American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff) - description of the breed

Description of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed

Popularity 186th place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Breed group:

Fighting

Height:

males: 46-48 cm, females: 43-46 cm

Country of origin:

USA

Average price:

15-20 thousand rubles

Weight:

males: 25-30 kg, females: 22-25 kg
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Key facts

Despite the fact that the official name of the breed comes from the English county of Staffordshire, the United States is recognized as the country of origin. The abbreviated name for the American Staffordshire Terrier is Amstaff or Staff Terrier.

The lifespan of the American Staffordshire Terrier is at least 10 years and depends on maintenance and care.

A brief description of the American Staff Terrier breed is as follows: they are agile and strong animals, distinguished by amazing intelligence. Females are always smaller than males, but their appearance is no less impressive with 22-25 kg of weight and 43-46 cm of height at the withers.

The main characteristic of the Amstaff breed is its contradictory character, which has 2 sides of the coin and is determined by the chosen training method.

History of the origin of the American Staffordshire Terrier

The country of origin of the breed is the USA, which transformed the Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier originally from England. In the 19th century, the British, who emigrated to America, brought their fighting dogs to the New World. Bull Terriers absorbed the best qualities of strong Bulldogs and agile Terriers, which gave them an advantage in the ring.

The Michigan Kennel Club decided to improve the imported breed, softening the character of the animal. Not all citizens shared the love of dog fighting, noting the excessive cruelty of such entertainment. Pit bull terriers began to be taken for hunting and used as guards for farmlands and houses.

In 1936, through the efforts of American breeders, a new breed was created - the Staffordshire Terrier, which differs from the pit bull in its calmer behavior. Breeders were divided into 2 camps: some bred fighting pit bulls, while others continued to improve the exterior of the Staff Terrier. In the spring of 1971, the FCI recognized the new breed and registered it as the American Staffordshire Terrier. According to the accepted standard, the weight and height of the “Americans” exceeded those of the “English” by 5 kg and 8 cm.

Dogs arrived in Russia only at the end of the 20th century, but quickly gained popularity. With demand for unusual pets soaring, breeders have skimped on raising animals and neglected to monitor mental stability in an attempt to sell as many puppies as possible. For a long time, Staff Terriers retained the status of “killer dogs,” but responsible kennels and owners were able to defend the honor of the breed.

Appearance of the American Staff Terrier

General impression

Amstaffs are real athletes with a muscular body and well-developed bones, striking with their courage and excellent character.

The dog combines strength and agility. The photo of the American Staffordshire Terrier clearly shows that the stocky body is tightly built, but at the same time it makes an elegant impression.

Head

Staff Terriers have a voluminous and wide head of medium length with a flat, square-shaped skull. The stop is well defined, and the occipital protuberance is practically invisible. The length of the muzzle coincides with the length of the skull, and a clear relief can be seen on the cheek, chewing and parietal muscles. According to the standard, the description of the head includes:

• cropped or undocked rose-shaped ears;

• round dark eyes covered with pigmented eyelids;
• large black nose and well-opened nostrils;
• powerful and strong jaws with a scissor bite.

Individuals with flesh-colored lobes, light-colored eyes, an undershot, and a skewed lower jaw are discarded from breeding.

Neck

The head is set on a strong and muscular neck of medium length, evenly widening towards the withers. The skin in the neck area should not have folds or sagging.

Torso

Amstaffs have pronounced withers, long shoulder blades and well-developed muscles. The line of the back rises smoothly from a slightly rounded and sloping croup and reaches its maximum opposite the deep chest with rounded ribs.

Forelegs

The forelimbs are characterized by a parallel stance, elbows pressed to the body and round, arched paws.

Hind limbs

The muscles on the hind legs are more pronounced than on the front legs. The metatarsus is characterized by a moderate length.

Tail

Thoroughbred animals are distinguished by straight and short tails with a low rise and a smooth taper to the tip. When excited, the tail assumes a vertical position. Tail docking is not permitted.

Movement

In the video with Amstaffs you can watch their springy movements. Ambling is considered a vice for this breed. When moving, dogs should not pace or sway.

