Ernie arrived for rehoming on 3rd October 2026. He is a very typical male Staffordshire bull terrier, aged 6 years and 7 months at the time of arrival. He is already neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

 

The sort of home for Ernie

• No dogs in the home

• No cats in the home

• No children under the age of 16 years

• Access to his own private and secure garden (not shared or communal)

• Access to the sofa for cuddles

• Not caged/crated in the home

• Not left for more than 4 hours at a time

• He would suit a calm home.

 

Handling

A very happy, friendly and relaxed dog, not too boisterous, and very comfortable moving from person to person. He allowed us to fit him with a new collar without any issues, and the same with one of our temporary harnesses.

 

He will do pretty much anything for a treat and is very reward/treat orientated. He has not shown any aggressive, dominance or fear in the time he has been with us, nor in his original home,

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Ernie was briefly with us in July, and was rehomed, but was returned to us on 3rd October 2026. He was noted as being possessive of toys, and would get over-stimulated when people came around or during play might mouth/bite feet.

 

Walks

On our walks he has been a joy to walk. He was easy to put the harness on, and walked with no pulling, but just likes to be ahead. Occasional small amount of weaving. On our walks he has seen dogs and not yet reacted badly to them in any way. Lots of sniffing on the walk. Responded well to his name (on the lead). Described as a really lovely dog to walk.

 

The previous owner let us know that off the lead Ernie is great with other dogs, but when on the lead he can pull and bark at dogs that are close by, e.g. on the same path/pavement.

 

Play

With us, in a kennel environment with daily play sessions we found that Ernie loves a variety of toys including balls, squeaky toys, soft toys. He has not shown any dominance or possessiveness during play with our team. Although he is reluctant to give up toys, we have found he has always done  so with a treat alternative.

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The previous owner highlighted behaviours that would indicate that Ernie could be possessive of toys in the home environment. Ways around this would include using other toys to exchange, using treats during tidying up, and limited access to toys to specific periods of play.

 

Health

Other than being a few kilos overweight Ernie appears to be in good health, and his original owner has said he has been healthy and illness-free throughout his life. Ernie originally saw our vet on 13th July 2026. He will see our vet again during week commencing 5th October for a routine check up. Ernie is already vaccinated until June 2027.

 

Please be aware that the profiles of new dogs can change as we get to know about the dogs the longer, they stay with us.

 

The adoption contribution is £250.00.

 

If you adopt a dog from Happy Staffie Rescue you could be entitled to five weeks free pet insurance through Agria (terms and conditions apply).

 

 

Further information provided by the original owner who had Ernie from a puppy until 6 years and 4 months:

• House trained

• Used to being left for up to 4 hours at a time, had the run of the downstairs and never had accidents and was never destructive.

• No health issues

• Not travel sick, and a very good passenger. We have gone in the campervan to France and Spain. He enjoys travel

• Dogs – when he is off the lead he is great to meet other dogs, never any aggression.

• Dogs – when he is on the lead he may pull and bark at other dogs close to him

• Very good with children, and has been around children aged 5 years, but he is too big for them, and he could accidentally knock small ones over. Would recommend 10+ years plus

• Never shown aggression or dominance to any human

• Not keen on being bathed but loves going in the sea

• Loves to play but won't give toys back, and you have to bribe him with a treat. He may give little growls during tug games.

• Will eat anything but particularly likes meal scraps, carrots, banana, apple, biscuits

• Favourite things include toys, walks, being off the lead on walks, being on the sofa.

• Never caged/crated

• Reason for surrender – change of home, and moved in with someone who had a dog and Ernie did not get on with that dog in the home