Any Staffordshire Terrier breeders? I need help!

[melbel615]

I am looking for a breeder of Staffies or a referal to a breeder from anyone who knows one! I tried the AKC site, but it was a maze and not very helpful.

As you guys might remember, we have Ike who is an AB. He is our baby and we love him to pieces. However, he is a big ol beastie and not much of a velcro dog. He doesn't couch cuddle very much because he likes to stretch out, so he will be found by your feet and not on your lap. He will come to you for lovins if he wants to or if he knows you are upset, but he has his aloof times when he just wants to lounge by the back door or rest on the couch by himself. He likes to be close to his people, but he feels no need to be always there or on top of us. I appreciate this in him, but its about my husband this time...

We got Ike from a breeder last December when he was 12 weeks old. He was my Christmas present and he is the gift that keeps on giving. Now that he is out of the worst of the puppy stage and had done obedience, we are thinking we might be ready for another dog.

My husband is a truck driver and will be taking a job that will have him home only a few days every couple weeks because the economy sucks. He hates the idea and will be very lonely. I hate the idea of him basically living in a truck because I know he won't be as active as I would like and will gain more weight than is healthy. The solution we both like is buying a dog he can take with him. Many companies allow companion animals to be in the truck with the driver and I know my husband will very willingly walk when waiting to be loaded or unloaded if he has a dog since he only willingly walks around our neighborhood for Ike's sake. Sometimes I think he is only happy and really at peace when he walks with Ike and I don't even ask for the leash anymore as I know how much it means to the DH. (I miss walking my dog ) So, a dog would keep him active and would provide the companionship he needs to stave off the extreme lonliness drivers face.

We have talked about it a lot and we are searching for a breed of dog that would suit him. We both like the "bully breeds" for their intelligence, ease of training, people orientedness and looks. We like the Staffie because its a big dog in a smaller package and so people friendly that having one in the truck and meeting many people daily wouldn't be an problem.

I would really appreciate input from breeders or owners of this breed and someone who would be willing to help me locate a breeder in my area and who is willing to answer questions.

[maryellen]

here is the SBT website, it has breeders and rescues available..

http://www.sbtca.com/site01/

[melbel615]

Thanks! While we were looking for a breeder to talk to my brother had to move and has had to rehome two of his dogs to meet the new landlords requirements. I ended up taking his youngest female. She is an APBT or APBT/Am Staff mix. Her name is Rita and she gets along very well with Ike, plus she is a year and a half old and out of the puppy stage while being a velcro dog for the DH. We ended up getting the perfect dog!

[maryellen]

oh that is sad for your brother, but great news for you!!

[melbel615]

Thanks, Maryellen.

We named her Rita. Her former name was Princess, but my husband hated the name and it didn't really suit her. She is very sweet, very cuddle oriented and started anwsering ot her new name the same day. She doesn't much care what we call her so long as we call her and give her love and/or food.

I have never personally owned a Pit or Am Staff, but have long admired them. I can honestly say that after a couple weeks, I now know that nothing can love you like a Pittie! She is just such a sweet girl and so curious and loving. I got lucky that my brother decided to give her to me. I saw her a few times as my brother lives far away and I thought she was sweet. I had no idea how sweet until I realized that she is always with me unless she is cuddling another family member. I haven't walked into a room since we got her without her with me or on the lap of whoever is sitting on the couch. I love Ike dearly, but his idea of enthusiastic affection is coming over for a cuddle or pet and then walking away. He does sleep with me and lay near me wherever I am, but he is just a more reserved kinda guy. Rita is very enthusiastic in her affections and I have buckets of kisses to prove it,lol.

My brother also had a 16 week old pup he was going to raise that he rehomed so that he could keep his special dogs, Sid and Trinity. The pup was named Onyx and was adopted by a friend of mine. So, my brother found homes for both dogs that he had to rehome to please the new landlord and they went to homes where he can visit occasionally and keep updated on their lives.

[cEElint]

i say buy a new pup for home and send Ike with him.. i'd hate to be out on the road and have to train a pup.. it'd be crapping all over his truck and what not..

**edit* just saw your last post.. congrats... i got both of my dogs (amstaff/apbt mix, and AMbully) from my cousin.. greatest dogs in the world, very loving

[melbel615]

cEElint, I couldn't bear to part with Ike for such a long time. Heck, even 8 hours seems like too long! Besides, space is a consideration in a truck and Ike is just too huge!

After further discussion, my DH now thinks he may not take a dog with him at all. Apparently, he is so pleased that Rita is so pleased with her new home he doesn't want to uproot her and seperate her from Ike or from me and the kids. Plus, our Old Man dog just passed and he is trying to be sensitive to us since we had Old Man longer than he and I have been together.

Ah, well, you'd be surprised how many truckers have dogs they can no longer keep and they end up in shelters or rescues. Maybe when he gets closer to leaving he will decide to get one of those dogs who would be used to the lifestlye I mean, we did plan on having 3 dogs anyways and the Old Man passing makes room for possibly one more....