Is it a good idea to get a staffordshire bull terrier if there is already one owned by another member of the family who visits regularly?

Generally not, especially same sex.

Funny how people perceive things as i think of a Stafford as a small to medium size breed.

>Funny how people perceive things as i think of a Stafford as a small to medium size breed.

Me too.

Apologies, It is between a few larger breeds and a staffie. Would you always go for a breed you had the most experience with?

Would you always go for a breed you had the most experience with?

No not necessarily it is fine to try a different breed but you do need to give some thought to what you already have and what you are bringing in. Some breeds are great at mixing (most scent hounds) others are very difficult (those who in the past were bred to fight). Dogs retain the traits that have been bred for over the large number of years and no one is surprised if a dog bred for hunting still does so and they should not be surprised if a dog bred for fighting is likewise inclined to fight.

Thank you for your reply. We are looking for something stafford build or larger, must be a breed that is known to be good with children and other dogs. We have chickens aswell on the land so must be ok and not fixated on them. Exercise requirements can be small or great, no longer than 2 hours per day. Short hair and thats it I think for requirements. Any advice would be appreciated

What breeds do you already have and how old are your children?

Genuine question why would another staff be unsuitable ? if dog are both good temprement is it not possible to add a staff pup. I know lots of people who have more than one ? 

if dog are both good temprement is it not possible to add a staff pup

Because you can't tell what a pup may be like when it gets to the teenage stage and although Staff people would know what to watch for those who are not Staffie wise may run into trouble even with opposite sexes although this is less likely there is a strong chance, as I have already said they have a in-born temperament to fight so you can never assume they will not do so.

Thanks Nova that makes sense

> We are looking for something stafford build or larger, must be a breed that is known to be good with children and other dogs. We have chickens aswell on the land so must be ok and not fixated on them. Exercise requirements can be small or great, no longer than 2 hours per day. Short hair and thats it I think for requirements.

Very large dog, good with children, good with other dogs, low prey drive. I may be biased but I'd have to say a Mastiff (English) :-D LOL

Of course, all those requirements can be found in  a number of breeds but still will all need socialisation and training.

I think it also very wise to remember that it is vitally important for the CHILDREN to be good with dogs. Children with no respect for a dogs behaviour/space that will tease a dog, not give it any space, pinch, pull & poke it and generally treat it like a toy have a very high chance of getting bitten even by a very child-tollerant dog, eventually. I'm sure as a dog-owner you allready know this, but I'd thought I'd add it in here for anybody else that may happen accross CD looking for a child-friendly dog :)

It would be worth saying what breed you have and what breeds you are considering.

No exisiting dogs but have a visiting female staffie. Have experience of staffies (both sexes) and love the loyalty and the devotion of the breed, am fully equipped to deal with training so a larger more headstrong breed isn't a worry.

Breeds considered do far are;
Dobermann
Rhodesian ridgeback
Bulldog
Mastiff
French Bulldog (I realise these aren't a large dog)

Love DDB but feel they are just a bit too large for us. The children are 6 and 8, used to staffies and unfazed by dogs and are 100% dog savvy

http://www.eastangliansbtclub.co.uk/page9.html

Maybe some useful info to think about on this link

Love DDB but feel they are just a bit too large for us. It looks like a Mastiff is not suitable then - as they are easily very much larger the DDB?

Thank you for the link, it says pretty much what I expected. I think I know deep down that it isn't the right breed to get alongside the one that we have that visits and stay sometimes but I think I hoped someone would tell me I was wrong!

Apologies I was reading and typing at the same time and didn't mean to put Mastiff in as they are also too large but again lovely dogs.

Also a Boxer dog - although i am unsure of whether they would need more than 2 hours walking per day?

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, regardless of breed - dobes are usually said to need two hours a day minimum, yet all 3.5 of mine have been perfectly happy on 45 minutes twice a day, so long as they have stuff to exercise their brain in the meantime (and 2.5 of the 3.5 were/are very high energy).  Linc (the 0.5) could walk for 3, 4, 5 hours a day and still want more - but 10 or 20 minutes with a clicker and he's happy :-)

and also the dogs won't be both resident, so a visiting staff with an in situ one is not the same.

Is that worse in your opinion then Brainless?

Thanks for that Nikita, I agree with you 100% about mental stimulation.

RR's aren't what I call a small dog either, taller than most DDB's as are Dobe's, just obviously not as bulky.
Have you also looked at the Boston too? Another bull type breed. Boxers and Rotts are worth considering, but require a lot of time regarding their enthusiasm to direct it correctly :-)
I know it's another large dog but the Bullmastiff could be worth looking at too.

