Best/Worst Character Traits of Furry Friends!

[ellie]

As someone who's been thinking of rehoming a rescue dog for a long time now and has no particular hang-ups about breed type (but it would be my first as an adult), I always find it really interesting to hear from others who've got rescue dogs about why they chose their particular breed/mongrel and in what ways they suit their lifestyle!

For instance, I know a fair few of you love the terriers (e.g. Becky, Kirsty, Susie!) and some have collie crosses, some the bullies...so what is it you love about your 'type', and on the flip side, what would you say their most 'demanding' character traits are? Would you say they're good for first-time owners, do they socialise well with other doglets out and about, etc?

Hit me with some opinions! ;D

[Kara Collie-Cross]

With Kara being a collie, I think what I really love about her is how quickly her brain seems to tick over... she picks up stuff so quickly (like tricks or games or agility) and she just loves to learn and loves to please you by getting something right.

I can't think of any trait that's a true pain in the butt.... I think the slight down side of a dog that loves to learn is that they can get bored easily. Also her ability to 'focus' means she can become slightly OCD about stuff, like balls for instance.

[Kara Collie-Cross]

Another both good and bad collie thing is her desire for "everyone to be together"...

I like the fact that she is quite protective of her pack and you can just tell that she is happiest when everyone is in the same room...

Of course the downside is that she stalks you everywhere... You'll be in the shower and find she's opened the door very quietly just to check on you and will sit there with a smile on her face...

[ellie]

Hah, I can just imagine the little black face peering around the door! When you share the house with a dog you do get used to having a pair of eyes watching your every move, don't you! ;D

I love the idea of her herding you all into one space too! I suppose one problem that could come with slightly obsessive behaviour is a tendency for separation anxiety, but that's obviously not always the case!

[jakesmum]

I was always very nervous about staffies and then my sister adopted an elderly staffy from Battersea called Daisy. She was a runt, had very few teeth, warts and bow legs - and I had never before seen a dog who was so amazing around young children. My sister had her baby a couple of years after Daisy arrived and the bond between child and dog was wonderful. Daisy died, and my sister then rehomed 2 more staffies, Charlie and Pebbles. My definition of staffies is 'Love on Legs'. In Victorian times staffies were known as 'Nanny Dogs' because they were so devoted to children in their home.
If you google staffy rescue there is some great information on the breed. They crave human contact and affection, perfect if you want a dog that will stand any amount of cuddling. They are desperate to please their human and so respond really well to positive reinforcement. That is the reason why they have been used as fighting dogs - because people have taken advantage of their desire to please their trainer. Staffies are strong dogs, muscular and enthusiastic so they do need firm boundaries, and you do have to be prepared for the prejudice of some people who see them as scary dogs.
My sister's love of staffies has now infected me and I have just rehomed a middle aged staffy from CDH. She has been with me a week, after 6 months in the Home. She has settled like a dream. I think I am fortunate because she has a wonderful temperament and came with a lot of skills which she didn't lose in the kennels. If you want a dog that is a bit aloof don't get a staffy. You need to be able to cope with being licked, and if you are sitting down your staffy will be alongside you. Staffies are also great sleepers! They will settle down and kip a lot, but they will make the most of walkies and run and run if they are given the opportunity.
Staffies do struggle in kennels because as a breed they so crave being physically close to people.
On Youtube you can see a video called 'Love Your Staffy' which has been made by the RSPCA to illustrate our relationship with staffies over the years.
Hope this has been helpful.
Rach

[Jo]

I'd have to reiterate all the staffie compliments! Although I have only ever had the one dog, my staffie X, so have nothing to compare with.
But I find one thing great about him is he's content with just a half hour run off lead per day (although he does get a lot of stimulation throughout the day) but he's also happy to go for long walks that take many hours. The only time he started flagging was on a 9 mile bike ride!
The downside is, as Rach said, people's prejudice. Not helped by the media. But having a staffie can be a step in re-educating people by showing them what softies they are!

[ellie]

Thanks both for the wonderful comments about the staffies - I too think they're fab dogs! Which has really been showcased by all the rehomings of some lovely long-termers this last week or so, Jason and Sarah and Froggy, etc!

I think the only thing that worries me about having a staffie is coming across one of those irresponsible dog owners (of which there are sadly many) who are blinkered enough to let their aggressive dogs run around off-lead in parks, etc. Knowing how tenacious staffies are when they chomp down on something, I imagine that if they ever HAD to defend themselves against one of these aggressive dogs (no matter how steady they are normally) then it could be quite an awful fight.

Saying that, that situation happens with all shapes and sizes of dogs so it would be daft to discriminate because of 'what if's'! Assuming that you never hit that sort of situation, you get to have a loving, fun, affectionate, loyal, gorgeous staffie!

Gah, there are so many things to think about and worry about in this choosing business, my head hurts sometimes!

