Staffordshire Toy Terrier. American Staffordshire Terrier (Amstaff): appearance, differences, character and rules for choosing a puppy. Diseases and breed defects

The American Staffordshire Terrier dog breed is known to the world, but not everyone has heard about the long and interesting history of the origin of the breed. Staffords were created through selection in England. Bulldog and terrier crosses were carried out to create an aggressive and courageous dog. The result exceeded imaginable and unimaginable expectations. The American Staffordshire Terrier was originally called a bull terrier, indicating its origins in the bulldog and terrier.

There are debates regarding the origin of the terrier; there are a number of contradictions in the history of the dog. The Stafford is a cross between the aggressiveness of a bulldog and the endurance and mobility of a terrier. What can we say, the dog turned out to be truly harsh and cruel.

A completely reasonable question arises: why did the British need such dangerous dog. The answer is extremely simple. In the 19th century, dog fighting actively gained popularity, promising great income for the organizers. Gradually, betting moved to the USA, Mexico and even Canada. The Staffords showed fearlessness and tenacity in fights, shedding blood for the amusement of those around them. A truly monstrous sight.

The dogs did not stop fighting. Even serious wounds did not knock the dogs down and the dogs continued to fight like true fighters. This is proud and strong breed, improved through selection repeatedly. The names were constantly changing. The Staffordshire Terrier was previously called the Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier and even the Brindle Bulldog. The name of the new breed did not affect the character of the breed - a living machine for endless battles and bloodshed. Keeping an animal at home was considered crazy, to say the least. Years passed, centuries changed. Staffords began to appear in private homes as staunch and hardy guards.

The pet received its modern name - American Staffordshire Terrier - only at the end of the 20th century. At the end of the 19th century, the breed was granted its current appearance.

The role of the ancestors of the breed was played by the English terrier and bulldog, successfully crossed by American breeders. As a result of scientific work, the Pit Bull Terrier breed was born, which served as the further creation of the Staffordshire Terrier dog. Today it is customary to shorten the long name; the dogs are more often known as Stafs or Amstafs. Pets appeared on the territory of Russia recently - at the end of the 20th century.

Description of the breed

Before purchasing this difficult animal, you will need to study the characteristics of the breed in detail. The Stafford is a fighting dog with a complex and difficult to control temperament. You have the right to madly love and cherish the dog as a full-fledged member of the family, but he is an aggressive fighter, such are the genes.

To earn the dog’s complete trust and obedience, you need to re-read a bunch of books and thoroughly learn the psychology of the breed. They are complex and unruly, unyielding and extremely stubborn animals. The appearance speaks of extraordinary sporting potential. Raising a dog will become the basis for safe coexistence in the same territory. Stafford makes a true warrior:

1. strong body,
2. strong legs,
3. short hair,
4. pile of muscles.

Despite his dashing disposition, the Staffordshire Terrier recognizes hierarchy and follows the rules of the pack. The dog's owner and family members must demonstrate their own importance and remain an authority so that the dog never touches them. If it is not possible to achieve strict subordination, the dog is capable of showing monstrous aggression at any second, both against adults and children.

It is recommended to conduct regular training, exercises, and educational games so that the Amstaff becomes a family friend who is not capable of causing pain. If a person is ready for such a complex upbringing and a waste of nerves and energy, it is possible to purchase a puppy of the specified strong breed.

TO full description breed of American Staffordshire Terrier, I would like to add that the breed is created for murder and bloodshed. There is no dog’s fault in the resulting cruelty and mercilessness. A proper upbringing and regular training can turn a growing villain into a truly sweet animal, ready to protect his family to the last drop of blood.

Breed characteristics:

1. 44-46 cm height for females, 46-48 cm height for males;
2. 25-30 kg weight;
3. The head is large;
4. The ears are semi-raised, erect, set high;
5. The eyes are round, dark, rimmed, and set wide apart;
6. Black nose;
7. The back is sloping, short;
8. The stomach is tucked;
9. Oblique placement of the shoulder blades;
10. Shoulders are muscular;
11. The chest is wide and powerful;
12. Limbs straight, widely spaced;
13. Short pointed tail;
14. Short coat, smooth, thick;
15. Various colors, spotting is acceptable.

The Staffordshire Terrier dog breed has a contradictory character. On the one hand, genetic traits influenced the formation: courage and dedication, quick response and ruthlessness. The fighting past has not passed without a trace in the history of the dog; the fighting blood inherent in dogs continues to flow in the veins of staffs.

Staffordshire Terriers, on the other hand, are portrayed as intelligent dogs that are calm and level-headed. The dog is infinitely devoted to its owners and absolutely loves children. Staffordshire Terriers are often bred as nannies for naughty pranksters.

Dogs get along well with children and are ready to indulge their whims, make them happy and play from morning to night. The breed is distinguished by its mobility and energy; representatives get along comfortably with children and spend most of the day in active games.