Yes its the big and bulky that makes the ddb too big for me really (no offence I think they are beautiful)

I haven't looked at the boston, I will have a look thank you for the suggestion

A boxer male would be OK with the visiting staf bitch, theya gain are a breed that ofteh do not get on with same sex. 

They never grow up and can be very bouncy, but so are staffs, so think canine cannonball x tiggger.

Make sure to get one from a reputable source and check heart background etc.

Thank you Brainless, I do worry that the boston wouldn't be able to keep up with the play from the visiting staff bitch. She is a brilliant example of the breed and friendly with all other dogs but obviously with other dogs they can be a little rough in play.

Well yes as they don't have their hierarchy sorted and the resident dog may resent the visitor more than one they live with.

> keep up with the play from the visiting staff bitch. She is a brilliant example of the breed and friendly with all other dogs but obviously with other dogs they can be a little rough in play.

A boxer male would cope admirably.

Fbd dog, I think would.suit.you, they have terrier traits and can handle playing with my.ddb no problem. A lot more to them than bostons as we looked into them but decided with a toddler and 3 large breeds there legs are quite twig like. They have fab stamina and mine is good with chickens but would chase when younger (boy).

if you were to get a stafford then maybe a male would be better suited towards the other stafford being a bitch,
no reason they shouldnt get on ,trained and reared and supervised properly
sounds /reads to me like you know the breed and are aware of the ups and downs ect
good luck in what ever you choose..
its good to get feed back
jayne
xx
edited to add,i have a boston that plays with my 3 staffords and she also walks 5 to 7 mile a day with them no problems,
but i allways supervise play ect

I have to admit they are a breed I have admired from afar for a few years now.

I'd really like to narrow it down to 2 breeds and then spend some time with the breeds and get to know breeders. Got my 1st dog as a youngster and it was I am ashamed to say completely impulse buy!! I knew nothing of the breed and spent the next 9 years learning! I am now in a position where I can devote all my time to training whilst my children are at school and can really look into what breed would be most suited to us. I would also say that there are some breeds that I think are stunning but I think its good to know your limits.

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">if you were to get a stafford then maybe a male would be better suited towards the other stafford being a bitch,<br />no reason they shouldnt get on ,trained and reared and supervised properly<br />sounds /reads to me like you know the breed and are aware of the ups and downs ect<br />good luck in what ever you choose..<br />its good to get feed back <br />jayne<br />xx<br />edited to add,i have a boston that plays with my 3 staffords and she also walks 5 to 7 mile a day with them no problems,<br />but i allways supervise play ect

I know them as an individual but have never owned more than 1 at a time. Sometimes the visiting stafford stays with us and with 2 children I need to feel comfortable that it won't all errupt.

A boxer sounds great; clever dogs, so brain-work is needed as much as physical exercise.

mastifflover (***)
I think it also very wise to remember that it is vitally important for the CHILDREN to be good with dogs. Children with no respect for a dogs behaviour/space that will tease a dog, not give it any space, pinch, pull & poke it and generally treat it like a toy have a very high chance of getting bitten even by a very child-tollerant dog, eventually

So very very true!!
It really gets on my nerves when i hear people always harping on about "is xyz breed good with children" (duh). The question should really be " are your parenting skills good enough and do you take the time to teach your children the correct way to behave around dogs".
It's all well and good training & socialising dogs but if you don't do the same with your kids you need to be realistic about who's to blame "if and when" something does go wrong.
(Kids......Like butter wouldn't melt lol)

Of course. If I had children like that (and thank god I have never allowed my children to be raised in that way)I wouldn't even consider adding a dog into the mix.

I have a boxer and think one would suit you. Mine is from a well respected breeder and is totally calm and relaxed in the house yet will run all day when out. Mental stimulation tires him immensely so if he has to rest (like after his knee op) a good 20 mins and he is whacked.

This is in contrast to some others I know that have been bred by goodness knows who, likely byb, that are NEVER quiet or still and very much a handful-totally tigger like but 24/7 rather than when you want them to be.

George will play when you want (he is a bit dim though!) but will happily lounge on his bed. He is very much a people, and dog, dog but isn't attached to you when in the house. I'd have another any day!

Yabbadoo - a well bred and raised Ridgey can be an excellent family dog. I've currently got seven and have owned the bred since 1985 and most of the pups I've bred (not that many!) have gone to family homes. You've got to be careful where you buy from though - as with most breeds!

If you want to just "talk Ridgies" feel free to message me. If you let me know which part of the country you are, I'm sure I could find someone with Ridgies at home for you to visit :)