Meet Guinness

G’day, I’m Guinness. I’m a three-year-old brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the face of Staffy World, and, officially, CEO: Chief Everything Officer. Dad does the typing. I handle the product testing, the couch quality control and most of the supervising. This page is all about me, which I think is only fair.

How I got my name

Dad’s family has Irish heritage, and our house has a naming tradition. His first Staffy, back when he was a young lad, was a girl called Middy. Years later came Schooner. Then came me: Guinness.

If you’re not from Australia: a middy and a schooner are both Aussie beer glass sizes. Dad reckons a pint of the black stuff was the natural next step. I reckon it suits a brindle boy perfectly.

What I’m like

Ask Dad to describe me in four words and he’ll say cheeky, clever, stubborn and playful. Plenty of Staffy owners will recognise that combination.

Stubborn? I prefer “decisive”. Take sleeping arrangements. I sleep wherever I want, and I know exactly where the good spots are. On a warm day you’ll find me stretched out in the backyard, basking in the sun. On a cold winter night I’m parked right in front of the heater, and I’m not moving for anyone.

Clever? I’ll chase a ball with total enthusiasm. Bringing it back is a separate negotiation, and I usually win it.

My favourite things

My plush zoo. Spot the dog is number one, with the Zebra, the Lion and the Giraffe close behind.
Zoomies. Any time, anywhere. A good zoomie session is non-negotiable.
Long walks. Out into the fields near home and around the local walking tracks.
Fruit. Banana and apple are my treats of choice. Yes, really. (If you share fruit with your Staffy, keep pieces small, leave out apple cores and seeds, and check with your vet before adding new treats.)
Chasing the ball. Returning it is optional.

My people

I’ll be honest: I like to size you up first. But once I know you, you’re my best friend for life.

I have a few special people. One of Dad’s friends visits, and when he does I lose my mind (in the best way). I wait at the door to greet him. The second he’s inside, I launch into a full zoomie session, then I grab my toys and run back to show them off, one by one.

That’s the Staffy I know best: loyal, affectionate and very, very happy to see his people.

The Staffies who came before me

This bit is a little more serious, so I’ll put my toys down for a minute.

Before me, there was Middy. She was Dad’s first Staffy, back when he was a young lad, and she was very protective of him. She took the job of looking after him seriously.

Then there was Schooner. He loved the water and the beach, he loved to run, and he was always on the go. He was as cheeky and clever as I am, and Dad says that’s a high bar.

When Schooner was a senior, Dad planned to bring a younger Staffy into the family, hoping some of Schooner’s ways would rub off on the new pup. That pup was me. But Schooner passed away a week before I was born, and we never got to meet. The house sat quiet for a few months, until I was old enough to come home.

Staffy World started in that quiet time. Dad built it as a way to mourn Schooner. So in a way, every page on this site is for him.

I like to think I got some of his cheekiness anyway.

My job at Staffy World

Dad isn’t a vet or a dog trainer, and neither am I. Dad does the research from reputable sources, and I do the real-world testing. When you see a product card on this site with my name on it, it’s gear I actually use.

I hold a few titles:

Chief Chew Officer: chews and toys
Chief Food Officer: dog food
Chief Treat Officer: treats
Chief Comfort Officer: beds
Chief Walkies Officer: harnesses and leads
Chief Grooming Officer: grooming gear
Chief Naptime Officer: crates and travel
Chief Wellness Officer: supplements

I also get a vet check-up twice a year, to keep the boss in top shape.

Thanks for stopping by. Now if you’ll excuse me, the sun’s out and there’s a patch of backyard with my name on it.

— Guinness, CEO (Chief Everything Officer)