Hi

Hi everyone,
found this forum whilst looking for some buying info.
I sadly lost my beautiful boy Max (10) very suddenly earlier this year to kidney failure: still mourning
Just can't bear life without a Staffy so have found a due litter and dropped a deposit for first pick of the boys.
I would like, maybe, to show so am hoping to pick a good pup, but the breeder wants me to make a final descision within 2 weeks of birth.
So a couple of questions:
Is this normal practice? seems a bit early? others seem to offer litters for viewing/selection nearer the 8 week mark
Is it even possible to pick a "good pup" at this early age?
The litter is from good lines so I don't doubt their potential and I guess they are in high demand too, but I wonder if anything other than sex and colour could be selected at 2 weeks?
Any thoughts ?

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Hello and welcome from me and the kids

Hi and welcome from Me n Steffi

Hi and welcome from us and Suki

hi and welcome to the forum, sorry for your
sad loss, R.I.P Max

Hello and welcome to the forum

hia from me and sasha

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Sorry cannot really advise on breeders, I would always rescue.

welcome

Welcome

hi from me and the boys

Hi and a big welcome from Kia and me
so sorry about your sad loss, we have a pet memorial called rainbow bridge on here if you would like to post any photos or anything to remember max.
i cant give you any advice about breeders but there are lots of great people on here and some of them are breeders as well so im sure someone will be along soon that can give you some good advice.

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

Dicon wrote:
I would like, maybe, to show so am hoping to pick a good pup, but the breeder wants me to make a final descision within 2 weeks of birth.
So a couple of questions:
Is this normal practice? seems a bit early? others seem to offer litters for viewing/selection nearer the 8 week mark
Is it even possible to pick a "good pup" at this early age?
The litter is from good lines so I don't doubt their potential and I guess they are in high demand too, but I wonder if anything other than sex and colour could be selected at 2 weeks?
Any thoughts ?

There are never any guarantees that even the 'pick of the litter' will end up good enough to win at shows. Although you can choose the well put together, strong healthy pup with clear eyes, good bone & a healthy appetiite, you can't be sure that it will be a good show dog. Nature has a certain way of being like a lottery!

Most good breeders have a waiting list for pups & so, if you don't choose one, all the pups will be spoken for way in advance of 6 weeks, let alone 8 weeks! If the breeder is a good one, that has bred good litters in the past (litters which have produced good show dogs), they should be able to help you choose by selecting a couple that, in their opinion, look good at 2 or 3 weeks. Again, no guarantees!

thanks for the warm welcome everyone.
Caryll, thanks for the reply, I did assume as much, but just wanted to be sure the breeder was all he seemed to be and not just pressurising me.
I have a 5 hr journey to take my pick and the same again to collect, so wanted a bit of reassurance.
I have tried my best to find a dog related to my late Max as he had the most wonderful temprament, I swear he could read my mind. This litter actually comes from his half brother. (share same sire)
I am probably delusional and will no doubt be frustrated for a while. I know deep down that no two Staffs are the same and that I will learn to work with an all new character.............but one can dream.
Thanks again

So sorry to hear about Max. A "special" dog leaves a great hole in our lives.

Good luck with your new puppy Dicon. No two dogs are ever the same so he won't be Max Mark 2 but he will be special in his own way and you will love him for what he is.

Good luck also with your showing (have you shown before?) It can be great fun, but you need to keep a sense of humour!

Please post some pics when you get your new pup.

Hi and welcome. So sorry about your Max.

I don't believe that breeders can tell personality that early. From what I've read 5-6 weeks traits are seen? And Callie's breeder began to comment on her personality about then as I recall. (But we have real experts on here who can tell you better).

Perhaps if you know the personality of the parents?

Good luck with your new boy

Hi Lynda,
I have not shown before, although Max had real potential we had no inclination.
I need to look into the local circuits to see what's what.

Hi Dicon
Well, I think that 2 weeks of age is a bit young to predict potential show quality so it sounds a bit like pressurisation to me to ensure a sale.

However, I must admit I have no knowledge whatsoever on showing Staffs (only Dobes) so I have no idea what constitutes the ideal coat colour that would indicate an ideal show Staff (and at 2 weeks that would be the only thing to go on - conformation and personality could surely not be determined at such a young age).

Personally I would ideally visit the litter 2 or 3 times between 6-8 weeks of age and then pick the pup who most appeals to you. He will be a member of your family for the rest of his life, so that is the most important thing.

Good luck

I dont envy you I would want them all It may be possible to pick the puppy with the best potential but personality maybe not yet.
A wonderful family member first and if the puppy turns into a great show dog well thats a bonus there are no guarentees but good luck

hi and welcome for me and kenzi, inno its difficult to choose a pup out of a litter as they all look so cute . when i went to chose kenzi she was the first 1 to come over to be and start rolling about playing with me and shortly afterwards the others followed haha but it was that point i knew she was the girl for me and i havent regreted my dicision since, as she iss an amazing dog never have any trouble from her, although she can be a bit checky an mischeviouse at times