Wool

Short and coarse hairs create a thick coat that fits tightly to the body.

Color

In the pictures you can see many color options for the American Staffordshire Terrier: colored, solid, spotted. All are acceptable, but excessive amounts of white (more than 80%), liver, and black and tan are considered undesirable.

Breeders prefer animals with white and sable or black and white colors, and fanciers prefer animals with tricolor.

Size

It is clearly noticeable that females are smaller than males. The limiting height of an American Staff Terrier is considered to be 46 cm. For the weight of an Amstaff, the average norm is 25 kg. For males these are the minimum numbers, and for females these are the maximum. The standard clearly regulates the size of the American Staff Terrier.

Breed varieties

The Amstaff Terrier is not only a strong and strong dog, but also an elegant dog. She is brave and obedient if raised correctly.

There are several types of these animals:

• Proportional. This dog fully complies with all stated standards.
• Bulldog-shaped. In appearance it resembles a bulldog. They have a short neck and a body that looks like it has been carved with an axe. Their body weight exceeds 45 kg, so it is difficult for them to move a lot.
• Terrier. This is a fairly mobile and light dog, weighing no more than 30 kg. Her mouth is slightly elongated and her neck is long.

Important! For home keeping, it is preferable to choose puppies of proportional appearance. But they are very difficult to find, as they are very rare.

The breed standard is:

• The head is wide and voluminous. The skull is square with an unpronounced occipital protuberance and a sharp transition from the forehead.
• The ears are high and widely spaced. Most often they are docked.
• The eyes are small, widely spaced and round. The pupils are dark in color.
• Eyelids with colored pigmentation (no pink tint).
• The nose is large, with wide nostrils and a black lobe on top.
• The jaws are powerful, with a prominent scissor bite.
• The teeth are large and white.
• The neck is not too long, with strong muscles and thick, non-sagging skin.
• The withers are muscular, smoothly transitioning to a short and straight back.
• The chest is prominent, with a clearly visible line of ribs.
• The tail is set low and short. It is slightly narrowed towards the tip. When alarmed, the animal raises it.
• The coat is short but thick. In a healthy dog ​​it is hard and shiny.
• The limbs are straight and muscular. The front ones are widely spaced, their size is slightly larger than the rear ones.

Despite their power, the staffs move springily. If a dog ambles, then this is a breed defect.

The color can be jet black, white, blue, brindle, fawn and “boar”. According to the FCI requirements, solid colors are acceptable, but white should not cover more than 80 percent of the animal's body.

Character of the American Staff Terrier

Amstaffs are intelligent and loyal animals with a very unusual character. Due to the low threshold of irritability, calmness is instantly replaced by aggression, so you have to work with this feature from childhood. With insufficient socialization, dogs can attack suspicious strangers and other animals who dare to encroach on their territory.

Timely training allows you to train Staff Terriers to be excellent nannies. They get along well with children, forgive them for pranks and willingly participate in joint fun. With such a pet, the owners are always protected. The dog is ready to fight for its family members to the last.

Living with an Amstaff requires following certain rules. If you are planning to have such a pet, then you should have the appropriate amount of knowledge behind you. Inexperienced owners will find the breed too tough. The obedient nature of the American Staffordshire Terrier is achievable, but you need to prove your authority. Otherwise, the Staff Terrier will begin to twist ropes out of its owner, and its behavior will become destructive.

“Americans” have a very developed intuition, which helps to identify an ill-wisher before committing a criminal act. Left alone at home, they will definitely protect the entrusted property from encroachers. When danger is detected, Amstaffs do not warn their opponent by barking or growling. They immediately rush to the target of the threat, leaving no chance for retreat.

With Amstaff you can live in a small apartment. He does not take up much space and feels more confident next to his owner. Keeping it outdoors in an enclosure on a chain is unacceptable and has a negative impact on the animal’s psyche.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like representatives of other breeds, Amstaffs have advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of these dogs include:

• intelligence and intelligence;
• ability to learn;
• strength and endurance;
• courage;
• willingness to defend the owner;
• easy care;
• absence of an unpleasant specific odor;
• ability to get along with children;
• obedience;
• detective ability;
• rare barking.

