Sandra777

Why not just forget about the vege for a week or two? No biggy either way unless the dog has a specific issue.

If you google hip dysplasia how much information comes up about HD in Amstaffs? Just because they don't get a huge mention doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Go back to google and see how many of the websites about Blue Dobermanns are American. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a very rare breed in the USA, they usually never rate a mention in anything canine that comes out of the USA. Have a look at the pictures of the pups on the puppy pages here and see for yourself what is wrong with breeding blue to blue to blue to blue for generations................

No. Pyo is triggered by issues such as hormones not specifically by the presence of bacteria, the bacteria is there all the time but something has to go wrong with the whole system for the bitch to not be able to keep it under control. I doubt if the species would have survived if swimming increased the risk of a life threatening problem

You have more faith in the vast majority of vets than I do Most would be quite happy to see 5kg more on any of my "little" 15-17kg Staffords

NZ is introducing a minimum of 12 days quarantine for dogs from everywhere except Australia. At the moment they can come from the UK with no quarantine and Hawaii I think, as well as Australia. You can't circumvent the quarantine into Australia though because you have to prove the dog has lived in NZ either it's whole life or a minimum period anyway before it can leave NZ for Australia. You also need quarantine clearance to register the dog with the ANKC I know for a fact that dogs from the UK used to go to NZ then came straight to Australia without spending the 3 months required in NZ or any time in quarantine in Australia but I think the ANKC demanding paperwork and MAF (NZ's AQIS) requiring proof of 'residency' closed that loophole.

Does this mean he was bitten on the butt?? Sorry, not funny for the boy, his parents, the dog and it's owners but this was just such an odd turn of phrase WHEN will people learn not to jeopardise their dogs in this way. Hasn't it been filthy hot in Perth lately - too hot for dogs to be tied up outside shops anyway? Poor boy, poor dog.

x2

So sorry for your loss. I have lost a dog to vaccine reaction, a much younger dog and much less peacefully.

Yes you can. Mine don't lick - I absolutely hate it. They're not allowed to lick from the time they're small puppies, treated the same as if they'd bitten/nipped. For the serial adult licker I have been known to be a bit more harsh, but mostly with pups if you correct them when they lick and don't allow them to ever do it without being corrected (just a gentle grr works fine) they usually quickly stop it. It makes me want to seeing dogs licking people's mouths, inside their mouths and all ugh!

Interesting about the ''must have water container'' - I was at Brisbane AAE this morning and water still wasn't permitted in the crate. So water contrainer is a must have, you just can't put water in it?? Yes, I had a frozen bottle - but this is a solid object loose in the crate which is not allowed.

What breed is Poppy? How hard are you feeling to feel her hips and can you feel them really easily (as easily as her ribs lets say) Sighthounds have prominent hip bones but if I could feel the hip bones on my Staffords as easily as I can feel their ribs I'd be upping their food, so it does depend on body shape.

Would have to depend on the breed. At all breeds shows most dogs are not shown at their true peak fitness, as a general rule they carry a fraction more weight (in some cases WAY more ) to make them look more asthetically pleasing - dogs at peak fitness with no fat over their bodies tend to look a bit stark for most people! I show Staffords and for non specialist judges mine tend have more cover on them than they have for specialist judges - but not the huge amounts of fat you see on a lot, being mistaken for "substance'' My crowd are unlikely to be wormed more than once a year (except tiny puppies) and then only if a fecal sample shows there's actually worms around. I would like to 100% raw feed but don't at the moment, about 80% instead. They get no supplements, only good fresh meaty bones and a moderate quality dry. Occasionally one of them needs a bit of help when having a bad hair day and I have a coat shine product for that, otherwise a good brush, good food and a healthy dog is all that's needed. They are in peak condition 3 or 4 times a year for the Stafford club shows, the rest of the year not so much. Road walking, free running and a happy life are the ''secret'' tips here.

