According to research by the Royal Veterinary College, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not more aggressive than non-Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
They stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to potentially ripping other dogs apart.
I used the word “potentially” and that should answer your question.
To put it simply, are Staffies good with other dogs? No, they aren’t because they are independent, dominant, and prey-oriented. They are also playful, but during playtimes, they may show aggressiveness that could harm smaller breeds.
Why Aren’t Saffies Good With Other Dogs?
I’d like to explore this question further and help you better understand their likelihood of getting even with another breed or dog of the same breed.
It’s all in the behavior of a dog that tells us whether it has the mind of overpowering other dogs.
1. Independent Thinkers
Independence: ⅘
Staffies are independent thinkers and that’s probably why I don’t recommend them to first-time owners.
They do love their owners and their children, mind you, but like huskies, they also know how to get around their wishes.
I always focus on taming them more than other things when I’m training a staffy. That’s an important step if you’re to get them under your command.
Also, independent dogs are not very trainable. They have a hard time bouncing back from the mistakes you make during the training.
I take particular care not to repeat any mistake because that engraves in their minds. Such an intelligent breed it is.
But what does independence have to do with being bad with a dog? Territory.
These dogs become territorial-aggressive in minutes when other breeds trespass into their territory.
Now your friend’s harmless Chihuahua may have come for a casual visit, the staffy may view it as a threat. You could imagine all hell breaking loose when this happens.
2. Dominance
Showing Dominance: ⅘
When it comes to being around another dog, a staffy may have the urge to show who’s the boss around the house.
I’ve seen that happen multiple times when I enter the client’s property to train their staffy.
To check its dominance level, I intentionally bring along another well-trained dog.
If the staffy can’t get along well, which in most cases they don’t, I immediately get down on taming it.
To do that, I might use shock collars as the first step towards a better staffy.
3. Prey Oriented
Prey Drive: ⅖
These dogs are a bull and terrier mix, so you could imagine their prey drive. They were bred to be fighting dogs in Staffordshire.
That alone should give you an idea about their aggressiveness.
Aggressive dogs also have the potential to nip, bite, and chew at everything. The prey drive is to be blamed partially for this.
So, if your dog loves playing fetch, tug of war, or games where it gets to use its mouth more than anything, then you know why.
That could also translate into warding off all the competition for prey. Your staffy will see the other dog as a competition and thus, it may lunge at it in mere seconds.
4. Playful Breed
Playfulness: 5/5
The staffies are full of energy.
Any dog that has these huge energy silos is bound to empty them during any activity. That could include fighting or playing with another dog.
There’s a catch here, however.
As the breed is dog-aggressive, territory-aggressive, and has a knack for showing dominance, their play time could turn into dog wrestling in no time.
One of the reasons why I advise owners to only allow these dogs to play with others under supervision is this.
So, Do Staffies Mix Well With Other Dogs?
In light of all their traits, some of which I explained above, the staffies don’t mix well with other dogs.
However, when raised with other animals right from puppyhood, the dogs may consider them as part of the family.
I’ve seen owners successfully incorporate them into their group of pets when they are puppies.
They are easy to tame, teach about other animals’ behaviors, and accommodate them in their territories.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Other Dogs
According to DodTime, other than Staffies, there are some breeds that are good with other dogs. They include Australian Shepherds, Bull Terriers, French Bulldogs, Bichon Frise, Collies, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Bloodhounds, Boston Terriers, Barbet, Beagle, Dutch shepherds, Poodles, Pointer, Pug, Rottweiler, English Setters, Blue Heelers, Newfoundland, that are good with other dogs.
Dog Breeds That Do Not Get Along So Well With Other Dogs
On the other hand, the list of dog breeds that are not compatible with other dogs includes Akita, American Bulldog, Border Terrier, Bulldog, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Mastiff, Pomeranian, etc.
What Dogs Get Along Well With Staffies?
Staffies can get along with any breed or species if they are trained to live with them from their puppyhood.
As I said, you should own a puppy and try to get him well along with other pets you own. Early socialization is the way forward with these dogs.
How To Socialize Staffies?
- Own a puppy because they are easily trainable.
- Invest in positive reinforcement techniques. I usually use lots of treats when the puppy or the adult behaves well under my command.
- Use shock collars with adults only when they exhibit bad behaviors with other dogs. When they show submissiveness or overall good behavior, reward them by removing the uncomfortable sensation.
- Throw dog parties and tell your friends about the aggressiveness of your dog. Make sure well-trained personnel are there, too, to see off any misconduct by any dog.
- Take your dog to local parks (after vaccination if it’s a puppy), and let it mingle harmlessly with other dogs. Make sure that you play with it aplenty to release most of its energies. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Remember this.
How Do I Stop My Staffy from Attacking Other Dogs?
So you may have an adult staffy that’s rough with other dogs.
Whenever I train such an aggressive breed, I use shock collars to bypass the whole training curve and get to the point.
That does not limit or reduce the effectiveness of the training. It just helps us keep the dog away from harm’s way faster.
Therefore, buy a shock collar.
Know how it works and when you should use it, first.
Are Staffies Good With Other Dogs – Wrapping Up
Staffies are generally and naturally aggressive towards other dogs.
However, early socialization could reduce their potential of getting involved in a dog fight.
I recommend that you own a puppy and train it well in the presence of other animals such as your pets. In doing so, you could take help from devices such as shock collars.
