A couple of questions :)

Hi guys just a few questions about our little terror Cody...

Sexual maturity: What age does this usually start to come about? Cody is only 4 months on 1st Aug but he is getting very 'randy' for want of a better word and his 'lipstick' is coming out an awful lot. (So embarrasing when he's with the in laws ) and I just wanted to check he was 'normal'. All the other male dogs we've had have never really been like that till just before they had the snip at around 6 months old. We are getting him neutered at 6 months though so it will stop then anyway.

Rash: I think Cody may have developed nappy rash (I know it sounds wierd!) but saturday night he must have peed as soon as we went to bed (even though he had already been let out and done pees and poops) and therefore was lying in it all night and this morning when I fed him and washed him I noticed he has like a ezcma like rash on his belly. Shall I take him to the vets to get it checked out or is there a dog oinment that I can get him to help it heal. I think it must be the pee thats done it, looks just like nappy rash

Thank you in advance!

I'm not sure on the male thing as I have only had girls but I think from some of the stories and pics!!! on here that yes it is very normal, they seem to like it to all hang out if you know what I mean

For the rash I have always used sudacrem, its very soothing and funnily enough is for nappy rash! Hope this helps

Firstly, is there a particular reason you want him to be castrated at 6 months? My own opinion (and I must stress that it is just my opinion) is that you should wait until a dog is fully mature before neutering - that's physically and mentally mature.

For a stafford this would mean about 18 months+. Sexually, it's any time after their testicles fully drop. They all differ, though, and some may display signs of sexual awareness earlier than others.

The rash could be a reaction to the urine. As long as he doesn't seem 'off' at all, and is eating/drinking normally, I wouldn't worry the vets yet. Try bathing the area with boiled & cooled water & see if that helps, or if it's a small area Sudocrem could help. It could also be a reaction to something else - nettles or grass sap for example. If that's the case, half a Piriton tablet should help.