Amstaff or American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also referred to as the Amstaff, is a popular choice for furry friends because of its charm and loyalty. These dogs are among the most loyal out there, with a robust physique and an energetic personality. They are great companions because of their loving disposition, and they enjoy being around people. It’s crucial to recognize what makes them special if you’re thinking about bringing one into your family.

Amstaffs were originally bred for strength and agility, and their rich heritage shapes the people they are today. Originally bred for bull-baiting, they have evolved into cherished family companions over time. They are excellent with children due to their protective nature and amiable disposition, but in order to ensure that they grow up to be well-rounded adults, they also need to receive the right training and socialization.

We’ll delve into the characteristics of the Amstaff in this post, looking at their temperament, exercise requirements, and care needs. Whether you’ve always loved dogs or are a first-time owner, you’ll discover insightful information that can assist you in determining whether this breed is a good fit for your household. Prepare to discover more about these incredible canines and the care required to maintain their happiness and well-being!

Feature	Details
Breed Name	American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff)
Size	Medium, typically 40-70 pounds
Temperament	Affectionate, loyal, and protective
Exercise Needs	High; needs daily walks and playtime
Trainability	Smart and eager to please, responds well to training
Good with Kids	Generally good, but supervision is recommended
Health Concerns	Hip dysplasia, skin issues, heart problems
Life Expectancy	10-15 years

Breed characteristics

Brief description
Origin:	USA
Keeping conditions:	In an apartment, private house
Purpose:	Service dogs
Color:	Black, combination of white and black, blue, brindle
Coat length:	Short
Adult dog size:	Height of females – 44-46 cm, males – 46-48 cm, weight of males – 35-40 kg, females – 25-32 kg
Average life expectancy:	12-15 years
Walking:	2-4 times a day
Need for physical activity:	Average (walks from 1.5 to 3 hours a day)
Classification of the International Cynological Federation (FCI):	Group 3: Terriers, Section 3: Bull – Terrier type
Puppy cost:	$200-1300 (depending on class)

History of the origin of the Staffordshire Terrier

When a bulldog and a terrier were brought to America in the 70s of the 19th century, they crossed to create the American Staffordshire Terrier. Dog fights at the time featured strong, tenacious canines as participants. The American Club recognized the Staffordshire Terrier as a breed that was developed in the 1930s by breeders.

Cynologists’ primary objective when breeding was to produce companion dogs rather than aggressive canines.

The breed was given a residual name in the 1970s. A global standard was later established, enabling Amstaffs to take part in exhibitions.

Distinctive features

• Appearance: massive, embossed and agile dog.
• Figure: dense, strong.
• Head: large, noticeable transition from forehead to muzzle. Skull is square, almost flat between the ears. Skin is elastic, without wrinkles. Forehead slightly protrudes.
• Muzzle: corresponds to the length of the skull. Back of the nose is round, wide.
• Nose: black, nostrils are wide open.
• Jaws and teeth: powerful and large. Scissor-shaped bite.
• Eyes: large, round, dark, deep-set.
• Ears: located high.
• Neck: in length medium, slightly curved.
• Shoulders: Muscular. The blades are wide, placed obliquely.
• Breast: Big, deep with pronounced and massive ribs.
• Back: wide, short, straight, powerful.
• Front limbs: placed widely, straight, strong.
• Hind limbs: Muscular and straight.
• Paws: medium size.
• Tail: medium, straight, is located low, by the end it is already becoming.
• Wool: Rough to the touch, tightly planted in the skin.

Photo of an adult dog

Photo of puppies

Features of character and behavior

The breed’s tendency toward aggression was eliminated by the breeders. There is no ferocity in modern amstaffs.

This breed of dog is distinguished by the following traits:

• Attentiveness (noticed in what mood the owner);
• Sociability – love to be in the society of adults, children;
• Calm and balance;
• Love for active games and energy;
• Intelligence;

The primary characteristics of this breed are bravery, perseverance, loyalty, and curiosity about life.

The behavior and strictness of their owner greatly influence the character of their American Staffordshire Terrier, as they are a versatile breed. People with a weak character should not own such a dog. The dog might be observant and fail to recognize the owner if they don’t have a strong stance. The pet will obey the orders of someone who is strong, persistent, and patient.

