The Old Folks Home

[CSolis]

I know nothing about this breed. What do you see in Freya that indicates it?

She's about 40 lbs now, so any ideas how much she'll weigh when she's full grown? She's slim, but not bony. She has a delicate, girly "waistline."

First let me say this. Not all Staffordshire Terriers are Bull Terriers. Staffy's were crossed with Bull dogs to add athletic ability. Staffy's are high energy dogs and need/love lots of exercise, but to go with that energy is a lot of intelligence. I worked for the Collier County Department of Animal Services and worked both in the Isolation unit where dogs were brought in off the streets, as well as the adoption center. I learned to judge dogs based on characteristics and body type with ease. I am a very observant person and it has aided me in a lot of areas.
As for Freya, body type, ear set, shape of the head, and that nice short coat she has. One quick look and I could see you have a winner. Please, get a harness to walk her with, teach her to keep her nose just behind your shoulder. She will love you forever and ever. Meet Daisy, the neighbor's dog where I use to live. She was Gator's playmate. See the similarities? Full Staffy she is.

Here's one of Gator taking Ms Daisy for a ride. LOL

 

[Sally PB]

First let me say this. Not all Staffordshire Terriers are Bull Terriers. Staffy's were crossed with Bull dogs to add athletic ability. Staffy's are high energy dogs and need/love lots of exercise, but to go with that energy is a lot of intelligence. I worked for the Collier County Department of Animal Services and worked both in the Isolation unit where dogs were brought in off the streets, as well as the adoption center. I learned to judge dogs based on characteristics and body type with ease. I am a very observant person and it has aided me in a lot of areas.
As for Freya, body type, ear set, shape of the head, and that nice short coat she has. One quick look and I could see you have a winner. Please, get a harness to walk her with, teach her to keep her nose just behind your shoulder. She will love you forever and ever. Meet Daisy, the neighbor's dog where I use to live. She was Gator's playmate. See the similarities? Full Staffy she is.

Ok! Thank you for the information! And thanks for calling her a winner.

I just bought a harness yesterday. That has improved our walk a lot.

What about a Martingale collar? She is already quite strong.

DH doesn't think heeling on leash is that important. I must say, I've tried, but not been able to get any of our dogs to heel. I have only had one dog training class, 27 years ago, so I am not very well trained, either.

Our first two dogs were Dobes that we got as little puppies. After they were about a year old, we walked them without a leash, and they were (mostly) very good, but did not heel. Our third dog was an adoption at 8 y/o, and we always had her on leash when we walked down the road. (RIP, Mara, baby.)

Freya has displayed a bit of willfulness, and I have had to pick her up to bring her in a couple times when she balks at coming in. (We think the front door is scary for her: something about going through the doorway is the sticking point.) Well, it's just been 3 days...

Thanks, everybody, for the information and good wishes!

 

[CSolis]

When a dog is pulling and you are pulling back, especially when the leash is attached to a collar, the response of the dog is to pull harder unless it is right behind the jaw area. The reason to have her nose just behind your leg or shoulder is to teach her who is the dominant partner in the relationship. When dogs are allowed to lead then they are in charge of the traveling. Dogs love calm assertive owners. Some dogs that are scatter brained get worse being 'put in charge'. Calm and assertive doesn't mean a bully, it just means you know what's what and you are there to lead the parade, so to speak. Once she learns her place in the 'pack' (you being a pack leader) she will naturally follow your lead. Once that happens she can be allowed to walk without a leash if you are comfortable with that.
As for the door, just stand in side the door and be patient. Don't pull or yank on her. She'll get the idea eventually to come in the door on her own. Also on the way out, make sure you are the first one out and she follows.

 

[bruceha2000]

not leaving here til the good lord calls me.

Get Caller ID so you can decide if you want to pick up or not

Anyone have ideas on what mix of breeds she might be?

I would guess some Black Lab plus ???

See what your vet charges for DNA testing. That's about the only way you're going to know.

If she's like @ronott1, a fair amount of neanderthal

She has a body like Staffordshire

Say what? I looked those up, they are VERY blocky. Not at all the sleek lines of Freya, I was wondering if there might be some whippet or greyhound mixed in to give that lone lean look.

 

[Alaskan]

Say what? I looked those up, they are VERY blocky. Not at all the sleek lines of Freya, I was wondering if there might be some whippet or greyhound mixed in to give that lone lean look.

Agree.... or great dane.

DNA might be the only way to know... sure would be fun/interesting.

I don't think it costs much anymore

 

[getaclue]

My guess was Doberman, and possibly Lab. She looks too svelt to be a Staffordshire Terrier.

 

[getaclue]

Depending on the vet, DNA testing is not overly expensive nowadays, and it's accurate. In mixed breeds, they can tell you a great deal of information.

Knowing more about what mixture is in her, can really help in your training efforts. While all breeds can be trained, the training methods, or time required to train various things, are not the same for all breeds.

 

[CSolis]

Say what? I looked those up, they are VERY blocky. Not at all the sleek lines of Freya, I was wondering if there might be some whippet or greyhound mixed in to give that lone lean look.

Staffordshires are a terrier breed, not all of them look like Pit Bulls that are Staffy/Bull Dog mixes. Gator is a Staffy/bull dog mix hence his blockiness.

 

[getaclue]

I realize Staffordshires are a terrier breed, but even if they don't look like Pits, they're still blocky. Freya looks way to svelt, not blocky at all, to be a Staffordshire. Maybe it's just me. The shape of the head, the length, and width of the mouth/nose and the ears are another giveaway that make it doubtful.

 

[CSolis]

I realize Staffordshires are a terrier breed, but even if they don't look like Pits, they're still blocky. Freya looks way to svelt, not blocky at all, to be a Staffordshire. Maybe it's just me. The shape of the head, the length, and width of the mouth/nose and the ears are another giveaway that make it doubtful.

You mean like this? https://petclassifieds.com/ad/standard-manchester-terriers/
Originally called rat terriers in the UK. They were pros at hunting rats! Now most rat terriers that you see are more like Toy Manchester terriers. The AM staff is a blend of Terrier with hunting instinct plus the old Pit Bull dog of the UK used for 'baiting bulls'. Some come out sleek and light weight depending on who the breeder is and the bloodlines used. Most of the AM Staff Terriers have been bred for generations to get that big blocky head.