Hi,

I know this will make me seem completely stupid.... but are Staffs ears half pricked from birth or do they change as they get older???

Our adorable puppy still has 'dropped' ears at 9 weeks old - he looks like a labrador.. I was talking on the phone to a SBT club member and they said that Bo'sons ears were 'dropped'????

Hi,

Are they cmpletely dropped? The most desirable ear ina stafford is a rose ear, which is still dropped, but with a fold - i hope you understand what i mean! Have a look at this site to see what ears should look like!

And pups ears are full drop until anywhere around 6-12 weeks, but should start to do something abou tthen. Also they will go funny during teething!

His ears are like the piccie of the retriever above?

He is biting everything - including me... little b'ger.... so it may be teething??

What retreiver!

Oh, the biting is completely naturel puppy thing.. are you having any success in stopping it?

Where did you get the pup from?

From a breeder in Godalming, Surrey, it was on the KC puppy register.

I should have read the postings here and talked with breeders at shows etc.... but made the mistake of seeing the puppy and fell completely in love....

He is a pet - well family member first, but I was toying with the idea of a new hobby of showing!! LOL

He is being spoilt completely and we have to make a real effort not to let him know he is boss - it does not always work - those eyes ahhhhhh!!!

What is his registered name?

And where abouts are you?

Showing is first and foremost fun - specially with your first dog, and then if either of you dont enjoy it, or he never wins anything it doesn't matter! He will need time to mature into his body so i wouldn't worry about his ears or anything until after he is through the baby puppy stage..

You do have to be very firm with staffords as pups, not hard but firm! And definately be consistent - if there is soemthing that you do not like then keep saying no, not let him get away with it soemtimes and others not else he will get confused. Join a local puppy class now - more for the socialisation aspect and with the benifit of training. If you are serious about trying showing then alternate teaching him to sit with teaching him to stand!

Carry him everywhere with you so that he is socialised properly even before his injections, and introduce him to lots of noises. Introduce him to loads of dogs when he is safe to go out - but do not incourage rough play, and ensure that all dogs that he plays with are nicely mannered...

Alex

His registered name is Corks Red Flyer.

I have been in touch with various SBT clubs trying to find one within an hours drive!!! and also a training club -

We realise that we have a lot to learn - me more than Bo'son!!

I live in Daventry, Northants.

Personally i wouldn't bother with ring craft or specific SBT training clubs until he is older - get him to a local puppy calss, can find these out from your vet.. and get him socailiasing with all different breeds, sizes and personalities of dogs!

As mentioned DO take your pup to a good puppy class . He needs to be socialised ( as does any pup) so they are used to meeting different people ( young , old , male female etc) and different breeds of dogs . We took pup and he absolutely loved it . Pup is also a Staffy . We also enjoyed going too . Pup loves to meet new dogs and people - and is quite relaxed about meeting both .
Have you had a Staffy before ? There are a number of different ear shapes - if you buy a good Staffy book you will be able to see . Also different body shapes , legs , heads etc .
Have fun :)
Lel

PS: what retriever ???

We had a Staffie bitch before but she was not a pedigree, well only in our eyes, I have looked at the puppy photos of her but her ears were always held pricked.

I have been in contact with our local dog training and the earliest they can start us is September? So I may try further away to see if we can get in earlier.

SEPTEMBER ???
Thats way too long to wait .
We found a list by going into google and typing in " Dog trainers ( and the area in which you live )"
It gave quite a few .
Or contact the KC and they will give you names of trainers in your area
Lel

Ears can be affected by teething - my Danes went up and outwards. A large gust of wind could have lifted him off the floor.
Chloe :)

Thats a comfort then - Gus looks like a little bat at the moment :D
Lel

Hi,

Pups ears change so much-don't panic if the pup's parents ears were good/okay there is a good chance his will be too. But does it really matter if the aren't perfect - are yours? Only joking you can't really tell a pups ears they sort of grow into them.

Karen
is that u :)
NO I'm not worried at all about them . Just looks funny when he's running and they flap along after him ( joke) :D
Lel

Hi Lel

Thought I'd join. Glad to hear about his ears although I think Sal is related to a bat she can hear me pick up her lead at 40 paces.

Karen
if there is the mildest hint of treats he is there like a shot although if you do a recall he is ever so slightly deaf :D
Lel

See he is just like Sal PURE BRED STAFFORD through and through. Greedy and stubborn!

ears teeth and movement are all worrying things when it comes to pups. my staff dog pup has very lazy ears he will put them up only when he wants to it drives me mad. teething causes problems and they must get some pain but cant tell you its just a case of waiting hope they turn out perfect