New to the staffy world

First topic message reminder :

Hello everyone!
The name is Craig, I'm 28 and live in the north east of England.

I'm a new member to the group and looking to find a man's best friend.

Never owned a staffy before, and 2 weeks ago knew little about them....I've done allot of reading up and the more I know the more I love about them.

At the same time, the more I research the harder I'm finding it to pick one.....more to do with the health (as that is my main concern)
No good dog is a bad colour So that isn't an issue.

I've seen allot of pooches for sale, but I'm concerned about bad breeders, when asking the breeders for more information I always have their puppies and mothers health in mind, I always ask about health checks etc ......alot of them either dont respond or I have to ask like 5 times...which is worrying as if I was selling my puppies I would definitely have them all health checked and if clear I would be promoting those facts from day 1.

Obviously I've come across the l2 hga and hc problems staffys can have and also the dilute problems blues and fawn colours can come with.

I've come across a certain liter of pups ..All vary in colour, but owner says they will be vaccinated and warmed etc...but not health checked (so I won't know if they have L2hga or hc etc)

As the moment they are only a week or so old (what's the youngest ...or what's the ideal/recommended age pups should be viewed and handled by...randomers)

All the above said, what steps or checks could I do to narrow down a good pup.

I doubt the owner is going to health check the pups
I suppose I could organise the health check for my choosen pup? (Me paying) and if pup comes back all clear yes I would buy that pup 100%. However i couldn't garuntee that pup would still be available unless I put down a deposit (probably non refundable, which I wouldn't realy want to commit to if I have no garuntee if a healthy pup....catch 22 I know )

I could get one done on the mother, but she could come back either clear, carrier or affected, but without getting the farther done I still would be non the wiser as far as the offspring percentage is.

See picture for more information.

So forum members that's my current pooch situation
Any help any advice any input would be greatly appreciated.

Knowledge is power
Cheers craig

So glad you've found your pup Glad you've walked away from the backyard breeder!! Such a shame those dogs & pups are in such horrible conditions This owner sounds much more responsible!
You could start a diary on here for him with LOTS of photos to keep us updated on how he's coming on

Nifty staffy wrote:

I’ve not heard of weaning puppies on scrambled eggs ... try to find out exactly what she’s feeding so you can continue to avoid upset tummy and then transition to your feed choice over the next few weeks, if necessary.

It's a very old fashioned way: they used to wean on to 4 meals a day, two meat, one porridge/rusks & one eggs. I didn't think anyone did that any more!

Ah, thanks gilly.

Yes, definitely what Jen said, start a diary

She said he is on propper puppy food, but that they do like eggs aswell.

Can't wait

Proper puppy food ? Interesting

Have a look on this site
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
it’s a good site to help you understand what you’re really feeding.
Sometimes it’s quite surprising, always best to be in the know.

Knowledge is power

Hmmm when I got Katy she was on proper puppy food they said! When I picked her up at 6wks old they were feeding her Bakers adult kibble!!!!! Soon changed that

Yeah I havnt a clue what to feed the pooch when I get him

Got the puppy registerd today at the vets
He's in for a check up on Saturday, and his vacines are set up ready to go.

Also bought him some toys haha

Wahey ! So is he called Floki or something else ?
I also guess that you’re going to fetch him Friday or Saturday morning ?
You’ll see, introducing him to the vets is the best thing you can do. Everyone loves a puppy so he can only leave a good impression

For food, you need to continue what breeder is feeding to avoid upset tummy but you can transition to your own food choice over the next weeks.
I can’t remember if you have already had dogs ?
Alot will say raw or barf are the best but it requires freezer space, a good supplier and sometimes a strong stomach ... A quality kibble is the next best option and easier to handle. You can also add things like salmon oil, sardines, egg from time to time.
I’ve heard that pets at home have a good choice of kibble and along with the website I linked earlier, you should be able to find a good solution.

Loving the toys, he’s going to be one very lucky and spoilt puppy

Was thinking floki...but still undecided
So he still hasn't got a name

Yes I'll look into the food options
I had a dog when I was growing up, but I never done any of the feeding

You only really need a lot of freezer space for raw if you're DIY. If you're buying commercial raw mixes, you can get a whole week's food into one freezer drawer!

