jamie231

A further question: If looking for a SBT, can i search Australia-wide or am i best off sticking to Victorian breeders? Thanks guys

Overwhelmed by the responses on this thread! Leaning more towards a Stafford, the bolded bit above about defending property is not important really, i can deal with that. Thanks all :)

Exactly; And I recall just how much my old border collie changed throughout the years i owned him; he actually if anything got worse with age; got quite snappy and towards the end I warned strangers not to approach him at all; really quite sad... My life in 10y!! Probably a hell of a lot more time on my hands, at least that is the aim ! But one thing is for sure the main reason I want a dog is to develop another best-mate relationship like the one I had previously, I should be so lucky if he is still here in 10 years. Can't really see what else will change; I'll be 37 then so perhaps will be hitched? haha, seems a lifetime away !

great, this is why I've sought the opinions of this forum. Thanks everybody, and I'm staring to get a better Idea. I think Amstaff is off the list now for me, the above points all suggest that it may not be as suitable for my needs. also i think male will be better suited. I do have a question for the SBT breeders that have so kindly offered their opinions; I have been doing all the above things with a young (2y) old blue SBT male for the last two years and he has been perfect. He comes running/walking with me in the evenings, is stable when people approach us to pet him, and never gets into trouble with other dogs. when it is quiet i absolutely trust him to have a run off lead and he always comes back when called. he has been ideal really; is this not indicative of the norm ??? really appreciate your responses, if this is not the case with most staffords then yes, perhaps I do need to be looking more towards a boxer or otherwise. cheers, jamie.

Hard question to answer, but I'll try. I like a (dare I say it) "masculine' type dog, I like the appearance of a muscular dog and I like a dog that is willing to defend it's owner and property. In terms of temperament, I would say I prefer a dog that is CAPABLE of holding it's own in a fight, but takes a lot of pushing to do so. I'd like to think a stranger could approach me and my dog and be able to pat it. i hope that helps ! Cheers

thanks everybody for all the info, if i can just slightly steer the discussion back towards the original post (not to be rude!!) I have also had boxers suggested as a breed that would suit me, i like the look of them but have no experience at all with them, can anybody comment? just to re-iterate the main purposes of this dog; 1- a loyal companion for me, 27yo male, no kids or wife, but i do live with two other guys. 2- daily running/walking partner, happy to keep on leash and would like to go to the nearby park but i can go later in the evening when it is less busy if this is an issue. 3- needs to be able to remain content during the day with him/herself while I'm at uni or work 4- looking at either SBT/american staff/boxer as I like the temperaments of these dogs and prefer the 'bull' type breeds. 5-very happy to assert dominance over a male dog, unsure if i would suit a male or female better (have never owned a female dog before unsure of their differences in temperament??) thanks again team, jamie

Harley weights around 29kg, breed standard says between 28-40kg so I wouldn't call them small. They do make fantastic pets, so long as you keep up with training, exercise and socialisation. They aren't really for novice owners though, they need someone who is experienced with dogs which was a mistake I made. thanks so much that's really useful info. I'm not sure what constitutes a novice dog owner; I owned a border collie myself for 16years until he passed on and, as stated above have been living with an english stafford for the last two years, so I'm very confortable with dogs in the home. Anyway, your comments are valued and certainly I will be going to a registered breeder and asking to meet the parents of the pups and choosing based on gut feel in terms of temperament, I don't even care which colour I get. Again, thanks everybody !

well, i have to admit that is second hand information from nick (his owner), that figure was given upon his last return from the vet. but he is certainly very bulky around the chest and has filled out heaps recently. i pick him up sometimes, attached to the other end of his rubber toy and i cant hold him up with out-stretched hands, I have to draw him in closer to myself so at a guess easily over 20kgs, yeah :-) thanks everybody for your interest and comments !

thanks guys, 1) pedigree'd; no worries here I will be buying from a local reputable breeder. 2) yes, ging to the park would be really great, although I can organise my hours ot go when it is less busy. that surprises me to hear that as the place where I usually go with duke (richmond), has quite a few staffies that i have come to know over the last two years, a few americans/english, and a few resident bull terriers as well !

hey guys, I'm just wanting a bit of help answering this query if anyone out there has had experience with these two breeds. I'm very used to english staffords having lived with one for the last two years, but now I am moving house and the dog actually belonged to my friend and his fiance (it was getting a bit you, me and dupree there towards the end!). so i had to leave Duke behind. although i still visit him a lot ! I will be getting my own dog when the timing suits (heading away for a couple of months for some travel over xmas). When I get home I want to get myself either a SBT or an american staff. this will be early in the new year. A bit about myself; I'm a 27yo dentist currently doing some extra study to specialise so my timetable is a bit all over the place, but it would be fair to say ill be away from home between the hours of 9-4 or so each day during the weekdays, although there are two other guys im moving in with who are students and there will usually be someone home. the house we have found has a fully contained back yard with plenty of shade etc, no worries there, the house itself has wooden floors and is not in danger of getting too wrecked by a dog. there is a dog park nearby. i love to keep fit and active and one of the main things I am looking for in a dog is a companion to go for walks every day with. i want a dog that is very steady around other dogs and people, but above all else a best mate and loyal companion. I have no concerns asserting dominance over a staffy and am used to doing so with duke when we go for runs. a stable temperament is a must for me. duke has always been exemplary in this regard. he likes to test who is the alpha male every now and then, but is very repectful when i have to reprimand him. he is able to go off leash when we go to the park and i trust him in doing so. never had any issues with anybody/any other dogs (occasional playfights that have to be broken up, usual stuff) i really would just appreciate anyone spitballing some ideas/personal experience etc, i really appreciate any recommendations. some of the questions I have are: - male vs. female? any notable dfferences in behaviour here? - are amstaffs a LOT bigger? (duke is around 25kgs and i wouldnt want too much heavier than that ideally...). the ones ive seen around all seem to vary quite a bit. - which of the breeds would heads wiser than mine reccommed, based on my personality, lifestyle, etc?) thanks so much, the forum is really useful. if anyone has any questions shoot away. jamie