Cons of amstaffs:

• stubbornness;
• desire to dominate;
• intolerance of loneliness;
• the need for early socialization and proper education.

IMPORTANT!

In addition, in certain situations, the unquestioning obedience of Amstaffs can also become a disadvantage - without distinguishing between good and bad, the dog carries out any commands of the owner, without evaluating them from a moral point of view.

Education and training

The upbringing and training of the American Staff Terrier begins from the first days of its appearance in the house. You will have to deal with the prejudices of people who have heard about “killer dogs” every day. Living with an “American” involves a significant amount of responsibility. Depending on how it is raised, an animal can become loyal and good-natured – or aggressive and dangerous.

Staff Terriers have high intelligence, so they quickly remember commands and easily perform even the most complex exercises. The main thing is to gain the respect and trust of your pet. Don't let him dominate, but don't dominate yourself either. Relationships must be partnerships. Never betray your dog or go back on your words. If the amstaff is given prohibitions, then they must be observed always and everywhere. Any relaxation is fraught with further disobedience.

Organize outdoor training from puppyhood. Socialization of a puppy is carried out through meeting other animals. Start communicating with dogs you already know who have a gentle character. The puppy should not be afraid of them, since fear and aggression are not far from each other. Staff Terriers remember their offenders for a long time and can transfer their hatred not to a specific animal, but to the entire breed.

During street training, do not enter into arguments with passers-by who speak unflatteringly about your pet. Speaking in a raised voice can be perceived as a threat to the owner. In this case, the amstaff will not think about whether the problem can be resolved peacefully, but will immediately attack the offender. Be calm and be sure to walk your dog on a leash and muzzle. A well-mannered pet shows strength only in cases of extreme necessity and with a direct command from the owner.

If you have difficulties with education, sign up for classes at a kennel club. The dog trainer will explain in detail how to teach a dog to obey its owner and how to wean the pet from performing unwanted actions. In group or individual lessons you can learn how to raise an Amstaff depending on its age. The best results come from paired exercises, where the pet works together with its owner.

American Staff Terrier Health and Diseases

The breed has strong immunity, but is predisposed to some diseases transmitted at the genetic level.

Possible diseases

Due to their large size, dogs often suffer from hip dysplasia. This disease can be inherited or be a consequence of obesity. For prevention purposes, do not overfeed your pet and monitor its physical activity. Before purchasing, be sure to ask the breeder about the health of the puppy’s parents. Severe development of the disease increases the risk of dysplasia in the acquired pet.

Amstaffs have a capricious stomach, so they often suffer from intestinal disorders. If your stool is abnormal, contact your veterinarian immediately. In addition to drug treatment, the doctor will recommend a special line of dry food that restores stomach function.

With natural feeding, dogs often develop allergies to the products offered, so here too it is better to choose high-quality hypoallergenic food. If changing food does not help get rid of itching, hair loss, redness and tearing of the eyes, then you will have to undergo a special test to identify the specific type of allergen.

Some animals may suffer from eye diseases such as cataracts or retinal atrophy. A timely visit to the veterinarian for preventive purposes (at least 2 times a year) will help to avoid these pathologies. In addition to examinations, be sure to treat your dog for parasites and follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian.

Reproductive health

The first heat in females occurs at 9-12 months, but a dog can be bred no earlier than 20 months. Final maturation takes a long time, so giving birth too early can traumatize the animal’s psyche or harm the health of future offspring. Males can be bred strictly after 1 year.

Pregnancy lasts 57-65 days. After this time, at least 4 puppies are born. Sometimes 15 puppies can be born in a litter. Not everyone can cope with so many pets, so carefully consider all possible nuances. If breeding is not a priority, then take the dog for sterilization. Surgical intervention reduces the risk of developing cancer and diseases of the reproductive system.

Features of feeding and diet

Before purchasing, check with the breeder what to feed the puppy for the first time. The delicate digestive system reacts negatively to any changes, so the introduction of new products or a complete change of diet is carried out gradually.