I have a chest freezer in the garage

In that case, this site might be an appropriate starting point for your research
https://therawfeedingcommunity.com/

Just a thought.
When you pick up your puppy and on the sales document, could you ask the breeder to specify that your puppy, (description and name) born from the union of (mum’s name, identification and breed) and (dad’s name, identification and breed) blah blah ...
In case BSL should evolve in the next 15 years, you have a little something which says your pup is SBT, as he isn’t KC registered. You could also ask breeder for a photo of each of the parents.

It might not be legal proof but it’s a start and better than nothing

Regarding buying a puppy

How do I go about getting proof as you say
Will she have some sort of form we both need to fill out and form
Or will there not be one and do I need to get one myself

Depending on the reason the pups aren't registered, the breeder may not actually WANT to sign anything that says your pup is the offspring of "mum" and "dad".

And you'd probably need proof that the pup's parents are registered.

The way BSL is at the moment, a dog only has to tick a list of characteristics to be labelled pit-bull type. Hopefully your pup won't fall within those criteria.

Not being a registered pedigree will, however, mean you can't take your pup to some European countries.

Taking it abroad won't bother me.

It's just proof I bought it I want
..like a receipt

I had a sales document as both of mine are KC registered.
Lemme finish what I’m doing here and then I’ll post a quick translation.

Even if the pups aren’t registered, it’s still a transaction : a puppy for money. So I can’t see why she won’t give you a receipt of some kind ... even a rudimentary one.
You can also draft up a document in case she hadn’t thought about it

I, (breeder + address) certify having sold to (buyer + address) a puppy with description (microchip number, name, colour, dob).
Dad’s details (name, microchip number, breed)
Mum’s details (name, microchip number, breed)
Price, paid in (x) installments by (payment method)
Document exists in 2 copies, one for seller and one for buyer
Both sign + date + location

Given that there is transfer of microchip documents, I can’t see how she can refuse some kind of sales/change of ownership document ...

Nifty staffy wrote:Given that there is transfer of microchip documents, I can’t see how she can refuse some kind of sales/change of ownership document ...

Definitely! You should always get a) a receipt & b) microchip details with an ownership transfer form.

Puppy is almost here !
In the meantime, have you thought of how you’re going to get him home ?
If you have a car-ride, you know that puppy cannot travel on your (passenger’s) lap ...  

I traveled both of mine in a pet carrier case with cuddly toy and a towel.
Once home, I took door off the case and it became bed/basket/safe den.

Yep. A closed carrier will give a sense of security & something with mum's scent will give comfort.

....just waiting for my lass to finish work then I'll be high tailing it down the road to pick then pooch up.

We have a cage/crate that he can go in, full of bedding etc
We finaly picked Rocco for his name
I have made my own basic bill of sale form

And so it begins
I love him

Thanks what previous owner was feeding the liter
Good or bad?

Ooh, Rocco is just

Great for the sales document.
As to the food, I’ve found the ingredients to be whole grain wheat, poultry meal (chicken 14%), whole grain barley, maize gluten ...
It looks pretty awful, tbh, I think you can honestly do much much better than that !
Do the soaked kibble test - put some into a container and add water.
I’m guessing yours will swell, probably change colour and look like soggy kelloggs. Never seen a piece of real meat do that

Did you have a look into raw/barf of are you wanting to stay on kibble ?

Food wise ....I'm clueless at the minute, so any suggestions would be awesome.

Got to agree, the food ain't great. 14% meat is way too low!

Don't get me wrong, it isn't the worst food I've seen, but you can do better for, probably, the same (or near) price.

P. S.
He looks gorgeous!

I would personally recommend raw, but it isn't for everyone.

If you're interested, look at Nutriment, Benyfit or Country Hunter. My go to would be Nutriment.

If you want to stick with dry kibble, look at the allaboutdogfood.co.uk site - it's really useful.

Thanks for the info
I'll look into it all

As gilly says, have a look on the site. You can do a quick search with your budget.

How did your first nights go ?
Is he sleeping well without crying ?
Great photos in your diary too !

First night he wasn't too bad, cried a little but soon settled down.
Second night I never heard a peep.

He's had a few accidents In the house, but he has looked at his usual spot ...Then thought twice and ran to his Matt .

I had a house full yesterday with family and friends (to see the puppy not me)
And he was fantastic...got tired quick tho with all the fuss.

Told you everyone loves a puppy

What did your vet say and recommended btw ?

Vet checked him over and give him the all clear
Wormed and fleed him too.

Rocco is getting his 1st injection Tuesday

Sounds like he's a gem!