Staffordshire Bull Terrier

[JillT]

Hi Roz

 

We haven't brought our Staffy as yet. She is with out daughter for the time being. We were dealing with Pet Air (I think) in Dublin. Staffies are in abundance over here and are recognised for their best qualities. Unfortunately, however, landlords over here do not like pets in their homes and it is extremely difficult to find a rental property who will accept pets. This has been our dilemna.

 

I would say definitely bring your dog with you but be prepared that it may be difficult to find a rental and will certainly limit the choice of home you can look at.

 

We are still hoping to bring our dog over once our initial lease is up and we can find somewhere that will accept pets.

 

Good luck with your move! This is a beautiful country with lots of opportunity and a fantastic lifestyle for your children.

 

Jill

 

 

 

Hi Jill

Was just wondering if you managed to take your Staffy with you over to Oz?? I'm in Dublin, I have a two and a half year old Staffy girl, we're moving to Melbourne at the end of the year with our two kids, couldn't bear to leave her behind, so we're hoping to take her, she's my five year old boys best friend in the world!!

 

Which shipping company did you use if you have managed to send her? I've had some some difficulty with shipping companies in Ireland saying that certain airlines won't take her as she's considered dangerous etc. etc, and making a big deal out of something that should be quite simple? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Ros11]

Hi Roz

 

We haven't brought our Staffy as yet. She is with out daughter for the time being. We were dealing with Pet Air (I think) in Dublin. Staffies are in abundance over here and are recognised for their best qualities. Unfortunately, however, landlords over here do not like pets in their homes and it is extremely difficult to find a rental property who will accept pets. This has been our dilemna.

 

 

I would say definitely bring your dog with you but be prepared that it may be difficult to find a rental and will certainly limit the choice of home you can look at.

 

We are still hoping to bring our dog over once our initial lease is up and we can find somewhere that will accept pets.

 

Good luck with your move! This is a beautiful country with lots of opportunity and a fantastic lifestyle for your children.

 

Jill

Hi Jill

Thanks for the response - I tried looking up Pet Air in dublin but couldn't find any details, have only managed to find a handful of companies over here - but I've emailed their UK office as I presume they could still arrange the flight for her to go from Dublin. That must have been tough leaving her with your daughter - we'll be leaving Stella with my parents for around 6 weeks am not looking forward to it, my kids will miss her so much. I kind of anticipated the problem with the renting whereabouts in Oz are you? We rent our house in Dublin we were lucky our landlady loves dogs, has five her self so had no problem at all with us having a dog, I'm hoping she will do us a good reference which might help out. When are you hoping to fly your dog out then - thanks again for the response.

[JillT]

Hi Jill

Thanks for the response - I tried looking up Pet Air in dublin but couldn't find any details, have only managed to find a handful of companies over here - but I've emailed their UK office as I presume they could still arrange the flight for her to go from Dublin. That must have been tough leaving her with your daughter - we'll be leaving Stella with my parents for around 6 weeks am not looking forward to it, my kids will miss her so much. I kind of anticipated the problem with the renting whereabouts in Oz are you? We rent our house in Dublin we were lucky our landlady loves dogs, has five her self so had no problem at all with us having a dog, I'm hoping she will do us a good reference which might help out. When are you hoping to fly your dog out then - thanks again for the response.

 

 

Ros,

 

Sorry it was Airsea and they are in Dublin. Their phone number is 01-844 6044. We are in Toowoomba, Queensland. Landlords here all use rental agencies who follow a set procedure. We haven't come across any private landlords. Anyway, if you are forewarned at least you will be prepared. We are missing Sandy terribley. Since our children are both grown and left home, she has become our baby! It will probably be a year now before we can fly her out and then we have to ask ourselves if it is fair to her to unsettle her again. Hope all goes well for you.

[BobPetairUK]

Dear GillT

 

You can definitely take Staffies over to Australia. We flew 2 naughty staffies to Perth last week on one of them got in a right pickle when we checked him in and he was asked politely to leave the flight, so we brought him back and spent all the next day putting him into his crate and out again. We got the builders to move him in his crate so he got fully used to being moved in his crate (the builders where very doggy friendly, not just random builders we found:)). in the end by the tiem we checked him in 24 hours later, i think he was so exhausted that he just spelt all the way to Perth and is now safely in Australia - a sleepless night was had by all!