Small dogs don't bite - didn't you know that?? :rofl:

How do you differentiate between a hobby breeder who is lucky enough to have the time and money to look after 20 dogs properly and a puppy farmer who has 20 dogs? The price people pay for a good pup :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I have a puppy for sale here. He is amongst the top 5 best male puppies I have bred in 30 years (no I cannot keep him). I cannot find anyone who will buy him (and give him a good home) for a price which is less than what the same person could buy a random bred puppy of the same breed at the local petshop. WHAT price do people pay for a good pup????? So would I, but rules written by people who do not understand dog breeding won't help. I doubt it. One of the worst blue Stafford puppy farmers I am aware of is an accredited breeder (no not the person you are referring to). You cannot regulate ethics.

Not directed at me but IME improving one or two things at a time is a big ask. Improving one thing and keeping everything else static is a big ask sometimes, it seriously depends on the quality of the parents of course

You need to decide if you want a second dog or do you want a pet for the first dog. Getting a second dog when you don't actually want one is a really bad idea. Any chance of her going to doggy daycare a day or two a week instead?

x2 No point line breeding to make a pedigree look nice

It is in countries where cropping is the norm

There are no issues inherent in such a close mating - it really depends so much on the genetic behind the dogs. The mum could be carrying some undesireable genes which still appearing perfectly OK, so is she a ''good'' purebred or a BYB one herself? Have a look at the genetic issues in Borders. Cav x Border Collie - sorry, yuck! - what were those people thinking?? (sorry, assuming there was thought involved)

At nine weeks old she doesn't need to be going for walks - but take her places, carry her when you go walking, take her in the car then carry her somewhere. Don't leave her in the car alone unless it's extremely cool where you are and then only for a couple of minutes at the most. Use this time before she's had her vaccinations to practice her being alone - at first behind a barrier she can see through, then behind a closed door. Start at just 2 or 3 seconds if this is all she will tolerate. Being alone is not a natural state for a dog, you must teach her being alone is OK. You can teach her to walk on a lead in your own back yard, or even in the living room if it's too wet outside. All this sort of info should have been in the puppy info kit the breeder would have given you.

It can, if you choose people who understand the importance of bloodlines - like other breeders, serious hunters and the like. Unfortunately most pet only people really can't grasp that. Not their fault, if they were obsessed about bloodlines they'd be breeders

I think probably because it has probably never been legal (and certainly never been ''the norm" - legal or not) to crop in Australia. Also, cropping was banned in the UK such a long time ago and the Australian dog world followed the UK dog world for many many years.

Think I'll move in

It is possible there is a grass or some chemical product around your house the pup isn't used to, making her itchy. The flea treatment you put through your house could be irritating to her. Bathing her could make it worse if she turns out to be allergic or sensitive to the shampoo you use. I know of a number of people who have had problems with dogs being sensitive with Science Diet but do NOT change her diet so soon after bringing her home. A bit of scratching is normal with puppies I find, it's almost as if they're only just figuring out how to scratch and want to practise One or two fleas is no big deal, I wouldn't stress about it as she doesn't have fleas on her now, no reason to be greatly concerned. She may be a bit sensitive to the flea bites she did get but unless she's biting and scratching herself raw I personally wouldn't be too concerned with trying to put more chemicals in her environment or on her, it should ease off pretty quickly Incidentally - being outside in the fresh air and sunlight will do her good - why the house arrest?

Tiles, tiles, tiles, tiles and no stupid silver/blue carpet!!!!!!!!!! The ability to easily cordon (baby gate) the bedrooms off from the rest of the house (got that much right) Big store area for dog leads/blankets/collars/bowls/crates/beds/towels/everything else they accumulate Wet room for hydrobath with table for drying/grooming/first aid station, incorporating fridge and freezer for food, bench for food prep, hot and cold water for washing up, heavy duty washing machine for laundry duty. Room with it's own access to outside with air conditioning for those really hot days. Outside ------ huge covered area with proper drainage for those really wet days.