Staffordshire Bull Terrier

[Amanda86]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site ;) .

Welcome!

Come across to the Stafford thread here.... http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=50264 and you'll get lots of suggestions

I want to put him his first dog show in August but im a little nerves because I dont have a clue what to do in the ring.

I did go and watch a show just to get an idea but I got lost .

Don't worry about not knowing what to do. Enter the show and on the day, when the Staffords get called, tell the steward (the person with the clipboard by the ring entrance ) that it is your first show and you don't know what to do. If they're any good they will make sure you don't go away before you're finished. Does the breeder of your dog show? Can they help out? When you go to the show approach someone else with Staffords - most of us aren't likely to bite a newcomer

Your dog will need to move calmly and sensibly beside you at a trot without sniffing pulling or jumping. Not much to ask for a first time

Practice standing him up in front of a mirror or a reflective window so you can see what you're doing. Look at pictures of Staffords on the web and this will give you some idea of how they're meant to stand but basically, everything square, up and down and straight will do for a start. Make sure you can lift his lips to look at his teeth with his mouth closed.

Don't panic - if you make a mess of it and he behaves like an idiot there's not someone waiting at the ring exit to shoot you.

Also I seen at the dog show that the owners spray something on their staffordshires before they go into the ring to make their coats shine, just wondering what is the stuff or can get to make their coats shine?

hmmm, well since you're not allowed to use any artifical substance on a dog's coat I'm sure you never saw this :D You can buy these things at the show caravans at the grounds, but to start with good food, a bath, a polish with a piece of soft cloth and a rub over with your hands will probably do. What colour is your dog? The whites and reds never look as shiny as the blacks and brindles.

Thanks Sandra777 for some tips.

The show that I went to see, a steward was was speaking to another owner that was entering her dog in she show (the lady had another breed of dog). The steward spoke to the lady like dirt so I thought gee, if they are all like that, I feel sorry for the new commers.

Buddy is a tiger brindle.

Im just nerves thats all and The show is over two months away, so I would hate to see me on the day

Also buddy is still in that puppy stage where when he see's another dog, all he wants to do is play with them. The only time he does see other dogs are when we go for his walks. I know they say that they should get over that when you take them to the training classes but Buddy hasnt. So im worried thats what he will probably do on the day .

We dont have a doggy day care in Tassie which sucks because he would really enjoy that.

I do have a couple of friends that has dogs but because im a Mum and my partner works away, I work weekends and my friends work monday to friday or they have School, so it can be hard for me to find time to work around them so we can go for a walk together with our dogs.

Im going to take him to a agility show at the end of the month, not going to enter him in it, just going to take him there so he can see other dogs and try and keep him calm when he is around them.

But I guess these things take time and practise :D

[Staffordz]

hmmm, well since you're not allowed to use any artifical substance on a dog's coat I'm sure you never saw this You can buy these things at the show caravans at the grounds, but to start with good food, a bath, a polish with a piece of soft cloth and a rub over with your hands will probably do. What colour is your dog? The whites and reds never look as shiny as the blacks and brindles.

Hi Sandra we are actually allowed to use a coat spray in Tasmania - we are only not allowed to use anything that alters or changes the appearance.

Justine

[Sandra777]

hmmm, well since you're not allowed to use any artifical substance on a dog's coat I'm sure you never saw this You can buy these things at the show caravans at the grounds, but to start with good food, a bath, a polish with a piece of soft cloth and a rub over with your hands will probably do. What colour is your dog? The whites and reds never look as shiny as the blacks and brindles.

Hi Sandra we are actually allowed to use a coat spray in Tasmania - we are only not allowed to use anything that alters or changes the appearance.

Justine

So why would you apply something if it doesn't do anything??

the regulations are...

64B A dog may be disqualified from exhibition if found to have had the natural colour or shade of natural colour or the natural markings altered or changed.

64C A dog may be disqualified from exhibition if found to have had a substance, preparation, powder or fluid applied to and remaining on the dog during exhibition to such an extent as to deceive or to be likely to deceive a Judge

Interesting about the likely to deceive a Judge test - wouldn't that depend on the eyesight of the judge

[WreckitWhippet]

PMSL the other week when another exhibitor said to me " I'll have whatever is in that bottle, that's making that dog so shiny "

It was water

[Staffordz]

A coat spray does do something Sandra it makes abit of shine - it doesnt change a colour or alter the dogs natural make in any way, it just brings out abit of already existing gloss. A dull unconditioned coat wont shine no matter what you put on it. I suppose an example of applying something to deceive is colouring a dudley nose or black chalk or dye on a B&T, applied with the intention of deceiving the judge and altering the dog.

