SoL

You say you want the joys of having littermates? Then you say that you're going to keep them seperated unless supervised for at least the first 12 months? And you won't walk them together. OK. Why bother? Really? They're not going to enjoy it if they do get along and NOBODY's going to enjoy it if they don't get along. It can be sheer hell. Even if your history and your family's history is of owning bull breeds. How many fights have you actually broken up? What if your son witnessed a fight that you couldn't stop. Pay no mind to stories of using a hose or grabbing testicles. They don't work. How do I know? Experience unfortunately, the same as many others who have answered in this thread. I know it may seem like damned if you do or don't but we can only call it as we see it and the last thing we would want to hear of is the demise of one of your dogs. I note that you would rehome one of the dogs if it didn't work out. Poor dog. Rehoming a mature age dog can be difficult, many end up in the pound and then just become another statistic. They are not disposable and it would save one of your potential dogs a hell of a lot of heartache if you got out of your 'predicament' as you call it now. Think a little further down the track than just what you want for today. It's because of our own experience that I am saying get one pup now, make it the best puppy in the world, love it to death, train it, socialise it. Twelve months down the track get your second pup, though you will probably find that one larger than life Stafford is more than enough. I doubt whether your son will mind not having two puppies and I do think it's a great thing for him to be responsible for a pet at his age. Any breeder worth their salt would be more than willing to 'reclaim' one of your chosen pups if you talked it through with them and to be honest I am surprised they agreed to it in the first place. Don't think of it as giving up a puppy, think of it as giving the best possible life to teh one puppy you take home and being able to enjoy it fully.

We always supervise the matings, you never know how the bitch will react to either the advances of the stud or to the tie and she can end up doing some real damage! And we only put them together for the mating, we don't let them run together - they are introduced beforehand though. I've never had to do an AI and I am happy about that - I will always prefer this when possible, though obviously if it was imported or transported semen you've got no choice in that.

Yeehaaaa Litter of Stafford bubbas hopefully due around 22 March (not yet confirmed)

I've also heard good things about Maitland Vets. They're probably the only ones in that direction I'd consider.

I love your dogs, they just have so much character showing. I also have snow envy - I haven't had a snowball fight in years!!!

It is entirely possible to run 2 bullbreeds together, providing you first of all know your first dog's temperament and probably speaking to the breeder about getting a more submissive pup. Secondly, ALWAYS have respect for the fact that 2 bullbreeds can and may fight - nastily so. It may never happen but it must always be in the back of your mind. Take precautions to ensure it never does happen. This may be by crate training (highly recommended) or by building separate runs (again recommended but much more pricey and the obvious room factor). That way you can ensure their safety when you are out. I would have reservations about leaving them together for extended periods of time (ie during working hours) if there were any dominance problems between them and definitely make sure that ALL toys of value, bones, food etc are removed before leaving them. Exercise is also a big key to keeping them happy. Plus training. Feed separately and feed the more dominant first (after feeding you guys of course). Good luck with it all.

I spose it's because we associaate profit making with backyard breeders and farmers who stand for everything we detest, ergo the need to justify ourselves if we break even or make a little extra. Speaking personally, we try and take so much time and effort to ensure the best possible match to produce the best possible pups to promote the breed, we go through hardship, tragedy, effort, blood, sweat and tears and they do NOTHING except put dog with bitch repeatedly and because of their high production numbers, charge less for crap which of course the unsuspecting public know nothing about so they in turn expect that price to be the rule and ours to be the exception without realising the lengths we go to. I would be devestated if someone used my name and the word byb or farmer in the same breath so yes, I would probably justify myself too. Yes it sucks, adn no it probably won't change, but in the great words of Ned, such is life!

I will second this. Nick is my friend, he is a breeder and exhibitor and I can highly recommend his business. I don't buy my dog food anywhere else. If you feed dry food, his is the best I've found for an excellent price. He also has a fantastic multi-vitamin powder. He is reliable, honest and timely, he delivers and his prices are extremely competitive.

I'm very sorry to hear this. Poor little man. RIP. Take care.

Sounds like you've got a normal Stafford pup to me who has a bit of pep :p Consistent training and perseverence with basic manners will turn her into one of the most loving friends you could hope for.

