Staffwild

I would be waiting to see the wording of the corrected Animal Act before rushing off to register any dogs at present..... I was told approx. 50 days for the changed act to be released.....

Hey guys,

Just wondering if an experianced amstaff owner can help me with a unusual behaviour that I experianced from my 17 month old male. He has growled really agressively at me twice now. He has never growled like he did at me, he doesn't usually growl, not even others dogs that bark at him. The first time was when he didn't hear me come home from work. He normally hears my car and is usually by the back sliding door before I get inside! So when I got home I went around the back to see what he was up to. I got to about 10metres from him and he growled at me as if I was a complete stranger! The weird part was that he could see me but still growled. The sound was like he wanted to attack me! As soon as I called his name, within a few seconds of him growling, he stopped and started wagging his tail like normal. He then came to me like nothing happened.

So on the weekend, I thought I would walk around the back without him hearing me. Sure enough when I sneaked up to him, I was about 5 metres away, he growled at me like he wanted me to go away! As soon ad I called his name ge was back to normal.

I just don't understand this particular behaviour because both times he could quite clearly see that it was me. I'm not sure if my dog has bad eyes and needs glassed bacause he was a problem seeing past 5 metres or if he didn't like me sneaking up on him. I have tested this a few more times and didnt growl all times only twice. Both times when he growled I am sure he was sleeping, so I'm not sure if this was anything to do with it. Normally when he's asleep he has no problems with me waking him up.

Does any one have any suggestions or possibly experianced similar??

If you can organise for someone with knowledge (dog trainer etc) to view the situation. I would have an issue with this situation if it was one of my dogs, if it is as you described, there is a problem either health or temperament wise........

Are there any breeders who could answer post #6 for me

I personally have no problem in rehoming two dogs from the same litter, and I don't have a problem rehoming a Amstaff into a home where there is a existing dog, HOWEVER, I do require the owners to have runs or seperate yards that they can leave the dogs seperated in whilst not home to prevent any issues. I have found that the slightest stupidest thing can spark off a domestic which can escalate to a serious fight if not nipped in the bud quickly...............

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

Breeder, exhibitor.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

USA ~ AKC registered name

3. How common is it in Australia?

Extremely common, but sometimes it seems for the wrong reasons. BSL has caused the Amstaff to become popular.

4. What is the average lifespan?

10+ years

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

Good family dog, protective of their family and slightly standoffish towards strangers until they know its all ok. They are a confident breed and will not back down to a challenge from another dog, but should not go seeking trouble.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

Physical and mental exercise is important, 30mins to 1hr of both should keep them happy.

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

If the owner is prepared to be challenged and has a good support base and knowledge on how to deal with a breed that can be dominant if allowed to be.

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

I feel they are people dogs, and as such require to have company of their humans during the day, otherwise they do become destructive if left alone to their own devices.

9. How much grooming is required?

Little grooming, a quick brush here and there and a wash when smelly is all they require.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

If raised correctly, I don't think so. They are usually very gentle with children.

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

Ataxia, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Eyes, Hearts,

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

Health Testings, Temperament of parents, suitability to the new owners lifestyle.

A couple I sold a amstaff pup to had the council demand the papers and also a DNA swab of the bitch before they would register, that was Logan Qld but it does show that councils are getting abit to big for their boots, I told them to tell the ranger to shove the DNA where the sun don't shine, he had spoken to me previously, knows my dogs are papered amstaffs and he isn't getting DNA lol

Our sincere condolences on your loss..... RIP Mahli

About $2.50/ week for a 30kg dog. We buy all in bulk though so prob abit cheaper then buying it abit at a time.

Our condolences at this horrible time

Tony is highly recommended amongst the show people in Brisbane......

Another one I would recommend is Robert Humphries - 07 5547 7595 at Jimboomba....

According to the VIP website they are only available in WA at present

Funnily enough, I have low red platelets, and also have lots of blood problems, I was told to eat Broccoli as this can help with any blood ailments..............

* Anti-Cancer Properties - Broccoli probably ranks number one on the list of all round anti-cancer vegetables, with broccoli being the subject to the highest amount of scientific and medical research. Broccoli is considered a major deterrent to lung, stomach, mouth, ovarian, breast, cervix, colon and prostate cancer. The reason broccoli is an, A grade anti cancer food is because it is rich in substances such as indoles, glucosinolates, beta carotene and vitamin C. It also contains high amounts of sulphorane, a substance that has been extensively looked into in laboratories. It is a phytonutrient that catalyses the formation of and function of ‘phase II’ enzymes within the body. These enzymes have been known to remove or destroy cancer-causing substances from cells under lab conditions. It is speculated that these enzymes will bring about similar results within the human body.

* Helps Prevent Anaemia -- Since broccoli is high in beta carotene and iron, it may help prevent anemia especially in people who follow a vegetarian diet. Anaemia is said to bring about severe tiredness, lack of concentration as well as an impaired immune system.

* Helps Prevent Infections -- Children who have respiratory infections, measles, and gastroenteritis generally experience a significant reduction in their body’s levels of vitamin A. The beta carotene provided by broccoli is converted into vitamin A by the body when the body’s supplies run low. Thus in theory adding broccoli to a child’s diet helps prevent infections.

