Male or female Staffie?

No, no, absolutely no extras, not even as a treat... It looks a bit odd in photos, but in real life no one really notices and I actually get loads of positive feedback from people saying they prefer him like this to rose ears. Then again, each to their own ^^. I’ve got used to it now and it doesn’t bother me one bit; if anything, I think it makes him look quite unique :)

His ears are pricked up because the calcium didn't distribute properly while he was growing; I really should've taped them when he was a pup... But it doesn't matter, my dog is gorgeous as he is. The breeder (who’s been in the game for 20 years) assured me it wouldn't be an issue for his breed assessment, as it's not considered a major 'fault'. It's definitely not hereditary, nor is it an illness or anything like that—it was just a bit of bad luck, really... He's the only one in his pedigree with ears like this. It did bother me at first, but now I couldn't care less. I'm not going to love my dog any less over such trivial things, breed assessment or not.

Why are his ears standing up? Are you sure about the breed certification?

Hi, I also have an 8-month-old male Staffie. He has a heart of gold and is very (almost too) cuddly; he makes a massive fuss of you whether you’ve been gone for 5 minutes or 5 hours. As far as I’m concerned, he’s always totally obsessed with me (it actually gets a bit embarrassing ^^). He’s incredibly playful and friendly with EVERYONE—not an aggressive bone in his body towards humans or other animals—but he is really boisterous, so you have to keep a constant eye on him to avoid any accidents... I don’t know much about the temperament of females, other than the fact they are apparently less affectionate, as mentioned above. Personally, I went for a male because, macho as I am, I find the males look much more impressive (just my opinion, don't start a row with me! ^^). But generally speaking, they are EXCELLENT dogs in every way! No faults at all, except maybe for being a bit rough; he can do a 100m sprint and then bowl you over without even slowing down ^^. A Staffie, despite being medium-sized, is a total live wire that you need to keep in check and keep busy with physical and mental exercise, as well as a good diet—just like any other dog, really. (Mine isn't food-motivated in the slightest and doesn't always finish his meals :(, but he does eat high-quality stuff). Put the time in for him/her and they will pay you back tenfold! Photo of my baby: http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/237894kok028.jpg PS: Please don't say anything about the colour, as I know it’s a bit controversial for some. And I'm aware of the pricked ears, but it shouldn't be an issue for Kennel Club registration.

Hi, I’m the owner of a 17-month-old male Staffie, and I spend a lot of time around plenty of other Staffies, especially females. Here’s my take: the males tend to be cuddlier, real velcro dogs. The females are a bit more independent. But either way, Staffies are such affectionate dogs that you’ll be happy either way. My boy is lively and energetic (long walks, jogging, swimming, canoeing... he follows us everywhere!), but he’s also calm, level-headed, and really listens. On the other hand, the females I know are real live wires (though that might be down to their training). Regarding getting along with other dogs, I’m not quite as certain as Kim1. If they are well-socialised from a very young age, there shouldn't be any issues. My dog gets on with everyone, even entire males. Of course, they might not hit it off with every single dog... just like us humans. But I know plenty of females who scrap with each other. It’s definitely not just a male thing. Male or female, it’s mainly the build that changes. The males are stockier. But physically, they’re both just as capable when it comes to sports and exercise. Anyway, whatever you choose, you’ll end up with a brilliant dog—affectionate, playful, athletic, very attentive, and they don't bark! Here’s a little photo of my West Ham at the Paris Dog Show last January ;-)

Thanks for your replies, they’ve been really helpful. Originally, I was dead set on getting a female, but after seeing a few males working (I’ve met a few people who own males), I’ve started to have second thoughts. I want to do dog sports with my dog, and potentially some showing... whether they lift their leg or not isn’t a huge issue for me; what I really want is a dog that’s closely bonded to its owner and is up for anything (long walks, cycling, jogging, the river, the seaside, running through fields, frisbee...).