You have GORGEOUS dogs I wish my dogs looked that happy in water

What a chunky little nugget :rolleyes: His face is lovely though and great colour. Welcome by the way

Welcome to the wonderful world of Staffords :p Firstly you need to take charge and start laying down some ground rules - remember no means NO not sometimes yes. Think about how you want your adult Stafford to behave and start taking steps to shape your pup, it's easier to do this now than to change bad habits later on. So, every time she starts mouthing behaviour, growl or say BAH, give her something she's allowed to chew (say a toy or chewy bone). She also has to learn that you, hubby and son are above her in the pack but like Nekhbet said don't excpect too much too soon. She's only a baby and you have to have patience, perseverence and most of all consistency, which means that EVERYONE in your family needs to enforce the same rules in the same way. Take her to preschool or take up the offer of training, especially if this is your first dog. Most of all, enjoy, take pictures, show them here, pop into the Stafford thread, they grow up so quickly

I have the same problem with Bruce, thinks it's fantastic fun to snatch teh ball from the others adn then run off with it, shame is he's quite fast so he usually gets his own way, plus the fact it could easily start a fight. I always have a 2nd or 3rd ball on hand and once Bruce realises this he's happy to bring himself and his ball back to me, though he doesn't drop it at first unless he knows he can nick a ball from another dog. So I've just been patting him and then leaving him alone; then patting him and taking the ball and then giving it back and I finish with patting him, taking the ball and then throwing that ball so he at least has to run after it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but at least i can actually get a ball from him now. Before he'd have us running all over the yard!

oh baby, give him a hug so glad he's through the surgery, hope all goes well.

You should bleach the grass as well - it's not 100% guaranteed to work but it's better than nothing. Make sure it is a high quality bleach - something like Domestos or the good bleach from Aldi (which has a higher chlorine content than Domestos). Other than that, if your budget is up to it, try a viricide like Trigene or Microcide (Microcide at a 1:50 dilution for initial outbreak and then at a 1:150 dilution for maintenance/clean up), which you can get from vets. You should also spray shoes and anything else that has gone from outside to in and vice versa. It's a horrible experience and I really feel for you. I'd also be talking to your breeder.

You are about to get a heap of different responses as every dog reacts differently to food. Personally, I found Barko to be too much - the oil you mention went right through them and produced HEAPS of sloppy poos, almost as bad as Supercrap. Even though it was oily, I found their coats to be harsh and they lost condition, not weight. So it's not so much begrudging the look of it, but the effect it had on them and how they went on it. Some dogs do well on certain foods, some dogs don't. Basic trial and error will win this fight for you

Phillip Adams of Adamstown Vet is fan-fairy-tastic. EAsy to find on Brunkerville Road, Adamstown.

One of the things I tell our new 'parents' is that their new babe will cry. Guaranteed. It's what all babes do and I also warn them that the first week is always the worst as you have taken a young (in your case a very young) babe from all it knew to live in a world completely alien to it. Personally I think she is too young to be sleeping outside, if I have read that rightly. Bring her indoors but define her sleeping and feeding areas and stick to them. Dogs love routine, they find security in it. Staffords especially need human reassurance and comfort, but you need to find a level of coddling that is not only appropriate for your puppy but for your puppy when it becomes an adult. What I'm saying is start as you mean to go on. If you want your adult dog to be used to going in a crate (highly recommended) then I would suggest you go and buy one now and use that for puppy's bed (also highly recommended). This can also help with the crying because your pup will come to view the crate as it's safe haven and will readily go to it for sleeping and rest times etc. It can also help with toilet training too. Definitely have periods where she is left on her own for a time. Make sure she has things to keep her occupied. You will need her to learn that it's ok to be on her own for a bit and that you will come back. Otherwise you may find yourself with an extremely needy and destructive adult on your hands (speaking from experience here) if you have to go out. Hope that helps. Good luck with your babe. Em

Have you tried Brett Jones? He is an excellent equine vet but I'm pretty sure his practice deals with domestic animals as well.

fingers crossed for her.

I have tried to write and rewrite something about 3 times now but it's not enough and I just don't have the words or ability to see the screen clearly. Love you babe. Will miss you forever.

Phillip Adams of Adamstown Vet is excellent and I highly recommend him, he is very knowledgable and goes above and beyond the call of duty. Don't know his stance on prong collars though.

Hi guys I have a basic digi camera, Sony Cybershot W1 model (ie pretty old!). It's worked fine up until a few weeks ago. I can't even turn it on now. The lens doesn't come out and then it turns off or cuts out, whatever you want to call it. The only thing I now to try is new batteries and that hasn't helped. Does anybody have any ideas? What do camera repairs cost? More than a new camera? Cheers all Em

shit, that's horrific. I take it the old gundog didn't make it? I probably would have done the same thing though (ie given the new neighbours a chance). don't feel guilty, not your dog, not your fault. please lay it on thick with those idiots from all of us (if ever you can speak to them without smacking them).