Kids adore Staffordshire Terriers. These dogs will gladly jog or ride a bike. It is harmful to them when people ignore them.

Advantages

Among the breed’s benefits are:

• Intelligence and intelligence – raising them is fun;
• Courage;
• Ease of care;
• Muscular build;
• No unpleasant odor;
• Friendliness;
• Hard work and endurance;
• Quite obedient;
• Detective skills;
• Barks only when there is a real reason for it.

People are not attacked by amstaffs. They must be trained to guard since they are incapable of doing so from birth. Members of the breed possess exceptional perception skills to identify potential threats. capable of finding old blood traces, working as detectives, and securing a home or piece of property.

Disadvantages

The following are some of the breed’s drawbacks:

• Have a strong character, not suitable for people with an unstable psyche;
• Unconditional obedience in some cases can be dangerous, since the dog does not distinguish good behavior from bad and follows all commands;
• Manifested sense of its importance – the animal from the very beginning must know its role.

Care and maintenance

1. Washing the Amstaff should be no more than once every 2 months with dog shampoo or soap. After washing, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe the coat with a soft towel.
2. In the cold season, you can not wash the dog, it is enough to occasionally sprinkle it with snow and then comb it with a hard comb. Afterwards the fur is easily wiped off.
3. Ears need to be cleaned as they get dirty with a cotton pad soaked in boiled water or antiseptic. Eyes also need to be wiped with a cotton pad.
4. Anal gland care is a must. Excess secretion in them can provoke inflammation. Cleaning can be done by a veterinarian or the owner himself. To do it correctly, you need to watch how this procedure is performed by a specialist.

Amstaff requires regular exercise. They are crucial for mental health as well as physical health. The dog learns how to socialize with strangers (people and fellows) when it walks through crowded areas.

Nutritione

Although members of the breed have distinct taste preferences, they are not fussy eaters:

• Dogs like offal, but they need to be boiled well, having cut not small pieces in advance.
• You can feed liver, lamb, veal, chicken.
• To maintain the shape of the dog, it is necessary to give boiled fish, cleaned of bones and thoroughly stewed for softness.
• An adult dog should be fed 2 times a day.

A bowl of fresh water that is at room temperature ought to be there at all times.

Dogs

• Fermented milk products containing calcium are good for puppies.

Suitable cereals: buckwheat, corn, oatmeal, wheat.

A puppy aged up to 3 months should be fed 4-5 times a day, 4 to 8 – 3 times after a walk.

The older the puppy gets, the larger its portions become, and their number decreases.

Investing in a feeding stand is worthwhile. As the dog gets older, it is positioned higher so that it won’t have to stoop. These dogs can eat dry food, but you must be mindful of its ingredients. It ought to be a high-quality product with a nutritionally balanced diet. Dry food should be used as a supplement to a diet, not as its main source.

Health

• A healthy Amstaff is energetic, has a wet nose, clear eyes and a good appetite.
• The animal has no repulsive odor, the intestines and bladder are emptied systematically.

A sick dog has poor appetite, stops playing, and won’t go for walks. Unreasonable behavioral changes in the dog should prompt a visit to the veterinarian.

Vaccinations

1. The first vaccination of a puppy is carried out at the age of 2 months from plague, hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis, parainfluenza and leptospirosis.
2. The second at 3 months from the same diseases.
3. The third at the age of 6 months from the same diseases and rabies.

Dogs are dewormed prior to vaccination. It is permissible to use vaccinations to prevent either a single disease or a complex agent.

Each year, vaccinations are administered. They shield dogs against rabies, leptospirosis, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis, and the plague of carnivores. Vaccinations against parainfluenza, coronavirus, and adenovirus are frequently included in complex vaccination regimens.

Diseases

These conditions are common in American Staffordshire Terriers:

• hip dysplasia;
• arthrosis;
• arthritis;
• abdominal distension;
• obesity;
• retinal atrophy;
• entropion;
• cataract;
• vitreous hyperplasticity;
• cutaneous histiocytoma;
• solar dermatitis;
• mast cell tumor;
• skin cancer.