Among other things, the Staffordshire Terrier breed is not endowed with a desire for dominance. Thanks to this, getting along with another pet is easier than ever. Dogs will not leave their owner and family in trouble, they will always support. If danger arises, they will stand up for the family and will not offend anyone. In ordinary life, staff radiates calm and regularity.

The dog has extraordinary sensitivity, it is not recommended to scold or punish the dog, you should not raise your voice without reason or show aggression. The upbringing and comfortable existence of staff is directly related to the manifestation of love and tenderness, trust and other positive emotions.

Thanks to their innate sense of smell, Staffordshire Terrier puppies and adult dogs always feel what is going on in the family. Dogs will not raise their voices and will not impose their presence during serious situations. They are not prone to barking without permission. At such moments, they will either try to support the owners, or they will go to their place and lie quietly.

Caring for the American Staffordshire Terrier

When the Amstaff puppy crosses the threshold of the apartment, he will immediately begin a thorough inspection of the territory. On the first day, the owner must designate a place for the dog to sleep. Of course, basking with an affectionate puppy is nice and healthy, but the baby will quickly turn into a calf weighing 30 kg.

Proper care of the American Staffordshire Terrier will eliminate unwanted moments in the process of coexistence with the wonderful beast. As a puppy, the staff undergoes vaccination procedures against measles, distemper and rabies. Subsequently, vaccinations are given annually, in the prescribed month. There will be no difficulties in caring for the coat. A stiff brush is enough to make your pet's coat look healthy and well-groomed.

The Amstaff does not like nail trimming; it is recommended that the dog's owner entrust this task. The authority of the owner for the staff is undeniable; he will not touch him even if he feels pain when trimming his nails.

It’s easy to learn how to care for an American Staffordshire Terrier from breeders; nothing specific is expected.

Taking care of the healthy state of the staff is a complex of measures, including:

• Preventive actions;
• Therapeutic measures;
• Hygiene procedures;
• Optimal diet;
• Optimal walking mode.

Proper care of the Staffordshire Terrier is directly related to caring for your pet’s coat. The coat will need to be cleaned periodically wet wipe or a towel, regularly comb out dead hairs. The procedure promotes rapid hair renewal and provides the skin with the necessary massage.

It is important not to overdo it when bathing your pet. frequent procedures will undermine the health of the coat and skin. With mandatory bathing in the form cosmetic product special shampoos are used. The use of inappropriate products causes allergic reaction and dry skin.

You will need to shorten your pet's claws monthly using a special tool. Walking on an asphalt surface is good for the natural development of claws. It is important to pay attention to your teeth.

To ensure a healthy state, it is necessary to brush your teeth with a special brush. It is important to monitor the condition of the nose; if it is dry and cracked, the dog is unhealthy. Ears are kept clean and healthy.

What to feed

American Staffordshire Terrier puppies must be fed well in order for their muscles to grow properly. Let us denote the series important points what to feed the American Staffordshire Terrier:

• A massive and strong skeleton requires high content calcium in the blood, give your dog special vitamins sold at the pet store.
• The digestive system is not complicated, which contributes to the rapid digestion of food. It is not recommended to feed your dog high-calorie foods. This can lead to difficulty in bowel movements.
• A healthy American Staffordshire Terrier dog walks at least twice a day.
• Meat should prevail in the diet. You should not feed exclusively dry food. The dog willingly eats scraps from the owner's table.

It’s easy to find out from the sellers what to feed American Staffordshire Terrier puppies. It is better to purchase the appropriate book for a thorough study. However, there are no fundamental differences in the diet of Staffords. Dogs eat everything and do not experience any difficulties with the digestive tract.

Staff nutrition is designed to match physical condition pet, support it. The diet of puppies is supposed to be balanced, taking into account the size of the animal and gender. The main component of the diet is meat, offered raw and boiled.

It is recommended to give your pet milk, cottage cheese and eggs. The last component is required when boiled. Boiled cereals are useful for food; it is not forbidden to prepare soups. Porridges and soups are complemented with vegetables. Offer to gnaw bones, with the exception of tubular ones, add meat and bone meal to food.

Character of the breed

Some researchers say that due to its rich fighting past, the Amstaff has practically lost the pack instinct characteristic of its relatives. Became an individual. The change resulted in the emergence of character traits: the ability to accept independent decisions, lack of need to dominate, and submit to the general mood.

Amstaff owners talk about the dogs’ ability to think, understand words different from standard commands, and the mood in the house.

A smart dog is always happy to play with those who want to. Needs attention and love. Next to the person is fully consistent famous saying that with great power comes great responsibility. Despite the quick reaction and ability to instantly respond to stimuli, the American Staffordshire Terrier always thinks about everything, which is noticeable in his facial expressions. The dog will not bark in vain. In a tense situation, he will give a warning with an impressive roar.

