Staffordshire Terrier: characteristics of an American dog

• Dogs

A dog of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed must combine the incongruous - impressive bones and elegance, strength and harmoniously developed muscles, absolute fearlessness and a balanced disposition. A healthy psyche, supported by impeccable anatomy - this is what a real Amstaff should be.

Origin history and interesting facts about the Staffordshire Terrier

The staff dog has medieval roots. Until the beginning of 1800, it was customary to hold gladiator fights in England to attract the attention of the crowd. Both people and animals entered the arena. Over time, human participation in fighting ended, and the crowd began to entertain the crowd with dog fights. At first they were used to set bulls against each other, then monkeys, lions, bears and tigers.

Staffordshire Terriers are often hired for service in the Ministry of Emergency Situations

For your information! One of the fans of such spectacles was the Earl of Stamford. At his direction, battles began to take place more frequently. Such massacres served as reasons for the development of fighting breeds. Two types of dogs were often used: mastiffs and bulldogs. The most nimble and agile animals were selected for battle.

Since 1835, fights involving bulls have been banned. However, dog-dog fights continued. At the same time, breeds appeared that became the progenitors of the Amstaff - a combination of a bulldog and a fox terrier. As a result of the crossing, a Bull and Terrier dog was obtained, which had optimal weight, strength and endurance. After some time, these dogs began to be called pit bull terriers.

In 1870, the first representatives came to the United States, where they continued to participate in battles. Some breeders began to notice that not all representatives showed aggression; some dogs were quite friendly. Breeders decided to select the most peaceful dogs in order to improve the breed and make helpers and companions. The work was carried out for a long time, and in 1936 the Staffordshire Terrier breed was officially recognized.

From English terriers, Staffordshire terriers inherited the ability to catch rats.

For your information! On the Internet you can find other names for the breed - Stafashire Terrier and Staforshi Terrier, but this is just an erroneous spelling. According to the standard, the variety is registered only as the Staffordshire Terrier.

What is prohibited from feeding a dog?

Experienced dog breeders know that staff loves selective food, but you can’t give it everything. The following products are prohibited:

• sweet;
• salty;
• roast;
• smoked meats;
• fatty foods;
• sausage, frankfurters, etc.;
• seasonings, spices;
• legumes;
• boiled potatoes;
• flour products;
• tubular bones.

Important! The dog should not be fed from the table, such treats cause metabolic disorders, lead to dental caries, and interfere with kidney function.

Requirements for the Staffordshire Terrier breed standard

Staffordshire Bull Terrier: English and American

American staff must meet the following standard:

• medium sized head;
• the muzzle is quite muscular, wide with a pronounced transition on the forehead;
• high-set ears, if cropped, should stand up;
• eyes are deep dark brown;
• the jaws are large and powerful;
• nose is black;
• paws of medium length, muscular, front legs set wide apart;
• the neck is large, straight;
• the stomach is tucked;
• the back is straight and wide;
• the tail is short, tapering to the tip, set low.

Note! The Staffordshire Terrier is usually fast moving and active. The gait should be slightly springy.

Staffordshire Terrier height and weight chart

The table shows the optimal height and weight indicators depending on the age of the Staffordshire Terrier:

Staffordshire Terrier colors

Staff black is considered the most common color. Almost all solid colors are also allowed: from black to cream. If the wool is two-color, then according to the standard there should be no more than 20% spots.

Note! The purebred American Staffordshire Terrier is brindle.

Brindle dogs have dark stripes on their bodies.

Types of Staffordshire Terriers

Description of the Staffordshire Terrier breed includes the division of dogs into three types:

• Staff proportional. According to external data, it is closest to the standard. Such animals have a wide turn of the shoulders, a voluminous chest and a correctly proportioned body. The dogs are active and mobile;
• The American Staffordshire Terrier of the bulldog type is distinguished by its large weight (more than 46 kg). These representatives have rough body features and a short neck. Due to the inverted elbows, the animals have slightly constrained movements;
• A terrier-like Stafic, often considered a dwarf species. Weighs up to 28 kg. They are distinguished by an elongated and narrow mouth. The neck is long without a pronounced turn.

