Looking for our first dog!

hethmar

Hopefully he is a staffiex because despite all the bad publicity they get they are actually in general a lot calmer and much better with kids than say a patterdale or jr. I have only just read the thread and when I saw the cross you first mentioned I thought oh dear, that will be a proper handful but now you say he looks more staffie then I think you have probably made a good choice.

Wishing you the best of luck with him. Is he neutered and chipped?

mon1o

Hi there

He is chipped but has not been neutered yet that's the next thing on my list! the more people that see him the more we think he is def a patterdale/staffy x we've been for a picnic today with some friends and their Weimaraner the 2 dogs got on very well despite the huge difference in size (my dog is only a lil thing!) :rotfl:

He loves the outdoors but now I think he's tired out he's snoozing on the sofa lol! Brilliant with the kids. Last night he went in his crate at 10pm whimpered a bit until 1020pm, then slept all night. The baby woke up at 4am so she woke him up then we had on/off howling from the dog until 445am. He went back to sleep though until 730 so for the first night in his new home he did ok I think.

Just one thing, he isn't eating much but when we eat he is very interested and we are holding firm and not giving in. Will he eat more as he settles in or is this something I need to discuss with the vet?

Many thanks x

hethmar

Well, its worth you taking him to your vet to register him and get his first check up anyway and you can discuss any problems and about having him neutered at that time cant you.

If he is chipped - has your friend given you his paperwork as you will have to arrange for his ownership details to be changed over. Have you got his innoculations paperwork too?

And dont forget to get insurance on him. As a "mongrel" premiums will be lower.

mon1o

Hi yes I have the paperwork for the chip and the inoculations. I'm currently looking at insurance too. Thanks x

ladymarmalade1970

You won't go wrong with a staffy X. I was going to suggest a retriever as bigger dogs ARE better with kids but given your OH didn't want a larger dog a staffy is probably the next best thing. Could be a bit "hyper" with the pattendale but they are lovely dogs and i am sure you will be fine. I have a staffy X retreiver :-D. I have had him from a puppy and we all ADORE him but he is quite naughty at times and very demanding. I guess yours will be the same lol.
If you want a forum dedicated to staffies then this is the one http://s4.zetaboards.com/StaffiesRus/index/. The don't mind staffy X's and there is some very good advise on feeding, training, diet and generally staffy traits.
Good luck, although i am sure you won't need it.

mon1o

Thanks LadyM I'm truly smitten with him! He's now resumed eating (hurrah!) so we just need to get him to stop the night time howling. Last night was not good as he threw full blown barking into the mix! Spoke to the neighbors and they didn't hear him so that's something. I think we were taking him out for his last toilet trip too early. Tonight the oh is taking him for a quick walk around 1030. Hopefully that will stop the 4am wake up call. We'll see. We are slowly finding out his likes and dislikes and he's finding out ours lol!

I will certainly take a look at the forum you suggested thank you.