Adopting a Malinois/Staffy cross

Hi Sébastien, to be honest, I’d advise against this adoption for two main reasons: Firstly, it’s a cross between two very demanding breeds: a tireless working dog (the Malinois) and a pure-muscle, high-energy dog with that explosive terrier temperament (the Staffy). It’s a really tricky combination. Not to mention the risk of having to use a muzzle by law (and all the hassle that goes with it) if he unfortunately develops a build that falls under breed-specific legislation. Given your situation, it would be much better for you to look for a puppy with a good aptitude for the type of training used for assistance dogs. Your future dog could become your right-hand man and help you out massively in your daily life, but for that, you need to select a puppy with very specific traits. I’m surprised that nobody in the replies has mentioned yet just how much a dog can change the life of a young man who is paraplegic. Choosing the "right" dog, and taking the time to properly select and train them, could completely transform your life. It would be a real shame to miss out on that.

Hi there, personally I think that yes, you can have a dog, but not THIS dog... Already, for someone 'able-bodied', we'd tell them that this crossbreed needs a huge amount of exercise, except that... He'll be required by law to be out on a lead and muzzled... So to let him off and give him a proper run, you'd have to go to a woodland where there's no one around, or the beach, etc., but you'd still be breaking the law... A little outing on a lead and in a wheelchair in the small green space on your estate won't be enough to let him burn off enough steam... You have to vary the walking spots; every day in the same little park is boring as anything and not stimulating enough for his development... As a puppy, he'll need to meet as many dogs as possible, go to different places, hear different noises, etc., to be well-adjusted... Every day he'll need to be out for at least two hours, even in the rain, varying the locations... Everyone will agree that Malinois tend to be very high-strung and high-energy... So if that side takes over, he's likely to pull like a train; you won't be able to let him off because of the breed restrictions... So yes, you can absolutely adopt a dog, but I'd advise an adult dog from a rescue instead, one that doesn't pull on the lead and would suit your life... One who'll be coming from a sad life and will give you all their love and loyalty...

Yeah, I often see wheelchair users out walking their dogs too (sometimes even more often than able-bodied people -_-), but usually, they aren’t breeds with quite this much energy; this particular crossbreed sounds like it could be a bit of a handful. As for the legal side of things, Staffy crosses are often classed as 'pitbull types', which means they fall under strict breed-specific legislation. This comes with a long list of rules, such as needing a clean criminal record, a special ownership permit, approval from the local council, and ensuring the dog is always muzzled and on a lead in public. They also have to be neutered and are banned from most public spaces, especially public transport... Personally, I think it’s completely unfair and unjustified, but that’s the law for you. 😔 I believe that when the dog is between 8 months and a year old, an assessment has to be carried out by an authorised vet to decide whether or not they fall under these legal restrictions. Given your description, I wouldn’t hold my breath for them being cleared. That’s why I don’t think being disabled is necessarily a barrier to owning a dog, but with a dog that has this much energy and intelligence—on top of the massive headache of all those legal hurdles—it could turn out to be quite an uphill struggle...

You need to find out if the parents (mum or dad) are KC registered or not, and whether they’re considered a banned type (you can look up information on the Dangerous Dogs Act online). Was the owner even allowed to breed them? If not, the dog should have been neutered. So, what does that mean for the puppies’ legal status? It means the owner might be breaking the law, and you could be too (since you’ll eventually need to sort out the puppy’s paperwork and vaccination record, won’t you?). If the dog is deemed illegal, it risks being seized and put down if you're ever stopped or reported. If the previous owner was so desperate to get rid of the pup, there’s probably a reason for it. Basically, they’re just an irresponsible owner who couldn’t care less about the welfare or the lives of their dog and the puppies.

This dog is going to need an awful lot of running and long walks to stay happy and calm; a garden will never be enough to keep him satisfied, except for just doing his business... Being a wheelchair user isn’t a barrier to adopting a dog, but is this high-energy crossbreed (who might even be a restricted type under the Dangerous Dogs Act) really the right choice, especially as you’d be starting his training from scratch? I’m not so sure... there are plenty of calm, house-trained dogs in rescue centres... :) https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Hi everyone, I’ll try to group my replies for you all. I don’t have any trouble getting about in my wheelchair, and I see plenty of people in chairs who own dogs. What do you mean when you talk about "categories"? Sorry, I’m still very new to the dog world. I have no idea where the dog originally came from; a friend of mine took him in because his previous owner didn't want him anymore and actually wanted to have him put down just to get rid of him. I find that absolutely horrific too—I'm a huge animal lover. Regarding work, I'll only be working part-time as I'm paraplegic. My partner has good hours as well. We live on a housing estate and there’s a greenway close by, so getting him out for walks won't be an issue.

Hi there, A Malinois cross Staffy... do you know the pup's parents? Have you actually met them? What I mean is, what are they like? Are they well-balanced? Are they properly socialised with adults, children, and other dogs when out and about? Is their training spot on? All of that is so important for the puppies later on. But what is the point of a cross like that? I’d be worried about legal issues regarding "type" and the Dangerous Dogs Act. What have you been told? Was the litter actually registered? There are strict rules now about selling or rehoming pups, and you can't just do whatever you like with Staffy crosses. Not only could your friend be breaking the law, but you could be too as the owner. I’ve never come across this specific cross before, but I know both breeds well—I’ve seen some that are calm and well-adjusted, and others that are very highly strung. A lot of it will depend on you and how motivated you are; in other words, if you’re prepared to put a massive amount of time into training. These are two breeds that aren't for everyone. They need a calm, patient owner and a "firm but fair" approach to training. You need to start socialising them as soon as possible (and your friend and the pup's mother should have started this already). The pup shouldn't be timid or over-excited—and please, stay away from any "harsh" training methods. It can take many months, or even a year or two, to get it right. Basically, you’re looking at two powerful, high-energy breeds with a lot of character. They need to be taken out every single day—and I mean away from the house. A dog stuck in a garden, no matter how big it is, doesn't count as being "out." They need to run, meet other doggy friends, get properly socialised, and learn their canine social codes and boundaries. And as you mentioned, you aren’t working at the moment, but what’s the plan for when you do start working again? You also need to think about what happens if you have to move for a job, or if you go through a breakup, or if you lose your home or garden and end up nowhere near a park or some woods to walk the dog. You really have to consider all this, because taking on a dog is at least a ten-year commitment.

Be careful with a Staffy cross; if it falls under certain legal categories, your friend can't just sell or give away the puppies like that. There are strict rules for owning a "pit bull type" dog, and your friend is likely breaking the law. On top of that, this is a crossbreed that will need a huge amount of physical and mental stimulation. You mentioned being in a wheelchair – will you be able to give a dog like this its daily dose of walkies, whatever the weather? (Of course, the garden doesn’t count as a proper walk: a dog needs to explore new smells and meet people, especially other dogs). If not, you’re likely to end up dealing with behavioural issues, destructive behaviour, and so on... When I see completely able-bodied people who never walk their dogs, I worry that your chair might be an extra hurdle... Maybe not, you never know, but it’s better to think about it now before you’re complaining about the "mischief" of a feisty, bouncy young dog. 😳 If you can adopt this dog and make it happy, it’ll repay you a hundred times over, but if you don’t think you can provide the right environment for it, I’d honestly advise you to reconsider...