Can any1 help? Im looking for a staffordshire bull terrier pup. I live in N ireland but im not sure how i would go about finding a reputable breeder, there is so many mixed breeds advertising as staffs on some web sites and if im going to pay for a pup i want to know that its a pure breed, i already know that some of the papers that come with some dogs are not worth the paper they are wrote on. I have seen some breeders on this site but im not sure if i should contact them or wait to see if any litters get advertised on this site. Any advice or help would be very much apprteciated thanks.

I think you should give one of the many in rescue a good home. Even if I had a champion line of them I would be coming out of the breed and urging puppy enquiries to get a rescue. You could specify a colour age sex and county and get what you asked for because they are so many.

I absolutely have to agree with Louise. If I were wanting a staff I would definitely get one from a rescue centre, you will be spoiled for choice. You should even be able to get a puppy staff from rescue if you really must have a pup. Our local centre has had many staffs come in pregnant and there have been some absolutely gorgeous litters - but I like to see the Mum's get their well deserved new homes. Rescue centres are stuffed full of stunning staffs - it is a great sadness.

I'd be very careful about rehoming a puppy staff from a rescue centre. I wouldn't just be concerned about parents temperaments, health etc but what if the puppy grows up to look like a pitbull? Don't lots of councils in Ireland have restrictions on pitbull types? You'd already be fond of it by the time you realised what you had :(

Nope, sorry, if I wanted a staffie I would do exactly what the OP is doing. I'd look for one from a reputable breeder, who knew the dogs behind their dogs, who knew they all had wonderful temperaments and were all health checked adn who (very importantly) had papers proving the puppy was a pure bred staffie :-)

I'm with Chaumsong.

If you want a Staffie get the best breeder you can find, same with any puppy.

Like Chamsong...!!

My advice would be to visit the Belfast Champ show in Sept, buy a catalogue and spend your day at the SBT ringside. You can watch the dogs being shown all day long and speak to the exhibitors.  It is a very busy ringside, usually outside but all the dogs will be listed in the catalogue along with the names and addresses of exhibitors, many will be breeders or know of good litters with pups for sale.  SBT will be shown on the Saturday.

http://www.kingshall.co.uk/event/detail/898192bc-b47a-4500-8e30-67bd18c76cdb

Better breeders will advertise on http://www.pedigreedogs.ie/ avoid Gumtree and Donedeal.

Hope this helps :)

Not very PC but I'm afraid, but I would never get a puppy whose background and parental health status I did not know/could verify.  Too much like getting a pig in a poke.

At least with a rescue adult to some extent you can see what your getting.

I personally don't beleive rescues should rear litters born to bitches they get in, there are enough adults in need of homes..

I agree as well. Go to the Belfast show and chat to breeders and check they health test. I'd never dare to get a rescued Staffie and  I actually think the only solution to the problem with them is to put all to sleep that remain in rescue for more than say a month. There will never, ever be enough homes for all the badly bred ones sadly.

so sad Goldimali  flipping humans we really dont get it right  whatever the breed :(

I would get one from a rescue, but an adult only. I am working with one this week and he is just a DREAM, hes so quick to learn, hes well mannered, hes gentle and eager to please - but he is being over looked because he isn't a flashy colour, and he barks in kennels.

To ensure you're buying a health tested SBT (from health tested parentage; L2HGA, Phpv, HC) and a pup that should also have a fantastic temperament, I would suggest getting in touch with the NISBTC.

Details here: http://www.nisbtc.co.uk/5.html