I guess deceive is to apply product to correct a fault or imperfection - whether you add coat spray or not makes no difference to the dogs faults or virtues imo its just abit of showbiz, much like whether the handler wears a suit or tracky dacks.....just the presentation. I like to bath the dogs for every show, add abit of coat spray and I wear a suit - I dont trim whiskers but I do trim tails...my personal opinion and not hurting anyone else.

Justine

Edited June 20, 2010 by Staffordz

[Eileen]

PMSL the other week when another exhibitor said to me " I'll have whatever is in that bottle, that's making that dog so shiny "

It was water

Your dogs have extraordinary condition, no wonder the other person was coveting your spray bottle!

[staffienewbie]

Hi there

Just researching the forum, obviously there is loads of info on the net about the Stafford.... we are about to get our pup mid-February.... I have done heaps of research and have seen that they are great with kids... Are they safe to have with kids and friends with young kids? Obviously she will be a in-house / very much loved and part of the family dog... we will take her to obedience training too ...we might have to remind her that she is a dog from time to time LOL.

Your input is always appreciated.

[Sandra777]

Hi there

I have done heaps of research and have seen that they are great with kids... Are they safe to have with kids and friends with young kids? Obviously she will be a in-house / very much loved and part of

Yes SBT are great with kids BUT as with all dogs you must instil rules and manners in both puppy and children.

I don't think there are many breeds of dog which are not OK with kids and friends with young kids so long as a) the dog is used to kids and b) the kids behave properly.

Staffords don't have the tendency to guard their property so kids coming in to play without an escort from the gate so to speak won't be in any danger. They can have the tendency to protect their people (and their children in particular) from a genuine threat, but it woul dbe pretty unlikely that welcome visitors, be they children or adults, would get into that sort of argument with the dog's people!

There is no such thing as a breed which is invariably great with kids but yes a properly bred Stafford should have the tolerance to accept many things some other breeds can't, due to their physical and mental robustness.

Whatever you do make sure you buy from a proper reputable breeder!

[staffylover]

hi guys, just wanted to say, READY SET GO- Your dog is absolutely gorgeous!!!! (and here i was thinking the blues were beautiful) i am now thinking of going for a black stafford

* edited because i said ONLY blues were beautiful, but of course all staffords are beautiful i just have a soft spot for the blues....

Edited January 14, 2011 by staffylover

[SnoPaws]

Hope this is the right place to put this

I was wondering if anyone has any links to color dilution alopecia in Staffords.

Edited January 25, 2011 by SnoPaws

[TessiesTracey]

If you use the search facility on the forum, you should find lots of information about the dilute gene that is present in blue Staffords.

However, for some light reading (!) here you go:

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/co...n_alopecia.aspx

http://www.italiangreyhound.org/pages/702h...hpages/cda.html - please note that although this page is specific to the Italian Greyhound, the info regarding diulte alopecia is correct.

[SnoPaws]

If you use the search facility on the forum, you should find lots of information about the dilute gene that is present in blue Staffords.

However, for some light reading (!) here you go:

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/co...n_alopecia.aspx

http://www.italiangreyhound.org/pages/702h...hpages/cda.html - please note that although this page is specific to the Italian Greyhound, the info regarding diulte alopecia is correct.

Thanks TT but it isn't quite what I was looking for

I am looking for something specific to SBTs, that isn't a thread on DOL

Can cda affect all breeds of dogs that are blue, or is it only found in certain breeds.

Could someone also please explain to me the genetics behind a blue fawn

Thank you so much

Edited January 25, 2011 by SnoPaws

[Sandra777]

Could someone also confirm the genetics behind a blue fawn

Not going to get into a s**t fight about the rest as, IMO if someone doesn't want to be educated they won't be.

Blue fawn is a red (fawn) dog with a blue overlay. If the dog didn't have the blue dilution gene it would be a red (fawn) dog with a black overlay. In Staffords this is called red smut.

AFAIK no one has ever disproved the belief that this is the same as sable in other breeds and requires the tan-pattern gene to express itself.

So a blue fawn is a tan pattern carrier at best, actually tan pattern at worst.

Black and tan is not encouraged in the breed.

I am aware of instances where red smut Staffords breed in the same expected ratios and colours as black and tan Staffords.

[SnoPaws]

Could someone also confirm the genetics behind a blue fawn

Not going to get into a s**t fight about the rest as, IMO if someone doesn't want to be educated they won't be.

Blue fawn is a red (fawn) dog with a blue overlay. If the dog didn't have the blue dilution gene it would be a red (fawn) dog with a black overlay. In Staffords this is called red smut.

