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American Staffordshire Terrier

Thinking about purchasing an American Staffordshire Terrier? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the American Staffordshire Terrier breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis.

Fundamental requirements for a being a good American Staffordshire Terrier owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the American Staffordshire Terrier and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an American Staffordshire Terrier Breeder:

When were your American Staffordshire Terriers born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new American Staffordshire Terrier, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new American Staffordshire Terrier and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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American Staffordshire Terrier Breed Profile

The American Staffordshire Terriers are much like The American Pit Bull Terrier. They are medium-sized, compact, stocky, and muscular. They have a broad skull, medium-length muzzle, and a strong jaw - needed for their job as a guardian. American Staffordshire Terriers have broad, deep chests and muscular hindquarters. They are stoic and reliable. Powerful looking with a protective instinct, they will make strangers beware. Yet with their own family they are devoted, gentle and loving. American Staffordshire Terriers should never be confused with the Pit Bull Terrier. They are courageous and a tenacious fighter if provoked. Training can be a challenge because of their pushy yet sensitive character. Their natural temperament towards people is gentle and loving, unfortunately some have been improperly handled, giving the American Staffordshire Terrier a bad reputation.

Other Names: Am Staff Terrier

Type: Terrier

Height: 17 - 19 inches.
Weight: 40 - 79 lbs.

Colors: All colors, except no more then 80% white. Liver and black/tan is not encouraged. They can be solid, parti-colored, or patched.
Coat: Smooth, short, dense and stiff.

Temperament: American Staffordshire Terriers are gentle, friendly, stoic, courageous, intelligent, determined, tough, and devoted. The American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are so devoted to their family and friends that they would lay down their life to protect them. They get along well with children, but do not do so well with other pets. They can be aggressive with dogs of the same sex, and will try to hunt any other animals. The AmStaffTer does get along with dogs of a different sex, however. They are reliable, affectionate, and a high pain tolerance. They are naturally only aggressive toward other animals and not humans, as they were bred to be. They were bred to be used to being handled or grabbed by their owners in even the most fierce of fights.
With Children: Yes, if raised with as a puppy.
With Pets: Has a high prey drive and may be aggressive to cats, rabbits and other household pets, even more aggressive towards other dog of the same sex.
Special Skills: Watchdog and family pet.

Watch-dog: Medium, the American Staffordshire Terrier does not always bark at an intruder and combined with fearlessness they will not always warn their owners.
Guard-dog: Very High

American Staffordshire Terrier Care and Training: Minimal grooming of the American Staffordshire Terrier coat. Dry shampoo or bathe only when necessary. Rubbing their coat will make it gleam. Regular daily exercise is necessary. Special training is needed because of their nature. Quick to learn but needs an assertive regiment.
Special Needs: Exercise, fenced yard, leashed, socialization, and training.
Learning Rate: High, Obedience - Low, Problem Solving - Low

Activity: High
Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard or kennel is essential. The American Staffordshire Terrier is not a breed for the placate or the overbearing personalities. American Staffordshire Terriers adapts well to both urban and country living. The best owner is an active, experienced family or individual.

American Staffordshire Terrier Health Issues: Prone to hives caused by stress or insect bites, cerebellar ataxia - an undefined problem in the part of the brain that controls coordination, PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy) - gradual deterioration of the retina beginning with night blindness and eventually total blindness, allergies, cancer, heart problems, socialization issues, training and hip dysplasia, thyroid problems

Life Span: 10 - 12 years
Litter Size: 5 - 10

Country of Origin: USA
American Staffordshire Terrier History: The American Staffordshire Terrier was recently recognized (1936) as a distinct breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier and has been bred separate from them for the past 60 years. The American Staffordshire Terrier descends from the fighting pits of England and America. A variety of breeds were used to develop the "Amstaff" including the Bull Terrier, the Old English White Terrier, the Black and Tan, the Bulldog, the Mastiff, the Pointer, the Dalmatian and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Their name was changed from the Staffordshire Terrier to the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972 to differentiate them from AKC's newly recognized Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Since their days in the pits, avid AmStaff owners have been trying to promote other characteristics of this breed. For example the American Staffordshire served the United States during WWI, with one named "Stubby" becoming the most decorated war dog and earning the rank of sergeant. In "The Little Rascals" the kids had an American Staffordshire Terrier they called "Pete". Even with their fighting background these dogs can be amazingly gentle and patient with children and adults alike. But American Staffordshire Terriers can be potentially lethal with other dog and animals.

First Registered by the AKC: 1936
AKC Group: Terrier
Class: Terrier
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 3), KC (GB), UKC