SoL

Well I have to admire your honesty, to admit that a even a blue dog from your lines would not be a dog that in your opinion was a 'good example' of the breed. So do you figure that blue colour gene is directly linked to 'bad example' genes? Hehehe how can a dog be a good example of the standard if it doesn't conform properly? Isn't that what breeding and showing is all about? Producing the BEST example of the standard in order to maintain a standard of quality within the breed and putting out the BEST example of the standard you can to pit against that of your peers? Breeding is about being honest, not being in denial. I simply meant that a blue dog from my lines, if it ever were to be thrown, would be pet homed because it would not conform to the current standard due to noseleather and would be desexed because of the current climate of byb's and moneygrabbers churning out the colour for big bucks. At teh moment, blues are pumped out for colour alone with no thought of quality of conformation. THAT is why I haven't yet met a good one and THAT is why I would desex a blue if it were thrown out of my lines, to save it from a life of constant litters! I must admit though, reconciling the standard to include blue noseleather for blue coat is the only way I can think of to taming the current trend. Banning blues would only make the matter worse.

sorry luv, can't even teach the kids to pick up their toys and put them in the box! But hey, if you figure it out let me know!!! Are you up to a tug of war game from your chair? Or get a torch and let him chase the ahem "fairy" (this is Burt's game and he's special needs ok!)

Nose leather notwithstanding, I have not yet met a blue Stafford that has, in my opinion, been a good example of the breed standard. For this reason alone, I have not and will not include one into my program even if the standard were changed. If a blue were to be thrown from the lines I have used, then I would most probably desex it and pet home it (obviously for at least $55000 because it was "rare" and came from "champion lines" :rolleyes:) The answer you have received is a complete cop out. How can they not tell between a blue/charcoal/slate (call it whatever you will) or black nose, wet or dry!!! Basically they either don't want to rock the boat or they merely can't be arsed to address the issue properly.

I would suggest for Staffords keeping to age appropriate class UNLESS he looks physically more mature than others in his age group. If you think your dog is physically more developed than other juniors, look for Ausbred or Open. No matter what class you put him in, you're up for some stiff competition in this State!

You could research natural ways of bolstering the immune system. It can be common in pups so once the initial symptoms have stopped and are getting better, start using Advocate as their monthly treatment

No, I'm too much of a control freak to let something so huge and with so many potential risks like whelping be cared for by someone else!

Almost perfect Stafford ears

If you search on YouTube there's quite a few videos of ears being taped, both rose like a Staffords and straight up. You can get the glue from Sway - either Tear Mender or Cherry Knoll Ear Fix.

dickhead. seems that the people who talk the loudest know the least!

no, no, NO, it's rare silver or, my new colour of Stafford that I've just invented, PLATINUM :D - blue is soooooooooo passe

Sounds like he's training you easily enough Ok, you're doing the right thing by picking his food up, keep doing that and don't cave in! I would also not give him raw until he's eaten some dry, otherwise he'll learn if he hangs out long enough he gets really good stuff. Personally I like pups to be fed 3 times a day but understand that this isn't always possible for those who have to work. Have you tried pouring warm beef stock over the kibble to make it a bit more appetising? Or pouring an egg on it? The chicken necks are good, but personally I prefer chicken wings as they are less likely to be wolfed down in one, no need to smash them up - the pup can manage this just fine by himself. A completely raw diet is not appropriate for a puppy IMO as it will not provide all the essentials a growing pup needs. If you're looking for a supermarket level food then try Optimum - I've had fantastic results with my dogs on this and it is always my fall back if my regular food dries up. I belive it's made by teh same people who make Advance.

Phillip Adams of Adamstown vets I highly recommend though I've never used him for hips scores but he is an awesome vet who still cares greatly for the animal he's treating.

I'm very sorry to hear that. Yes it sucks big time but you did everything. How is that little girl going?

No I wouldn't worry too much, just get it into him! Great to hear he's fighting and fingers crossed for the girl. How's the mum coping which such a big whelp?

I work on the ratio of 1.5 teaspoons glucose per 100ml water. Make sure it is boiled and then cooled - blood temp is best and then use a teat bottle or eyedropper or syringe and just get some into him. Keep pinching the skin for dehydration. Alternatively, try an electrolyte solution like Vy-trate or Recharge. Have you spoken to your vet? Obviously keeping pup warm is essential. Not to put more stress on you but the mum will need some boosting as well, especially if she's been going all morning, though she might not want to eat properly until she's done whelping but it may be an idea to put a bowl in front of her and see if she will take anything - even if it's just porridge with eggs and extra calcium. Have you got anybody nearby who can come and help?

do you think it's worth tubing him? if you've not done it before I would advise asking a vet to show you. In the meantime, get some nutrigel or glucose into him and keep trying him with the suckling. It might just be that he was from a later mating and he's not as developed (if you've already checked for cleft palate). How is mum treating him? Is she attentive to him or does she ignore him or does she separate him out and leave him alone?

Remember for the whelping box, you need a pigging rail around the sides. Personally, I have plastic sheeting tacked all the way around because our boxes are wood; then newspaper and then blankets. You will need towels but I find it better to buy terry towelling nappies - perfect size, not expensive and they're meant to get dirty anyway so you won't be too precious about them You will definitely need a heat source Pen that works, note pad, some source for time telling and yes, I weigh my pups so digital scales. If you have pups of similar size and colour, some way of telling them apart helps. Mobile phone nearby with vets number on speed dial Plastic bags to put soiled nappies and newspaper in Scissors and dental floss on hand - I've never actually needed these as my girls tend to cut the cords fine by themselves Calcium and some mult-vit supplement for the bitch post whelp. Nutrigel or something similar is good for a 'hit' of energy. Coffee made and ready to serve ETA: brandy and/or Rescue Remedy for either pups or you and, after reading the other thread about Sway's whelping supplies, I'd have to agree with the chocolates and champagne post-whelp

You could also try Phillip Adams at Adamstown vets - I've never done hips with him before but he has in the past gone over and above the call of duty regarding my dogs and I highly recommend him. Plus their facilities are excellent.

Ahhh the joys of white dogs Personally, I get the initial dirt out with a normal shampoo, then I use Champion Tails Silver Highlights shampoo. It takes some working through but it's excellent stuff. Then I use Champion Tails White Cover Creme to touch up the hocks and around the muzzle and any area that isn't quite white. ;) Then I need traction to fix my back up@!

About bloody time I was lucky it seems in that I got my items (eventually) but not before I had to threaten legal action.

Ours have taken the corners off the verandah posts so they are now nice and rounded - lovely workmanship

Dogs need structure, a regime. Having set times for brekkie, lunch and dinner will also help but you MUST do what Sandra said and PICK THE FOOD UP after 15 mins. A regime will also help him settle into his new home a lot quicker. Don't give in to those puppy dog eyes and you'll be right

We used to take the boys to Wamberal on the Central Coast - there's a little lagoon there, failing that, Lake Macquarie and I've also been told Bagnalls Beach (I think that's the name) nr Nelson Bay

My personal opinion: if you're not going to keep the pick of the litter then you're just breeding for the sake of it, so therefore there's no need to breed. Asking a pet owner to care for a pup on breeders terms is a hard thing for them to do - it means they have to keep their pet undesexed which they may not want to and relationships can sour very very easily especially when it comes time to deal with the business side of things. People can get very greedy. Plus there's the whole chance that they may just go off and either stud out their dog or let their bitch have a litter with whoever or whatever without letting you know or consulting about lines.