AFAIK no one has ever disproved the belief that this is the same as sable in other breeds and requires the tan-pattern gene to express itself.

So a blue fawn is a tan pattern carrier at best, actually tan pattern at worst.

Black and tan is not encouraged in the breed.

I am aware of instances where red smut Staffords breed in the same expected ratios and colours as black and tan Staffords.

Thanks Sandra, I am sure you have probably explained this a hundred times and feel like beating your head against a wall sometimes.

After I had a rethink, I have to agree with your first line which is why I edited my posts

[TessiesTracey]

Could someone also confirm the genetics behind a blue fawn

Not going to get into a s**t fight about the rest as, IMO if someone doesn't want to be educated they won't be.

Blue fawn is a red (fawn) dog with a blue overlay. If the dog didn't have the blue dilution gene it would be a red (fawn) dog with a black overlay. In Staffords this is called red smut.

AFAIK no one has ever disproved the belief that this is the same as sable in other breeds and requires the tan-pattern gene to express itself.

So a blue fawn is a tan pattern carrier at best, actually tan pattern at worst.

Black and tan is not encouraged in the breed.

I am aware of instances where red smut Staffords breed in the same expected ratios and colours as black and tan Staffords.

Thanks Sandra, I am sure you have probably explained this a hundred times and feel like beating your head against a wall sometimes.

After I had a rethink, I have to agree with your first line which is why I edited my posts

Did I miss something then? lol

Don't know if this link is of more use to you? Anyway..

http://abnormality.purpleflowers.net/genetics/dilutes.htm

[Lex Ang]

Hi guys,

I am trying check the growth of my boy. Can I ask for the the size and weight of your full grown staffy? (Measuring from top of his head to the tip of his front toes; tip of his nose to the end of his butt).

Appreciate all your contributions.

[Staff]

Hi Guys,

I have a bit of a gripe with a breeder.Some of you are breeders and will tell me I should have done my homework first blah blah blah.

We recently lost our boy of 13 years to a car accident.

We waited and grieved for a few years and when we where in a position to get a new pup and devote the time to it we spent countless months doing our research before

Making the decision to get a Mains Reg Blue Bitch.I looked at all the issues and current owners I could.

The breeder checked out and the Dad was of good breed.The mum upon inspection had had a hard birth but I had my suspicions she was being quickly turned around between litters.

The first issue that arose was the wrong microchip registered by the breeder. Ok simple mistake.

The second issue was that she was full of worms once I started worming at home.

Demodex then reared its ugly head and the secondary infection that followed really hit the poor little girl hard.

I have never seen a secondary infection so viscious.

The last few months we have had her bought under control through chemical intervention by our vet.

I approached the Breeder with the issues and was told offered a refund and told the paperwork would be fixed.

I have invested good money on a Mains dog with the option of letting her have a litter before snipping her.

I have since been ignored by the breeder with all my calls going to message bank and all emails going read and unanswered.

I would like to name these shonks as they have a good name on the Mid North Coast and sell a lot of dogs.

I was promised much then ignored completly by them once the decision was made to make them responsible.

I would of been happy to have them fix the paper work and then refund the vet costs to bring her under control.

I now have a dog we can't show/ Can't breed from and will have the threat of poor quality hanging over us for the rest of her life.

Is it concidered ok to name the Breeders in this forum.

I don't want anyone else risking there hard earned money and emotional trauma on a genetic disaster from these guys.

Dean

[WreckitWhippet]

Don't name anyone. Write a letter of complaint to the Canine Council ( egs Dogs NSW, Dogs Vic ) in the state where your pup was bred. Include as much information as you can, dates, contact made with breeder, vet report etc.

You can also make it a consumer affairs issue if you want to.

Sorry to say that you purchased a blue, the warning signs were there, yet you still went ahead.

I do feel for you and you are not the first to be ripped off, when it comes to blue.

[Staff]

Although weary I went with a Blue with seemingly good history. the blue is not a lost cause and is improving all the time.

Without peoples support they will not improve. Weeding out the guys who don't care about the ethics of improving the breed is vital.

DOGS NSW do not want to hear from people with issues with breeders.

They clearly advertise this in the monthly Mag.

Regardless of how I handle it from a legal point of view offsite.

The internet is a powerful search tool and was and is used to research the bread and the current crop of breeders.

I would like my issue and the breeders name to pop up in any searches.

This is how people are offered protection by this website and the internet when doing their homework.

If i can save someone some heartache and money for someone then why not.

Legally if my issues are true and factual and first hand then nobody involved with the running of this forum has any worries about me naming the breeder.

Dean

Edited May 10, 2011 by Staff

[WreckitWhippet]

The best warning that you can give others is DON'T BUY BLUE.