[carol]

jo.......
the 9 mile bike ride?

how did he brake with no opposable thumbs??

[lisa]

I feel your pain!!! How on earth do you choose??? I am really happy with Freddie but feel like I have let some of the others I have got to know down by not picking them!!

I have had Spaniels, Rottweilers, Boxers and Labs and all have been very different but equally loving. I have a soft spot for Rotties as they have such big, daft and loving personalities. I was, and still am smitten with the amazing Tyson (but he is under assessment for leg trouble as you know).

Freddie, a staff cross (I am now thinking mixed with collie) is a wonderful boy who no-one looked at in his kennel. He had no reserves during the 7 months he was there. He just didn't stand out enough with his appearance, I think? He blended into the background a little. Even walking him a few times, did not prepare us for what a character he is...or what a very very good boy he is!

If we had not had a slightly moody lab already, the whole re-homing of Freddie would have been seemless and perfect.

I would have been tempted to re-home one of the ABD's like Major or Bruno in particular. Jade is also loved by all the walkers. We choose Freddie in the end because he and my lab walked nicely together ..and my 5 year old loved him from day 1. If I had known the real Freddie..he would have been mine a long time ago! There was no 'love at first sight' as there had been with Tyson (or Sparkey if I am honest), but that's because the real Freddie didn't show till I first put him in my car!...now he is my boy and I rush home to see his funny face!

Is he perfect for our lifestyle??..probably not, as when he has his mad moments, my lab tells him off and I tell him to calm down! You cannot know everything about a dog until you get them home, but he is part of our family and he is staying so we find ways of dealing with it (a rope toy has helped them play together, without him being too rough, for eg). The positives far outweigh the negatives.

In short, I think something will draw you to the right dog, whether it is circumstance or love at first walk!! I must say though, that the dog you see in the kennel or walk will get into your heart as soon as you seriously think 'this may be the one'.

A hard choice with so many great dogs available. Good luck!!

Take care ;D ;D

[Jo]

Ha ha Carol!!
I should point out that it was me on the bike, not Patch!

The other wonderful thing about staffies is they have the widest most wonderful smile! It lights my day whenever I see the staffie smile!

But Lisa is right, to go with gut instinct along with a bit of knowledge about breed, to go and walk lots of them and see how you both feel. There are many mongrels too who should not be overlooked!

Good luck!

[Baglady]

Ahhhh, I do luffs my terrorists Feisty, curious, and a little bit 'act first, think later'

One thing I would say in support of staffies is that some of the lads we've had in recently, Bruce, Butch, and Jason especially, seemed to me to be amongst the steadiest dogs I've ever met.

Snoop lovers will know that Bruce and Butch have been helping Snoop overcome her anxiety around other dogs, and they have both been models of tolerance, good grace and curious indifference, even when Snoop has been a little 'excitable' in their presence.

tbh I would just keep a totally open mind and heart, spend as much time as you can with and around the dogs, and wait for the 'special' one to find you It will happen

[ellie]

Thanks Lisa, Jo and Susie - all very interesting and helpful stuffs! Lisa - I'm so happy you've got Freddie, what a friendly, friendly boy he is! And I totally understand your being torn over the others! The rotties and ABD's are such enormous softies.

And Susie, I agree 100% about there being some really steady staffs - and Butch is a babe! I was so happy to read that someone took a real interest in him at the meet and greet yesterday!

[Becky]

I lurve the Terriers!!! Had my first JRT aged around 3 and the longest I have been without a terrier in my life since then is probably about a year so I am totally biased!! I love their cheekiness, their energy, their independant nature, their playfulness, their excitement for life, their stubbornness, their bravery.....I could go on all day ;D

Having said all of that, dog walking at the Home has totally opened my eyes to a whole load of other dogs that I could quite happily take home with me, Major, Bruce, Tyson to name but a few!!

I agree with what a few people have said above, you'll know when its the dog for you. We werent looking for another dog, we already had two and were perfectly happy with our doggy family, we were enjoying the dog walks and being involved in a fantastic community that is Friends. And then we met Pickle

[daffysmum]

I love my mogrels and terriers.

The mogrels have such character - and you won't find another one the same.

The terriers are so clever and happy.

Any rescue dog will have its foibles, but all its takes is pateience and love and kindness and whoever you rescue will pay you back 100 times over with love and company.

At the end of the day though - I think you will find that the dog chooses you (as opposed to you choosing them! LOL)

Whoever chooses you I am sure you will both be very happy together. ;D

[lucky]

what great replies and i agree with them all a bit biased towards the staffys and staffy crosses as i have 3 lol,my staffyx whippets are really quite lazy and it's true if you want a dog that is aloof with people don't have a staffy my staffy girl loves everyone and everything sometimes a bit to much constant nudging for a stroke lucky i have 4 kids to oblige her, you will probably find that a dog will choose you though as someone said ;D ;D