American Staffordshire Terrier

The dog seems to have gathered all the character traits one can. It is a loyal, cheerful, balanced breed of dog. When breeding a Staffy, the owner must understand that this is a strong fighting dog. The animal will always protect not only all family members but also the territory on which to be at the time. The dog will not warn the aggressor by barking or growling. Stopping an American Staffordshire Terrier during a fight is almost an impossible mission.

Breed Photos

Origin History

Unfortunately, humankind has not yet recovered from dogfighting. And this story began in the Middle Ages. At that time, the English liked to use dogs to fight other animals. But the problem was that the dogs that took part in death fights were too big because they were clumsy. The breeders decided to improve on a version of the dog that participated in such fights. They chose to cross bulldogs with terriers. Thus, in the XIX century, the bull terrier breed appeared. After a while, the breed was called the American Staffordshire Terrier.

After the North’s victory over the South, English emigrants brought back large numbers of these dogs. The breeders continued their work on improving the fighting qualities of the dogs. The breed was taken to be improved by the Michigan Kennel Club. After that, the American Staffordshire Terrier became a fighter and an excellent guardian and hunter.

Yet, not everyone shared the desire to improve the dog, specifically as a fighting dog. Such breeders changed the exterior of the breed. The dog became more “peaceful”. It led to the division of breeders into two categories. Some sought to make the species more friendly, others, on the contrary, intimidating. The breed was officially registered in the XX century.

Appearance

The dog is quite large. The breed has marked musculature. The height of males at the withers reaches 48 centimeters. Bitches are lower by a couple of centimeters. The body weight of the adult male American Staffordshire Terrier is 25-30 pounds. Bitches weigh 22-26 kg. The coat of the AmStaff is short, straight. The abundance of American Staffordshire Terrier colors is enormous. They are starting from brown and ending with a tiger color. But there are no white individuals of this breed.

Character

The dog seems to have gathered all the character traits one can. It is a loyal, cheerful, balanced breed of dog. When breeding a Staffy, the owner must understand that this is a strong fighting dog. The animal will always protect not only all family members but also the territory on which to be at the time. The dog will not warn the aggressor by barking or growling. Stopping an American Staffordshire Terrier during a fight is almost an impossible mission. In the right situation, it certainly helps. But what about ordinary life? The puppy must be taught right away that people and animals are not potential dangers.

Despite its fighter past, a Staffie will be an excellent, patient babysitter for children. However, cynologists still do not recommend leaving the dog alone with young children. A dog of this breed will try in every way to give its owner their attention and positive attitude. But we should not forget that the owner of the house is a person. To teach the dog good manners and socialization, inexperienced owners should contact a specialist.

Care

The American Staffordshire Terrier is the most unpretentious breed of dog. During shedding, the dog should be brushed twice a week. Like all pets, a Staffie needs to be treated for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. It is a simple systematic work, which helps to minimize the risks of various diseases. It is necessary to bathe the pet not more often than once a month. After a walk, the owner can wipe the pet with a damp towel. The pet’s ears should be washed once a week.

Training

If an inexperienced owner decides to get a dog of this breed, he may encounter some difficulties. Therefore, it is better for people without experience in this matter to contact an expert in training. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a dog that needs to be trained.

The main task in raising a pet is its socialization. If the owner has decided to introduce the Staffy to other animals, it is worth choosing the kindest ones. The puppy must have only a pleasant association and warm memories after the meeting with a new friend.

Historically, people have thought of the American Staffordshire Terrier as a dangerous breed. When walking with a pet, the owner should be prepared for not very positive views. In any situation, there is no need to get into an altercation with passersby about it. The dog may think an outraged neighbor is an aggressor and attack. It is an intelligent dog that readily takes correct instructions from the owner.

Common Diseases

The American Staffordshire Terrier is prone to some diseases, namely:

• hip dysplasia;
• bloating of the abdomen;
• cataract;
• retinal atrophy.

Nutrition

From childhood, food should be balanced and correct. The amount of food should be appropriate for the age and size of the dog. Which type of food (natural or dry food) to give the dog is up to the owner. The animal must have access to drinking water at all times.