Basic moments

• Amstaffs are quite compact and well suited for keeping in a city apartment.
• These are very powerful and strong animals, which are also surprisingly agile and agile.
• Fans of the breed note the amazing intelligence and high intelligence of the dogs. They are very easy to train, and a properly raised Staffordshire Terrier is able to understand its owner without words. It is worth mentioning that raising a true friend from a puppy of this breed is possible only with positive motivation. Rudeness, physical punishment, and anger are unacceptable.
• A characteristic feature of the Staffordshire is a very high threshold of irritability - it is quite difficult to get the dog angry.
• The versatility of the Amstaff lies in the fact that it copes equally well with the task of a defender and security guard, and with the role of an excellent spiritual companion.
• Dogs of this breed are always ready to take part in the game, their energy is simply in full swing. It has been noted that in relations with the owner’s children they show enough patience and are happy to join in their pranks and entertainment. At the same time, amstaff is always ready to quickly respond to a changed situation. Smelling danger on a subconscious level is an innate feature of these dogs.
• The American Staffordshire Terrier is well adapted to city life. Thanks to his balanced psyche, he reacts calmly to the hustle and bustle and does not feel the need for long walks.
• These dogs are easy to keep. There won’t be any special health problems, provided you constantly monitor your pet’s well-being.

Attitude towards children and others

Dandie Dinmont Terrier: description of the dog

With proper training, the Staffordshire Terrier grows up to be a socialized and sociable dog. Pets adore their owner and are always ready to be near. Dogs sense when they need to help. Balanced staffers do not pose a danger to their surroundings.

Important! In families with children, they get along well with kids. However, you should not leave a small child with a dog, as the pet may accidentally harm the baby while playing.

Prohibited Products

Prohibited food for Amstaff:

• legume;
• boiled potatoes;
• pearl barley;
• unground oatmeal;
• spices;
• sausage;
• smoked products;
• tubular bones;
• “products from the family table.”

Inexperienced breeders want to pamper their pet by treating it with food from the table or scraps. This harms the Staffordshire Terrier, and does not benefit, as many people think. For example, bones can provoke constipation in a dog.

Security and guard qualities

The Staffordshire Terrier has good watchdog and security traits. Dogs are able to discern a person’s mood, so in case of danger they will immediately begin to protect their owner. Pets have quite strong nerves, so it will take a lot of time to get them angry. However, if the staff senses danger, then anger can come in an instant, then the dog will fight to the end.

For your information! Strength and endurance allow dogs to guard large territories and cope with several enemies at once.

In addition to their guard qualities, staffs often become participants in rescue operations. They are good at tracking and also help rescue people from emergency situations.

Training and education of the Staffordshire Terrier

The Stafford is a dog that needs to be trained from childhood. When a puppy appears in the house, the owner must understand that he is taking on a serious responsibility. The first thing babies are taught is to sleep in their place and respond to their name.

After all vaccinations have been completed, the puppy can go outside. This is also an important point, since proper socialization affects the future character of the baby. No matter how much the owners love their pet, they cannot forgive and allow everything. Bad behavior must be punished.

Note! It is necessary to reprimand your pet at the moment when the trouble occurs, and not after a while. Any physical influence is strictly prohibited.

Experts recommend raising dogs with a stern voice, without shouting or swearing. Another method is ignoring. It is used in cases where the staff does a dirty trick on purpose. It is important here that ignoring comes from all family members, otherwise the dog will easily find a protector and will not understand the punishment.

Training should include regular sessions, during which the person clearly explains to the dog what needs to be done.

Be sure to reward the animal with a treat or stroking

BARF system for staff

The BARF diet is based on foods that Staffies would presumably eat in the wild. It includes:

• raw meat;
• various bird bones, except rib and tubular bones, soft lamb bones;
• offal;
• sea ​​fish;
• raw vegetables, herbs, berries and fruits;
• dairy products;
• eggs.

