Staffies

mrcol1000

bramble1 wrote: »

I think you mistunderstand, my point was we couldn't have gone to a resuce centre to get a dog, because ours is a working dog, we need a gun dog and couldn't risk adopting a dog that could turn out to be gun shy, scared of tractors and other farm machinery, our dog is a pet but he also serves a purpose, some people do have to buy from breeders, adoption isn't always an option unfortunately.

There was an intresting program on ages ago where they took a young dog (maybe 1 or 2) that was going to be put down as no-one could rehome it due to its behavourial problems and trained it to be a working dog.
Talking of dogs doing jobs, dogs for the blind and hearing and police dogs also sometimes take dogs that are reffered from rescues. The bigger rescues can tell when the puppy will be suitable for working.
Also you should bear in mind that some of the puppies especially bred for police work from prime police dog stud turn out to not be suitable for police dog work. So its actually pretty much pot luck rather than knowing you can breed a working dog.
Before anyone starts crying I am not saying everyone should get their dog from a rescue and abandon the breeders but its incorrect to assume if you want a dog for a certain role breeders is the only way to go.

bramble1

mrcol1000 wrote: »

There was an intresting program on ages ago where they took a young dog (maybe 1 or 2) that was going to be put down as no-one could rehome it due to its behavourial problems and trained it to be a working dog.
Talking of dogs doing jobs, dogs for the blind and hearing and police dogs also sometimes take dogs that are reffered from rescues. The bigger rescues can tell when the puppy will be suitable for working.
Also you should bear in mind that some of the puppies especially bred for police work from prime police dog stud turn out to not be suitable for police dog work. So its actually pretty much pot luck rather than knowing you can breed a working dog.
Before anyone starts crying I am not saying everyone should get their dog from a rescue and abandon the breeders but its incorrect to assume if you want a dog for a certain role breeders is the only way to go.

Where the behaviour problems for the dog due to his lack of mental stimulation?

I do agree that it's hit and miss with dogs and you won't always be guarenteed to have a brilliant dog for the job you want it to carry out, but with us, we wanted and needed a puppy who we could introduce to farm machinery, animals, gun shots at a young age, we couldn't afford to take a risk with an animal that had unknown and underlying issues, because i wouldn't want to have to give them up again knowing that in the long run they wouldn't be suited to our lifestyle. I fully intend on getting our next dog from a rescue, because he will be a sole companion and not be needed on the farm.

Sublime_2

I'm sorry I haven't had time to watch the BBC video, but I saw enough. There should be more responsibility with breeders to how they're re-homed, and used for breeding. They shouldn't be given to anyone, especially not as presents, (though I'm sure it was well intentioned). They should not be given to people who cannot afford to take on a commitment.

Oh, I've just seen more, where the dog has been shut away, and told off for having sharp claws. This is what pavement walks are for. Dogs will get fed up, if they aren't taken for regular walks, etc, and will get over eager to please. They hate being completely isolated from their 'family'.

Our first one, was apparently on his 'last' chance when OH took him in, so would have been put down. I only had the privilige to know him from about 8/9 years old, but you couldn't have wished for a better companion, and a more loving nature with his 'people'. I still miss him.

...a walk a day, and a meal, I pray...

Pete*G_4

We have two staffies, both rescue dogs. I wouldn't change them for the world.

Any perception people have of them is dangerous, it's not the dogs that are the dangerous it's the owners. A loaded gun laid on a table is not dangerous until someone picks it up and uses it. A fourlegged creature with immense strength and sharp teeth isn't dangerous either until someone teaches it to act (or react) aggressively.

we've never had a problem, and don't intend to. Both ours adore our 5 month old baby, both have started to sleep under her cot during the day if they can sneak in there - even when our LO isn't in there!

hethmar

You know, I was bitten by a dog last week, first time in years and yes, it was a cute little westie wearing a little fur coat - pmsl. Couldnt believe it. Bit of blood, owner panicking but my fault for stroking without asking.

candygirl

Pete*G wrote: »

We have two staffies, both rescue dogs. I wouldn't change them for the world.

we've never had a problem, and don't intend
Any perception people have of them is dangerous, it's not the dogs that are the dangerous it's the owners. A loaded gun laid on a table is not dangerous until someone picks it up and uses it. A fourlegged creature with immense strength and sharp teeth isn't dangerous either until someone teaches it to act (or react) aggressively.

to. Both ours adore our 5 month old baby, both have started to sleep under her cot during the day if they can sneak in there - even when our LO isn't in there!

well said:T:T:T

mrcol1000

hethmar wrote: »

You know, I was bitten by a dog last week, first time in years and yes, it was a cute little westie wearing a little fur coat - pmsl. Couldnt believe it. Bit of blood, owner panicking but my fault for stroking without asking.

Thats not really an excuse. What if a child who didn't know to ask permisson before stroking a dog had tried to stroke the dog? As its a Westie you seem to have taken this oh its my fault thing. No dog should be out in public unless it can be approached by strangers without going for attack. If it can't it should have a muzzle no matter how cute and adoreable the dog is.

candygirl

Most Westies i've met have been snappy little boogers:eek::eek:My old lab was attacked by one when she was a pup, and she never forgot:mad::mad:

gettingready

Fire_Fox wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nts91/Wonderland_Series_2_Seven_Pups_for_Seven_People/

What a pity.... I live nto far from that area but tend to avoid it on the way to/from work as much as I can because of serious problems there.

My dog was attacked by few staffs - few times. She is very nervous around all staffs now.

Poor dogs, stupid people.

I am not a staffie person, love all creatures but would not have a staffie myself - that look, that jaw... did not make my heart melt as german Shepherds do but I guess each one to their own. And poor staffies do not deserve to be treated like that.

The guy who could nto afford to vaccinate his dog - what did he know? There is PDSA in BOW, fewstops from east Ham, there is Celia Hammond in Canning Town - there are ways of having a dog vaccinated/neutered/chipped for people on low incomes/with no income - at very cheap prices. But one has to WANT to look after an animal....

Thanks for posting this FireFox

Sublime_2

They seem sweet little dogs, but one of those used to repeatedly go for my staffy, who is so good natured, and used to look for me to guidance.