American Staffordshire Terrier: breed description, character, photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Despite the fact that the controversy regarding fighting dog breeds still does not subside, the American Staffordshire Terrier appears in a large number of dog breeders at home. Not because these people are not afraid of anything, but because, having raised a dog correctly, you can safely leave even an infant with it, whom it will protect and take care of.

American Staffordshire Terrier: history of occurrence

This breed appeared in the 19th century, when dog fighting fans crossed a bulldog and a terrier. This experiment resulted in the perfect dog for a rather tough sport.

After the British learned of this discovery, dog breeders decided to breed several representatives of the new breed in England, resulting in the birth of the Staffordshire Terrier, whose character was distinguished by aggression. Despite being essentially an American/British mix, this is a purely American dog according to FCI standards.

The Staffordshire Terrier is abbreviated as the Amstaff.

Description of the breed

Amstaffs have a short but very thickwool, and the color can be very diverse. Puppies are born solid or spotted. A distinctive feature of the breed is its amazing endurance and strength. For example, an amstaff can easily climb a mesh fence, clinging to it only with its claws and pulling itself up on its paws. In addition, terriers have very strong hind limbs, so they can overcome more than 2 meters in a jump.

With a height of 47-48 cm, the dog reaches a weight of up to 30 kilograms or more, with a very developed muscle mass.

Because it is a fighting breed, the Staffordshire Terrier requires professional training from its owner. It is highly not recommended to start a Staffordshire Terrier for those who have not previously encountered the upbringing and training of such dogs.

Character

The Staffordshire Terrier, whose breed description is rather intimidating, is not as aggressive as it seems. Amstaff is an amazingly intelligent dog with a good-natured character and perky disposition. He is very loyal not only to his master, but also to the whole family, especially children. Loy alty and courage are qualities inherent in a terrier from the very first days of life.

However, the seething blood of a fighter, combined with a powerful body, sometimes plays a joke on a good-natured dog, and he can become more aggressive by playing too much. In order to completely eliminate undesirable consequences, it is important to model the dog's behavior and instill rules in it through hard training and training.

Of course Stafford will never attackthe owner, but his impulse to protect his family can result in a decent threat to an ordinary passerby or neighbor. The dog must clearly know the commands and understand that only after the owner pronounces the key word, he will be able to attack the intruder or protect the owner if he was attacked by stray dogs. The Staffordshire Terrier is ready to fight the whole pack and will most likely win.

The fact is that this breed is extremely attached to the family and sometimes confuses a real threat with a simple pat on the back or a friendly game. In order not to be in the mighty jaws of a dog, it is better to keep some distance if you first came to visit a family in which a Staffordshire Terrier has recently appeared. The breed description does not say that the dog is uncontrollable, however, it is better to give him the opportunity to get used to your presence. After a while, the amstaff will begin to perceive you as a friend and will feel comfortable and good around you.

American Staffordshire Terrier: puppies, how to choose

Choosing a future pet is a complex process, so be patient. A four-legged friend should not only like appearance, but also meet the characteristics declared by the breeder.

When buying a small Amstaff, you must clearly define for yourself what exactly you need a Staffordshire Terrier for. Puppies will cost more if your list of requirements is large. If you decide to have a champion in the house, then carefully read the international standards and characteristics thatshould have a future winner. In order to participate in exhibitions in the future, it is best to take a puppy from a kennel and make sure of its pedigree. In addition, a professional breeder will help you make your choice and tell you what to do next when a Staffordshire Terrier appears in the house. The description of the breed and the pedigree he provides will help you make the best choice.

If you decide to get an amstaff as a protector and guardian of your property, pay attention to how balanced the puppy is. Aggressive dogs from birth, after additional training aimed at tough behavior, can become uncontrollable in the future and even harm the owner. If you need a bodyguard, buy a puppy under 2 months of age with a calm disposition.

Adopting an older dog that has been trained and trained is not the best idea. Like any animal, amstaffs have a special attachment to the one who raised and raised him. In addition, during training, the dog may have developed certain habits and character traits that may not be compatible with yours.

Boy or girl: who is better

If we talk about the field of the future pet, then a novice dog breeder should definitely take a girl. This is due to the fact that female terriers are more amenable to training. In addition, they are not prone to dominance, like males, and this will be a great relief for the owner, since the male, having entered the family for the first time, may decide that he is the boss in the house, and you will have toprove him otherwise. Amstaff girls quickly become attached to the owner and always want to serve him. The only drawback of this choice is a potential pregnancy. When taking your pet for a walk, you need to watch her very carefully, as during the estrus period she will be surrounded by rather persistent fans.

Amstaff boys are much more aggressive, but also more independent. Although training will still have to spend a lot more time and patience. In addition, dogs constantly mark their territory both on the street and at home, so one more item will have to be added to the list of training.

How to train and raise an American Staffordshire Terrier

The way a dog behaves in adulthood directly depends on the diligence and patience of the owner. It is extremely important to start training and discipline your puppy before he is 1 year old. At the age of 1.5 to 6 months, amstaffs are best trained.

A feature of the Staffordshire Terrier training is its socialization, since by its nature the dog is quite aggressive towards relatives and humans. From the first months, start accustoming the puppy to the fact that he is surrounded by people who do not want to harm him.

