Kmak

Thanks, he is a stafford. I wasn't sure if he would need to do a little physio to help him out.

I agree with some of these suggestions for puppy buyers and had a good laugh at the last few paragraphs but I can also see how puppy buyers such as myself would be put off. I am in the process of purchasing a puppy to show, only 3 more weeks to go before I finally go and pick up my first show puppy, and I have found a fantastic breeder who I was referred to by another breeder. Previous to this I have sent really long emails as suggested with no response what so ever to several breeders. I have also rung breeders who were quite rude at first but once we started talking they became more human. I did not click with them as the rudeness put me off straight away. I was polite and said I was only inquiring at this stage to gather information on what was out there and to see if anyone was willing to sell me a puppy for showing. It has taken me three years to find a pup that will fit in with our family and a breeder willing to sell me a pup to show. To be honest I wanted a girl to start with but have ended up with a boy on suggestion from the breeder. I am really happy with her suggestion as the boy that I am getting is just lovely. With my 3 years experience of trying to purchase a pup, I think it is extremely hard to buy from a breeder and I can understand why people, who do not have as much persistence as I do, go to puppy farmers, pet shops and backyard breeders. Since I have spent time with show/breeders of dogs I hear all the time how they hate these puppy farmers etc but when trying to purchase a puppy from a breeder it can be very full on for the regular Joe Blow who just wants a companion to sit with them on the couch. When emails are not returned and breeders are rude on the phone the average Joe Blow will normally go 'this is just too hard. All I want is a pup to love and have as a family member. I think I will go buy off Fred down the road who will be happy to take my money and give me the loving puppy that I can't seem to get off a breeder'. As a business owner I understand that some people are quiet irritating but sometimes you just have to deal with these people. I don't want to see Joe Blow going to a puppy farm to purchase a puppy.

I'm not a breeder, but what a great thread! Very interesting and obviously very helpful :). Thanks for the link, Leema and Kadbury. And thanks to everyone in that thread for their explanations. I'm not a breeder either and would like to ask some questions but am not able to due to the restrictions. If anyone can answer a question, my friends little on is now 6 weeks and has only just got up on his feet. He still has low muscle tone and I was told swimming 10 minutes 4 to 5 times a day would help improve his muscle tone. Has anyone done this at all and what other things do they suggest for a 6 week old? Wish I could post this in the swimmer link but as I said I'm not a breeder.

Thanks, I have a friend who has ended up with one. She has bred before but never came across one until now. I have never heard of it and thought I would ask the question.

Hi I have just been told that puppies when first born can develop swimmer syndrome. Has anyone had experience with this and what do they suggest to do to help a puppy out? Is this something that can continue to affect the pup through it's lifetime? Any info on this syndrome would be appreciated. Cheers