So I've had my heart set on a Chihuahua for a few months now... I recently toyed with the idea of a Pug, because there were a few small things I was questioning about the Chi.

Basically, I'd love a Chihuahua, but I'm worried about their size (easily breakable!) and I'm worried that they wouldn't be super-inclined to go on long walks and such. As a result, I'm again thinking about looking at other breeds. For the moment, the Pug is out of the window due to their supposed excessive moulting and common dislike of long walks and warm weather!

The "requirements" are that the dog (as a breed) be generally friendly, affectionate, loyal, renowned as being simple to train (well), and relatively small (under 18-20" tall ideally).

I quite fancy a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I get the impression that they can be a lot like a more substantial Chi in many of their traits... What does everyone else think? Any other suggestions for alternative breeds to look at? (Considered Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs).

I still have my heart quite set on a Chihuahua (though the Staffie looks more and more favourable!) but I want to make sure I'm on entirely the right track before I get my pup! Also, a few people I've spoken to have mentioned the Staffies "reputation". Now, although I know it's probably just "tall tales" and bad-press, I was wondering what the background on this was??

Thanks in advance!

A staffys temperament will depend entirely upon its breeding
Some are naturally dog aggressive whether you are a sensible and responsible owner or not and there is nothing you can do to change that other than be sensible and resonsible . Not all are like that . Gus is dog friendly with any breed and even lives with a cat without problems.
with children they are fantastic - may knock the "younger" child over due to over excitement but not maliciousness but on the whole are extremely patient with them .
They enjoy exercise but love their home comforts too - they ADORE people. Can be stubborn but extremely loving, affectionate and loyal. They adore human company and probably not best left alone for long periods.
As you can probably tell i LOVE the breed :D
nearly forgot to mention that they are Also extremely strong

anything else you would like to know - just ask :)

Thanks Lel, so it's all in the breeding?

I also forgot to mention that I have three cats. How do Staffys generally get on with cats? I know they were initially bred to fight, although I've heard that it's a trait that's being progressively bred out...

As you said, I appreciate that it's all in the breeding, but I'm naturally worried that the dog will flip out and turn on my cats. They'd be supervised as best as possible, but you can never keep your eye on them all the time, especially when the cats are allowed to wander around at will!

(Should a breeder be able to assure (to some extent!) cat-friendliness based on the bloodline, and will introducing the cats to the dog at an early age help much? Also, how do dogs and bitches differ on the basis of gender with Staffies?)

My staff gets on with all dogs. She is sometimes a bit nervous when she meets a new one and rolls on her back to submit. She is best friends with a Springer bitch and will play for ages. As for cats, I have three and she is very good with them. In fact when my cat had kittens she would often be found laying on the sofa with 3 kittens on her back. She absolutely loves children and goes out of her way to go to them when out on her lead. She loves to run free and can jump very high and play hard but when she gets home from about 6 oclock onwards she can be found upstairs on my bed relaxing for the night and sometimes refuses to get off to go out for a wee at bedtime. She is my first Staff and I wouldnt swop her for any other breed she has so much character and is so funny. I think with the cat issue if a dog is introduced to a cat from a young age you wont have any problems.  

I also own staffies and i adore them to bits.  They were the only breed that we found that we could trust around our children.  They can become very boistrous at times and they are not always just content with a throw of the ball.  My pair are quite happy sat on my lap and thay are not exactly the right size for a lap dog.  They can be very stubbon and I have found training mine very, um, challenging sometimes but they are a very rewarding pet to have.

If introduced early enough to other pets they are okay with cats.  My dog is great and actually runs from cats, (scared one out from under the hedge one day and scared himself witless into the process)

A good website to find info on staffords is www.cleverstaffords.co.uk  this is where I found most of my information when looking into the breed.

They are very easy to keep clean and feed but they do love human company and when we used to leave our Jas when we went shopping he would cry all the time we were out fortunately our neighbour loves staffy's and owned one herself when she was younger and knows what they are like so she didn't mind. 

Matt
it is easier to introduce Staffys to cats when they are pups rather than when they are older.
Its not ALL just in the breeding I might add .
Obviously you would want a pup from a breeder who looks for temperaments as wells as good looks befitting the breed standard and good health but NO breeder can guarantee a dog that will not be dog aggressive or cat friendly as every dog will be an individual .
You can do your best with early socialising, being responsible and supervision .
If you are serious about a Staffy you have to consider that even after having done your homework and looked for the best breeder you can find- you may still end up with a dog who doesnt like others and you need to think about whether you can deal with this and how you would handle such a situation .
If you think you couldnt or wouldnt want to, then the Staffy is not for you . And there is no shame in realising that . :)
I have met lots of wonderful Staffys who are dog and cat friendly but equally I have met others that arent and no amount of training or socialising would make them become so .
The choice is entirely yours Matt- there are hundreds of wonderful breeds out there - make sure you choose the best one for you and your family :)
Good luck whatever choice you decide to make :D

Hi again Matt,  cant give any help about Staffis, but you have some excellent advice from the above posters.  However, I can give a bit of info. about the French Bulldogs - compared to Pugs they are as susceptible to heat, if not even more so!  Therefore they are as uninclined for long walks on very long days. 
bye
Gwen

Hi, I have 3 Staffs: 1 bitch and her 2 6mth old sons.

They are loving, intelligent, very obedient, a tad stubborn at times, boisterous, can be totally OTT when they get excited, immensely strong (even the pups are now solid muscle), very dog friendly and very cat friendly too.  I have 2 cats and they all get on really well.  None of the dogs have ever shown an ounce of aggression towards the cats, it's the cats if anything that can be stroppy! :-)  They will take any amount of exercise you want to give them and can keep going all day but also very happy to snuggle up in their cage and snooze but be warned, they snore...a lot! :-)

All of them hate the rain as well, it's not easy dragging 3 solid lumps of unwilling muscle outside in the pouring rain to have a wee!

<<<it's the cats if anything that can be stroppy!  >>>

Lol :D
it is in our house too :)
Noodle the cat will approach and have a sniff etc when she feels like but if its the other way around and Gus wants a sniff he gets a swipe :)

Hi Matt,

Do you know anyone with a Stafford if so go round and visit - most Staffie owners will talk for hours about their dogs :) look at me and Lel ;)
Then you will see first hand what they are "usually like - although it depends on the way you bring it up."

Then go a walk with them and the dog you'll see first hand what we means by strong.

Or where abouts do you live? I am in B'ham and would be more than willing to let you meet Sal...if you wished she is a bitch and 15 months old. About as "nutty" as you can get but shes a Staffie and you either love 'em or not.

Have you had dogs before because you need to be reasonably sure of yourself for a Stafford dog and they are exuberance on legs...a bitch "usually" is easier in some ways, but all in all not a lot to choose between dogs and bitches...bare in mind dogs are a damn sight stronger. :)

Karen 

<<<bear in mind that dogs are a damn sight stronger. >>> :)
Arent they just :rolleyes:
Does save you weight training for one arm though :D

Shame about the other arm though :)
Karen

Thats why i always wear long sleeves :)
to hide the withery one :D

my staffie shes is  a baby not happy when a new dogs comes to her home but kids great she cant get enough of kids even my greatdane wot i brought home at 15mths she loves they are a great dog to have my ***ways has a happy look go for 1 you wont be sorry  . cats will soon show   they the boss