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The only really effective way to attack the problem of genetic disease is to actively select against the defective genes, rather than trying to select for the most normal dogs you can find. Its a way a thinking about breeding that seems counter-intuitive, until you realize that if you know who the affected and …
Frequently breeders and judges are asked by various publications to write about their favourite Staffords, of course with the show ring in mind. Funnily enough when I go on a nostalgia spree, especially at Christmas with a few hot punches inside me, it is not the show winning Staffords, which bring tears to my eyes,…
Do you discourage or encourage fellow competitors? Do you tell them their goals are too lofty and their dreams too big? Are you trying to be helpful or trying to keep them from accomplishing something that you never had the ability or perseverance to do yourself? It is equally as harmful to steal joy by…
I guess the first symptoms weren’t that easy to recognize, loss of hair! Yes, we did notice we were constantly cleaning the kitchen floor because there seemed to be plenty of loose hair around but having six other dogs at the time you simply assume they are all moulting rather only one of them
I have a seven month old male that has gone through puppy socialization, obedience and listens and responds to all the basic commands when he is in class and in our house or backyard beautifully. I am having trouble with the basic walk at times. There are so many distractions that it is very difficult…
A traditional pedigree shows the parentage of a purebred dog back through three or more generations. If you take a traditional pedigree and begin filling in the rest of the close relatives (siblings, half-sibs, offspring, multiple matings, etc.), youve got the beginnings of a genetic pedigree ( lets call it a genped for short )….
Man for centuries has tried various methods to improve performance. Some of the methods have stood the test of time, others have not. Those who first conducted research on this topic believed that the period of early age was a most important time for stimulation because of its rapid growth and development. Today, we know…
My personal experience has been with two very different singleton pups. The first had a very “stable” easy going mother. As this pup grew up his basic genetic make up was confident and low key. I have a very large multi-dog household so the “family” provided him with lots of social interaction within my family…
…at this level, we owe it to this great breed to teach them social skills. Many people do not understand the Staffords temperament, that they are second to none with people and yet their interaction with other dogs can leave a lot to be desired, the way forward for our breed is as Good Citizens.
As with the stock shows, the intent was to showcase fine breeding stock. But over the years the emphasis has changed from providing a showcase to a major criterion for determination of breeding quality. The old adage breed the best to the best has subtly changed in meaning toward breeding the best-looking to the best-looking….