The aggressiveness of the breed is directly proportional to the aggressiveness and level of intelligence of the owner. If a person gets a dog to sublimate his own unsatisfied ambitions in dominance and self-esteem, the dog will definitely adapt to the owner and will pose a threat to others. In families where the dog is surrounded by love and care, it grows up socialized and calm. Then it will be fully revealed best qualities, making the bag of muscles an affectionate pet.

Training

Training the American Staffordshire Terrier is considered to be the key to an easy-going character and well-developed muscles. Education should begin from the moment the puppy arrives at home. Trips to special training sites begin at seven months. The breed is easy to train. There is no need to stock up on nerves and patience; Stafford understands, if not the first time, then the second time.

An important aspect of education in the life of a staff is that the dog is historically aggressive and dangerous. Training the Staffordshire Terrier consists, first of all, of socialization. Without this moment, the dog becomes uncontrollable. It is important to start training and education at the age of 1.5 months. From the age mentioned above to 6 months, the breed is extremely trainable. At the right approach and systematic training, it is possible to achieve excellent results and create an assistant and companion out of your pet.

The main point is that training, like upbringing, begins as early as possible, giving the puppy the dominant position of the owner. Taming a dog will take significant amount time, the puppy can be overly playful and uncontrollable. It is forbidden to hit the dog, causing retaliatory aggression. The American Staffordshire Terrier breed is distinguished by its excellent memory, which allows the dog to take revenge on the offender even years later.

American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are sweet and kind creatures - only if they are raised correctly. It is supposed to nip in the bud any attacks of rage of the animal and indicate human authority, so that the dog does not risk showing grin and aggression in front of the owner.

When talking about the Staffordshire Terrier, many people imagine a dog with a wide muzzle, a powerful chest and a kind look. Possessing an innate sense of dangerous situations and a natural instinct for protection, Amstaffs can become an excellent bodyguard for their owner. The price of such dogs depends on the pedigree of the parents, on which the victories of the Staffordshire Terrier in various competitions directly depend.

History of the breed

The first mention of the Amstaff service dog appeared back in 1209. The breed was developed not in America, as is commonly believed, but in England. American Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Stafford, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull - these are all names of the same breed. This diversity is due to the fact that different times animal assigned various tasks.

Amstaffs were originally bred as fighting dogs. As gladiatorial combat began to die out, people found entertainment in fights between various animals. At first, mastiffs were used for these purposes. But since they are quite large animals, they were good targets for the horns and hooves of wild animals. In this regard, it was decided to reduce the size of the fighting dog, and dog breeders crossed a terrier and a bulldog. The result was a fast, nimble and cunning small dog.

In its modern form, the Staffordshire Terrier was registered in 1936. And in 1976 they began to call him the American Staffordshire Terrier. Since then, neither the breed itself nor its name have changed.

Amstaff appearance

A very strong, large, muscular and well-built dog looks very elegant. It is different:

The Staffordshire Terrier's coat may have solid, spotted or particolor. Black and tan, liver and white color. The shortcomings of her appearance include too a long tail, pink eyelids, light brown nose and light eyes.

Personality of the Staffordshire Terrier

Brave, active, purposeful Amstaffs have a unique intelligence and combine a number of opposing qualities. They can be both sensitive and stubborn, complacent and unapologetic, strong and affectionate.

Fearless Staffordshire Terriers are eager to own safety. And if they see that you are being unfair to them, they may be offended.

Breed trains well, but you can’t force her to do anything. It needs to be trained only with positive motivation, otherwise the dog may become bitter.

Amstaffs will never bark and howl for no reason. They are very playful and are ready to frolic with any family member anywhere. Already with early age the dog needs to be introduced to environment. Having done everything necessary vaccinations, the puppy should be taken outside, walked with him in crowded places, traveled on public transport, carried in a car. This way he will quickly get used to it and will calmly react to strange situations and strangers. To avoid conflicts during walks, the puppy needs to be introduced to other dogs. It is best if they are peace-loving dogs.

It is important to teach the Amstaff the command “Give!”, while taking away a bone or toy from him. With such actions you will show that you are the leader of the pack, and you must be obeyed. Because the staffordshire terriers leaders, then in order to take the place of the leader, they should be shaken up.

Keeping an American Staffordshire Terrier

Amstaffs are indoor dogs that can only go for walks outside. Therefore, a pet must have its own place in an apartment or house where it will like to sleep. The puppy will most likely settle down on your bed. Many owners are only happy about this. But you need to remember that the dog is growing and over time it will become quite big. As a result, there is only enough space on the bed for her alone. Therefore, from day one, the American Staffordshire Terrier gotta know your place. And sleep on the bed only with the permission of the owner.

Since the dog has no undercoat and little hair, it can freeze even on warm days. The best option her home will be a furnished cage with soft bedding, which should already be there on the day the puppy crosses the threshold of your home.

