we've got a 6 month old staff who I was hoping to show.  Everything is fine so far with her except her tail has a kink in it.  I believe the standard is likened to an old fashioned pump handle, but whilst at a champ show last year I noticed a winning staff with a straight limp looking tail.  When stacked for judging my pups tail looks fine, its just when walking she holds it high and the kink shows.  Is it worth showing her?

Hi,

I would have a go at a few shows and see what the judges say. It's fun anyway.
Karen

OK, thanks for the advice Karen - will see how we get on -  need a bit more practice at ringcraft before we take the plunge.  Been told not to expect too much of her at her first show, but at the shows I've been to, the minor puppy class were really well behaved.  Any tips?  She will stand, but tends to try and sit down after about 30 seconds.

I would keep going to the ringcraft....it's all paitence...I'll tell you what I try with Sal though if we are in the park/out and someone comes up to stroke her I sometimes get her to stand rather than sit and let them stroke her. I figure that's a little more "unrestrictive" than show/ringcraft classes.

And she is only a baby...some people say show dogs shouldn't sit but I think thats daft...I mean she'll be a pet 24/7 and a showdog occasionally :)
What's her name and colour,is she your first Staff?
I'm in B'ham where are you approx? 

Karen

Edited to say; My Staffie is called Sal she was 1 in Nov. She's black and in my opinion I am biased though ;)  she is gorgeous.   

Hi Lyndy
they're not all well behaved in puppy classes, believe me. :)
You usually find that the better behaved ones belong to people who have been doing it for a long time and have the experience behind them .
Lel

Her name's Jess, she's black brindle and we live just outside North London, she's our first Staff, but my parents had 2 staffs in the 1980s, their last one died two years ago. Jess is a bit off colour today.  I think it might be teething.  Have looked in her mouth and she has a lot of wobbly teeth and some big teeth.  Does teething affect pups?  Don't remember the other 2 being poorly, but I probably wouldn't of noticed I suppose - will ring mum later to check.  She seems really lethargic, doesn't like me touching her head, normally she's like a jumping bean.  Might ring the vets if she doesn't perk up.

Hi Lyndy
is she eating ok  or is she off her food ??
Have you seen the size of the big teeth :rolleyes: How my poor boy didnt scream in pain when they were coming through I will never know

Hi Lyndy,

Good chance she's still teething, I would expect her to be off-colour too as Lel says the teeth are massive

Anyhow, her  ears may alter a lot now too going up down all over don't worry don't panic and she may even get a bald spot on her head. 

Karen

Lel, she's been off her dried food all weekend, but gave her the naturediet puppy food yesterday and scrambled eggs this morning and she wolfed it down.  She's been asleep most of this morning, she had a little wander around the garden and she usually chases our other pet - a rabbit(!) but she wasn't interested this morning. In fact the rabbit approached her for a play and was left there astounded when he was totally blanked.  I'll see how she goes, but she really isn't herself. 

It probably is just due to her teething  but theres nothing wrong with taking a quick trip to the vet ( or even a phonecall) just to put your mind at rest .
Gus also went off his dried food at this stage and I think its probably because it hurts the  gums which are likely to be tender .
Lel

Lyndy,

This is just a thought - she's not coming into season to is she? Sal is very lethargic and uninterested in eating just before she comes into season.

Karen

Don't know.  She's 5 not 6 months -sorry my typing error.  Would she come into season this early?  Shes quite small for her age.  Touched her head earlier and she yelped, might be something to do with perhaps an ear infection.  Anyway, got vet appointment this evening.  Will let you know how I geton.  By the way, about your earlier reply about the bald spot - can just see hubby showing her both with matching bald spots.LOL.

:D

Yeah, 5 months is early...Sal came into season first time at 8 months but her one litter sister came in at 6 months and the other at 9 months. Yeah I think Staffords have developed the bald trait over the years to match the "men" in their lives....:D

Karen 

Been to the vets.  Ears OK, checked teeth and yes lots of new ones coming though.  She did have a temperature though and vet thought she seemed off colour.  She then noticed that Jess had a bump on her head and asked if she'd hurt herself recently.  Hubby said that whilst out on the night time walk the other night, she raced in front on the stretchy lead straight into a wall.  He said that he forgot about it because she seemed fine - you know what they're like, such a high pain threshold.  Vet said she could still be tender there and gave us have some anti inflammatory tabs and also anti-biots for the temperature.  She's perked up a lot since being home so I wonder if its the anti inflamt kicking in.  Feel better for taking her though.  I'm glad found this site.  You know what they say - a problem shared and all that. You and Lel have been great.  Thanks.

Glad she's a bit better.

Karen