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       Rescuing a Stafford can be extremely rewarding, but do think carefully about it and speak to the breed rescues beforehand.

       Paperwork

      Now is the time to make sure that the breeder has passed over all the relevant paperwork. You should receive the following:

      • Your dog’s pedigree certificate This should show at least the last three generations of parentage; champion dogs may often be highlighted in red

      • Your dog’s registration papers The breeder will have registered the pups with the Kennel Club. If they have registered the puppies in their name, you will have to fill in a Transfer of Ownership form and send it to the Kennel Club (with a small fee), for the dog to be registered in your name. Check with the breeder, as some register the puppy in your name to save you the trouble

      • Insurance certificate Most puppies will come with health insurance for a free ‘limited’ period. Check this out with the breeder and renew when necessary

      • Vaccination diary Your Stafford should have received his first jabs by the time you get him. Make sure you take the vaccination sheet with you – your vet will need this to fill in subsequent boosters, etc.

      • DNA profile Some breeders have their litters DNA profiled by the Kennel Club. If this is the case, ask for the certificate.

      You must think carefully before you decide to rehome an adult Stafford, especially if you have no previous experience of the breed. Although these dogs are temperament tested and all of them deserve loving homes, they can sometimes be too challenging for the first-time owner and they will require 110 per cent commitment.

      Many rescue dogs arrive with their own patterns of behaviour, which are already inherent, and some may never have been housetrained or they may require basic obedience training. If you feel able to cope with this, contact your local rescue centre and they will talk you through the whole process of adopting one of these dogs. Having said that, I have rescued Staffords and found the experience ultimately very rewarding.

      Be aware that if you do decide to rescue one, it will involve a visit to your home to make sure that you – and your house – are suitable.

       Puppy-proofing your home

      Life for a Stafford puppy is one big adventure. These inquisitive babies will view almost anything they encounter as either a potential toy or food! Therefore, it is recommended that before you go ahead and welcome your new arrival into your home, you carry out the following checks inside and outside.

       Outside

      Make sure that your garden is secure. Stafford puppies have an amazing ability to squeeze through very small gaps in hedges and fencing, so mend any holes. It is also a good idea to check any gates or doors that lead into the garden, particularly at the bottom, where the gap from floor to gate should be no more than 5cm (2in).

      Also bear in mind that the name Terrier comes from the word ‘terrain’, which means of the ground – these dogs enjoy digging, so protect any valuable plants. Check that you don’t have any plants which are poisonous to dogs and be careful when using weed-killers and other chemicals. Cocoa mulch is also potentially dangerous if eaten.

       Inside

      You need to make the inside of your house puppy-proof, too. If you want to confine your puppy to certain rooms or the ground floor only, you could invest in a child-safety gate which can be placed in doorways or at the bottom of the stairs. Walk around your home, checking out the following:

      Wires Puppies adore wires, so carefully check out any places where they may have access to loose wires, cables or electrical equipment and make sure that they are secure and out of harm’s way.

      Harmful substances Most of us keep bleach in the downstairs toilet or floor cleaner under the sink in the kitchen. Your new puppy will be quite happy to use these products as his playthings, so it is very important to make sure that any household cleaning materials and chemicals are well out of his reach or shut away securely in cupboards. Child safety locks fitted to cupboard doors are always a good option.

       This puppy has plenty of room to play, as well as fresh water and toys in a secure place.

      Chewing Tell the whole family to start keeping things tidy and not to leave anything that they value lying around, especially on the floor. You can try telling your new puppy that the designer trainer he has just eaten cost a lot of money or that the shredded paper at his feet was, in fact, a particularly important document, but he will not understand. Puppies love chewing and there is hardly anything they will not consider, so put things away or place them out of reach.

       Puppies are happy to play in their crates for a while. It also gives them time to relax and sleep in their own den if they want.

       Essential equipment

      You will need to purchase some of the following items of equipment before you bring your new Stafford puppy home.

       Crate and bedding

      A crate is a metal or plastic ‘home’, and although some people think that crates are cruel prisons for dogs, this is far from the truth. When used correctly, they can help a puppy to settle into his new surroundings quickly. A crate will give him a sense of security, and it will enable you to housetrain him and make

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