Puppy Rottweiler

suki1964

Frugalista wrote: »

Totally agree suki . It always amazes me that the little quirks and characteristics can be carried down through the generations - and it is something puppy buyers love to hear about "Oh yes! His grandmother used to do that" or "OMG! His father alway did it that way".

Reputable breeders know their own bloodlines (and others) for generations and, as you say, will be able to say if a dog produces for example, calm or exciteable pups, etc, etc.

I have had my boy out with perhaps 30 other cockers - and as owners we can spot our " relatives" a mile away. All that the same bit of hair going that away, all have that certain look in the eye - all have that stance. And then yes you get talking and they all do things the same.

The other thing is also that breeders can also reffer potential new owners to us owners - to tell them what sort of dog we have as in character and traits. I was even asked by a breeder who he was turning out as she was looking at using his sire as a stud for her girl and after hearing from me chose a different girl to be covered by him.

Yep, get to know your breeders, they are by your side the life of your dog and perhaps your next one

foreign_correspondent

suki1964 wrote: »

So I sort of understand that but are you saying that staffies are a breed bred for the poorer classes?

What Im asking is why are so many being bred so unscrupulously? Sure you will get reputable breeders still breeding, but they dont churn them out, its the odd litter here and there when they are wanting pups to bring on up the ranks themselves

Greyhounds have always been over bred because owners are always trying to get that one dog whos going to out race all others and all those greyhounds that dont make it racing end up needing homes


But Im still not understanding staffs

It is supply and demand - they are not 'a dog for the poorer classes', - people of all classes have staffies, but they are particularly 'fashionable' in low income areas at the moment, and whenever people will buy things, because they are fashionable, whether it be nike trainers, a breed of dog, or any other commodity, you can be sure some enterprising person will be selling them...

However, I think because they hear of people buying staffie pups for £300 each, people assume that if their dog has pups they will all sell at that price, which tends not to be true... lots of people end up with most of the litter left, which they then end up stuck with, then selling for next to nothing or giving away, often to people who think 'aw, its cute and its cheap - the kids will love it...' (etc etc) but perhaps dont think about the realities of dog ownership.

I am not saying this is always the case, but it is a very familiar scenario that I see first hand all too often...

suki1964

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

It is supply and demand - they are not 'a dog for the poorer classes', - people of all classes have staffies, but they are particularly 'fashionable' in low income areas at the moment, and whenever people will buy things, because they are fashionable, whether it be nike trainers, a breed of dog, or any other commodity, you can be sure some enterprising person will be selling them...

However, I think because they hear of people buying staffie pups for £300 each, people assume that if their dog has pups they will all sell at that price, which tends not to be true... lots of people end up with most of the litter left, which they then end up stuck with, then selling for next to nothing or giving away, often to people who think 'aw, its cute and its cheap - the kids will love it...' (etc etc) but perhaps dont think about the realities of dog ownership.

I am not saying this is always the case, but it is a very familiar scenario that I see first hand all too often...

So basically back yard breeders trying to make a quick buck?

Another reason to educate on responsible reputable breeders

foreign_correspondent

suki1964 wrote: »

So basically back yard breeders trying to make a quick buck?

Another reason to educate on responsible reputable breeders

well, yes that is part of the problem -but it is broader. Personally, seeing how many staffies are on death row and desperate for a rescue place every week, and knowing how many staffies with fabulous temprements suddenly become homeless because the family cannot keep them, I would always go for a rescue staffie in the current climate, rather than encourage any more breeding of them.

suki1964

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

well, yes that is part of the problem -but it is broader. Personally, seeing how many staffies are on death row and desperate for a rescue place every week, and knowing how many staffies with fabulous temprements suddenly become homeless because the family cannot keep them, I would always go for a rescue staffie in the current climate, rather than encourage any more breeding of them.

Sure I too encourage rescue, but to discourage responsible breeding is also not desirable. Its responsible breeders that keep the fit healthy lines going, that keep the breed to standard

If we discourage responsible breeding then you are left with the breed being turned into the sort of dog that no one wants - unless you are looking at dog fighters

Even in these economic climates we need responsible breeders

foreign_correspondent

Personally, I dont think we need any more breeders of staffies at the current time... most of the dogs I know that are from these irresponsible/hobby/back yard breeders are in fact smashing dogs! It amazes me how many homes I go to where a small child is sitting on the staffie, pulling its ears and waving a bsicuit in its face, whilst the dog lies there completely placid and patient!

My dog would have had the biscuit off the kid and retreated to her bed!

Kim-DogsBlog

They're really a lovely breed, very misunderstood which partly attracts the wrong owners I suspect in some cases.

Talking of a Blue Staffy though:

http://www.dogsblog.com/blue-22/

lostinrates

Kim-DogsBlog wrote: »

http://www.dogsblog.com/blue-22/

Oh, she's so pretty!

Fwiw my concern over less legitimate breeding is further narrowing of genepools. Personally I'd rather more healthy, (typey) dogs had fewer litters (perhaps breeders could offer a breeding srvice for puppy owners of exceptionl type)...but that brings problems of its own, I do not deny that! I'd certainly rther that thant the farming type method of one dog, fe !!!!!es in whelp over and over and over..then retention of a fmale pup and....repeat: it will end in tears.

but then, I'm a bit of a scary type, who would like to see registration for partbreds and outcrosses, so that health nd longevity could be measured, breed type retained withn a larger group concerned with health, welfare and....licencing!:o

suki1964

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Personally, I dont think we need any more breeders of staffies at the current time... most of the dogs I know that are from these irresponsible/hobby/back yard breeders are in fact smashing dogs! It amazes me how many homes I go to where a small child is sitting on the staffie, pulling its ears and waving a bsicuit in its face, whilst the dog lies there completely placid and patient!

My dog would have had the biscuit off the kid and retreated to her bed!

Precisely - irresponsible/hobby/back yard breeders

And no matter how smashing a dog, parents really do need to teach their children that that sort of behaviour can result in a very different outcome, I certainly wouldn't be using that example as how gentle the breed are - as no dog is that predictable ( I certainly never allow my dogs to be rough handled by children)

All too often the results of kids having played so rough with dog in the past are splashed over the red tops, fuelling the idea that a breed are vicious, child biting dogs.

foreign_correspondent

Just looked at dogsblog - how pretty is this staffie x - I know she ia a cross and not blue, so not what the OP is looking for, so this is a bit off topic, but what a lovely dog - and only a pup at 6-8 months too
http://www.dogsblog.com/polly-11/

suki1964 wrote: »

And no matter how smashing a dog, parents really do need to teach their children that that sort of behaviour can result in a very different outcome, I certainly wouldn't be using that example as how gentle the breed are - as no dog is that predictable ( I certainly never allow my dogs to be rough handled by children)

All too often the results of kids having played so rough with dog in the past are splashed over the red tops, fuelling the idea that a breed are vicious, child biting dogs.

Absolutely - however, this is often the reality -it does not mean I condone it, or think it is a good idea, or let it go unchallenged - but I am amazed how well these dogs often handle circumstances that are far less than ideal, and that would result in snapping far sooner with other less tolerant breeds.