 

Proper staffies - the short legged ones - are fine, it is just when they start to be taller and wider that the Australian's kick up a fuss. As far as i am aware a Pit Bull is not an actual breed but a type, so it is subjective if a dog is a pit bull or not. We had a lady come into us with 2 pit bull types and we said we would not fly them even though they were Irish Staffies on all their paperwork. We sent pics to AQIS for them to check it out and they said no. Simple. They make the rules. As i said, proper staffies are fine, it is just if they are much taller or broader but still vague Staffy shape is when AQIS are deeply unhappy.

 

We can arrange a move from Dublin, but it would involve your dog coming over by road to England and then off again. There are good shippers in Ireland who can help you. Just bear in mind that some folk from Dublin use a UK shipper as it makes the total time in flight crate much shorter, but then it does add to travelling time as you have to get over here.

 

I hope my tuppence worth helps!

 

Bob

[Ros11]

Dear GillT

 

You can definitely take Staffies over to Australia. We flew 2 naughty staffies to Perth last week on one of them got in a right pickle when we checked him in and he was asked politely to leave the flight, so we brought him back and spent all the next day putting him into his crate and out again. We got the builders to move him in his crate so he got fully used to being moved in his crate (the builders where very doggy friendly, not just random builders we found:)). in the end by the tiem we checked him in 24 hours later, i think he was so exhausted that he just spelt all the way to Perth and is now safely in Australia - a sleepless night was had by all!

 

Proper staffies - the short legged ones - are fine, it is just when they start to be taller and wider that the Australian's kick up a fuss. As far as i am aware a Pit Bull is not an actual breed but a type, so it is subjective if a dog is a pit bull or not. We had a lady come into us with 2 pit bull types and we said we would not fly them even though they were Irish Staffies on all their paperwork. We sent pics to AQIS for them to check it out and they said no. Simple. They make the rules. As i said, proper staffies are fine, it is just if they are much taller or broader but still vague Staffy shape is when AQIS are deeply unhappy.

 

We can arrange a move from Dublin, but it would involve your dog coming over by road to England and then off again. There are good shippers in Ireland who can help you. Just bear in mind that some folk from Dublin use a UK shipper as it makes the total time in flight crate much shorter, but then it does add to travelling time as you have to get over here.

 

I hope my tuppence worth helps!

 

Bob

 

Hi Bob

 

I submitted an enquiry on your website anyway - I was told my a shipper over here though that I wouldn't be able to bring her over to the UK and fly her out of there as the AQIS rules state that she's got to be exported from the country she has resided in for the last 6 months - which would be ROI - I am well and truly confused now!! Stella is a short and stocky staffy so I'm not worried about her not getting in just where is the best place to send her from!!

 

Thanks

 

Ros

[Ros11]

Ros,

 

Sorry it was Airsea and they are in Dublin. Their phone number is 01-844 6044. We are in Toowoomba, Queensland. Landlords here all use rental agencies who follow a set procedure. We haven't come across any private landlords. Anyway, if you are forewarned at least you will be prepared. We are missing Sandy terribley. Since our children are both grown and left home, she has become our baby! It will probably be a year now before we can fly her out and then we have to ask ourselves if it is fair to her to unsettle her again. Hope all goes well for you.

 

Thanks Jill I contacted Airsea but found them much more expensive than the other two companies - and they gave me a quote to send her to canada instead of Oz first off!!! If you do end up flying Sandy PM me and I'll let you know who I used to get Stella out and how it went and how much. Our last staffy sounds more like your Sandy she was long legged, and I'm not convinced she would have got in to Oz, I know what you mean though about missing Sandy when our last dog died we were devastated, she was only four still miss her now, it's hard for you to know what to do for the best, how is she getting on at your daughters? We don't really have anyone that would rehome Stella and my two kids would be devastated if we had to - as would I, so we're going to try our best to get her out for them. Thanks for the info though really appreciate it - if I can help you in the future if you do decide to send her please get in touch!!

