Tyson is Dead!

My fantastic all-powerful black Stafford is dead. For several weeks he had been 'off-colour'. The Vets said it was arthritis in his knees. But I didn't think so. Then for some two days he was clearly in distress. Back to the vets, to have him put down - for his brain tumour. My last act of kindness for a Great Stafford.

I am in tears as I write this article, eight months later.

Katie - his eight-month-old replacement Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitch is asleep under my chair. Brown and white, lithe and very agile, she is really my wife's dog. I am 76 and sadly past handling powerful Stafford male dogs. But Doreen is much younger and very competent with dogs. I bought Katie for her, both as a companion and most importantly as a house warning 'alarm'.

Tyson was a most effective house guard dog. Absolutely safe with visitors or my patients, any hostile move towards Doreen elicited a tremendous defensive response: if I even put my arm around her in a 'threatening' manner, he would be there, growling ferociously. Battle-ready!

Katie is of course still a pup. In love with the world, especially children and people. Totally devoted to my wife. Slightly tall for a Stafford, she already barks on command. She is very alert, hears the slightest noise, such as letters dropping through the box.

My intention is to train her in Tyson's pattern. That is, as a powerful first line of defence if Doreen came under threat.

To my mind, a Stafford is the perfect housedog - friendly (where appropriate), a most powerful bite (where appropriate), very strong, very intelligent. I have had Staffords since 1970. Usually up to three at the same time. All perfectly under control. A joy to behold; a joy to own.

Bear in mind two major problems. After about two years of age, a Stafford dog should not be walked off the lead. Unless in a safe area. His natural instinct is to fight other male dogs. That is what he does. This aspect can be trained to be controlled, but one must never take the risk.

It is most important that you fit a very loose leather collar. Not a tight chain. If - no, when - your dog bites another dog and refuses to let go, this is the way to retrieve the situation: Stand between the other owner and the fighting dogs. Grasp your dog's loose collar, twisting it tightly. This strangles your dog but without doing any harm whatsoever. The flow of blood down from the brain is impaired and causes unconsciousness, but no damage. Tell the other owner to hold his own dog and pull it away. Then smack your own fingers hard for not being properly alert to avoid the fight developing in the first place.

The other major problem is that you must expect any young thug, hoodlum or mugger to be carrying a knife. With which to kill your dog if it defends you. That is the way things are these days. A fact of life. Do not get your dog killed. Be alert. Be aware. Do not be where the mugger is waiting. Be elsewhere.