Physical activity is very important for young and adult dogs. Puppies should be walked twice a day. American Staffordshire Terriers love outdoor games, so they need to be allowed to run around a little without a leash.

Some dogs of this breed love to swim, while others do not. Therefore, the latter need to be accustomed to water. To do this, go into the water and call your pet. If he follows you, then he should definitely be praised. Encouragement and praise play a role important role in raising a dog.

American Staffordshire Terrier: price, pedigree

Since the likelihood of future victories directly depends on the pedigree, the choice of a dog must be approached with all responsibility.

Those who want to purchase an Amstaff in order to earn gold medals at exhibitions must ask the breeder about the pedigree. It is best if it shows all the parents' awards, written reviews from judges and photographs from exhibitions. Any excuses should raise doubts. If everything is in order, then you can choose an affordable puppy that you like. And victories at exhibitions will depend entirely on the efforts of the owner.

But for those who just want to make a family friend, all of the above information will not be very interesting. However, for any Staffordshire Terrier puppy the price depends on the class:

1. Pet class are purebred dogs with various appearance deviations from breed standards. This could be a defect in the jaw, an asymmetrical structure of the skull, or a different color. All this excludes the possibility of the dog participating in the exhibition, which means that the Amstaff of this class is suitable only as a “man’s friend”. If you do not plan to go to exhibitions and earn a lot of money from breeding the breed, then such a puppy is just for you. The price for a breed of this class ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 thousand rubles.
2. Brit class is acceptable for those who want to receive purebred dog without any developmental deviations. Such puppies have good performance, but most likely they will not be able to take first place at the show. But in the future they will be suitable for breeding. The price for them ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 thousand rubles.
3. Show class are American Staffordshire Terriers, distinguished by their distinct breed characteristics. Fighting dogs of this class are suitable for victories at exhibitions and for breeding. But their price is appropriate. A puppy can cost more than 20,000 rubles.

Criteria for choosing puppies

When choosing a puppy of any class, you need to pay attention to a mark that must be in the groin or ear. It is done on the dog’s 45th birthday. In addition, there must be puppies.

The American Staffordshire Terrier breed is a fighting dog. Many people are afraid of these dog breeds, but there are people who understand that proper upbringing will make a great friend out of a dog.

Dog fighting - a terrible, cruel spectacle - gained momentum in the nineteenth century in the Old and New Worlds. The organizers of this inhuman entertainment received large profits. Gradually, such fights gained popularity in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

New breed fighting dogs appeared in the 19th century in England, where To create a brave and aggressive warrior, a terrier and a bulldog were crossed. The result was impressive.

The Stafford mixes the aggression of a bulldog with the activity of a hardy terrier.

The Stafford dog breed: during the fights in which they took part, blood was shed for the amusement of the spectators. Dogs, being powerful killing machines, stopped at nothing to They did not seem to notice serious wounds and injuries, continuing to fight courageously.

Breeders improved the breed several times, its names changed. was recorded at the end of the 19th century, and modern name The American Staffordshire Terrier received its name at the end of the 20th century.

Description of the breed

FCI Standard No. 286 dated 12/01/1997"American Staffordshire Terrier" (English: American staffordshire terrier).
Group 3 "Terriers". Section 3 “Terriers of the “Bull” type”.

The FCI standard states that the preferred height at the withers is approximately eighteen to nineteen inches. (46 - 48 cm) for males and seventeen to eighteen inches (43 - 46 cm) for females.

Weights are not regulated, but the total mass of the animal must be harmoniously combined with the physique. Approximate weight: 25–30 kilograms.

A description of the Stafford breed should begin with its characteristically large and strong build. Excess weight is unacceptable. A massive head is combined with a short back, powerful chest, toned stomach and muscular shoulders. Round dark eyes with a border are widely spaced. The coat is short, thick, the surface of the coat has a smooth structure. Different colors are acceptable, spots are allowed.

Stafford dog breed: the photo clearly demonstrates these signs.






Given that proper care and the maintenance of the American Staffordshire Terrier pleases the owner fifteenand moreyears.

Character and abilities

Before you buy a Stafford puppy, you should thoroughly study the available literature about the breed.

Those who are interested in the American Staffordshire Terrier dog breed should know: The character of these four-legged warriors is contradictory.

Genetically, the character traits have not gone away: Stafford still remains a fighter with a complex character.

On the other hand, Staffordshire Terriers are intelligent dogs that are calm and self-controlled. These pets are attached to children. Due to their mobility, activity and great energy, Staffords can play and have fun with children for a long time. A Stafford will make an excellent defender, he will not leave his owner in trouble, and will always protect his home.

Staffords They strive to dominate only over their own kind. They look down on cats and pocket dogs, so they can easily coexist with small pets.

