BUYING A PUPPY
WARNING - BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!
Please verify the details of breeders you contact by comparing the details they provide with the listing associated to breeder number provided. You can do this but searching each states relevant government database or by contacting the state controlling body of the ANKC.
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In Qld please check BIN (Breeder Identification Numbers) here - https://qdbr.daf.qld.gov.au/supply-number-search/
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Qld Government look up below - please make sure the email address & name matches the information advertised with BIN number. There is also no other contact details listed or alternate emails or names in my case.
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There are scammers using legitimate breeder details to scam people DONT GET CAUGHT OUT!
So you've started your search for a new addition to your family and it can be daunting there's lots of adds with a variety of 'terms' used. They sound impressive but what dose it all mean, what are you really paying for and does price always reflect quality?
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The best advice is find a breeder with dogs who you like the look of the chances are if you're after a stockier big headed dog that's not going to come from a longer legged finer mum. So search the internet, I'd start with www.dogzonline.com.au its not an exhaustive list but is a good place to start.
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Quality of images provided when you ask to see photos will also give you a good indication of the level of professionalism as well as hygiene of that breeder. No i don't mean weather they are professional studio images or phone photos, I mean you can use those images to assess the environment your puppy has been raised in. I see so many photos with dirty kennels, faeces, skinny/ moth eaten adult dogs and general rubbish in the back ground of puppy images.
Photo's also allow you to see the condition of pups. Regardless of the breed or physical size you should NOT be able to see ribs, pups should not appear drawn in the face or have pot bellies. Generally a Stafford pup is around 3-4kg at the time of first vaccination. If you visit a puppy and you aren't happy with the condition of that puppy DO NOT buy the puppy thinking you're rescuing it, all you are doing is making it certain that the person you bought the pup off will breed again for no other reason but to profit!
If a 'breeder' is charging you top dollar for a pup the least they can do is provide that puppy with good quality nutritious food & a clean well adjusted up bringing.
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Make sure the breeder is registered and no that's not just a BIN Number (Breeder Identification Number) as BIN number can be obtained free of charge from DAFF with no checks just some details supplied. Your looking for a breeder registered with an ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) body for example in my case Dogs Queensland (DQ). ANKC member bodies are the only organisation internationally recognised (See pic below). You're also looking for a breeder who is actively involved in an ANKC activity - Conformation Showing, Agility, Obedience, Flyball - anything that indicates that they give back to their chosen breed is a good indication they are not breeding for profit.
Please check out the breed information page for what health testing is available in Staffords as i read many adds that say free of all genetic diseases the truth is we can only genetically test for 3 conditions L2 HGA, HC & DM.
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Do not be surprised if breeders decline allowing visitors till after puppy vaccinations as lots of visitors can be daunting for mum as well as putting puppies at risk of virus's such as parvo. We are not trying to scam you or make you feel unwelcome we are just doing our best to protect our precious bubs. I always offer video and photos to buyers and of course video calls if you don't mind hearing my puppy voice :)
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Blue Staffords are not rare they make up 50% of our registrations and although I do have blue carriers it is unlikely i will ever produce a blue as i do not breed for colour. Please research your breeder carefully when it comes to purchasing a puppy there are many who breed for profit and not the breeds welfare this is where my comments in relation to being active in an ANKC sanctioned event become relevant. I also strongly recommend doing some research on Colour Dilution Alopecia before purchasing a puppy.
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Ask lots of questions any breeder should be happy to answer them and provide any relevant documents to back up their statements.
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Price does not reflect quality in all cases, please consider all of the above before handing over your hard earned cash. I would say the average cost of a puppy is approx $2500 some a little less some a little more. The price should include Pedigree Papers (Main or Limited), vaccination, micro chip, worming and as a bare minimum the puppies current dietary information. You should also sight any claimed health testing or DNA parentage verification.