Adopting a Staffy in Birmingham: rescues, costs and the law

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Staffy and Staffy cross listed with us in Birmingham and within about 25 miles. Be ready for it to be small, or even zero on some days: Staffies listed near the city are usually at Birmingham Dogs Home or Forest Dog Rescue, and only a few at a time, so the breed rescues below matter more here than in most cities.

The RSPCA says Staffordshire Bull Terriers "have suffered a great deal from overbreeding and bad press", and that many come into its care through irresponsible ownership. It also says many of the Staffies it cares for are "well behaved, affectionate and playful".

The Royal Kennel Club describes the breed as "highly intelligent and affectionate especially with children". Judge the dog in front of you, not the reputation: the rescue can tell you how this Staffy behaves with people, dogs and being left.

An adoption fee covers vet work you would otherwise pay for yourself. Birmingham Dogs Home's includes neutering, a microchip, flea and worm treatment and four weeks' insurance, and Senior Staffy Club adds five weeks' insurance to its £120 fee.

A bought puppy leaves all of that to you. Blue Cross gives £400 to £3,000 as the price of a puppy. On top of that, PDSA estimates £531 to set up a medium-sized dog, a figure that covers the first vaccinations and neutering a rescue has usually done already, and then at least £83 a month.

With a rescue adult, you also know what you are getting: a temperament the rescue has seen, and a vet history. A puppy from an unknown seller comes with neither.

Rescue Staffies rarely come with their parents' health tests, so ask what the rescue's vet has checked. UK sources name these for the breed:

• Eyes and a metabolic disorder. For breeders, The Royal Kennel Club best practice includes DNA tests for hereditary cataracts and L-2-HGA, as well as elbow scoring and eye testing.
• Skin and hips. PDSA names allergies and a skin condition caused by demodex mites, and says dogs should be screened for hip dysplasia before breeding.
• Breathing and teeth. Show judges are asked by The Royal Kennel Club's Breed Watch to watch for signs of breathing difficulty and for misplaced canine teeth.

The Royal Kennel Club lists the Staffy as suited to a small house with a small or medium garden and up to an hour of exercise a day; PDSA suggests at least an hour, split into a few walks. PDSA also says Staffies can be escape artists, digging and jumping, so expect questions about your fence: Birmingham Dogs Home asks for a secure garden with at least 4ft fencing, and Wythall Animal Sanctuary a minimum of 5ft for dogs.

PDSA says Staffies are known to suffer with separation anxiety and are best where someone is around for much of the day. If you rent, have your landlord's permission ready: Birmingham Dogs Home asks for it.

Rescue Staffies are adopted, not sold. You apply, the rescue matches you with a dog, and you pay its adoption fee. Staffy puppies are rare in rescue near Birmingham, so be ready to consider an adult.

Buying instead? The Royal Kennel Club has a "Find a puppy" service, and Dogs Trust advises a word with your vet first: some practices run pre-purchase consultations covering likely health conditions and rough costs. Be wary of a "merle" Staffy: The Royal Kennel Club has not registered merle Staffy puppies since 5 January 2010, because of the risks to sight and hearing linked to the merle gene. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a recognised breed, and in England they are not a banned type. The XL Bully is: in England and Wales it has been illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange or abandon one since 31 December 2023, and illegal to own one without a Certificate of Exemption since 1 February 2024 (gov.uk). A rescue can't rehome an XL Bully, and we never list one. On gov.uk, whether a dog counts as a banned type depends on what it looks like, not its breed or name.