The calorie content of meals should depend on the age of the dog. A young body requires more energy and vitamins to form the muscular skeleton, bone and joint tissues. The diet of older animals should be lower in calories, since metabolism decreases with age.

Ask your veterinarian what food to feed your pet if he has a food allergy. Highly allergenic foods include fish, corn and soy. Plant components are often included in cheap feeds, so such feeding is not recommended.

Natural nutrition should be accompanied by the use of vitamin and mineral complexes, since not all elements can be obtained from foods. Acceptable standards are agreed with the veterinarian, since a lack or excess of vitamins negatively affects the health of the animal.

The first complementary foods are given already 5-10 days after birth. Month-old puppies are fed milk, semolina porridge, soup with meat broth and ground pieces of meat. From 2 months, cartilage and boiled non-tubular bones are added to the diet. The proposed bones should be soft, since the rough structure harms the teeth and provokes the development of pulpitis.

How and what to feed?

Representatives of this breed can be fed with both natural products and industrial feed. The best option is alternating, but not mixing, two types of feeding.

If the owner chooses natural food, the pet’s diet must include:

• lean meat as the main source of protein;
• sea ​​fish;
• offal;
• dairy products;
• eggs;
• vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• cereals

The list of foods prohibited for representatives of this breed includes:

• potato;
• legumes;
• oat groats;
• fat meat;
• pickles, smoked meats;
• spices, marinades;
• fried food;
• leftovers from the common table;
• bones.

NOTE!

Amstaffs are prone to obesity, so it is necessary to follow a feeding regime and control the amount of food your pet consumes.

When choosing industrial feeds, you should give preference to products that are at least premium class. It is important that the food matches the age, health and physiological state of the dog.

The most suitable foods for Amstaffs are Purina Perfa, Hill's Adult Large Breed Regular, Bosch Adult Maxi, Brit Premium Adult L, Monge Dog Maxi Adult.

Care and maintenance

Keeping and caring for Staff Terriers is not complete without a daily walk. Active outdoor activities are very important for the breed to maintain physical fitness. With low loads, the animal’s weight increases and joint problems worsen. Try to walk for at least 2 hours twice a day. With a flexible work schedule, the number of walks can be increased up to 3 times. Try to take your pet to nature, where he can be given free range.

Caring for an Amstaff is very simple, since the dog is not a long-haired breed. Seasonal shedding involves more frequent brushing, and its duration depends on air humidity. The drier the air, the longer the dog sheds. The coat should be combed 1-2 times a week with a special massage brush, which removes dead hair and does not injure the coat. In addition to brushing, don't forget:

1. Wash your dog whenever it gets dirty. Frequent washing removes the natural fat layer, peels the skin and leads to dermatoses. Bathe your entire pet no more than 2 times a year. The rest of the time, it is enough to wash your paws and wipe the skin with a damp towel.
2. Check the condition of your eyes and ears. Amstaffs are no strangers to ophthalmic diseases, so clean your eyes daily with a cotton swab dipped in chamomile. Plain water is suitable for cleaning your ears. The main thing is not to use cotton wool or cotton swabs. The first instrument can injure the mucous membrane of the eye, and the second one can injure the eardrum.
3. Clean your teeth with a special dog toothpaste. Oral diseases cause serious complications on internal organs, so do not allow the development of caries or pulpitis.

Staff Terriers do not need special haircuts, so you can save on visiting a grooming salon. It is also better to trim the claws on your own, since the dog is ready to endure such an unpleasant procedure only at the hands of the owner. If you are afraid of injuring your pet, ask your veterinarian for help. The doctor will show you how to care for the claws without harming the animal’s health. After a short training, repeating the procedure at home will be quite simple.

Feeding recommendations

By observing proper feeding of the animal, you can ensure its healthy condition for many years. Ready-made industrial diets allow the dog’s body to receive all the necessary nutrients and energy. To feed dogs of medium breeds, which include the Amstaff, it is recommended to use balanced diets developed for this breed group, for example, dry complete food for adult dogs of medium breeds Purina® PRO PLAN® Medium Adult with the OPTIBALANCE® complex. If the dog is athletic or working and carries increased physical and information loads, actively walks or trains for more than 3-4 hours a day, then it is better to use a complete dry food with a high calorie content for feeding - Purina® PRO PLAN® All Sizes Adult Performance with OPTIPOWER® complex for active and working adult dogs of all breeds.