These are sensitive natures. Professionals do not advise punishing them, scolding them, shouting at them or behaving aggressively. The owner must remember what flows in the pet’s blood and understand that aggression generates the same response. This rule applies not only to fighting natures, but to all living things on the planet.

From birth, Staffordshire Terrier puppies have a keen sense of smell. They feel tension in the family caused by unpleasant situations. At such moments, pets are able to show the highest degree of understanding. They will not bother the owner, but will try to either show support or will not show their presence in any way.

Update: October 2017

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a proportionally built dog characterized by the following features:

• legendary fearlessness;
• readiness to protect and defend;
• lively mind and unique intellect;
• rich facial expressions;
• sensitivity to training;
• loyalty to the owner;
• love for everyone at home;
• desire for personal security;
• demanding socialization and training;
• high threshold of irritability;
• ease of maintenance in the apartment;

Stories about excessive aggressiveness relate mainly to breeding defects and problems with raising Amstaffs. Causeless ferocity is not characteristic of them. But an angry Staff Terrier is difficult to stop.

Breed characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Opinions about this breed are divided: some call the Staff a cruel killer, others - a gentle and devoted companion. These are truly extremely brave and determined animals. But modern breed The Staffordshire Terrier has an easy-going character rather than a hot-tempered one.

If his beloved owner needs protection, the dog will rush into battle without delay. People confuse this courage with uncontrolled cruelty. But courage and cruelty are two different things. The Staffordshire Terrier dog intuitively knows how to assess a situation. A well-mannered dog gets into a fight only when there is a real threat. But if this happens, he cannot be stopped. Staffs never run for their lives.

Advantages of the breed

• Intelligence and intelligence - they are interesting to train.
• Fearlessness and courage - can quickly neutralize the emerging threat, even if the enemy is larger than them.
• Easy to care for – these are pets that are comfortable to keep.
• Excellent physical characteristics - the body consists of steel muscles covered with leather.
• No unpleasant odor - does not create discomfort in the house.
• Ability to get along with children - loves to tinker with both kids and teenagers.
• Hard work and endurance - pets can do difficult work.
• Obedience to the owner is a trait laid down at the genetic level.
• Good detective skills - during the tragedy in Nord-Ost, representatives of the breed were able to discover the location of terrorists with explosives.
• They rarely bark - they don’t raise their voices without a good reason; the dogs are not prone to mournful howls.

Disadvantages of the breed

• Amstaffs have a strong character and are not suitable for people with an unbalanced psyche.
• Unquestioning obedience - this advantage can become dangerous, because the dog does not distinguish between good and bad, it carries out commands without evaluating them from the point of view of morality.
• A pronounced sense of self-esteem - from the first days in the house the pet must understand its place.

Photo

Dog character, behavior

Amstaffs were born by crossing aggressive bulldogs and playful, hardy terriers. During the formation of the breed, fighting flourished, so the fighting qualities of dogs were valued. But as a result of selection work, Staff Terriers got rid of unjustified aggressiveness. Individuals with unstable psyches are rejected during breeding. Therefore, uncontrolled ferocity is not the norm for modern Amstaffs.

Dogs are characterized by the following traits:

• attentiveness - the animal likes to watch the owner’s facial expression and adjust its behavior to his mood;
• not a long adaptation to new family– unlike most breeds, they can change owners without much difficulty;
• sociability – love to be around people;
• balance and not fussiness – the psyche is stable;
• emotionality, playfulness - they prefer outdoor games, they are always full of energy.
• intellectuality - able to make decisions independently of a person, but act not spontaneously, but deliberately;
• courage and passion for fighting - if the animal is forced to attack, it can become very dangerous.

Courage, endurance, devotion and curiosity are the main traits characteristic of the Staffordshire Terrier dog. The characteristics of the breed are ambiguous. This is a friend and companion with a fighting past. The popularity of the breed in the 90s led to the fact that terriers with a fighting appearance and fearlessness began to be bred uncontrollably. Individuals appeared who lost control over themselves. All this is in the past. Whether the dog grows up to be aggressive or calm depends on the owner.

Behavior at home

This is a flexible breed; in its representatives one can trace the dependence of the character and behavioral characteristics on the demands of the owner. It should not be started by weak-willed people. Pets can be quite capricious and do not want to listen to the owner, who himself does not know what he wants. The dog will follow the commands of a confident leader for whom objections are not acceptable.

A description of the Staff Terrier breed would be incomplete without mentioning its love for children. He gets along great with them. But the child needs to be explained the rules of behavior. If the owners are involved in sports (cycling, skiing, trekking), the dog will be happy to join in these activities. Lack of attention from people is destructive for him.

Behavior on the street

Staffords love to fight. The dog will not rush at anyone he meets, but he can beat up too intrusive relatives. The pet needs to be taught the correct reaction to conflict situation, otherwise fights with your own kind cannot be avoided. Poorly trained pets may not distinguish real danger from imaginary ones, which leads to troubles and sometimes tragedies.

