American Staffordshire Terrier

!±8± American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a really strong dog. The whole look of the American Staffordshire terrier is of power. It is a very muscular dog and agile. They are bigger in the bone structure, head and weight than their cousins the American Pit Bull Terrier. The muzzle is in proportion to the head and is medium in length, with rounded sides and have good closed lips. The jaws are very strong; their teeth should be able to do a scissor bite. Their eyes are lower down their face and are dark in colour and round. Their ears are high and if cropped are pointy, but un-cropped is preferred, and can hold half pricked. They are broad dogs and are chunky. Their coat is all colours and can be solid colour or patched. It is not desirable to have a dog that is more than 80% white. Their coat is thick, short and glossy. Its tail can be docked but if not then it should be short and taper to a point. It has a wide gate and sturdy legs that are in proportion to the body. This dog lives to about 15 years.

History: The American Staffordshire Terrier dog's history started back in England in the region of Staffordshire. Here they crossed the bulldog with a mix of Terriers to produce the muscular dog we see today. In America the breeders change it slightly to be heaver with a more powerful head. This breed is bigger than its English cousins. It has been used over time as a fighting dog but with the ban in the 1900s two types where bred called, the show dog the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the fighting dog the American Pit Bull Terrier. These are now being seen as two breeds rather than the one breed. The American Staffordshire are now watchdogs, guard dogs and agility dogs. These dogs need firm consistent training to get them to see that you are the leader, this goes for all family members, as you must seem high in the pack order for this dog for you to have a happy and successful relationship.

Temperament. The American Staffordshire Terrier is outgoing happy and stable, they are intelligent and confident dogs excellent in nature and very good with children and adults alike. Although they are strong and powerful dogs they are normally trustworthy with children, although due to their strength and build they could accidentally knocked over small children. They are highly protective of their master and their home, again due to their overall appearance this makes them an excellent guard dog.

Health issues: The American Staffordshire Terrier are known to have hip dysplasia. Heart murmurs and congenital heart disease, skin allergies, tumours', hereditary cataracts all so thyroid problems.

Grooming: The American Staffordshire Terrier dog breed is fairly easy to keep tidy. It needs brushing with a firm bristle brush weekly. It sheds normally and can be bathed as needed. A good rub down with a rubber brush adds shine to the coat. There are oils available to add shine to the dog as well.

Living conditions: The American Staffordshire Terrier breed likes warm weather but not hot. It can live in a garden or a house. It will be OK to have in an apartment, but you will have to pay attention to giving this breed good exercises. This dog needs long daily walks, and it needs to know that you are the leader or it can become hard to handle.