Dear Breeder,
                 My husband and my self are looking for a staffie bull terrier puppy and was wondering whether you could give us some advice in what to look for, also can you tell if it is possible to tell a puppy will have a terrier looking face or a staffie looking face as we do prefere the staffie looking face. What would we be expected to pay for a bitch.

                                     Much Obliged
                                                      Maron Jordan

 

Hi
We bought a Staff girl just over a year ago. As she was our first dog and knowing the reputation of Staffs we did alot of research and bought some good books, we wanted to be prepared.
When you're looking for a breeder either use one that is recommended to you or look on the kennel Club website or a local Staff Bull Terrier Club.Our breeder was sourced through all these ways as she was recommended by the Chairman of the local club and was on the KC website.
When we went to see her, we went armed with loads of questions only to find that she had more for us. A good sign!
we saw Mother and grandfather and photos of Dad and our Staff was the runt of the litter but the prettiest,she almost had a face like a lamb. The breeder had children who were forever picking up the puppies so they were used to being handled and were all moving well , grabbing our laces and trouser legs and had clean eyes and ears .
I would just say check your breeder out, see if you feel comfortable with them, they shouldnt rush you in any way and be as interested in you and your home as you are in them. Look at the pups, see what they are like. Cost about 350 -500 each. Above all make sure that you are prepared and also your home and family are. Staffs are a huge commitment and the breed requires good and responsible owners who do not leave them for hours at a time. If you choose to become an owner you will have an animal who will love you like you have never been loved , be loyal to you and be a neverending source of fun.
let us know!

I would also want to see proof of eye testing - all Staffs should be tested! And make sure you meet mum and ask lots of questions about temperament - no matter how cute the pups are if the parents have poor temperaments they should not be bred from. And just because a breeder is on the KC website does not mean they are good - anyone can register a litter, I would suggest the local breed club. Good luck - you've chosen a great breed! :) :)

poppynurse - apart from the eye testing, I had covered every point that you just made.
Whats the point of asking about the temperament, the breeders can lie, the best way is to see the family together and go on recommendation .
Keep visiting if you have to, just drop in, apart from it being maybe a bit inconvenient the breeder should make you welcome as it will be obvious that you are geniune

Pardon me for treading on your toes Coleystaff - I simply believe that Staffs should be eye tested as recommended by the breed council. You said you met mum - I was just pointing out the importance of this - and asking lots of questions about temperament - surely you agree a good temperament is vital, and yes of course folk can lie which is why you must interact with mum and trust the breeder, however many visits this entails. I also pointed out that anyone can put a litter on the KC site - 'bad' breeders as well as good...but then many breeders don't need to advertise because personal recommendation books their pups before they are even born. But then what do I know.......

you didnt tread on my toes at all, I just get fed up when I post a balanced responsible reply unlike some and someone comes in with what sounds like a sarcy reply. Your point about eye testing was extremely valid and that is appreciated but then after that it just sounded like you were contradicting me and I didnt think I had given bad advice

I'm sorry but just 'dropping in ' on a breeder is a NO NO!! These people may have 8-10 pups booked and if every potential buyer drops i then they are bound to get very stroppy...and rightly so!!!!
Please only visit under prior arrangement guest....its the ONLY polite way of doing it
Archer

I definately agree with Archer on this one. It is the only polite way. It may not be just the pups they have to look after, they could have adult dogs and other animals too.x

I have to disagree. Once our breeder had met us, she welcomed us dropping in both before we had chosen our puppy and afterwards.

i also say that new puppy owners can pop in to see the pups, but i dont mean that you can just turn up with out letting me know your coming.  if they turned up on my door and i did not know that they were coming that day then i would turn them away, as i also have a life and have other things to be doing

There was no sarcasm intended - the poster was asking for advice so I gave some :) :)
Guest why don't you register then you can join in the discussions!!!!!