Attitude towards strangers and protection of the owner

If animals are rivals for the Amstaff, then attacking a person is taboo for him. They do not know how to protect from birth, they need to be taught this. They have a phenomenal ability to see danger. They can protect the house, property, work as bodyguards, detectives, and are able to find traces of blood, regardless of their statute of limitations.

Caring for a Stafford

Caring for representatives of the breed is quite simple. It includes: hygiene procedures, games, walks, catering and therapeutic and preventive measures. As for training, this is the owner’s choice. But you can’t do without solid upbringing.

Nail care

The appearance of the claws is monitored regularly. They should not exceed the permissible length, otherwise the dog will experience discomfort. The claws are shortened monthly using a nail clipper or a large file. If your dog doesn't walk much and doesn't wear down its nails naturally, you'll have to trim the nails more often.

Eye hygiene

Even a healthy animal may have discharge in the corners of its eyes. They are removed with a cloth or piece of bandage. Strong winds, drafts and dust can cause your eyes to become inflamed. Irritation is relieved by instillation eye drops or aqueous infusion of chamomile.

Grooming

Daily brushing of the coat with a special brush with medium-hard bristles is an excellent massage and a way to remove dead hair. It is better to do this after a walk. The pet is accustomed to the procedure from puppyhood, otherwise its reaction to incomprehensible actions can be unpredictable.

Bathing

Bathe your pet as needed, no more than once a month. They use special shampoos; cosmetics are not suitable for people. In winter, wool can be cleaned with snow. During the hot period, you are allowed to swim in open reservoirs. Staffies quickly get used to the water and bathing them is easy.

Paw hygiene

After every walk you need to wash your paws. The weather and time of year don't matter. In the city, pets can get their paws dirty with fuel oil, paint, or bitumen. You can remove such contaminants by washing your paws with soap or a special shampoo. If it doesn’t help, take a solvent and remove the dirt with a cotton swab. Then rinse the paws with clean water and dry with a towel.

Ear care

Clean your ears weekly. Do this before swimming. IN ear canal a few drops of a special liquid are injected and the base of the ear is massaged. Dirt and wax are removed with ear sticks. You must act carefully so as not to damage eardrum. After all, this is fraught total loss hearing

Tendency to diseases, prevention

A healthy amstaff is active, he has wet nose, clear eyes and excellent appetite. The pet does not have bad smell, his intestines and bladder are emptied regularly. A sick dog eats poorly, does not play, does not want to go out for walks, and behaves differently than usual. Unreasonable changes in an animal’s behavior are a reason to visit a veterinary clinic.

Characteristic diseases

American Staffordshire Terriers are susceptible to the following diseases:

• hip dysplasia;
• arthritis and arthrosis;
• obesity;
• bloating;
• retinal atrophy;
• cataract;
• inversion of the eyelid (entropion);
• hyperplasticity of the vitreous body;
• cutaneous histiocytoma;
• solar dermatitis;
• mast cell tumor;
• mastocytoma - skin cancer.

Vaccinations

Before preventive vaccination, puppies and adult dogs are dewormed. For vaccinations, the use of monovalent vaccines (against one type of disease) or polyvalent (complex) preparations is allowed.

Vaccination must be carried out annually. Protect the animal from such dangerous diseases like a plague of carnivores, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirosis, rabies. Part complex vaccinations often include vaccines against adenovirus, corona virus and parainfluenza.

What to feed?

The breed is very active, but is prone to overeating, so a balanced approach should be taken when planning a diet. If you take a puppy into your home, ask the nursery what it ate. During the first days of your stay in your new home, the menu should be identical. Later, the animal can be switched to another food.

Feeding mode

How many times to feed the Amstaff depends on the age of the pet:

• up to 2 months it is recommended to feed 6 times a day after walks;
• at 2–4 months – 5 times a day;
• at 5–11 months – 4 times a day;
• per year - 3 times;
• at 1.5 years - 2 one-time appointment food.

Ready-made rations

Ready-made food saves owners time, but not money. A high-quality dry diet cannot be cheap. You cannot buy advertised food in supermarkets and markets. For Amstaffs, diets of at least “Premium” class are suitable. They can be found in specialized stores.

For 20 kilogram dog the nutritional value feed should be 1324 kcal. At physical activity the norm is increased by 10–15%. For dogs performing physical work you need to choose diets with increased protein and fat content.

If you want to switch your puppy to dry food, start with soft canned food. Gradually add crushed dry food and water to the bowl. By 5 one month old The Staffordshire Terrier needs to be completely switched to dry food. This will simplify the process of changing teeth.

Do not give dry and natural food. This is fraught with problems from the gastrointestinal tract. Each type of food requires different enzymes to digest. Mixed feeding is an extra burden on the body.

