ellz

Just adding here...I only asked about the dog's anatomy because on occasions a dog does have an issue with the opening at the end of the sheath. Under normal circumstances, I'm well aware that you may not see a dog's penis at all.....but if you are actually guiding the dog, you would definitely at least "feel" it and I got the impression that the OP wasn't even doing that. Unless the bitch is practically standing on her head to help the dog and unless he is really, REALLY keen, I'm still inclined to think that she's not ready too. And just a comment to the OP. You say that the other dog you wanted to use last season was too rough....I'm probably not going to make myself too popular here but that's YOUR problem and not the bitches problem. She'll tell the dog if it is too much for her. A good stud will do what he has to do to achieve his ultimate goal and if the breeding was the best possible one for the bitch, then you (the OP) will just have to toughen up and let it happen.

Are you absolutely positive she's ready? Is she an experienced bitch? Sometimes a maiden dog needs more than one helper. Somebody to control the bitch and another person to guide and help the dog. I know that when I've assisted breedings with a maiden dog, they can be a bit precious when the end of their penis makes contact and keep on touching and then jumping back, so a dedicated handler who can guide him with one hand and then help him "home" with a well-applied hand on the rump and then an assist to balance whilst he learns how to thrust can be very useful.

As Sandra said, he won't drop it out and wave it around. What I'm getting at is whether or not he has EVER extended it or whether there might be an issue with the opening? As far as the breeding is concerned, I'm more wondering if the bitch is actually ready and the dog is TRULY excited and ready to go. If a bitch is bang on, then if the dog is interested, nothing would stop him.

And what breed? Some breeds require more assistance than others. I can't visualise a lot from what you've said here, but I would think that if the dog were TRULY willing, if there is no anatomical issue with his genitalia, then he'd not be having a problem. Do you ever notice his penis extending from the sheath when he's cleaning himself or just "hanging around"?

+1 What does that mean ..... sorry if it is obvious and I am being blonde +1 means "me too"!

+1

They are all certainly squishable and they do smell soooooooo good and of course, they're all timewasters but really the similarities end there IMO.

[qote name=LizT' date='24th Sep 2010 - 05:12 PM' post='4835118] Well that's true but look at their little ears, considering how they finish up they are quite similar at this stage. Interesting that the Cockers muzzles are shorter than the Staffys as they finish up longer and the staffs become broader. Actually that's not true. These are American Cockers not English Cockers. The American Cocker has a short "square" muzzle which is supposed to be the same width as the back skull. 5 weeks

You might think differently when you compare head shapes in these shots. Look how short the muzzles are on the cockers compared to a more elongated head on the Stafford.

1 week

Two different breeds at 1 - 2 days...no real similarities to my eyes

Yes Ellz, I agree and see what you're saying but my observation was the similarities between different breeds at birth. I understand that and as I said, I do agree...at first glance. But as I said, after a while, they do look very different when you get used to looking at multiple dogs of different breeds at birth.

Personally I would be cleaning before I dose. If you think of an ear infection like any other infection....you wouldn't put a treatment on a wound and then wash it would you? And likewise, you wouldn't put a dressing on a dirty wound.

I agree, at first glance anyway. But I think after a while it kind of becomes like an owner with multiple black dogs of the same breed (or another similar scenario), they all APPEAR to look the same but their owner can tell them apart or a family of children look the same but their parents know the difference between them. After a while, I really do believe that you can start picking certain things while they're wet, and I don't think you could realistically do that if they truly DID all look the same at birth IYKWIM.

I wouldn't be too hard on the breeder over the worms. Things happen and sometimes the worms don't respond the way they are meant to. My last Stafford litter was the wormiest litter I'd ever seen and I blame it on the fact that I changed my regime to a new one, using a different product and it was nowhere near as successful as my normal protocol. My next litters will be back to what I know and trust and hopefully, there won't be an issue. UNLESS the puppy came from one of the known mass-producing kennels of your breed, in which case, they are in it for the money and not the love.

IF there were overwhelming evidence that heartworm was a regular thing in Tasmania, then yes, I would routinely dose my dogs but at this point, I see no necessity. And likewise, if any of the tests done on older dogs that I have sent interstate had come back as positive, then I would have started everything else on heartworm medication as well. But it hasn't come to that....yet.

I live in Tasmania. There is not sufficient evidence at this stage to support the evidence provided by some that the mosquitos which carry heartworm live here because of our climate. When I lived on the mainland, all dogs were heartwormed routinely. If I sell a puppy interstate, they are given comprehensive information about heartworming and if older dogs are rehomed interstate, I do the same, with the advice that the dog be tested prior to commencing and the results forwarded to me. I have not yet sent an older dog interstate and had a positive heartworm test in any of them.

I have used a human anti-histamine on my dogs for various things over the years, but never on a long-term basis and only for specific things.

I wouldn't be using anything whilst you're in the elimination phase, it could mask something vital.

For what problem?

Yep, by all means do so please. Occasionally a show secretary may ring you and ask for the information, but if you multiply the number of times people have missing or incorrect information on entries by the number of calls the secretary has to make, it's courtesy to make the call yourself if you remember that you've left it off.

Oh and did you know that Staffords are bold, fearless and totally reliable? UNLESS, there is a horse around.......

Are you kidding? My dogs wake the sparrows so they've got plenty of time to start farting!

He has been known to help out behind the scenes during photo shoots too.... Enjoys helping get the wood inside.... Eats dog food (including meat)... And really would rather be sitting on the couch inside.......

I don't know, I don't do heartworm meds. But I DO know that my mother had a dog that she almost killed with heartworm meds in Sydney because the dog was infected.