Hi everyone

We have just found out that a bitch were waiting on a male pup from has been confirmed pregnant! YAY!!!
We are getting a male pup no matter what as they are sired by Ashtock by Jupiter who is a champion so they are going to be a stunning example of the breed and we want to show him and use him as stud if he passes health checks etc.

With our Brindle beauty bitch stafford Mitsy we took her to obedience classes where she came top out of a class of 10 dogs (we are so proud of our little girl!) marks 58 out of 60!

We will  take our male pup to puppy obedience classes as well for obvious reasons as we want him to be well socialised from a very young age and to be used to all breeds that are smaller and bigger then him to avoid dominant aggressive or submissive behaviour later on in his life and to keep the breeds good reputation due to recent press.
Will we need to take him to obedience classes if were going to be taking him to ringcraft classes for his showing?? Do they teach the basic commands (sit,stay,lay,wait etc) at ringcraft or just the showing element (standing to show etc)?
we dont want to have to go to 2 classes if we dont have too so would ringcraft be enough for socialisation and training??
we would do basic training at home before he's had his jabs so he learns early but we dont want him to miss out on the social part of classes, are ringcraft taken with a few pups present for social reasons??
any help would be appreciated!

Hi Rach85, congratulations on the puppy. I just want to point out though, that just because a dog is a Champion, it doesn't mean that all or even any of his offspring will be ''stunning examples of the breed'', we just all have to live in hope. Good Luck. :)

Ringcraft only trains ringcraft though. Any obedience you wish to train will have to be done separately, although I'd say let him have a good foundation in ring training first so as not to confuse him. Ringcraft will provide some socialisation, but I'd always advise to include the puppy in all your day to day activities in and away from the house, even though that will mean carrying him at first.

Regards, Dawn R.

Ringcraft only teaches you what you need for the ring so your standing and moving.

I would advise going to both ringcraft and obedience however if you want to show concentrate on the showing side of things more so.  The two classes will put your dog in different situations with other dogs and people.

Personally myself I take my dogs to ringcraft all their life, being less as they get older, but we run the ringcraft class so sometimes we don't take any, sometimes 3 will come out for the ride.  I also do puppy socilisation class at obedience and then do the first 2-3 pet obeidence classes were the trainers are aware my dogs are show dogs and allow me to do stands insted of sits now and again.  they are really good whereas a club I used to go to wern't really intrested in anything but a border collie :(

Good luck with getting the pup.  I remember finding out the bitch we got our last pup from was pregnant.  Was so exciting and she's now 19 months and we are so proud of her! :D

Edit: As Dawn says don't expect just because the pups dad is a champion your pup will be too.  Some top dogs in my breed have had none of their progenay make it into the ring and be successful.  It does hugely depend on the bitch aswell and the lines.  Hopefully however the breeder will guide you to the pick, or second pick of dogs if they look promising enough. :)

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming!
in regards to what you said Nursey, I know we cant gurantee a picture perfect stafford but the pedigree really is amazing so even if he isnt as stunning as i hope he will be! the pedigree will see him through i hope!
the bitch has a fantastic champion pedigree as well so fingers very much crossed that our special fella is in there!
So i would need to take him to both classes then! We have no probs taking him to obedience class we will take him to the same one as Mitsy, in regards to teaching him standing etc could i teach him that on my own with out ringcraft? just an idea??

and also!
i know he wont be a champion just cause his dad is, will take a lot of work to get him there but im willing to go the journey as i absolutly adore staffords and can own no other dog! so every trial and sacrifice is well worth it!

You need access to knowledgeable strangers to 'go over' him, with other dogs nearby. It can't really be done at home. Personally I find ringcraft classes are more generally useful than obedience classes. :)

thats intresting!
so would have to go to both?! damn dogs cost me a fortune!! lol!!

I do both, worth every penny.  This showing lark is expensive however when you've got the training theere by roughly 6 months and you start doing shows at weekends you could only do te classes every other week or something like that to save abit of money.

Also with going to ringcraft it will give you a cchance to make friends in other breeds who you will see at local shows which is always nice IMO :)

Have you shown before?  If you haven't I think you would find it best to go to the ringcraft classes, you can then get elp with standing the dog aswell as learning his movement speed which can vary for each dog and always worth someone seeing and advising and helping you.  Will also do the most important thing of getting the dog used to people going over him, looking at teeth etc.

with our girl now Mitz, we can touch any part of her body we want, teeth, claws, anal sacks (ugh!!) the works as we were so cuddly with her when she was young she thinks its second nature, same with other people can check her if they want ie vet says shes a treat to see as she sooo cooperative! thing is i cant teach her stand, shes stubborn but not meant for shoing anyway and shes spade!
i havent shown before this is the beginning oif my showing and breeding career wiht its taken me years to start as i wanted to be thorough before i started!