[Guest51810]

I hope the two of you get everything sorted out for your pooches

[JoandJon]

We found a place to rent no probs - lease does say that Satch is an outside dog though The key is to be firm with any agents that you only want to see places that will consider pets - and be a little flexible on where you want to live to be sure

 

Satch was a bit sooky in quarantine, but actually coped fine. I however hated every single second of it! She refused to eat for a while, but they kept trying her on different stuff. In the end she did eat a bit - although they did check with me that I was ok with her eating Cat food instead of dog food.......

 

lol

[BobPetairUK]

Yep, the rules say that the pets have to be in the country of origin for 6 months before they fly, but for these journeys, we get a dispensation from the Australian government and they are very happy with that, so this is completely do-able via UK and we plan a journey such as this around every month or so.

[Ros11]

 

I hope the two of you get everything sorted out for your pooches

Thank you!

[Ros11]

 

Yep, the rules say that the pets have to be in the country of origin for 6 months before they fly, but for these journeys, we get a dispensation from the Australian government and they are very happy with that, so this is completely do-able via UK and we plan a journey such as this around every month or so.

Thanks for that clarification Bob I would be interested in getting a quote from you if possible, I think I submitted an enquiry on your website, dogs name is Stella thanks again

[Ros11]

Just wanted to update this thread ... Stella arrived in Melbourne last week, safe and happy not bothered at all by the flight. A fantastic service provided by PetAir - Thank you!! In the end she was driven over to the UK by my parents and stayed with PetAir before her flight last Monday. We visited her in quarantine last week, it was great to see her after so long. I would highly recommend PetAir to anyone thinking of bringing their dog over they were excellent.

[Guest51810]

Glad to hear your little bear (thats what we call staffies lol) has arrived safely. Wont be long till she's running about the beach and parks making lots of friends

[Archies owner]

HI Jill,

 

I am a professional dog walker and have walked many breeds of dogs and seen many dogs in action in off lead parks. The following is MY personal opinion and I hope it informs.

 

In Australia in general about 20 years ago Bull terriers were very popular. A lot of people with no training skills bought them and these dogs dominated them so that they would not take them out of their yards fearing they would do harm, and indeed quite a few did. In the last ten years the pit bull has become the choice breed for mostly people wanting status or as guard dogs for illegal activities (I read the press). This is not true of every owner, but seeing that one quarter of deaths in America have been attribute to this breed there is pending legislation (breed specific legislation) that attempts to ban rather than restrict deadly breeds in Oz. Yes dogs bred to kill things are deadly breeds, AND are generally not suitable for the majority of the population. They might respect their owner, but they can be VERY hard to socialise sufficiently.

 

So councils put in place some dodgy restrictions for 'dangerous breeds' meaning that depending on where you live you may have to muzzle or not allow some breeds off lead. You also pay more for rego. The Staffordshire Bull Terriers is said to be the fifth most popular in the UK. "Staffordshire Bull Terrier was derived from the fighting Bulldog of the day with some terrier blood introduced." They are said to be excellent with children, but I have noticed that many urban people got these dogs when more obvious fighting dogs were banned, and they did not socialise them. By socialize I mean one off lead walk per day minimum.

 

In Melbourne we mostly see the smaller English Staffy. In dog parks I have often seen what amounts to a staffy frenzy where they reach a certain excitement level and wont take no for an answer. I used to walk a 12 year old rescue staffy, that tried to bight and hold on/ kill another dog I was walking, for no obvious reason. Any dog bred down from a killing dog, will inherently have this urge in them. I don't care how cute and fluffy pit bull/ bull terrier/ staffy owner's say their dog is, I think that it can be risky having these dogs off lead without very experienced owners nearby.

 

So long story short, Most councils here do not restrict the staffy breed at all, but most people are used to seeing the smaller staffy. A large US staffy crossed with a pit bull or similar will have a formidable looking dog, will make owners nervous, which will feed into the other owner's dogs, and may provoke your dog. I have seen this happen many times, NO it wont be your dogs initial fault, but I am just standing up for socialisation and regular training of fighting breeds. Being aware of this dog aggression cycle is important for keeping the peace.

 

I am sure your dog has nothing to do with my comments above, but please note that in the media and from people I have met, that this can be the image some fighting dogs have. The main groups that are fighting breed specific legislation seem to be those who train aggressive and fighting dogs. No connection I am sure.

 

By the way, as a responsible owner, with a well trained dog, I am sure your dog will be welcome everywhere!