American Staffordshire Terrier

Breed Description

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a young dog breed from the USA. In addition to being a terrier, its ancestors include the old bulldogs. In England and North America, dog fighting has a tradition that dates back to ancient times. The stoic bulldog was sent into wild fight arenas, where it battled bulls. Although bulldogs were predecessors of today’s English bulldogs, in their physiological development they were closer to the modern American Staffordshire Terriers. Despite the official ban on dog fights, they continued illegally, and this still persists today in the USA.

In the 19th century, a blend of old bulldogs and terriers was created in the area of Blackshire in central England, which was a hub for coal and clay production. Such crosses were still prohibited in official dog fighting circles due to concerns that the fighting strength and endurance of the bulldog would combine with the aggressive, extravagant nature of the terrier, resulting in puppies becoming uncontrollable fighting machines. However, this did not deter criminal communities, leading to the emergence of the “bull-terrier,” which quickly arrived in the USA, where they were referred to as “pit bulls.” The pit is the term for the dog fighting ring.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club (UKC) was established for breeding these dogs, which still exists today. However, the UKC was merely a professional organizer of dog fights. The society was divided over these dogs. Pit bull enthusiasts condemned dog fighting and sought friendly family dogs. At the same time, pit bulls gained a high reputation in American society. During World War I, the courage of pit bulls inspired the fighting strength of American troops. Even celebrities, such as U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, boasted about a pit bull named “Little Rascals,” a dog that was extremely popular in theaters and was showcased in 220 episodes from 1922 to 1944. The dog was a guardian, protector, companion, and a source of comfort for children. Eventually, the pit bull became the first dog registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) for the new breed of dog-Staffordshire Terrier. To clearly distinguish itself from the scene of biting dogs, the AKC insisted on changing the breed’s name.

The first breed standard was created back in 1936. It was modified for the second time in 1972 to differentiate the American breed from its British relatives, after which the dog became known as the “American Staffordshire Terrier.” Amstaffs, as they became known, are taller, larger, and heavier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier Club still ensures the preservation of the breed and has repeatedly condemned dog fighting.

In Germany, the American Staffordshire Terriers are cared for by three reputable clubs under the VDH, as the breed is considered rare there. However, social discrimination and the absurd classification as a “dangerous breed” have led to the breed suffering.

The Staffordshire Terrier was bred to hunt rats, game, and other pests, as well as for agricultural work. The popularity of American Staffordshire Terriers peaked in the early 20th century following the appearance of Petey the puppy in the comic strip “Our Gang.”American Staffordshire Terriers are known to be intelligent, confident, and attractive companions, renowned for being loyal friends for life. They love spending time with their favorite people, whether playing, running, or enjoying cozy moments on the couch.The price for a puppy ranges from 25,000 to 80,000 rubles.

Appearance

The American Staffordshire Terrier gives the impression of being a very strong dog for its size, well-proportioned, muscular, yet dynamic, agile, and graceful. It is stocky rather than long-legged with sleek contours.

They have a large head, well-defined jaws, prominent cheekbones, and widely spaced dark round eyes. Their gait is springy and fast, reflecting the inherent confidence of the breed. The short, glossy coat is available in various colors and patterns. They are considered extremely observant of their surroundings, always ready for anything, and delightful “dog personalities” in social settings.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog, imposing, very strong, and at the same time elegant. It has a short, dense, shiny coat that lies close to the body, accentuating its muscular, athletic build. The standard states: “It should be stocky, not long-legged, and not of light build.” Any color is acceptable, whether solid, brindle, or spotted. The standard for the American Staffordshire Terrier pleasantly contrasts with the standards of many other dog breeds, which dissect permissible coat details or skin wrinkles. This is one of the few standards that consistently prioritize a healthy dog. The “1st Club of American Staffordshire Terriers” emphasizes:

We place primary importance on performance and health. Beauty is considered desirable but secondary. Our duty is the correct interpretation of the standard, free from crippling regulations. Muscular, dry dogs with appropriately long bones, endurance, and speed are our breeding goal. We categorically reject over-fed, low, sponge-like “monsters” with excessively heavy weights. We consider mental ability even more important. Strong nerves and an impeccable character are absolute requirements.

The American Staffordshire Terrier stands between 43 to 48 cm and weighs between 20 to 30 kg.

Due to the fact that the American Staffordshire Terrier is bred for physical fitness and temperament rather than appearance, it has a robust physique in old age and a relatively long expected lifespan of around 12 years.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The head of the American Staffordshire Terrier is broad and powerful, with well-defined lines and muscular cheeks. The skull is wide and slightly rounded, giving the dog an impressive appearance. The forehead is wide, and the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smooth. This gives the terrier a confident expression that matches its strong character.

