Staffy questions

[Zapol]

First of all I want to say this is a great site and i've found it very informative & helpful in coming to a decision about what breed of dog to get. We'd like to get a female Staffy, but I have a few questions that I would like to ask before deciding finally, and i'd really appreciate any help you could give me:

1) We (my fiancee and I, no kids) live in a 65 square metre apartment on the third floor: are Staffies ok with apartment life?
2) It hits -20F here in the winter :shiver: : is that too cold to take a short haired dog out for walks? Would we have to get a wee jacket?
3) Should Staffies be muzzled when out & about? I understand they can be fairly dog-aggresive.
4) Are Staffies ok with new (human) additions to the family? Babies specifically I mean.
5) I work at home and as such will always be around during the day, but business means we have to go out for the evening a couple of times a week (7ish til midnight usually): is it acceptable to leave a dog alone for that kind of time, and if so then what can be done to make sure they don't get bored?

That's about all I can think of, but if there's any other things I should consider then please say so. Thanks very much, i'm very grateful for your help!

[Mom2Many]

) We (my fiancee and I, no kids) live in a 65 square metre apartment on the third floor: are Staffies ok with apartment life?

Staffies do great in apartment life as long as they are given ample exercise...any dog can fit in an apartment, I live in a duplex and have three large dogs. Exercise is the key to a happy dog!

2) It hits -20F here in the winter : is that too cold to take a short haired dog out for walks? Would we have to get a wee jacket?

I have an American Pit bull terrier and in the winter she dons the jacket as well as booties, (we live in Minnesota so it gets darn cold!) I find their nails and pads take a beating in winter and are best covered, else you get a dog shifting from foot to foot and they can tear nails off.

3) Should Staffies be muzzled when out & about? I understand they can be fairly dog-aggresive.

If you properly socialize the dog when it is young you may have no problems, it just depends on the dog for the most part. Try to look for a responsible breeder who is working to breed dog aggression out of their lines. My female APBT is great with other dogs but she has been socialized all her life, it is an ongoing process. I wouldn't worry about muzzling unless you have some serious issues with the dog or live in an area where muzzling of staffies is required by law.

4) Are Staffies ok with new (human) additions to the family? Babies specifically I mean.

Absolutely! Staffies make great co-parents to children, they are tough enough to handle the rough housing that a toddler dishes out and as long as they are properly trained and socialized they do great with kids! We have a two year old and a five year old and Neva my APBT was here before either of them were and she loves them to bits!

5) I work at home and as such will always be around during the day, but business means we have to go out for the evening a couple of times a week (7ish til midnight usually): is it acceptable to leave a dog alone for that kind of time, and if so then what can be done to make sure they don't get bored?

Sounds to me like the perfect set-up to get a puppy. Four hours as a pup is just the right amount of time to be left and if it is at bedtime it is even better...a pup can go to bed at seven no problem! For bordom provide ample chewing toys like kongs stuffed with frozen peanut butter or yogert.

Good luck on your puppy search, sounds like you guys will make great puppy parents!

[elegy]

staffies are great little dogs. they do need regular exercise so if you're in an apartment be sure you're prepared to do the amount of walking required to wear the dog down. i'd also get a coat- my two pit bulls wear coats in the winter or they get shivery and tooth-chattery and pathetic.

i personally dislike muzzles unless the dog is truly dangerous. training your dog and being alert and careful are much much better than just slapping a muzzle on your dog. muzzles tend to make the dog feel more vulnerable and more threatened and often make existing aggression worse. both of my dogs are dog aggro and i'd never put muzzles on them because of it, but they are both leashed and under control at all times. i've also put a lot of time into training them and working with them.

as for kids, staffies are usually a fabulous breed to have around kids (they used to be known as "nanny dogs"), but the common sense rules of dog/child interactions still stand- supervise supervise supervise!