Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I just got 8 week old Roxy about a week ago and have some questions about her.

First, I was told she was a Am/Staff, but not for sure. She is surely a ABPT, Am/Staff, or cross of both. She has a short muzzle, with quite a large head as you can see in the pic. Is there any way I can distinguish her?

Secondly, I have a 3 year old Siberan Husky and they seem to get along rather well, lots of playing and good interest in each other. Is there any thing I can do to help along this process?

Lastly, I want to get Roxy's ears cropped, I have been told this procedure costs approx. $300-$400. It seems high, but is it accurate?

Oh and here is a pic of Roxy at 8 weeks, tell me what you think. (Sorry about the quality, crappy cam)
Roxy

I'm no expert, and you'd probably have to go to her pedigree and see who is in there to know for certain. About 70 years ago or so, APBTs and AmStaffs were the same breed, so there is much similarity in line and form. Roxy, from what I can see, is certainly a cutie!

>>Secondly, I have a 3 year old Siberan Husky and they seem to get along rather well, lots of playing and good interest in each other. Is there any thing I can do to help along this process?
>>

Are the two dogs the same sex or opposite sex? As Roxy goes into adolescence there may be a challenging of the dominant dog that could create problems. Be certain to watch your dogs closely from about when Roxy is about 5-6 mos. old for signs of a change in their relating to each other. Right now, Roxy has "puppy immunity" (and their relationship may stay totally amicable...it probably depends on how dominant your Sibe is and how dominant Roxy will turn out). But you should know (don't you?) that APBTs in general are "other-dog aggressive". Signs of this may not come at all or may come with teenagerhood and sexual maturation. Be prepared.

>>Lastly, I want to get Roxy's ears cropped, I have been told this procedure costs approx. $300-$400. It seems high, but is it accurate?
>>

Ask at your vet (and soon, since cropping should be done at or before nine weeks, I think) and also check around your area for people that crop ears - be certain you know what kind of crop you want and see examples of the person's crop technique before you plunk your money down. Honestly, I couldn't tell you if that is expensive or in line. Different areas vary in price.
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Tasha

Where crops are concerned.

1- make sure a vet does it. Some breeders say they do crops. Just WHERE do they get their anesthetics and pain meds? Not to mention that it's a sterile procedure that needs to be done by a surgeon.

2- this is something that you will get what you pay for.

All that said, unless you're planning on showing her, there's no reason why she HAS to have her ears done. As was mentioned earlier, she will soon be too old for it, anyway.

Lynn