Морда

The Staffordshire Terrier has a short, square muzzle with well-developed jaws. The profile of the muzzle is straight, giving it a visually powerful appearance. The jaws are strong and sturdy, allowing the dog to confidently grasp and hold onto objects. This muzzle shape is essential for effectively carrying out various tasks, including guarding.

Уши

The ears of an American Staffordshire Terrier can be either cropped or left natural. When cropped, the ears are short and stand upright, while in their natural form, they may be semi-erect or floppy. The medium-sized, high-set ears help the dogs pick up sounds and draw attention to their expressive faces.

Глаза

The eyes of the American Staffordshire Terrier are medium-sized, round, and bright, with an attentive and intelligent look. Eye color can vary, but they are most often dark. The placement of the eyes contributes to an expression of strength and intelligence, making the dog more appealing.

Зубы

The Staffordshire Terrier has strong and healthy teeth, with a correct bite. The jaws are powerful, allowing them to hold objects effectively. Healthy teeth are important for proper nutrition and the overall health of the dog.

Корпус

The body of the American Staffordshire Terrier is powerful and muscular, with a broad chest. The back is straight and strong, providing the dog with good stability and strength. These dogs have a compact body, which helps them demonstrate high activity and endurance.

Конечности

The Staffordshire Terrier has strong and muscular limbs with well-developed muscles. The front and hind legs are straight, providing stability and balance. The paws are round with sturdy pads, allowing them to move confidently on various surfaces.

Хвост

The tail of an American Staffordshire Terrier is of medium length, with a thick base that tapers towards the tip. The tail is usually held level with the back and may rise when the dog is excited. It serves as an important means of communication and helps maintain balance.

Шерсть

The Staffordshire Terrier has short, dense, and smooth fur. It possesses water-repellent properties and is easy to care for. The coat comes in various colors, including black, white, red, brindle, and their combinations, giving each individual of the breed a unique appearance.

Окрас

The color of the American Staffordshire Terrier can vary and includes solid, brindle, and spotted options. Popular colors are black, brown, red, and white. The variety of colors makes Staffordshire Terriers unique and appealing.

Character

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a wonderful family companion, loving, loyal, and gentle with everyone. They even treat strangers with a certain politeness. It is important to supervise American Staffordshire Terriers, just like other large breeds, when they are around children. Overall, these dogs are smart and friendly toward other pets. They enjoy playing in the park with their dog friends when they are off-leash. However, they also need to socialize with other members of their breed early in life to prevent future aggression.

American Staffordshire Terriers are quiet dogs. They are very attentive and intelligent. They are strong, courageous, and possess great power, yet they are also affectionate, devoted, and gentle with their owners. They do not exhibit hostility toward strangers; rather, they are good-natured and have a high threshold for irritants. These dogs are difficult to provoke into anger. Like the English Bulldog and other breeds previously used in fighting arenas, these dogs were bred for a particularly high level of controllability.

Moreover, these dogs were used in reputable breeding for many generations solely as family pets. They were cared for as domestic animals, but unfortunately, this did not protect them from abusers. Particularly in the 1990s, questionable breeders and owners misused and crossbred American Staffordshire Terriers, turning them into aggressive “tools.” However, politicians who merely watched and tolerated this began to discriminate against them in 2000 without reasonable justification. Like other breeds, American Staffordshire Terriers can also become aggressive over generations if not properly socialized and left in the hands of unscrupulous owners.

For them, this is not a sign of being a criminal, but rather a victim of an unfavorable situation. These dogs are well-bred and make excellent family pets and attentive friends for children.

Care and Maintenance

Caring for the American Staffordshire Terrier does not require much effort. This breed has short hair with a fine coat of about one and a half centimeters in length, and they shed very little. Weekly brushing with a rubber glove or special grooming tools will help manage shedding and keep your pet looking great. To maintain the health of the coat, you can either trim it with special clippers or use a cleanup method-this is a process where thinning hair is shortened with a sharp tool, like a comb. It is best to use both grooming methods for the best results.

To avoid nail problems, they need to be trimmed twice a month. It is also recommended to check the terrier’s ears weekly for any redness or unpleasant odor, which may indicate an infection.

