To Crop or Not To Crop, that is the question.

I was present when Macy was born and have had her since then, so naturally the question about whether or not to crop her ears came up at some point. I personally have never really liked the look of cropped ears, but there are many breeds for which cropping is commonplace: Dobermans, American Pitbull Terriers, Boxers and more.
The process of cropping a puppy's ears takes place somewhere between the ages of 4 and 12 weeks. The procedure can be done later, but most vets will not crop later because over time, the puppy's ears develop less pliable ear cartilage, which can result in a more painful and difficult outcome. Basically, cropping involves cutting a portion of the ear and sewing the ear back in place in such a way that the ears stand erect and closer to the head. Very few breeds require cropped ears as a matter of standard, depending on kennel club, and cropping is typically a purely cosmetic procedure. Amstaffs do not require cropped ears in the show ring, and word on the street is that uncropped ears are becoming more popular as the years go by.
The bottom line is that like people, dogs experience pain and will experience pain through the ear cropping procedure. Unfortunately, unlike people, they are unable to tell us how bad the pain is. Additionally, Amstaffs are notorious for their level of pain tolerance. Perhaps tolerance is the wrong word. Realistically, Amstaffs are less likely to show they are in pain, which makes it difficult for an owner to distinguish when the dog is suffering.
With that being said, I think that it is cruel to put dogs through a "cosmetic" procedure that is really unnecessary. There is no medically sound reason to crop a dog's ears, other than the owner's personal preference. Imagine someone decided that you would look better with a different nose. You are perfectly happy with the nose God gave you, but a figure of authority whom you ultimately trust with your life tells you it would be best for you to go under the knife, have your nose broken in order to receive rhinoplasty and then go through weeks of recovery in order to look just a little bit better in their eyes. Don't forget, you are unable to communicate to this person who has made this decision on your behalf, so they will administer pain medication to you when they see fit, since they are unable to tell when you actually need it. Sounds like a smashing good time, no?
I obviously sway toward the idea of not cropping a dog's ears. However, it would be unfair for me to not add the following: if, as an owner, you decide to crop your dogs ears find a reputable breeder, such as the reputable breeder you purchased your dog from, and get not one but two or three recommendations for a veterinarian that has a lot of experience in this field. For the love of Pete, do not engage in any "back alley" cropping procedures, no matter how much money you will save. And most important, I don't care if you can't afford extra costs, get your precious animal the pain medication for after the procedure and give as directed. Do not wait for a "sign" from your dog, because remember: our dogs aim to please. Just because their tail is wagging does not mean they are not in pain.
Finally, for those of you still debating, I will tell you that one of my favorite parts on my dog is her ears. They are perfectly formed and soft as silk. I could spend hours petting Macy's ears and they give her the character and personality a tail could only dream of providing.
Cheers to natural ears on an Amstaff.

Pedi Paws- yes please!

I'm certainly not a big fan of "As Seen On TV" products, but this one has me very happy. Initially, Macy was a little turned off by the noise, but we have the process down to a streamlined art. I find this incredible useful since when I use the clippers on her "tough-as-nails" nails, I tend to cut too far down. This little wonder tool makes sure that not only do I not go into the cuticle, but that I can smooth and shape the nails too. This makes it a necessity if you spoil your dog as I do, and she practically lives on the furniture.
Cheers to Pedi Paws!

Amstaff Vitamin Recipe

This is an excellent recipe that will assist in providing your Amstaff (or any other dog for that matter) with that additional amount of nutritional balance needed to ensure they have the longest, healthiest life possible. My good friend and owner of Grimloc Kennels developed this recipe and has used it over the course of 30 years. Originally it was formulated for their "flock" of Great Danes but over time has proven effective with nearly any breed of puppy and older dogs too. At one point about 22 years ago, a veterinary student at Oregon State University took the recipe to class and analyzed it. They found that it was better than ANY commercial pet vitamin on the market. What you will find is that this simple recipe replaces the pain in the neck process of "pilling" your dog with expensive vitamins daily. You can go here to see it on his website. To indulge your doll of a dog, follow these instructions: Makes (2) 3 lb. cans.

• (1) 3 lb 4 oz can of MLO Mus-L-Blast 2000+ Body Building Formula (vanilla flavor only- can be purchased at GNC or similar)
• 1 lb. brewer's yeast
• 1 lb. wheat germ
• 1 lb. lecithin (this is optional, but recommended for dogs with especially sensitive skin/allergies)

*Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with slotted spoon until well mixed. Store in airtight containers. The easiest way to distribute this is to sprinkle 10-12 oz. over the top of a new 40 lb. bag of kibble. Give it a little shake and the vitamins will coat the kibble and sift throughout.
This whole recipe should cost you apr. $20.00.

Please note that this vitamin recipe is merely a suggestion that has been proven over time. Everything Amstaff, it's authors, Grimloc Kennels or it's affiliates assumes no responsibility for any adverse reactions or results. For best results, check with your vet prior to using this recipe, especially if you have any concerns.

An Introduction.

My name is Lisa and my dog's name is Macy Lou. She is an AKC registered American Staffordshire Terrier and she is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I was never a dog person prior to being owned by her. I was a cat person because cats just don't really seem to be that needy. I looked at dogs as a responsibility, just one more thing to take care of.
Slowly but surely, Macy has grown on me in a way I have never known. Her soul is deep, her eyes are full of emotion and she gives more to me than I could ever give to her.
As time has gone on, I have begun to understand there are other responsibilities that go along with owning an Amstaff. When I take Macy out walking, I get funny looks, glares even. The actual stigma that surrounds Amstaffs, Pitbulls and other bully breeds is alive and well, even in a dog friendly city like Portland. I've had people walk their dogs to the other side of the street rather than walk by us. I know what it's like to feel concern about upcoming breed legislation votes and I completely understand that owning this breed is an undertaking that must be met with responsible ownership and discipline. I hope to touch on this later, but really the purpose of starting this blog is to introduce the world to one of the most loving breeds. The other reason is because my own personal blog began morphing into a blog purely about my dog. I found myself writing solely about our adventures rather than anything else and figured I'd go ahead and start a dog blog specifically for these things.
This is a breed that deserves a better reputation than the one it has now and I intend to do my part in making that happen.
Enjoy, feel free to contact me with questions or send your own contributions in. I look forward to getting to know the rest of you who treasure the Amstaff as I do.