Amstaff puppy natural diet

For kids, it is important to have a routine and have free access to water. If the puppy does not eat the entire portion at once, the remaining food is removed. For normal development A puppy needs animal proteins - this is meat. Its share is at least 30% in the diet.

• The basis of the diet is lean beef, veal, chicken or rabbit.
• 1–2 times a week, meat can be replaced with boneless sea fish.
• Useful offal: tripe, liver, heart, lungs, brain. They are either boiled or cut into pieces and scalded with boiling water.
• Dairy products include kefir, yogurt, and cottage cheese. They can be mixed with the yolk of a chicken egg.
• Vegetables are grated and seasoned vegetable oil. Puppies eat carrots, beets, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini well.

You should not give your puppy pork, legumes, large oatmeal, chicken and fish bones, smoked meats and sweets. As a reward during classes, you can use crackers or pieces of dried meat.

Feeding an adult Amstaff with natural food

The main share in a dog’s diet is meat and offal. You can diversify the menu with porridges: buckwheat, rice, wheat, cereals. To replenish the body with vitamins they give vegetable salads with vegetable oil. From fresh milk It is better to refuse - the product is poorly absorbed by adult animals. It is better to replace it with kefir or yogurt.

The Amstaff is fed twice a day after walks. In summer during extreme heat food can be given once a day, in the evening. Regardless of the season, vitamin and mineral supplements are necessary. It is better to select them together with a veterinarian.

Training and education

Education should be carried out by a person with a strong character. It is important to establish contact with your pet at the very beginning. Staffordshire Terrier puppies understand well what is required of them, but they are stubborn and do not always follow the command the first time. You can't indulge kids. They're starting educational process from 2 months. 6 one month old puppy must follow basic commands and adhere to the rules of behavior in the house and on the street.

Obedience training

The best methods for amstaff are encouragement and rigor within reasonable limits. Coercion is used carefully, and it is recommended to avoid physical punishment altogether, otherwise the dog may become angry with the owner. If the pet refuses to comply with the command, it needs to be shaken thoroughly. Excessive aggressiveness is stopped immediately. Instead of screaming, it is better to look the dog straight in the eyes until submission appears in the animal’s gaze.

Socialization is important for the Amstaff. When walking, you need to look for a company of peace-loving dogs. The moment when these socialization skills are formed cannot be missed. After 1.5 years, dogs are less amenable to training.

Parenting mistakes

For inexperienced dog owners, raising a Staffordshire Terrier can be challenging. It is important to understand that every dog ​​has its own character. But there are general recommendations. You can't change the rules of the game. If today the Amstaff cannot sleep on the sofa, then in a month he should not be allowed there under any pretext.

In the understanding of the American Staffordshire, the leader cannot yield. If the owner allows him to break the rules, in his eyes this means that the leader is weakening, and there is no need to listen to him.

Can't be encouraged aggressive behavior pet. If a Stafford growls at a drunk on the bench, he cannot be praised for such behavior. Otherwise, the dog will understand that aggression is the norm and the owner likes it. And next time there may be a grandmother or a child on the bench.

Training courses

You can practice on your own or on the site. The following course options are suitable for Stafford students:

• general course;
• dog in the city;
• bodyguard dog.

Most Amstaff owners limit themselves to teaching basic commands: “Fu”, “Stop”, “Forward”, “Place”. This is enough for walks within the city and in nature without incident.

Choosing and caring for a puppy

Puppies must leave the breeder at the age of 2 months. When choosing a companion dog, you are guided by your own preferences. Before you buy a future show star or breeder, you need to carefully study the standards of the Staffordshire Terrier breed. Colors may vary. The most common are: black, blue, fawn, red (red), brindle.

When examining a puppy, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• activity and appearance of the puppy;
• conditions of detention in the nursery;
• compliance of color with the standard;
• appearance and achievements of parents.

Features of education

You need to prepare for the arrival of a baby in the house: purchase bowls for food and water, lint-free bedding, and toys. The breeder must provide the new owners with instructions for the care and nutrition of the baby, as well as give some of the puppy’s usual food.

At first, the puppy will be bored. He needs to spend as much time as possible with people. But you shouldn't take him to bed to calm him down. He must have his own place. Remove wires, shoes and other objects that he might mistake for toys away from him.

Education of cleanliness

The primary task is to accustom the baby to cleanliness. The puppy is taken out for walks as often as possible, and after he has done his business, he is praised. Babies cannot control urination. There is no point in scolding them for puddles on the floor. Only a six-month-old amstaff can withstand 5 hours of daytime and 8 hours at night.

American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) breed standards

The breed standard was adopted in 1936 by the American Kennel Club. International organization The FCI approved the document on May 26, 1971 without any changes (FCI N 286). From that time on, the word “American” appeared in the name.

