Staffies are our soul-mates. Bull breeds may have had a murky past associated with their shady use in dog fighting rings...and there is the awareness we are not out of the woods yet. BUT ask yourself why Staffies have become so popular in Britain? It is not on the basis of the power of the jaw (which is considerable admittedly) but the power of their heart and smile. Bull breeds are people dogs...like no other breed type their identification is with the people in their lives and their hearts know no boundaries; they adore every stranger that glances their way on their walks or steps into their domain. Despite their usual terrier instincts to chase and tenacity to put another dog in its place if they dare affront them; on the whole Staffies are highly social dogs who adore following their owners footsteps and being introduced to 'lickable friends'. A young Staffie is high energy and boisterous and their inclination is often to leap up and greet you full-heartedly. In our experience this is the main issue with the breed and it is easily discouraged and trained out of the dog with consistency of approach. The other issue is their love to carry things in their mouths like sticks and balls and they can be a little possessive of such things in public and need to learn to tolerate another dogs interest or possession play restricted to back garden activities  And what of the old Staffie - oh whow adorable, absolutely adorable.

Despite public misconceptions Staffies are singled out as a frontrunner in a safe breed with children; Boxers, Shepherds and Labradors also stand out. Despite public misconceptions Staffies rub along with most dogs. They will have their moments - they are terriers. However, if a Staffie gives the wrong look or goes to make a move to put another dog in its place people are "up in arms" because of their potential power, it is understandable. Staffies don't get away with much...if they have a tiff; people run reporting their owners to the police quoting the dangerous dogs act and their reputation grows overnight in the dog walking fraternity.  People often do need to stand up for a Staffie's reputation to quash such nonsense in seed form.  It doesn't help that so many youths insist in having them off lead in public parks and knowing their dogs are trustworthy...but generally failing to buy into the fact that the public are fearful of the breed. See the alarm on people's faces over an "off lead" Staffie approaching. We all share it, even Staffie owners. A commotion has begun before the Staffie has reached the bemusing target of curiosity.  In first walking out with a Staffies, you are suddenly aware of the power of the dog under your control, but also how your path is affecting other people as they change theirs to avoid you. When a dog has come from the pound we often muzzle during its assessment period and that soon gets people diving into bushes to avoid it. With dialogue they come to understand a muzzled dog is a safe dog and it actually allows us to fully socialise a dog and to develop trust all round if people will co-operate

'They didn't ask to be born a Staffie'. Don't take concerns about ownership out on the actual dog. Our experience is with the youth culture adopting the "Staffie emblem" as part of their image, that Staffies come to us, usually more highly socialized than other dogs.  They have been hanging around street corners, shopping centres and in and out of in numerous people's houses. Their corners have been rounded off; they come in as very versatile dogs. Their appeal is winning new friends wherever they go.