GK & Saxon

Thank you so much to everyone, for your wise words, I understand very well now. I will get tests done, show him when I can and perhaps do agility courses. If he is a value to the breed and someone wants to use him for a stud, I think, with the right bitch he will make Blue puppies, which are such a beautiful colour. His father was blue and I'm hoping he turns out a beautiful example of his breed because both sides of his family were great show dog, champions. However if not, I just love him so it really won't matter. After all, its not all about us, its about them. Remembering I have never owned a dog before, is it normally for an 8 month old to want to hump after his dinner every night and try to hump most of the females at obedience school? It seems the other male dogs don't do this.

My Amstaff is my first dog and I don't understand alot of the doggy lingo that is been said. I do understand that Amstaffs have been bred to be calm, lovely, quiet dogs and mostly for the purpose of showing. Though like I said before all Pittbulls I have met have been of a lovely nature but I know of at least one case in the NT where a family raised and loved Pittbull attacked the young son just out of the blue. I also understand however that there are probably a lot of other dog attacks that we don't hear about, because they are not Pittbulls and the general misconception about the breed is huge. Anyway back to the Amstaffs, there is no way they have the risk of having the same aggressive streak in them, they have been bred apart for too long. I think as long as you can prove that your Amstaff, is indeed an Amstaff then there should be no question.

Yes they are initially the same dog but Amstaffs have been bred as show dogs for many years where as a lot of Pittbulls have been bred for fighting for many years. Our Amstaff like most, is of absolutely lovely nature and would never hurt a fly. Every Pittbull I have met has been lovely as well to be honest and I guess we're lucky in Darwin, that we are still allowed to have Pitbulls. There is a major difference however when it comes down to it, Pittbulls are far more likely to be aggressive, Amstaffs just aren't bred that way. If all this crap goes ahead in Qld all Amstaffs will be more than welcome in the NT I really feel for this couple, I couldn't imagine having people turn against our boy.

No offence but that is the worst reason i have heard for breeding . I am surprised he actually said that . will ask on his FB page about that one. Edit I have had aquick look through some info & no mention of using any dog at stud but emphasis on breeds hitting an age phase & behaviour to look out for during sexual maturiy No the Dog Whisperer actully said ideally people should neuter their dogs but if not then naturally, if they were in a pack they would mate at least twice a year as this is how often females come on heat and just like most males animals if they don't mate they can get frustrated which can lead to aggression.

Eww no thanks, he can just go without until perhaps we find that he is a good contribution to the breed and someone wants to use him as a stud. He is a very happy well balanced dog so I'm sure he'll be fine. Also he is not just a Staffy and we're in Darwin where I think there is currently only one breeder, as our breeder left town so you never know I will get him through the tests and get him into the show ring, if he doesn't enjoy that, I will get him onto agility courses.

Omph - what crap. Sorry, not directed at you but that dog whisperer is full of it. Lovely looking boy. Oh thank you and in the Dog Whisperers defence, he had said ideally people should neuter their dogs but if not then naturally, if they were in a pack they would mate at least twice a year as this is how often females come on heat and just like most males animals if they don't mate they can get frustrated.

Ok thanks for that. I will get him into agility training as well which should keep his mind off it, he is a very happy, balanced dog anyway, its just that we have never had a dog before so wasn't sure how it would all go. Certainly won't neuter him though.

THAT is a very dangerous thing to say and the man who said it must be an idiot. Not only is it complete codswallop, it gives EVERY tom, dick and harry an excuse to go off and mate their dogs due to sexual frustration! And with the pounds already overflowing ... Look, do your research. The breed standard is your bible as well as your breeder's. Read it, memorise it, most importantly apply it to your dog. As your breeder is new they might not interpret the standard in the appropriate way. Plus their ideals and ideas of breed perfection may change - I know mine have changed a bit. See your dog's faults and merits and think how putting him out to stud may better the breed - as has been previously said (and needs to be said again it is so important) - it often means saying NO to people more than saying YES. Show him and see how he fares against his peers - if he does well in teh showring this would be all the advertising you will need. As others have said, carry out all appropriate health checks. Lastly, as someone once said to me very early on in the piece - just because you've put him at stud doesn't mean people will want to use him! Harsh but very true. Good luck with your boy, he does look a handsome man Ah thank you very much. I am starting to understand now which is all I was after. I have never even owned a dog, let alone a pure breed and certainly didn't understand the importance of knowing what my dog has to offer the breed. In the Dog Whisperers defence, he had said ideally people should neuter their dogs but if not then naturally, if they were in a pack they would mate at least twice a year as this is how often females come on heat and just like most males animals if they don't mate they can get frustrated.

I wouldn't be worried about the advertising itself, just yet. Maybe pop into the Amstaff thread and chat with some knowledgeable folk there who can guide you with relation to relevant health testing etc. Is he ANKC registered? If so, is he on the main register? Do you show your dog? so many questions before anything else...... It's not YOUR job to find him 'suitable mates'... but rather breeders need to want to use HIM. IMHO, a guality dog who is visible to the breed community needs little promotion. ETA - WHY does the breeder think he would make a great stud dog? Hi There, Thank you for your help. He is registered, he will be shown within the next month or so. We will get health checks etc done soon then, I guess the show people will also be able to help us there. Well the breeder was only a new breeder, this was her first litter, maybe she just meant he would be good because he is a nice colour. Show him,enjoy him & then consider the stud aspect. get to now your dog & his faults.there is no rush for stud work & reality is many dogs are never used at stud . Stud work should only be considered for the betterment & often it means saying NO more than YES Yeah thanks again, I think the only reason we've started thinking about it now is because the dog whisperer says, males can get sexually frustrated and should mate at least twice a year once they hit maturity. He is very calm normally though and very well behaved. We will just have to keep him away from certain males.

Thank you, I have emailed my breeder. We will get health checks done soon, there is one other Amstaff at the shows and I think there is at least one other breeder in Darwin ;) Yeah bloody Qld, an Amstaff is basically a Pitbull but Amstaffs have been breed for showing for hundreds of years, they're nature is very different though I believe it comes down to the owner. Thanks again.

I wouldn't be worried about the advertising itself, just yet. Maybe pop into the Amstaff thread and chat with some knowledgeable folk there who can guide you with relation to relevant health testing etc. Is he ANKC registered? If so, is he on the main register? Do you show your dog? so many questions before anything else...... It's not YOUR job to find him 'suitable mates'... but rather breeders need to want to use HIM. IMHO, a guality dog who is visible to the breed community needs little promotion. ETA - WHY does the breeder think he would make a great stud dog? Hi There, Thank you for your help. He is registered, he will be shown within the next month or so. We will get health checks etc done soon then, I guess the show people will also be able to help us there. Well the breeder was only a new breeder, this was her first litter, maybe she just meant he would be good because he is a nice colour.

I am new to all this and our dog is our first. Saxon is an American Staffordshire, 8 months old and the breeder that sold him to us informed us he would make a great stud male. I would like to ask what the process is with regards to advertising him as a stud and finding him suitable mates? what age?, the general rules that apply? etc. Thanks for any help you can give us.