as long as they are taught boundaries and know not to play around the baby and not touch it, simple enough to train if you have a good dog to begin with!

I have 2 staffords and when I have children I will have no worries about their temp with him or her.

i agree 100% with you Dizzystaffords. Our Staffs favourite sleeping spot is under the cot or next to the pram. There ever so gentle with children.

I had two Staffords until recently - both male - and a 5 yr old son.  The dogs were exemplary their whole time with my son and were both mature dogs when Ethan came along - caution with any dog and children is a wise thing to do.  Never having kept a bitch I can't comment but my male Staffords loved my little lad.

Staffords are know to be very good with children but I'd add a caveat to that - good well raised Staffords are exceptionally good with children - poorly raised dogs of any breed should not be trusted around kids.  If you have any doubts about your ability to raise a good dog don't have one with children.

Deed not breed.
I know nowt about Staffies, but I do know that there are some very nice ones. They have got a bad press 'cause of idiot thugs who think they're a status symbol. I think with any type of dog and children there's potential for children to be knocked over, bitten, etc. As a dog owner and parent you just have to use lots of common sense and be prepared to ensure you train not only the dog but also the children. It would be a sad world if children were not raised with dogs. With my own breed, I can't say that I would push one sex or the other. When I got my first dog, I was told that a bitch would be more loyal and easier to train, and in that particular instance she was certainly the best character I could have wished for.  However, I now have 3 bitches and 2 dogs .... the dogs are the most biddable and easiest of the bunch, the girls very strong willed (any one of them would have been a shock first time around :-) ) - this is how I like them mind!
I think the most important thing is to ensure that you are getting a dog from healthy stock and that it's been well socialised, in all sorts of situations and with all sorts of people, young and old, and that you then continue it's socialisation programme - which means you've got to have the time to put in.
If you are getting a puppy, make sure you go to an experienced/reputable breeder that way you should have someone that will be able to determine which pup is the best one in the litter for your situation - it's getting the right puppy irrespective of sex.  Good luck.

They have got a bad press 'cause of idiot thugs who think they're a status symbol.

I agree with this. Sadly where I live the staff is the breed of dog the teens get dragged about with in the streets, they use them to fight and scare people over the common. It's quite sad. Because of this I no longer trust the breed where I live, but in the next town on walks I have met plenty of really friendly staffs :)

They also breed them non stop and sell the pups on for £50 :(

> They also breed them non stop and sell the pups on for £50 :-(

They are terrible for doing this but the buyers are also at fault if there was no demand then they wouldn't supply :-(

<...>"If you are getting a puppy, make sure you go to an experienced/reputable breeder that way you should have someone that will be able to determine which pup is the best one in the litter for your situation - it's getting the right puppy irrespective of sex.  Good luck.">

I'm just entering that process now - surprisingly difficult to find I have to say!

I'm just entering that process now - surprisingly difficult to find I have to say!

So I'm gathering ... why is this? Is it down to the breed, by that I mean there are an awful lot of staffies out there being bred badly and for the wrong reasons, or is it a case of finding the right breeder, irrespective of the breed? 

Have been thinking about this quite a bit lately. In my own breed I obviously know where I'd source a good dog, and maybe a few other breeds I'd have a reasonable starting point from the obedience/agility/working trials world, but a staffie I've no idea where I would start, that is getting a pup. I know a lot of places where I wouldn't contemplate going, including a number of geographical places. Beyond breed clubs, KC, personal recommendation and this type of forum I'd be stumped. Too many being puppy farmed and too many being bred badly.

So I'm gathering ... why is this? Is it down to the breed, by that I mean there are an awful lot of staffies out there being bred badly and for the wrong reasons, or is it a case of finding the right breeder, irrespective of the breed? 

Its right breeder regardless of breed :-)
But with staffords or any big or bull breed you need to know the history of the dog being bred (temp etc) espicially for the reasons noted here, staffords espicially are very very easy to manipulate if you are the 'wrong' type of person, we searched for 2 years to find our stafford male and you can tell the difference by 1000 miles the difference in him to badly bred staffords, the temperament should be the same in all staffords but you just dont know if it isnt a pedigree if it has any other dogs mixed in there somewhere.

Same goes for any other breed, if it isnt a pedigree you just dont know what your getting!

Staffords are fantastic dogs in the careful dog owners hands as you respect their type and know what they need and can keep their strength under control, a well trained stafford is quite an amazing dog as they will listen to your every word and are very easily trained!

these hoodies have these strong dogs but no will to control it or train it and thats where accidents happen :-(

A good place to start looking for a stafford pup is funnily enough on here!
There are a fair few respected and well known stafford kennels on here, I could name a few if you wanted ton PM.
I know they are well established breeders breeding for type and temperament, not for the biggest head or any of that rubbish and they wouldnt let one of their pups go to any hoodie home.

I have worked with male and female staffs and they have been wonderful dogs, I wouldn't worry about which sex to get. I personally prefer dogs over bitches, but my partner prefers bitches - Its courses for horses. But, I would suggest getting a purebred staff rather than getting one crossed with a jrt, purely so that you can be a little more sure of the temperament etc.

Hi Kisha,

I would say if you are a first time dog owner then a bitch would be the best. I do find bitches more independent and some say more aloft but are always very loving with their family. I find boys to be more attention seekers with that can be more demanding. The main thing to be very strict on when buying a pup for your family is meeting the pup's mum, (dad if you can) as this will gage the temperament of the pup. You don't want the one charging at you for love or the quiet one hiding in the corner but a pup playing happily and nicely with his litter mates seeing the puppy a few times within 12 weeks will make you sure you know its character. A good breeder will let you do this and match you with the best pup for you. With the bad press that this breed have now any good breeder will want this dog to be with you for its life. Getting any dog is a 12/14 year commitment so getting the best is always worth saving for and waiting for. Best of luck with getting a little un :-)

Don't forget to buy a pup who's parents have been tested  for L2 and HC (preferably tested clear which means the pup will be heredary clear) and also PHPV unaffected .
Don't line the pockets of those refusing to test

If you haven't had a dog before and have kids, why would you ever risk it with a staffordshire of either sex?

Now there's a prejudice statement if I ever heard one!!!

One based on total ignorance, I think!