Jade~Harley~Bella

I wouldn't leave a coat on all day, I do live in Qld and my dogs are sunbakers though so they would get way to hot during the day. Unsupervised I think is fine though so long as you know the dog can't get all tangled etc in the coat.

I agree with this! my littlest girl went through a stage of constantly escaping no matter what we did. We ended up having to replace 100m of fence line and built a dog run for her to go in when we left the house as well as constant walks etc. She doesn't do it any more thank god but we still use the run for when I walk them as I have to do it separately and she isn't a fan of being left behind so tries to jump the regular fence to come too.

With evidence, not unsubstantiated claims that not only give owners misinformation, but also continue to malign certain breeds. Specific breeds get stolen because they're popular. It's also worth noting that almost every time there are sudden crime waves that are suspected to be dog fighting rings, there are instances of it happening all over the world at the exact same time. Whether it be England, the USA, Canada, etc. The common denominator is always hysterical people and social networks. It's the whole sticker thing all over again (or, should I say, continued?). There's no doubt in my mind dogs get stolen for dog fighting - it's a very real thing - but it's not around every corner, in every suburb, of every city, of every state. It's not as common as people like to make out. And I'd put money on the fact that so many dogs who are reported as stolen, have actually just escaped, and the owner isn't clued-in enough to realise how the dog got out. In one article, Hawkesbury MP Ray Williams was quoted as saying: That's an article that has been shared countless times. An article with ignorant, damaging words that further perpetuate a dangerous stereotype that sees certain breeds killed, based on looks alone. And an article that has absolutely no evidence to back up any of what has been claimed. Unsubstantiated articles like these are never a good thing. If it helps encourage people to ensure their pets are more securely kept though what's so bad about that? I know there is a dog fighting ring in my area, plenty of bull breeds also seem to disappear as well. Must be a coincidence ;)

WTF! I'd have just picked the cavvie up. I've had to do it before when we had a cattle dog mix rush Bella and I while the owner just stood there watching.

How else can you explain it? Specific breeds being stolen and in such high numbers is pretty suspicious and would point to dog fighting... if not that than could be by BYB's etc.

God either that guy is short or those are some big "AmStaffs". I don't think I would be able to run in and help unless I had a weapon (maybe not even then). If it were a frenzied attack and the dogs were acting in a pack like structure there is nothing stopping them from attacking you as well. I wouldn't stand there and record the incident on my phone though. Its all good for people to be disgusted that the guy did film it, but until you are in that position you can't really say how you would react. The whole incident seems strange to me though, quite random.

That they are scary man eaters. They are just vocal in their greetings!

Bella has to lick constantly, drives me insane! Pretty sure it is an obsessive compulsive habit for her. Harley just has to be on you all the time. He is 30kg so not really lap dog size despite the fact he thinks he is. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have two, although I'm not sure which one does it. I don't leave clothes out and if I do they have bones to keep them entertained and the clothes stay put. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd think a stafford would be pretty miffed at having to be outside a majority of the time and not having access to the full house/family. And if it only has a small yard getting half an hour of exercise probably wouldn't be enough IMO. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol maybe they don't know the difference, the AmStaffy... Just a long leg version of the stafford right ;) lol I know one person that posted on another forum, she decided to breed her dog a rescue wolfhound cross (why the pound sold an entire bitch, I don't know). She had so many issues it was not funny, and they all conveniently happened on the weekend or public holidays. In the end it cost her $5,000.00 in vet fees alone which took all of their savings and then still put them into debt. They lost a couple of pups and the bitch had so many health issues which required surgery etc and they nearly lost her as well. The guy who put his dog over theirs didn't contribute a cent but still expected the pick of the litter. Of course, if this person has it in their head that they want to breed because it's going to make them a fortune, I doubt anything you say or do will change their mind. Just have to hope nothing goes wrong for the sake of the dogs.

If there are questions on breed I'm just going to assume there aren't any... I would say it is more AmStaffy to me. But I would really steer clear of buying off of a back yard breeder, you really don't know what you are getting.

Lol I wouldn't call you a novice owner then. (I'll use myself as an example lol) By novice I mean getting them as a first dog like I did. I should have picked something easier but I didn't do my research and liked the breed without knowing much about it.

I am not normally one to correct other people <img src='http://www.dolforums.com.au/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/embarrass.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://www.dolforums.com.au/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/embarrass.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /> , but the breed standard actually says And from the Extended Breed Standard of THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER Personally I think 40kg is WAY too heavy/big <img src='http://www.dolforums.com.au/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/embarrass.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://www.dolforums.com.au/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/embarrass.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /> That's just what I got from the Interwebs. I certainly don't think they should be 40kg either, I think that would relate to those over muscular physiques some breeders go for. ETA- thought I read that somewhere reputable, but just went back through and looked again and it wasn't... Wikipedia I think! Lol stupid baby brain! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't have much experience with Staffords, but own to AmStaffs so can help you with them. In my opinion AmStaffs do not respond well with the whole "Dominance alpha male" way of thinking. The best training method is reward based training. They are fairly intelligent and do need continuous training. Both of my dogs are alone between 7.30 - 4.30-5.30 Monday to Friday and they do fine, but I leave bones etc for them during the day. We are on acreage so one walk a day is also plenty exercise wise. When we only had Harley in a small yard, he destroyed it though being alone in the day. If you go for an AmStaff make sure your breeder is breeding for temperament not looks. It will make a difference with the dog when it is older. Also starting socialisation from as early as possible (8 weeks when you get the pup) is important as they are more susceptible to dog aggression. In some cases no amount of socialisation will help stop aggression. Male v female is all personal preference. I find Harley to be more laid back and happy to just chill where as Bella always needs to be doing something, she is a naughty little witch of a dog! lol I don't like the way males have to pee on everything and are territorial etc so I'll stick with females from now on. AmStaff Breed Standard says: 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.