Mairead

You have accidentally found a dog that suits you very well, and that's great. If you want to get him a companion your best chance of success would be to contact the breeder of your dog and put in an order for one of similar temperament. As for breeding, it is not as easy as just having any male and any female. The dog you know and love is but one hand in a big deck of cards. His health test results, his siblings, parents, grandparents and other relatives will tell you what other cards might be in the deck but you will still be shuffling those cards and hoping you only get the good ones. Any breeder will tell you that people will say they want a puppy and then when the time comes circumstances have suddenly changed. That is why some breeders ask for a deposit (sometimes nonrefundable) and for people to fill out an application form, or only breed when they have enough people on a waiting list.

I find them deformed, and I find the people who call them cute ignorant and cruel. There are far many animals called cute who should be called unhealthy and suffering. It is no longer acceptable to have zoos or freak shows with humans exhibited. I hope freak shows with animals go the same way when people grow up, but I despair I'll be waiting a long time for both those things. I wish artist Patricia Piccinini would make sculptures of the human equivalent of these poor creatures. They would have concave faces.

It is a Labrador that has been declared a dangerous dog for attacking a cat and walks with a muzzle and special collar. Ideal situation is introducing a puppy used to cats to a cat used to dogs. If your cat is not used to dogs look to getting a puppy used to cats. Or get a rabbit, or cavies or a bird and explain the cat has priority. Kids (and partners) don't always need to get what they want when they want it if it would be too stressful for the other member of the family.

First step is check with your local council to see if there are restrictions, extra fees or compulsory desexing for these breeds or pig hunting dogs. Also check what is required if the dog is declared dangerous. Where I live a dog can be declared dangerous for attacking a cat. I agree with those who say not the right breed. Large enough and potential temperament to easily kill a cat, (or a child) and what happens if your son tries to step in and rescue the cat? Also, not a good idea to get a puppy from a friend. Harder to make the right decision without hurting anyone's feelings. This is, I assume, an accidental litter, so health and temperament of parents and relatives has not been considered and no health tests done. If it is not accidental, then was the breeding done to produce dogs that can catch pigs? If so, a cat will be easy prey. Have the parents killed or injured any cats? Would the owners tell you if they had? Do the owners have a cat? These are all questions that you should be asking, and can ask an ethical breeder or ethical rescue group, but could you ask them of partner's friend? Another consideration is desexing. Is your partner OK with desexing of a male? Some men act as if it is their own testicles that will be removed!

You may find that your GP vet is able to suggest some medication and/or therapy for you to try first. Perhaps the specialist vet can send a questionnaire first then do a phone or web consult for first appointment? A video of her in the car might be useful too.

Will she be trustworthy? Maybe not. Maybe she has always shown dominance aggression (playing rough) and now it has escalated plus maybe some fear aggression because a dog on leash around off leash dogs can feel threatened. First, keep her away from other dogs. The more she practises a behavior the harder it will be to change. Dogs don't need to go to a dog park, it is where you are likely to find uncontrolled dogs. And you need to consider just how unsafe it is to put her in situations that resulted in stitches for you. It may be your wife or someone else next time. Second, get a thorough medical checkup for her including a thyroid and any other tests, to exclude any medical reasons for the behaviour. Tell the vet the reason for the checkup and be truthful about the situations where she was aggressive. Third, ask the vet for a referral to a specialist qualified behaviour vet. "Dog trainers ...should not be dealing with ... cases involving aggression" - Kirsti Seksel in Behaviour - Proceedings 390 - Centre for Veterinary Education, Sydney Uni Fourth, start to write down everything you can about the situations that are a problem, such as where, type of dog, warning body language and also the situations where she used to be invariably OK with another dog, if any. Include her early life and the playing rough too, and how you have managed it, and the training methods you have used. Expect that everyone in the family will have to be on the same page with this, and medication may be prescribed for her. My references: The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult, Tilley and Smith - Aggression Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat Landsberg, Hunthausen and Ackerman - Canine Agression Lastly, run this advice past your vet too.

You had better research "same sex aggression". Bitches who don't get on must be separated for life, or risk serious injury or even death. From Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat G. Landsberg, W. Hunthausen, L. Ackerman : "prognosis is guarded to fair" "female-female agression is ...more difficult to resolve than male-male aggression."

I would keep right away from blue because it is so popular. So many kennel names have blue or blu as part of the name which tells you straight away where their emphasis lies. Also be aware that white faces and ears could carry a risk of deafness. There are also some tests which need to be done on the parents before breeding. Reading the Breeders and Puppies for Sale ads was educational.

Do you have a question? If not go to the Breeds section in the main menu, and I'd be wanting to know whether colour dilution alopecia is a problem with blue staffies. Also the more trendy the breed or colour, the more difficult it may be to find an experienced knowledgeable breeder and not just someone who thinks they might make some money. There's no money to be made in dog breeding if you are doing it properly and ethically.

The dog you met might be typical or might be the exception. You would need to meet more, and in different situations to make an informed appraisal of the breed. Then too, different bloodlines may differ in temperament. The spitz breeds in general are quite - vocal (if you don't mind it) or noisy (if you do), aren't they?

And you have to remember that dogs you might see out and about may not entirely resemble the ones you see at shows. A friend who had boarding kennels said it was quite educational to see the variations coming through the kennels.

That's my guess too. Or possibly Finnish Lapphund.