Walking

1. Dogs of this breed need energetic and regular walks.
2. It is important to walk the dog 1.5-3 hours every day, play with it, throw a stick or a ball.

A dog like this is perfect for athletes. It will gladly chase after its master.

Staffords enjoy engaging in combat. Although the dog won’t charge at everyone, it might not put up with particularly bothersome men. It must be trained how to appropriately handle disagreements in order to prevent fights with other dogs. The dog must wear a harness in crowded areas.

Coat care

Since the dog’s coat is short, special care is not required. It is sufficient to wash the pet as soon as it gets dirty and give it a periodic hard brush comb. You can use a suede cloth to wipe the coat occasionally to make it shine.

Mating

1. The female is ready for the first mating from 16 months, the male from 18. Females have cyclical sexual activity and depend on estrus. The interval between estrus in females is different: some estrus 2 times a year, others 1 time in 10 months or once a year. Their cyclicity can change with age.
2. Before the knitting female, the worms should be driven in two weeks to estrus, redeem it (in front of heat or in the first few days), get rid of skin parasites. The male needs to be walked and washed before this.
3. In most cases, the process takes place on the territory of the male, since he feels more confident in his home. The female must also be delicious so that she does not worry.
4. During the period of estrus, she should not freeze, located in drafts so that it does not catch a cold and not provoke inflammation of the uterus.
5. For the first mating, as a rule, Bring on the 11-13th day of estrus. But different females may have different days: some successfully mate on the 15-17th day, some on the 5-8th day.

It is advised to perform a control mating one day following the initial mating. Deworming should be done beforehand. Pregnancy typically lasts for 63 days. A young dog may have 10–14 puppies in a litter.

Key points in training

1. A dog should be trained by a strong person, with a firm life position and a lot of patience.
2. First, you need to find a common language with the dog. Puppies understand perfectly well what is wanted from them, but they can resist and not obey every time.
3. You cannot indulge them. It is recommended to start the training process from 2 months.
4. Amstaff needs to be rewarded and be moderately strict with him. Coercion is used carefully, physical punishment is unacceptable.
5. If the dog refuses to follow the command, then you should not raise your voice. It is better to just look into her eyes until obedience appears in her gaze.
6. Read about how to properly train a dog in the article:“Puppy training: effective methods from dog handlers, teach commands at home”.

For this breed, socialization is hugely important. On a walk, you should search for canines that are amiable.

It’s critical to realize that, although Amstaff and American Staffordshire Terrier are often used interchangeably, there may be differences in the breed’s ancestry, temperament, and outward appearance between the two names. These personalities make wonderful companions because they are devoted to their families and have a loving, loyal disposition. To guarantee a happy and healthy relationship, prospective owners should be informed about the breed’s reputation, exercise needs, and training requirements.

How to choose a puppy

If someone requires a pet for exhibition purposes, you must consider the puppy’s standard data. In order to continue breeding, the pedigree matters. Purchasing a puppy from a female who gave birth for the first time is not advised in this scenario.

Amstaffs make great security guards. It is crucial that the parents of the puppy have a stable mental state if the dog is going to be used for protection.

Ideally, a baby should be purchased between 1.5 and 2.5 months of age. In order to prevent a puppy from endangering people, it is important to raise it properly.

General guidelines for selection:

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

The decision between an American Staffordshire Terrier and an Amstaff often boils down to lifestyle and personal taste. Both breeds have a lengthy history together and are renowned for their intelligence and loyalty. Before choosing one, it’s crucial to comprehend the unique needs and characteristics of these animals, as they can make fantastic companions.

Due to their energy, both breeds need regular exercise. These dogs love to interact and have their minds stimulated, whether you prefer to play outside or inside with them. They enjoy being a member of the family, so allow time for socialization and training.

Both the Amstaff and the American Staffordshire Terrier have exceptionally loving and protective temperaments. When properly raised, they can form strong bonds with their humans and even get along well with kids. It is essential to socialize them early on to make sure they develop into well-rounded dogs.

In the end, your decision between the two breeds might depend on how you personally feel about the dog or on minute variations in appearance. Either way, you can enrich your life with a great deal of happiness and companionship. Just keep in mind that each dog is different and that the most important thing is to develop a strong bond with your pet.

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