The American Staffordshire Terrier should be given 3-4 cups of quality food a day, divided into two meals. If your pet is very active and engaged in physical exercise, the amount of food should be increased. However, remember that feeding should always be accompanied by fresh, clean water. Unlike other breeds, there are no specific dietary requirements for the American Staffordshire Terrier. However, a proper diet is a great way to maintain the health and shine of their coat. Like many other dogs, they sometimes enjoy snacking on a meaty beef bone.

Training and Education

The American Staffordshire Terrier is known for its ease of training. It is not just a dog that takes a few laps around the block; it is always looking for opportunities for mental and physical activity. Early on, it is essential to establish a relationship to show who is in charge at home. This needs to be clear and without doubt. Amstaffs are vibrant and cheerful companions who love outdoor walks. They are an excellent choice for enthusiasts of all types of dog sports as well as for rescue operations. They also make great guardians. Staffordshire Terriers are often included on lists of dangerous dogs. Travel to the Netherlands or Denmark is prohibited due to the risk of confiscation and euthanasia. When out, one must be prepared for crowds of people drawn in by your dog. Unfortunately, this becomes impossible in Central Europe. But Staffordshire Terriers are worth it. Puppies need constant training. This means that training a physically strong yet sensitive and intelligent dog requires a deep trust-based relationship between the owner and the dog. The dog wants to be guided by its owner and seeks close contact. It is crucial to maintain a f
American Staffordshire Terriers are strong and active dogs that need regular physical exercise. To keep them in great shape, daily outdoor training is necessary along with mental development through play. American Staffordshire Terriers love to play with a ball and run long distances. These dogs are very intelligent and always strive to please their owners, making them very receptive to training, but their intelligence requires mental stimulation. Therefore, it is important to maintain a positive attitude to motivate them further.

American Staffordshire Terriers are suitable for virtually any activity that can be done together with a dog.

How to Choose a Puppy

If you wish to get an American Staffordshire Terrier, you should keep in mind that it is classified as a restricted breed. Your entire lifestyle must adapt to the accompanying limitations imposed by the government and society. You should seek a breeder associated with one of the three VDH clubs. Please buy only from these sources and avoid purchasing a puppy from dubious places. Many American Staffordshire Terriers and mixed breeds are available in shelters and through various emergency rescue organizations. Get advice here when choosing a dog. However, only with a purebred dog can you be confident that your Amstaff will also possess the character traits described here.

In Russia, there are not many kennels breeding purebred American Staffordshire Terriers. Pay attention to the largest and most reputable ones. Be sure to read reviews about the breeder. Currently, reliable information can be found on forums.

When choosing a puppy, observe the conditions in which the pups and their mother are kept. The overall appearance of the kennel should not be concerning to you. Carefully examine the entire litter and choose the largest and most active puppy. This is a guarantee of your dog’s well-being.

It is recommended to pick up the puppy from the kennel after it reaches 2-3 months of age. Make sure to check the initial vaccinations that the breeder should have administered. You should also receive the veterinary passport and registration documents for the puppy.

Health and Diseases

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a strong and active breed known for its high endurance. However, like any other breed, they may face certain health issues. Being informed about potential diseases and paying close attention to your dog’s health will help owners ensure a long and healthy life for their pet.

One of the most common problems in Staffordshire Terriers is hip dysplasia. This hereditary condition occurs when the joint develops improperly, potentially leading to arthritis and pain. Owners should closely monitor their dog’s activity and consult a veterinarian if they notice limping or reluctance to move.

Cardiovascular diseases can also pose a problem for this breed. Staffordshire Terriers are susceptible to heart diseases like cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can help identify and treat heart conditions in a timely manner.

Skin issues and allergies are also prevalent among Staffordshire Terriers. They may suffer from various allergies triggered by food, pollen, fleas, and other factors. Allergic reactions can manifest as itching, redness, and rashes. To prevent skin diseases, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of the skin and coat and to regularly check the dog for parasites.

American Staffordshire Terriers are also prone to eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. These diseases may develop with age and require veterinary intervention. Owners should be alert to any changes in their dog’s vision and consult a specialist at the first sign of issues.

It is important to monitor the dog’s weight, as excess weight can exacerbate many health problems, including joint disorders and cardiovascular issues. Providing a balanced diet and regular physical activity will help maintain your pet’s optimal weight and health.The health of an American Staffordshire Terrier can be supported through regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care measures. It is also recommended to conduct annual tests for hereditary diseases to identify potential problems at an early stage.With proper care and attention to health, an American Staffordshire Terrier can become a loyal friend and family member. With early detection and treatment of health issues, these dogs can bring joy to their owners for many years, remaining active and happy. Take care of your pet, and it will respond with love and loyalty.