BARF diet

In addition, various vegetable oils, fish oil, vitamins, and bran are added to the staff’s diet. Owners and staff of veterinary clinics note the huge advantage of such nutrition for dogs of any kind.

How and what to feed your pet is always decided by the owner himself. It is important that this is a complete diet that will not cause allergies, so this issue must be approached responsibly.

Care and hygiene

The Staff dog breed is suitable for keeping both in a private house and in small apartments. However, you should not keep your pet in a booth or enclosure. The staff terrier has a very thin coat, so it is difficult to tolerate frost. For the cold season, it is recommended to purchase insulated clothing (sweaters, overalls).

It is necessary to bathe your pet 1-2 times every 2 months or after heavy soiling. Special shampoos are used for washing. After heavy exercise, you should wipe the Staffordshire Terrier's coat with a damp towel. Check the skin regularly for wounds and abrasions. On average, nails are trimmed 1-2 times a month. Inspect the ears regularly and clean them with a cotton pad soaked in water.

Starting from 6 months, the necessary vaccinations are given annually. Whether or not to crop ears is a personal matter for the owners and does not require mandatory execution.

Note! To give wool a shiny look, many owners use car suede. It is necessary to treat the dog's coat after bathing.

Staffordshire Terrier diet

The Amstaff (breed characteristics are listed above) should eat according to the diet. Food is poured 2 times a day at the same time. Be sure to provide your dog with constant access to clean water. The diet should be balanced and consist of different foods.

Required set:

• raw meat;
• offal;
• cereals;
• vegetables;
• milk products.

Important! If owners choose ready-made food for their pet, then they should pay attention to premium and super-premium food. They contain all the necessary microelements and vitamins.

Prohibited products: sweets, sausages, pickled vegetables, food with seasoning.

How to choose the best dry food for staff

Chronic diseases and allergies in dogs often appear due to improper nutrition. Dry food should contain:

• proteins - veal, beef, offal, poultry;
• carbohydrates - oatmeal, barley cereals;
• fiber - fruits, vegetables;
• fats - omega acids;
• antioxidants;
• vitamins, minerals.

High-quality feed contains more than 30% meat in its composition. Dry food easily solves the problem than feeding the Amstaff every day.

Note! Quite often, dog owners are faced with a problem when their pet refuses to eat any food, or it turns out that the dog is allergic. Therefore, it is not recommended to purchase feed for future use.

Walk

The Staffordshire Terrier is a very active breed that needs regular walks and exercise. For normal development, you need to spend about 3 hours walking every day. In summer, you can add swimming in a pond to your regular walk.

Note! When walking in places where other animals and people gather, it is necessary to put a muzzle on the staff.

Compared to the German Shepherd, the Staff is much more active

Lifespan of a Staffordshire Terrier

The Staff Terrier is generally distinguished by good health and immunity. Most often, diseases affect older representatives. Common pathologies include:

• hip dysplasia;
• deafness;
• heart disease;
• retinal atrophy;
• entropion of the eyelid;
• cataract.

With proper care, pets can live 11-15 years

How to choose a puppy

The Staffordshire Terrier is a common breed that is not difficult to find. When choosing a baby, you should pay attention to his behavior and external features. He must meet the breed standard and look active and healthy. Abrasions and scratches on the body are not allowed.

Stafford puppy price and where to buy

It is recommended to purchase from trusted breeders or through a nursery. It is recommended to immediately examine the puppy's parents to ensure there are no genetic abnormalities. The cost of a baby with pedigree, documents and vaccinations starts from 10 thousand rubles. and can reach up to 65 thousand rubles.

Important! The exact price depends on the class of the animal. For example, puppies intended for participation in exhibitions will cost more.

The Staff Terrier is considered a universal dog, as it can act as both a kind companion and a fierce defender. This is a loyal, courageous and loving breed that needs maximum input from its owner. It is the owner’s perseverance and patience that will allow him to raise a good friend.

*Prices are as of December 2022.