Читать книгу Staffordshire Bull Terrier: An Owner’s Guide - Alison Smith - Страница 17

Unfortunately, there are currently hundreds of Staffords languishing in rescue centres for a variety of reasons. They may have ended up in rescue through no fault of their own – perhaps as the result of divorce, a house move or even the arrival of a new baby in a household. Others, sadly, are there because their early socialization was inadequate and their behaviour may have become too much for their – often well meaning – owners.

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.