GatorGrip/Saxon Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Hi! My name is Carey Ivey and I founded GatorGrip in 1997. We are located in Southwestern Ohio and my husband (Doug) & I share our home with our 2 sons, 2 Staffords, 2 Chihuahuas, 1 Bullmastiff, and a cat. All of our pets live in our home with us and the dogs also get to enjoy our very large privacy fenced yard, as well as trips to the park, training facility, and shows .

I got my start 'in dogs' with a Border Collie named Nellie in 4-H in 1985. I have worked in veterinary medicine for about 20 years and have a great interest in canine nutrition, vaccine protocols, holistic/naturopathic care & BSL. I got my first 'show' dog in 1990. She was a Rottweiler and I had a lot of fun showing her, though not a lot of success. I've been showing in AKC since 1990 and UKC since 2000. I've also shown in SKC, WWKC & IABCA shows.

I got my first Stafford in 1997 from Boomtown Kennels in Talihina, OK and that puppy went on to become my owner-handled Multi UKC BIMBS/AM/UKC/INT Champion Boomtown's Buster Brown, CGC (pictured above with my son Gavin). He was a multiple Best of Breed winner and Group placer and was the light of my life. He was stolen Nov 14, 2001. I think it is very important for people to realize how vulnerable Staffords are to theft. I now keep a security dog on the premises to protect our Staffords. We just lost our beloved Hungarian import Rottweiler, HJCH/UKC Champion Asta V Schwarzen Diamant, CGC, TT, PSD, RTD, CERF, OFA. We will be looking to add another security dog to our family very soon. We have decided to add a Cane Corso to our family this year and look forward to bringing one home. In the meantime, the dogs are protected by Smith & Wesson .

I went on to get another Stafford in 2006 and then added another little bitch pup from Boomtown in 2007. We participate in conformation, obedience, rally, agility and lure coursing (you wouldn't believe how Staffords LOVE lure coursing!!). At present, we have only shown in conformation, but would like to branch out to some of the performance sports we have had the pleasure of working the dogs in.

I am a member of the SBTCA, Greater Cincinnati Rottweiler Club, and am currently working with Cathy Micallef of Blessings Kennel to establish the Midwest Stafford Association. I am in the process of becoming a member of the Dayton Dog Training Club. I believe that getting a pup in the RIGHT home is THE most important thing to consider when placing a pup. I have only bred one litter of Staffords (in 2000), so I do not often have puppies available. My main focus with my dogs is that they are well rounded, well behaved family pets, first and foremost. Temperament is of paramount importance to us, as we believe that is the essence of this breed. I also believe in health testing and all puppies produced here will come from L2HGA tested dogs. I also do CERF on eyes and OFA hips & elbows.

(Vito & Dre from Blessings Kennel at Dayton Dog Training Club, March 08)

We feed & recommend ONLY the highest quality dog foods. We are currently feeding a blend of Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Orijen, and Taste of the Wild and also giving The Honest Kitchen 2-3 times a week. Feeding a premium quality, grain free food significantly reduces stool size and frequency, reduces the amount of food needed because they can metabolize the food better, and contributes to lifelong health and hardiness (our oldest dog will be 14 this year!!).

We also believe in minimal vaccines and follow Dr Jean Dodds vaccination schedule. Puppies get limited immunity from their mother and vaccinating a puppy prior to 8-10 weeks of age has absolutely no value as the maternal antibodies will override any vaccine introduced prior to that age. As such, pups that we send home at 8 weeks of age may or may not have had a vaccine. If the pup is going to be flown at 8 weeks, it will not be vaccinated as that would be a huge stressor to the pup and could contribute to demodex or other issues. If the pup flies at a later age, it will, of course, be started on vaccines. We do this for the health and protection of the puppy, not because we are trying to be "cheap"! Your puppy will be healthier for it!

We encourage everyone who purchases a pup to become members of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America and will pay for the first year's membership for those who are interested.

 Here are our two Staffy kids-- Luna (pictured at 6 months) and Vito (pictured at 2 years). I just love this picture. It epitomizes what I think a Stafford should be-- they are actually waiting for my 10 year old son to come to bed. They are very, very much a part of our family and participate in everything from cleaning the house, doing the laundry, to tucking the kids into bed.....they are also ready to go do anything we ask of them, but are quiet, pleasant housepets. Perfect dogs for the right owners!