I have no experience with deaf dogs so I went to my veterinary textbooks. Veterinary Pediatrics and The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult. Congenital (present from birth) deafness can be either hereditary or acquired and in purebred or mixed breed. Acquired congenital deafness can be caused by viruses, drugs, heavy metals, antifreeze, chronic ear infections. Hereditary congenital deafness is associated with merle, piebald or hypo pigmentation. Over 30 breeds including the Amstaff are predisposed to congenital deafness. I would not be getting another puppy until you know more about what lies ahead of you and you have picked the brains of as many owners of deaf dogs as you can, and even then I would consider an older already trained and known temperament dog as companion. I searched "deafness in American Staffordshire Terrier" and many sites came up including deafness in Bull Terrier, Staffie or just deaf dogs. One thing I would do is keep using voice commands and voice praise. When you speak the words the intention will be reflected in your body language and your dog will pick up on that. Good luck.

This reminded me of the dog breeder who wrote that one advantage of breeding poultry was, if it didn't produce the results you were hoping for, you could always eat your mistakes. Some dog breeders do work together, at least in my experience in the hound group. The not so popular breeds can't afford not to unless the owner is flush with cash. Imported dogs with multiple owners and dogs exported with some of the progeny from a suitable breeding coming back here, bitches leased for one litter etc. This is one advantage of becoming a judge and getting overseas appointments, and having overseas judges come here, getting to see dogs in other countries and visit other kennels, and have our dogs evaluated by people who have seen dogs in other countries.

What does his breeder say about the ears? If you do decide to tape them ideally find a vet who shows and/or breeds staffies and be prepared for a less than perfect result. Every terrier standard seems to ask for a different ear - early example of point-of-difference marketing? T, jauntiness, countenance - are you a Jane Austen fan? I've just listened to Emma Thompson's Austenese acceptance speech for Sense and Sensibility.

I found two SA sites about this: https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au in the section "Animals" "Selling Dogs and Cats" lists what information should have been provided to you. It also mentions free and confidential legal advice from the Legal Services Commission South Australia, phone 1300 366 424 Mon - Fri 9 - 4:30 https://www.sa.gov.au Australian Consumer Law, search for Refunds and Returns.

Do you have a record of any vaccinations or a vet check? Microchip details? The more information you have the better. If you have anything with a vet's or clinic's name I would be contacting them to find out if they have actually seen your puppy. The other issue is do you want to keep the puppy? Because, as an animal is legally regarded as an object, the supplier can offer to take back the faulty item and replace it. Under Australian Consumer Law you could be entitled to "repair", replacement or compensation but it sounds like you may need a lawyer to handle it.

I wouldn't get another dog now or in the immediate future. Everyone, even children, deserves to be told the truth. It doesn't need to be the whole truth but don't sugar-coat what is happening and will happen. Don't say the vet is coming to put Dash to sleep. You may find your children are then terrified to fall asleep. The vet is coming to take Dash's pain away forever? With special medicine? Respect your son's feelings and don't let anyone tell him to toughen up, or get over it or, God forbid, act like a man. I would let the children honour Dash's memory and grieve for as long as they need to, and don't be afraid to cry in front of them or with them. When/if they start persistently asking about another dog, consider the breed you already know but a different colour and/or sex. The Last Battle If it should be I grow frail and weak And pain should wake me from my sleep Then you must do what must be done For this last battle can't be won. You will be sad - I understand - Don't let your grief then stay your hand. For this day, more than all the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We've had so many happy years What is to come will hold no fears. You'd not want me to suffer, so, When the time comes, please let me go. Take me where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me until the end. Hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you'll come to see It is a kindness you do for me. Although my tail its last has waved From pain and suffering I've been saved. Do not grieve that it should be you Who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close we two, these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears.

In case OP is reading this, bones always raw never cooked.

I'd stay with two particularly as you are renting, and stay with the breed you know. When the time comes for the older one to leave you, I'd suggest you make sure the younger one sees the body. When I took my old dog (sighthound) to the vet the younger one grieved a lot and didn't like going out the front door, even for walks, for ages. I learned from that - vet came to house, other dog/s could see and sniff body before it was removed. That way their companion doesn't just disappear never to be seen again. You might want to look into solving or lessening the anxiety of the younger dog before it becomes an only dog. It may just teach dog three the same habit. After many years with two to four dogs my last dog coped very well as an only dog.

Kibble meaning complete balanced dry food? (which doesn't have to be fed bone-dry) Because there used to be a greyhound kibble, mostly grains, which was formulated to be mixed with fresh or cooked meat.

There are many more options than those two. Meat only is not a balanced diet for a dog. Very very few dogs cannot digest grain so wheat-free sounds like a marketing gimmick like gluten-free for people who have not been diagnosed with celiac disease. The best diet for your dog is the one it does well on. Usually this is dog food of some sort (dogs are not furry humans) and not a home prepared diet unless you really know what you are doing and only if you have time after exercising, training and otherwise caring for your dog. There are also other important things about diet than the actual food, such as feeding at the same times every day in a peaceful place, measuring how much you feed so you can adjust for weight gain or loss, never abruptly changing the diet so making sure you don't run out of the usual food. You will find that some people treat the subject of diet almost like a religion and swear by a particular ingredient or mix but be guided by how healthy your own dog is. I'll just step down from my soap box now.

I'm in Sydney with no experience of this but I have put a notice in the News section to have a look here. It may help to read all the posts on this thread, make notes and have questions ready for your vet and for here. Also may help to make it a new topic instead of tacked on to an old thread.

Can someone help with a suspected liver shunt and Melbourne vet recommendation posted recently, but at the end of an old thread in Health?

Oops, already sent an email. I suppose I'll be on the mailing list now. Keep your friends close ... The street name doesn't appear to have been changed but maybe we'll see the campaign in an episode of (Aussie) Utopia.