After the baby has been given all the necessary vaccinations, and he has endured quarantine well, you can start taking him outside and slowly introducing him to other dogs on the site. If the puppy began to show at least minimal aggression, immediately show him that this is wrong,this behavior is unacceptable. Of course, when a small amstaff stands in front of you and tries to growl, this is quite a funny sight, but do not get emotional, because in a few years it will be a decent sized dog and will no longer be fun.

It is worth very seriously to monitor how the Staffordshire Terrier behaves in training. Photos posted on cynological sites will help you decide on uniforms, etc. If you cannot train a powerful defender yourself, it is best to contact a professional trainer. By attending a training course, you will learn all the nuances of working with fighting dogs and in the future you will be able to work with your pet on your own and fully appreciate the Staffordshire Terrier breed. Reviews of the owners of such dogs are replete with positive emotions and praises of their pets.

Strength training is extremely important for the proper upbringing and training of the dog. In specialized stores, you can buy weights and other exercise equipment that the Staffordshire Terrier loves to do. A description of everything you need can be obtained from a specialist.

What qualities amstaff appreciates in a person

This breed of dog is characterized by leadership in the pack. In our case, the pack is a family, and the amstaff is absolutely sure that he is her leader. Show the dog that it is not he, but you, who are the master and the main one. To do this, it is important to explain to a puppy that has appeared in the house what to sleep on the bed, go outside, etc. he can onlyyour permission. Thus, the hierarchy will be restored, you will be able to control the animal in any situation and be an authority and leader for him.

Amstaffs appreciate a strong character, for them firmness and constancy is the highest manifestation of strength. Don't talk to the terrier, he won't understand it, it's better to be serious and treat him like a reasonable person, and not like a cute baby.

How to care for a Staffordshire Terrier

The coat of the American Terrier is short and does not require special care. It is enough to comb the dog periodically with a stiff brush. Amstaffs love to swim, so you can pamper your pet with water treatments. After that, wipe the dog's coat with automotive suede, and then it will shine. Before bathing a terrier, be sure to inspect the skin for cuts or small wounds, if any, it is better to postpone bathing. If your dog smells bad after bathing, contact your veterinarian, most likely the animal is sick or suffering from a chronic infection.

Walking with the Staffordshire Terrier is recommended as often as possible, this will help him get used to the environment and feel better. Always keep your dog on a leash and muzzle while walking. A sudden encounter with a stray dog or a drunk person can lead to the fact that a passerby or the Staffordshire Terrier itself will suffer. The description of the breed contains a number of such warnings.

Diseases of Staffords

Due to good heredity and unlimited he alth, the Amstaffs are almost neverget sick. In addition, dogs of this breed are not predisposed to genetic or hereditary diseases. Nevertheless, there are a number of diseases that the Staffordshire Terrier is susceptible to, the owners' reviews contain the following complaints about:

• Cancer.
• Deafness.
• Inversion of the eyelids.
• Dysplasia.
• Cataract.
• Arthritis.

In order to eliminate the risk of possible diseases and infections that can be transmitted to the dog from other animals, you need to give the puppy the necessary vaccinations at the age of about 2 months. Before vaccination, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of worms, and after the procedure, protect the animal for several weeks from stress and communication with other dogs.

American Terriers have a life expectancy of 12-14 years.

Feeding the Staffordshire Terrier

Amstaffs are completely unpretentious in food and care, but they also have their own preferences. Dogs are very fond of offal, but they must be thoroughly boiled, previously cut into small pieces. You can also feed your pet:

• Cookies.
• Lamb.
• Beef.
• Chicken heads and necks.

In order for the dog to be in shape, be sure to give her boiled fish, but only after removing the bones from it or carefully stewing them so that they become softer.

It will be useful for a puppy to give fermented milk products containing calcium. You can prepare a mixture, for this, add 2 tablespoons of calcium chloride per liter of milk, then boil the milk andcollect it in gauze, letting the liquid drain.

Suitable for cereals:

• Oatmeal.
• Corn grits.
• Buckwheat.
• Wheat groats.

It is necessary to wash the bowl after each feeding so that harmful microbes do not breed in it. For feeding, you should purchase a special stand, which you will set higher as the animal grows, so that it does not have to bend down.

Can I give a dog bones

Bone can be given to a puppy when he starts teething. It is better if it is sugar bones or vertebrates. But feeding a puppy or an adult dog with bones is often not worth it, this can lead to constipation. In pet stores, you will find mouth-watering bones that your pet will love. Once the amstaff reaches adulthood, it is not recommended to feed the bones, as they damage the enamel of the teeth.

What not to feed amstaff

Never give to a dog:

• S alty.
• Sweet.
• Moldy food.
• Smoked meats.
• Fatty food.
• Sausage, sausages, etc.
• Seasonings.

Many owners feed the animal with leftovers from the table, this should not be done, as the dog's body may not be able to cope with junk food saturated with fats and other harmful substances.

In closing

Faithful to the owner until the last days of his life, the Staffordshire Terrier, whose photo is at home next to the family photos, always tries to please his loved ones and tries to earn praise. However, owners love their pets.as full members of the family.