Tips for choosing a puppy

It is safer to make a safe purchase from a large, licensed nursery with good reviews. Don't be tempted by the low prices offered by sellers at the bird market. Saving is fraught with the purchase of a sick or outbred animal with destructive behavior. It is impossible to retrain such a dog.

Before purchasing, request detailed advice from the nursery staff. The staff should familiarize the buyer with all the nuances of the breed and show possible options for future pets. Before making a choice, carefully study:

1. Proposed documents. Cost and other important points must be taken into account in the contract. Along with the puppy, the new owner is given a veterinary passport that records the vaccinations given, a pedigree and a puppy card.
2. Appearance of four-legged pupils. American Staffordshire Terrier puppies should have clear skin, velor coat, clean ears and eyes. Animals with a distended belly should be isolated from others.
3. Parental behavior. Adult animals should boldly make contact with strangers. Cowardice or aggression are unacceptable.

Breeders advise taking a closer look at future pets in advance. At 1 month, conformity with the exterior becomes more noticeable, and the puppy can be conditionally assigned to a certain class. If at this age any deviations from the standard are noted, then it will not be possible to correct them in the future.

Up to 8 months, light-colored puppies are allowed to have blue eyes and slight pigmentation of the eyelids, nose and lips. This is why buying a dog with white fur involves greater risk.

How to choose a puppy

If a person needs a pet for exhibition events, then the standard characteristics of the puppy must be taken into account. Pedigree is important for further breeding. In this situation, it is not advisable to buy a puppy from a female who has given birth for the first time.

Amstaffs are excellent guards. If the dog is needed for protection, then it is important that the puppy’s parents have a stable psyche.

It is recommended to buy a baby at the age of 1.5-2.5 months. You need to approach raising a puppy correctly so that the pet is not dangerous to people.

General rules when choosing:

• Choose a puppy with a stable psyche;
• With good genetics;
• Purebred and healthy;
• From a reliable, trusted breeder.

How much does an American Staff Terrier cost?

When determining how much a puppy costs, the seller takes into account all the costs incurred (sterilization, vaccinations, feeding the puppies) and the prestige of the established class. The price of an American Staff Terrier starts from 12 thousand rubles. For this money you can buy a pet-class representative with some deviations from the established standard.

The cost of breed-class dogs ranges from 18 to 25 thousand rubles and allows you to breed the breed. The maximum price is typical for representatives of the show class - future winners of exhibitions or sporting competitions. For such a handsome man you will have to pay at least 25 thousand rubles - or even more.

Nurseries always advise choosing a future pet based on its future fate. You should not deprive an animal with an exceptional exterior of its well-deserved fame if participation in exhibitions seems too boring and difficult. Most owners buy pets for the soul, and in this case the pet category is the most reasonable choice.

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How much do they cost and where to buy

Staffordshire Terriers are a breed that should never be bought second-hand. The fact is that mental stability is an acquired quality, so blood purity has not only status significance. Private owners can sell a cross between a fighting breed and instead of a calm dog, the buyer will receive an uncontrollable animal. Average price for pet-class puppies: 12,000-25,000 rubles. Show-class dogs are much more expensive: from 48,000 rubles.

The Staffordshire Terrier is a very popular breed in Russia, so finding a suitable kennel will not be difficult. Officially registered nurseries include:

• Imperial Giant Chance (Moscow);
• Golden Guardian Angel (Sverdlovsk region);
• Hyde Jewel's (Kaluga);
• Legend Revival (Batyushkovo, Moscow region).

Popular nicknames for boys: Agar, Ajax, Buyan, Viking, Wulf, Le Havre, Ganges, Hephaestus, Mary, Euphrates, Zagreus, Zeus, Kai, March, Orpheus, Aeneas, Yamal. Nicknames for girls: Storm, Bianca, Rhea, Runa, Germanika, Berda, Valma.