The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, more commonly known as the Staffy, has become one of Australia’s top dog breeds. There’s also another name that the Staffy goes by, which is the ‘nanny dog’. But how true are they to the name? Can you actually leave children alone with a Staffy? And how do Staffies get along with children overall? To answer those questions, we’ll have to examine the temperament and trainability of the Staffy.
Staffy Temperament
Staffies are predisposed to look rough and tough. Their physiques are more heavily muscled than most dogs of the same size. The overall impression a Staffy gives is that of a natural athlete, with both power and agility. However, this powerful exterior hides a sweet and affectionate nature that makes the Staffy a good match for many families. Staffies are generally very friendly and gentle animals. They are intended to be companion dogs, so breeders select for the traits that would make them good housemates.
While the breed may have been developed as a bull-baiting and pit-fighting dog, that was hundreds of years ago. The Staffy of today is a far cry from the original Staffordshire Bull Terriers. While the modern Staffy retains much of the physical characteristics that were valued back in the early days of the breed, the breed goals have shifted towards companionship. Unprovoked aggression, anxiety, and avoidance are relatively rare in this breed, making them ideal for a wide range of owners.
Staffy Training
Staffies are also an intelligent breed, but do need significant training time due to their relatively high energy levels. They love to please their owners, and thrive on the praise and treats given to them as a reward. They can get over excited when they get rewarded and may get distracted from the goal of the training sessions. Training a Staffy means you’ll have to learn to control the dog and direct their attention back to the task at hand. As a result, they’re easy to train but require patience and commitment to the training process.
A positive aspect of this need to please their owners is that Staffies are game to do nearly anything with their humans. Whether it be racing around an agility course or snuggling up on the couch, your Staffy will be happy to be there by your side.
Are Staffies Good With Kids?
Yes, Staffies are great with kids, so long as you take the following things into consideration:
- You have given your Staffy adequate obedience training
- Your Staffy has been socialised properly at an early age
- Your Staffy is free from underlying medical conditions that can make them anxious or aggressive
All of these are the bare minimum for letting any dog interact with kids. To be clear, no dog should be left unattended with small children – there is too great a risk of accidental injury for both the dog and the children. Small children often don’t understand how to play gently with dogs, and are prone to poking or grabbing sensitive parts of the dog’s body. No matter the breed, even the best-trained dogs can get overly excited and may inadvertently knock over or scratch a child. Every interaction between a Staffy and children should be supervised.
