Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Hi everyone-

When away on vacation, one of my female American Staffordshire Terriers came into heat. The lady watching our dogs, apparently, did a bad job of keeping them all apart. So, we ended up with puppies.  I did not intend on breeding but we kept them intact so they could compete in events such as conformation and weight pull.

Now, one of the puppies now appears to have some 'deformities'. At his 8wk checkup/shot, my vet noticed his tail has a kink at the base (it can't stand up but can wag side to side). My vet said not to worry, other than that he seems in good health. However, I still decided to not sell him with the rest of the puppies and to monitor his health. About a week and a half ago (just after his 12wk checkup/shot) I noticed his farthest outside toe on each front foot is smaller than the other toes. It seems both toes have just STOPPED growing and, as everyday passes, the difference between them and the other toes appears to be more noticeable. They seem basically useless at this point He seems to have slight trouble getting around as all his weight is on just the inside toes rather than being spread evenly throughout the feet. I feel so bad for this puppy and am keeping him permanently. He is such a sweet dog, I REALLY don't want anyone to suggest putting him down. At his 16wk checkup/shots (he's 14 wks now) I will talk to my vet about it. Until then, I am just left here worrying.

I have really grown attached to this pup, he is so mild mannered and loving...I just want to cry that he has these issues. I'm so scared his feet will become unbearably worse with time and there will be nothing I can do. I am willing to do everything in my power to help him. I have thought about buying him 'booties' for now but do you think that would help keep his paws more comfy?

I also almost wonder if he has some form of dwarfism? He was BY FAR the shortest, stockiest pup out of the litter and his front legs are slightly bowed while all the other pups are perfectly straight. He comes from healthy, well bred stock...I have NO IDEA where these issues came from. (None of the other puppies in the litter have any deformities.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

My Amstaff puppy got his ears cropped about 5 or so weeks ago. They stand straight and I thought they were done being taped. However, whenever he gets alert, his ears curl in towards eachother. (See pictures) Is there a specific way of taping that will fix this sort of problem? Or, since they are good when relaxed, is this the best I can ask for? Any help would be great!

Hello Everyone!

I am sooo excited about the purchase of my American Staffordshire Terrier puppy that I just have to share!

So, I've been wanting a pure bred Amstaff forever and FINALLY I will be getting one this month    I've been waiting on this puppy since November and he should be shipped here around the 18th. He got his ears done last week (don't hate me, please!)so when they are standing, he will be sent off! I feel bad about the shipping... however, there are simply no quality Amstaff breeders here in Arizona. He is about 12 wks old now (cant remember exact date  )

I am going to show him (just for fun as his color -my favorite color- is frowned on by some judges) and maybe do weight pull (double register him with the UKC as APBT? What would you guys suggest?) I also would LOVE to have him be a therapy dog. I know I am getting ahead of myself...but, what groups would you reccomend me looking into for this? There's so much negativity surrounding pitbull type dogs that I would really like my boy to prove everyone wrong.

Oh, also his Registered name has to start with 'p'. His breeder is Fairlawn so it would have to be....
Fairlawn's P_________? Hopefully you guys will be able to come up with a better name than I can!

Attached are some photos of him and his family so you can get a look at my baby  The first is of his father Ch Woodforests EZ Dragon Raider,the 2nd is of his mom Ch Fairlawns Arabella, all the rest are of him at 9 wks.

UPDATE: So, I have the little booger! He got shipped in a little over a week ago (last Friday) and is EVERYTHING I ever wanted!! His registration name is now 'Fairlawn's Point Blank' which doesn't leave much for a call name. Sooo, I've gotta think up one! Maybe a gun make or model to go along with 'point blank'?? If anyone has any ideas for a good Amstaff/Pitbull name PLEASE tell me! I've never had such trouble with names before! The photos are of him at 14 wks. The last is of him and Mack, my boyfriend's 17 wk old pup...they are being watchdogs! Thanks for reading!

I don't mean to sound strange to you all but I really need to get this story off my chest. I just hope, as dog lovers, you will be open minded to the story I am about to tell you.

When I was in second grade,  my family’s rescued great dane appeared to me. I was sitting in class, when I saw my great dane leap through the classroom window, breaking the glass. She and the flying glass were blurry and transparent(I could see the perfectly unharmed window through them.) While she was leaping I heard her (in the weirdest way,through my head I guess...) say “I will die so treat me well” and she was gone...just like that. She didn't seem sad... and the light was bright around her which actually gave a rather joyful feeling. What she said was very simple...the message clear. By her jumping through the window...it almost made me happy...becaus e she seemed in good health. (She usually had a limp that the vet said was 'old age'...she wouldn't normally be jumping anywhere.) When I got home, I ran straight away to my mom and asked if 'Baby' was alive (I expected her to already be dead) but my mom said she was fine. I told my mom what I saw but she didn’t believe me. She actually kind of laughed at what I said she said. A few weeks later, we found out she had bone cancer in her leg (the one the vet said was nothing) and it was incurable.  Like she had asked, we treated her as best as we possibly could before having her humanly put to sleep. I will always remember her and what she had said to me that day; even though I was young I understood the deeper meaning of it all. I can't say I'm a really spiritual person but I have no doubt that it was her spirit that came to me. I don't mean to make people think I am weird but my mom was the only person I ever told and she hardly listened so...I needed to share. Am I the only one with such an experience?

I went to the shelter two days ago.There was the most handsome rottie there! He had the most beautiful, intelligent eyes! Awww...if only I could get one more! Can't believe I restrained myself... lol. Last time I went I got my dobie so I was going to update the staff with how he is doing. Gosh...that was a nice rottie though! I like toturing myself...  He is in AZ if anyone wants to see him! Hopefully he is adopted already!

Just curious about who watches that show. I really like it! If you havn't seen it, you should check it out on National Geographic channel.

I was wondering if any of you knew if a saint bernard could handle going on a horseback ride. I am looking for a dog that can follow me on a ride while I go back into the national forest across the road. But, I have never owned one so I wouldn't know what one could handle. They are big so they may not be able to? But, I've been told they could by some people also. What do you think?