Staffordshire Bull Terriers are fantastic pet dogs - STILL not everyone should own one!

Staffordshire Bull Terriers possess qualities that make them a near-perfect pet dog for a wide range of people, young and older alike and they are great dogs for families.

They are robust enough to handle anything a child can dish out - but are at the same time very tolerant and gentle-natured.

They are active enough for a young family and will willingly join your games on the beach, park or playground - yet they are true "housedogs" and will also happily sleep alongside you on the couch or sofa in front of the TV!

Their compact size means they do not require huge amounts of food or exercise, so they can suit a somewhat older person or a young person in a flat or home unit.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great watchdogs, they are not given to excessive barking - but WILL alert you of intruders. Yet their people-loving nature means that their bark is really all they will offer in defense!

No matter what you have heard or read in the media - - they are not naturally aggressive to humans, these are the FACTS proven over time; by many ten thousands of owners!

They are the nearly perfect pet dog! BUT Staffordshire Bull Terriers WILL NOT SUIT ALL owners!

Please listen to what I am about to say - it will save you and your potential future pet a HUGE amount of frustration!

Please DO NOT BUY A STAFFORD - if you intend to keep the dog outside by itself!

You will simply be buying the WRONG DOG! They are so loyal they FRET when separated from their owners! So they should not be just tossed into a back yard alone for 8-10 hours while you go to work!

Please trust me -this is based on years of experience with Staffords - these dogs love human company so much, they HATE being alone!

I have heard horrible, tragic stories of Staffordshire Bull Terriers gone missing and dogs that have injured themselves trying to get out of a yard to find company! There have even been stories of dogs that DIED - accidentally strangling themselves with their collar hooked on a fence - as they tried to escape!

Be honest with yourself -if your Stafford would be left home alone - please buy another type of dog!

A perfect Staffordshire Bull Terrier home is a home where they go out with the owner to work (great for the trades-person) or are inside with the company of at least one human or - at the very least - the company of another dog.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers MUST HAVE shelter from the elements - they have very short coats and do not handle the cold well and also require well-secured yards to prevent escape (or theft) of the dog.

Please DO NOT BUY a Staffordshire Bull Terrier if you are not willing to spend some time doing BASIC Training - they are very strong dogs - you will need to be able to keep them under your control! See my website for a review of an excellent training resource!

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier must not be able to get into a swimming pool or water hole unsupervised! While they can swim - they are so muscular and low in body-fat that they don't float well and can drown if left unattended!

Please do not buy a Stafford if you want to guard a property or car-yard or similar - they really do love people and so do not really guard all that well!

If you are buying a Staffordshire Bull Terrier for their reputation for fighting other dogs - GO GET HELP! Anyone who enjoys watching animals hurt each other has a problem and needs professional help! I have seen fights between Staffordshires that started from a minor thing and if you really care about your dog it is horrible to see.

Do not buy 2 males, you will inevitably have problems - males will fight to establish dominance. One male and a female or two females are far better matched!

If you are a genuine Staffordshire Bull Terrier lover and are worried about the potential for aggression towards other dogs, just know that they are great with dogs (& cats) that they grow up with - but will need discipline at the slightest hint of aggression towards other animals. As always in dog training a good strong leash is recommended.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are bundles of fun. Their crazy, clown like antics and nutty humour, combined with incredible loyalty, strength and rugged good looks ensures a suitable owner will have years of a two way love affair with a dog that many people cannot help but admire!

If you are still the slightest bit doubtful - perhaps you would like to own a Stafford, but you are still suspicious about their aggression and whether they may hurt your children - watch the 2 videos at the bottom of this page FOUND recently on YouTube.

See what owning a Staffordshire will come to mean to you.