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sure that you see the prospective puppies with their mother. They should always be in clean and warm surroundings and should play well together.

      You must also bear in mind that this cute puppy – and they are adorable – will grow into a strong and powerful animal who will require a strong arm to control him and will probably remain a juvenile in his outlook and behaviour. This breed is boisterous and friendly, and age and maturity will do little to diminish this. If you feel ready for this wonderful breed, you have taken your first step to owning a Staffordshire Bull Terrier just by buying this book.

      It is important to remember that the history of the Stafford means that although he is a wonderful companion, his tolerance of other dogs is low. Good breeders will keep a number of Staffords together from puppyhood, but their potential aggression towards other dogs means that socialization from an early age is essential.

       The first steps

      First things first now that you have taken the decision to look for a Stafford. There are hundreds of reputable breeders of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and, initially, you will need to make contact with several and talk to them. Lists of these breeders are readily available from the Kennel Club (see page 126) or from breed clubs countrywide and they will be only too happy to give advice and point you in the right direction.

      The most important thing you should remember when acquiring a puppy is that it is never a good idea to buy from certain people or places, and that the following should be avoided at all costs:

      • Buying over the internet

      • Buying from one of the free ad papers, particularly where the breeder has several different breeds on offer

      • Buying from a person who wants to hand the puppy over anywhere other than at their home, e.g. if they offer to meet you in a car park, supermarket or motorway service station

      • Buying from pet shops or supermarkets.

      More often than not, the above methods are used by people who may not be accustomed to breeding correctly and they might disregard certain aspects of their dogs’ welfare and health. These puppies may have had little or no early socialization, which is a recipe for trouble in a breed where this is essential.

       Talking to breeders and owners

      When you telephone breeders to make contact, don’t be offended if they ask you more questions than you ask them. They will be anxious to establish that their puppy is going to an environment where he will be happy, well cared for and brought up sensibly. This is a good opportunity for you to find out about anything that may be worrying you, so don’t be afraid to ask, no matter how silly you think it sounds. Any good breeder will always be there to offer you help and advice and even to take back a puppy if things don’t work out in his new home.

      It is a good idea to spend some time talking to other Stafford owners and maybe attending dog shows where you can meet the breed. Don’t just look for a local dog – you may have to venture further afield to find the right puppy for you with a good temperament so be prepared to travel several hundred miles if necessary; it will definitely be worth it. When you locate the right breeder, they may not have a suitable puppy available immediately and you might find yourself on a waiting list. If this is the case, be patient and use the time to read about the breed and prepare your home for the new arrival.

       Choosing a puppy

      When you have researched the breed and spoken to owners and breeders, you will be in a position to choose your puppy. Breeders often breed dogs whose temperament and conformation to the Breed Standard make them eligible as potential show dogs. If you feel that you may be interested in showing your dog, you must mention this to the breeder right at the start. They will then be able to make sure that you have what they consider to be a ‘show quality’ Stafford. However, no breeder is clever enough to see into the future and therefore you must not be disappointed if your showing success does not stretch to Best in Show at Crufts!

       This young Stafford looks a picture of health, with a shiny coat and eyes. His interest in his toy indicates a good disposition.

      Once you have made contact with a suitable breeder and a litter of puppies is available, you will be asked to visit the puppies at home. Be prepared to see them at about four to six weeks even though they will not be able to leave their mother until they are at least eight weeks old, or sometimes a little older.

       What to look for

      Always make sure that you are offered the opportunity to see the puppies with their mother. This will not offend a good breeder and will give you the extra peace of mind that they really are home-bred. You will also be able to use this visit to gauge the mother’s temperament, so always look for signs of a happy and very friendly dog.

      This is your chance to ascertain that the puppies’ environment is a loving and suitable one. Check for things like clean bedding, fresh water, toys and space for the puppies to move around in. If the litter is being kept in a kennel, make sure that it seems warm and accessible. All these factors will indicate whether the breeder is genuine and caring, which, in turn, helps create a well socialized and healthy litter of puppies.

      The puppies’ coats should look shiny and healthy. It is generally agreed that a wet nose and nice clear eyes are also signs of good health. Make sure that they do not look too thin – Stafford pups should have a decent covering of coat and flesh but without looking fat. Their ears should be clean with no discharge, and the puppies should not smell unpleasant.

      Do watch out for any signs of nervousness or aggression, particularly in the mother. Staffords are often said to smile, but be on the look-out for any baring of the teeth towards humans as this can often mean that the bitch has not been socialized properly. However, do bear in mind the natural maternal instinct of the new mum, who may be upset by strangers being too ‘full on’ with her pups. The breeder will usually be more than happy to remove a puppy from the mother for you to look at.

       Take your time

      You don’t have to choose a puppy straight away, and if there is anything you are unhappy about, just make your excuses politely and leave. Watch the pups interact with each other and ask to visit again if wished. You may easily recognize the ones within a litter who are more dominant, aggressive or shy. You may even find that a pup will end up picking you rather than the other way round.

       Things to bear in mind

      The character of the Stafford is fairly equal in both the dog and the bitch. They are – and should be – feisty, fun-loving and inquisitive. In common with puppies of any breed, however, they will require patience and time to socialize and train. This breed can tend towards dominance without some early training, making it imperative that you are prepared to donate the time and effort that are necessary to produce a really well-behaved and friendly dog who will be a credit to you.

       Watch puppies at play – you can often see which ones are going to be the bossy ones!

      A puppy who is integrated from an early age with other dogs is unlikely to pose a problem; often the older dogs will put him in his place from the beginning and harmony will be the order of the day. However, Staffords do not integrate easily with other Staffords (particularly when they are of the same sex), and this is something to bear in mind if you already have an older dog or bitch in your home. I have had two males live happily side by side, but I have also owned two bitches who would almost certainly have killed one another had they been left alone together. Never just assume that Staffords will get on – it

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