I could NOT have been more *shocked*

[MaddiesMommie]

My husband has a friend of a friend who has raised American Staffordshire Terriers. I knew he thought these were beautiful dogs however never in a million years thought he would be wanting to add on of these to our home.

Well, Friday night he arrives home with Ernie under his arm. Supposedly, we were "pup-sitting" but I think it was just a ploy for me to fall in love with him. I did fall in love with this big ol' goof, BUT I am also concerned about how he will do with my 11 lb. girls.

Those who have your little ones with bigger ones. Ernie should be 57-67 lbs. according to AKC.

[MaddiesMommie]

So far he has spent most of the time laying on the couch with dh. lol He is 12 wks.

[sugarmamma]

He is so cute!
Look at the size of those PAWS

[my2boyz]

I love big dogs and he is cute but I've had an experience this week that has made up my mind. Peanut was hurt playing with my girls and they only outweigh him by 8 to 10 pounds. We supervise when they play, we have a small home here and they are always in the living room with us, and he still got hurt and it could have been worse than just a sprain. We now put him in his crate when we leave. For me the worry, and the guilt now that he has been hurt, isn't worth the risk. Once Peanut is placed and as long as my girls are living I won't have anymore tiny ones here.

[luvfla]

Adorable!!!!!

[TammyJM]

WOW....he's only 12 weeks old?! Is he from the Pit Bull family? He's going to be a really big boy. I don't have any experience with having my guys around a large breed dog so hopefully someone that has will give you some input. I'm far too chicken to have such a big dog with my guys.

I like his coloring/markings (and his cute name)

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

So far he has spent most of the time laying on the couch with dh. lol He is 12 wks.

It can work. I sent you a PM.

[lil fu fu girl]

Soooooo cute! Look at those eyes..... and those ears!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

WOW....he's only 12 weeks old?! Is he from the Pit Bull family? He's going to be a really big boy. I don't have any experience with having my guys around a large breed dog so hopefully someone that has will give you some input. I'm far too chicken to have such a big dog with my guys.

I like his coloring/markings (and his cute name)

From what I have read, they are closely related to pit bulls. The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the breeds commonly banned. They have a high prey drive. I personally would not have one if I had cats or small dogs.

While frequently good family dogs, their high prey-drive makes them largely unsuitable for homes with cats and other small critters. They are frequently dog aggressive.



Dog Breed Basics

[kalina82]

As long as they are ALWAYS supervised when together and you properly train Ernie I see no problem. AmStaffs are great dogs. They love their people, and are great with children. They are working dogs though and therefore need exercise every day. They are not a breed to be left alone a lot because they will find something to do to entertain themselves. They want to be with their family and when left alone and unexercised they will become destructive.

I have known many AmStaffs and related breeds. When properly bred and trained these are wonderful dogs. They can be little clowns and will make you laugh. They are also great snugglers and hot water bottles in bed at night. My friend had a great AmStaff that I would always snuggle with when I was at the house. She was also great with Morgan. Very gentle. She would always lay down when Morgan was around so Morgan could play with her. And when she was walking around she would gently high step around so as not to step on her. It was so cute.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I love big dogs and he is cute but I've had an experience this week that has made up my mind. Peanut was hurt playing with my girls and they only outweigh him by 8 to 10 pounds. We supervise when they play, we have a small home here and they are always in the living room with us, and he still got hurt and it could have been worse than just a sprain. We now put him in his crate when we leave. For me the worry, and the guilt now that he has been hurt, isn't worth the risk. Once Peanut is placed and as long as my girls are living I won't have anymore tiny ones here.

Sorry to hear about little Peanut. We have a large crate he will stay in while we are not home. Right now, when my girls go to playing rough with eachother, he heads for a lap. I know we have our work cut out for us.

[kjcmsw]

I think a person can bring in little dogs with older big dogs (we did) or bring in a "bigger" puppy with older small dogs...but not the best idea to bring in the "big" pup with a small dog pup...as they will have the same puppy mindset...play, play, play rough and tumble...and one of them is going to get hurt and most likely not the "big" pup. Most of our Yorkies don't know they are "little" and having lived (in the past) with Great Danes they don't know they aren't "little" -
But that's just my experience.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

WOW....he's only 12 weeks old?! Is he from the Pit Bull family? He's going to be a really big boy. I don't have any experience with having my guys around a large breed dog so hopefully someone that has will give you some input. I'm far too chicken to have such a big dog with my guys.

I like his coloring/markings (and his cute name)

I am too, a chicken. My dh has wanted a large dog for a while but I never dreamed he would actually just bring one home.
Steve gave some very helpful advice.
He should be about 60 lbs. My girls have only been about dogs in the 30lbs range. We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure he remains well behaved.
Ernie has his own large crate and will *always* be put up when we are not around to supervise.

CORRECTION: He is 13 weeks old.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

I think a person can bring in little dogs with older big dogs (we did) or bring in a "bigger" puppy with older small dogs...but not the best idea to bring in the "big" pup with a small dog pup...as they will have the same puppy mindset...play, play, play rough and tumble...and one of them is going to get hurt and most likely not the "big" pup. Most of our Yorkies don't know they are "little" and having lived (in the past) with Great Danes they don't know they aren't "little" -
But that's just my experience.

I think I know what your saying

Maddie will be 3 in April and has already "shown" newbie she is boss. Poor guy, he can walk by her and she snarls a bark in his face. He doesn't try to play with her as much as he does Cooper, who will be 2 in May. We are allowing the 3 to be together but quickly intervening when Ernie starts acting like he is 8 lbs instead of 28.

[Wabbit]

I don't know much about that dog breed.....but we have a LARGE mixed breed dog named Dakota she weighs 90 lbs + and she is wonderful with our babies....However when we aren't home or around to watch...we ALWAYS separate them....just to err on the side of caution...she loves to play with them...but we've seen behavior where she would slap her big paws down near them....so it's always best to keep them separated just for safety's sake! She would never hurt them intentionally....but not going to take any chances...And since your big guy is only a puppy...you'll have to be extra vigilant...puppies don't realize their own strength! But we have had our girls around a golden pup....and he was ALWAYS gentle with them...so I guess it depends on the dog.
Good luck!

she's even heavier now than she was in this pic taken last year.
pic of Loredo with daizy..he was still a pup...