Читать книгу Staffordshire Bull Terrier: An Owner’s Guide - Alison Smith - Страница 16

When you have researched the breed and spoken to owners and breeders, you will be in a position to choose your puppy. Breeders often breed dogs whose temperament and conformation to the Breed Standard make them eligible as potential show dogs. If you feel that you may be interested in showing your dog, you must mention this to the breeder right at the start. They will then be able to make sure that you have what they consider to be a ‘show quality’ Stafford. However, no breeder is clever enough to see into the future and therefore you must not be disappointed if your showing success does not stretch to Best in Show at Crufts!

This young Stafford looks a picture of health, with a shiny coat and eyes. His interest in his toy indicates a good disposition.

Once you have made contact with a suitable breeder and a litter of puppies is available, you will be asked to visit the puppies at home. Be prepared to see them at about four to six weeks even though they will not be able to leave their mother until they are at least eight weeks old, or sometimes a little older.

What to look for

Always make sure that you are offered the opportunity to see the puppies with their mother. This will not offend a good breeder and will give you the extra peace of mind that they really are home-bred. You will also be able to use this visit to gauge the mother’s temperament, so always look for signs of a happy and very friendly dog.

This is your chance to ascertain that the puppies’ environment is a loving and suitable one. Check for things like clean bedding, fresh water, toys and space for the puppies to move around in. If the litter is being kept in a kennel, make sure that it seems warm and accessible. All these factors will indicate whether the breeder is genuine and caring, which, in turn, helps create a well socialized and healthy litter of puppies.

The puppies’ coats should look shiny and healthy. It is generally agreed that a wet nose and nice clear eyes are also signs of good health. Make sure that they do not look too thin – Stafford pups should have a decent covering of coat and flesh but without looking fat. Their ears should be clean with no discharge, and the puppies should not smell unpleasant.

Do watch out for any signs of nervousness or aggression, particularly in the mother. Staffords are often said to smile, but be on the look-out for any baring of the teeth towards humans as this can often mean that the bitch has not been socialized properly. However, do bear in mind the natural maternal instinct of the new mum, who may be upset by strangers being too ‘full on’ with her pups. The breeder will usually be more than happy to remove a puppy from the mother for you to look at.

Take your time

You don’t have to choose a puppy straight away, and if there is anything you are unhappy about, just make your excuses politely and leave. Watch the pups interact with each other and ask to visit again if wished. You may easily recognize the ones within a litter who are more dominant, aggressive or shy. You may even find that a pup will end up picking you rather than the other way round.

Things to bear in mind

The character of the Stafford is fairly equal in both the dog and the bitch. They are – and should be – feisty, fun-loving and inquisitive. In common with puppies of any breed, however, they will require patience and time to socialize and train. This breed can tend towards dominance without some early training, making it imperative that you are prepared to donate the time and effort that are necessary to produce a really well-behaved and friendly dog who will be a credit to you.

Watch puppies at play – you can often see which ones are going to be the bossy ones!

A puppy who is integrated from an early age with other dogs is unlikely to pose a problem; often the older dogs will put him in his place from the beginning and harmony will be the order of the day. However, Staffords do not integrate easily with other Staffords (particularly when they are of the same sex), and this is something to bear in mind if you already have an older dog or bitch in your home. I have had two males live happily side by side, but I have also owned two bitches who would almost certainly have killed one another had they been left alone together. Never just assume that Staffords will get on – it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you do not wish to breed from your Stafford, you may wish to consider neutering. This not only prevents unwanted pregnancies in bitches but can also go some way towards preventing breast and prostate cancer. Some people believe that neutered Staffords lose some of their ‘spark, but I have never found this to be the case, although dogs can sometimes become slightly more ‘laid back’ as a result.

Appearance and coat colour

Staffords come in different colours and the ones that are accepted in the breed are very varied. If you intend to show your dog, check the Breed Standard before choosing a puppy. The colour that is known as black/brindle is the most common one – this is a jet black coat on which the brindle appears, ranging from a tiny fleck to the stunning ‘tiger’ brindle.

Payment and papers

Good Staffords are not cheap and thus you must expect to pay handsomely for a pedigree puppy – how much will largely depend on his pedigree. The pedigree certificate should show you at least the last three generations of parentage, and champion dogs may often be highlighted in red. Ask the breeder to explain the pedigree to you if you feel unclear about it. Once you have decided that you are happy with the breeder and want to buy a puppy, you may be asked to pay a deposit. This is usual practice and will secure the puppy for you. Later, on completion of the sale, you will be asked to pay the balance.