* Helpful For Smokers-- The phytonutrients called isothiocyanates in broccoli help reduce the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke on human lungs. Broccoli is also rich in vitamin C, a nutrient which is needed in large quantity by smokers to counter lung disease.

Update on the boy.....

Blood tests were done last week, results were back today, there is nothing wrong according to the blood tests so they are just monitoring his seizures now and see how things go to whether he will need to go onto medication to control them.

Thank you to all who replied, its been an interesting experience, so far all of the dogs I have owned or bred have been healthy, so it was a little bit of a rude shock.... The dog in questions grandparents were owned by me and were pts at the ages of 18yrs and 13yrs, with never a sick day in their life, injuries yes, but no ill health.

Thanks for the link....

That is my wonder to, as it has only started since they moved... Not sure about the age of the house, and the seizures have been 3mths apart so far.....

Thanks for all the replies.... As far as I am aware, they are picking the dog back up again this afternoon... I am waiting on a phone call from my mate that has him at the moment......

I got a phone call from a puppy buyer yesterday about a Stafford that is now 6yrs old that I bred. What she told me was he was having a seizure/ fit, then frothing at the mouth, then barked constantly for 1.5hrs straight afterwards, and was trying to break into the house through the windows...... As one would be, she was pretty scared and refused to go near the dog and a mate picked him up last night for me and he is apparently quite normal when she got him....

So after a further phone call to the original owner, this is all I have found out....

He's now 6 and never been a problem until recently. No health issues, no vet visits (except to remove a childrens toy ball that he swallowed).... Never barks.... 3 years ago he was religated to being an outside dog as she was pregnant with their first child. They moved to a new house in May this year. 3 months ago, he had his first "seizure" whilst sleeping beside her and a mate on the verandah... She described the first seizure as he jumped up all of a sudden, went stiff and fell over, started frothing at the mouth, then was back to normal in seconds.....

This latest attack, she said he was outside, fell over stiff, started frothing at the mouth, when he came too, he was erraticly running around in circles, then started to bark wildly, and was trying to break through the windows to get inside.... After an hour and a half, he was back to normal and was like nothing had happened.....

Around the time of the attack, there was a bee in the area.... She has also identified a number of plants in her backyard that may be "poisonous" to dogs....

Any ideas if this is a form of poisoning? They are located in Brisbane, I am in NSW so I can't see what is going on or just get hold of the dog physically myself, at the moment a friend in Brisbane has him but the original owners are going to get him back tonight and remove all the plants in the yard that may be an issue and try him again.... They don't want to run tests on him which sort of leaves me in a bind..... I offered to take the dog on for 6mths to a year and see how he goes, then if he has another seizure, I can see his behaviour and run tests but in the meantime until they decide to take me up on that offer, I am trying to see if there is any other reason that could be causing the seizures.

Sorry to hear of your loss Warley..........

Congrats Paula!!!

I've used it on fussy pregnant bitches, but at the end of the day, how does it keep so long if it doesn't have preservatives of some description?? I know my raw meat lasts a few days in the fridge undefrosted, but that stuff lasts a good week or two before it starts to go off sooooooo.....

Personally, if need be but not a permanent diet..

The cheapest we have had was $110 in Beenleigh, Qld, and $350 in Cairns lol, we pay for all our pups that are rehomed, its quite an eye opener when the new owners ring us and tell which vet they are using and we ask the vet the cost........

We have fed both on occasions, Uncle Albers, not keen on it, nor were the dogs, but Great Barko they loved and did really well on it, we mainly fed it inbetween moving interstate as having barf and bones was near impossible. Even my "fussy, have to have the best" ate it and did well on it, though it does tend to put weight on.........

Still don't think anything beats BARF diet though.

I know when we had a pup (sold to new owners, few weeks later returned with parvo) we used straight bleach, didn't dilute it at all......

Personally, I would completely do everything in the house, kennel, and anything that came from the previous premises.....

The adult should be reasonably ok though, if its been vaccinated etc, fingers crossed for no issues.....

I have been using Gary for approx. 1 year now. I started using his composite mix when he first released it instead of the BARF patties and my dogs are doing brilliant on it.

There is a shop in Brisbane that has Proplan 17kg Large Breed pup and adult for $69.95 at the moment, don't feed it so not sure of normal price.

When we lived northside Brisbane we used Arron Moles at Oakey Flat Rd Vet Surgery at Narangba, we are now at Lowood and will still continue to use Arron for surgeries, just need to find a local vet for the usual day to day stuff. I have used Arron for at least 10 years for horses and dogs. Can't praise him enough for his patience and willingness to treat even the most unfriendly animal.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies, will use the suggestions.

The dog was not purchased as a show dog to start with. Alot of people don't understand the importance of keeping the nails short from day one, I know I didn't and my older dogs have longer nails.

The dog is in no pain, she exhibits no pain when walking anywhere, hard or soft surfaces, the problem is only starting to show badly now. The owners are the best one could ask for, the dog lives inside, sleeps in their bed, has the aircon on for her while they are at work, fed only the best, all the veterinary care and then some, she is spoilt rotten. Just one of those things that is not widely known to newcomers. They are willing to pay for sedation and the job to be done at a vets.

Thanks again for the replies.