Whadaboutme Staffordshire Bull Terriers

28/08/2025

In conclusion, this study shows that the risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs is linked to how long they are exposed to natural s*x hormones, and the relationship isn’t simple or linear. The highest risk was seen when females were spayed before about 1054 days (just under 3 years) and males before about 805 days (a little over 2 years). These results may help define what counts as “early” spay or neuter when it comes to cranial cruciate ligament disease risk.

Veterinary reproduction specialists now recommend hormone-preserving sterilization: preventing unwanted litters & less risk of torn cruciates.

27/08/2025

According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) 2024 Guidelines, dogs do not need core vaccines every year.

Once a puppy has had its full course and the 12-month booster, revaccination is recommended no more often than every 3 years, and often even less, depending on antibody (titer) results.

✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬
Core Vaccines (essential for all dogs worldwide):
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
Canine Adenovirus (CAV-1/2)
Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2 variants)
Rabies (where legally required)

➡️ These protect against life-threatening diseases and provide long duration of immunity (DOI), often 7+ years, and in many cases, lifelong.

⭐ 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝):
Leptospirosis
Bordetella (kennel cough)
Canine Influenza
Lyme disease
Others, depending on geography, travel, or lifestyle

➡️ These are given only if your dog’s environment, lifestyle, or local disease prevalence puts them at risk.

🔬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬

⭐ Use titer testing to check if your dog is still immune before giving a booster.

⭐ Avoid automatic annual revaccination for core vaccines.

⭐ Tailor non-core vaccines to your dog’s individual risk factors.

⚖️ The bottom line: If your vet still insists on yearly core shots without considering guidelines or titers, it’s worth asking questions. Modern veterinary science supports longer intervals and individualised care.

SYDNEY DOG OWNERS: Sires On Ice Richmond Vet charges $110 for a title test with a general health check.

18/07/2025

Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

In this study, researchers looked at whether the age at which dogs were spayed or neutered, meaning how long they were exposed to their natural s*x hormones, affected how healthy they were in old age. They studied a group of long-lived pet dogs to learn what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Dogs with the fewest age-related health problems were considered the most “robust.”

The results showed that both male and female dogs who kept their hormones longer (i.e., were spayed or neutered later) were 3 to 10 times more likely to be healthy in old age compared to those altered earlier. Once hormone exposure and age were taken into account, there was no difference in old-age health between males and females.

This study highlights how important s*x hormones may be for staying healthy later in life and shows that early-life decisions—like when to spay or neuter—can have long-term effects on health.

05/06/2025

01/06/2025

It is time to finally introduce this little lady who came into our life a few weeks ago .
Cloudshine Little Bitty Panic , aka Bitty
Sire: C.I.B. A20 Ch Sup Ch Anvilhart Pray For The Wicked
Dam : Cloudshine Hapuna Matata.
Bitty is co owned with her breeder Sharni Sutton . Her mum is a daughter of Whadaboutme Masters Apprentice ( Noah) , so she has close ties to our past .
Little Bitty is an absolute delight in every way , the most easy going and loving little girl, she has us under her little paws already .
Yesterday , at 3 months and 3 weeks of age , she had her first big adventure when she bounced her way through her first dog show, which just happened to be one of the biggest held in SA annually . Unfortunately she was the only baby Stafford entered, however that did not lessen the experience for her one bit . All those dogs, people, smells , she had fun ! And she slept well last night too 😉
Many thanks to Carmen Milne for wrangling her in the ring !

21/05/2025

23/04/2025

19/04/2025

Can’t share this often enough

I know I have shared this before but always good to reshare for friendly reminders

When you get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the sofa or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.

You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.

Once grown you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.

(Not my post/images but very useful information and a great visual perspective!- Credit goes to the original poster).