Historical reference

Poisoning dogs were popular in the 1870s. They entertained the nobility by performing in fighting rings. IN early XIX centuries in the United States, attempts were made to improve the quality of killer dogs. The result was an active dog capable of defeating a bull in a fight. The fighters were called ul-and-terriers, pit dogs, pit bull terriers. Over time, dog fighting was banned. Since 1930, the breed has been excluded from the list of fighting dogs. In 1971, she received the name American Staffordshire Terrier.

Amstaffs have a very interesting history and many different names. This breed is called pit bulls, bull terriers, pit bull terriers, staffords, with the prefix “American” to each and any of the definitions will be correct.

Modern American Staff Terrier- This is a small animal, fast, cunning, nimble and quick-witted. He has a wide-muzzled skull, a powerful chest structure and at the same time a good-natured look. The dog has an amazing inner sense. They say about such people that they “smell danger with their nose.” The protective instinct inherent in nature serves the dog owner well - these dogs are impeccable bodyguards.

History of the breed

Dogs were considered service dogs and the first written mentions of them date back to 1209. Contrary to the erroneous opinion, the homeland of the Staff is England, and not America at all, as many believe. The variety of names for one type of dog comes from the fact that over many hundreds of years the animal had different functions and tasks.

When gladiator fights fell into oblivion, people found a new entertainment - pitting animals against each other. This is how dog fighting came about. True, initially they exhibited another breed - mastiffs. But because of their impressive size, they were easy prey for the hooves and horns of large wild animals. Then they decided to make the size of the dog more compact. A terrier and a bulldog joined the tribe. The result of the crossing was the Stafford.

Over time, the variety of pit bull terriers has evolved. With the breed standard characteristics that exist today, the dog was officially registered in 1936.Since 1976, the dogs began to be called American Staffordshire Terriers. Since that time, no changes have been made to the breed or its definition.

The price for terrier puppies is quite high and depends on the purity of the pedigree, which in turn is formed on the basis of victories won at dog competitions and exhibitions.

Staffordshire Terrier

For many, the word “Stafford” is associated with a fighting dog breed. And these people are not far from the truth. Many will even cite as evidence several heartbreaking stories about a pit bull (another name for a terrier) attacking its own owners or their children. Indeed, the history of the origin of the breed tells us that the dog was initially bred for one specific purpose - participation in dog fights. But that was many hundreds of years ago, because it began in Medieval times. Since then, a lot has changed in the dog’s genetics.

Cases of dog attacks on humans have been recorded numerous times, and it wasn't necessarily a Stafford. the whole point is what kind of education the dog will receive, and not what its breed is called. In this regard, one cannot help but recall the words of the famous detective Holmes, who used to tell his faithful assistant: “Remember, dear Watson, if you were attacked by a Staffordshire terrier, be glad that it was not his owner.” Aggressive dog does the person and the conditions of detention. A well-bred pit bull raised in a loving family has a very kind look and a “smile” on its wide muzzle.

Breed characteristics and photos

The main mistake people make with staffs is to regard them as ordinary pet, designed for fun games on the front lawn. In fact, these are service dogs, and they were created with the appropriate appearance. Their strong, healthy body radiates confidence and power coupled with wild grace. Terriers are excellent candidates for police and military service. There is no hassle in caring for them and maintaining them; they have good physical characteristics and excellent health.

The dogs are very sociable by nature, they are friendly and love to play. They enjoy contact with people, with all family members, and not just with the owner. The peculiarity of the terrier is its amazing sense of the psycho-emotional state of a person. The dog's almost hypnotic gaze is always directed straight into the owner's face.

The dog instantly detects the slightest change in mood and immediately adapts to it.

In the spring of 1971, the document was approved by the FCI:

• Head medium with a wide, almost square skull and a slightly prominent occipital protuberance. A pronounced transition from the muzzle to a slightly convex forehead. The skull and muzzle are equal in length.
• Nose quite large, with open nostrils, painted black. Beneath the dry lips are large white teeth. Dense jaws with a scissor bite.
• Eyes rounded, low and wide apart, with an attentive gaze. The iris is dark.
• Ears, set wide and high, can be docked (by 2/3 of the original length) or not docked. The second option is preferable.
• Neck massive, muscular, without folds, has a beautiful nape line and expands to a well-defined withers, smoothly turning into a straight back.
• Back Muscular and wide, falling barely noticeably to a wide, rounded croup. The loin is short, slightly convex. Moderately tucked stomach.
• Shoulders obliquely set and elongated. Shoulder girdle with prominent muscles. Elbows are pressed to the body and looking back. Rib cage deep and spacious, with rounded ribs.
• Forelegs parallel, with strong bones and well sculpted muscles, set wide apart. Hind limbs also parallel, with noticeable (not coarse) muscles. The angles of the joints (hocks) are emphasized.
• Paws strong, small in size, gathered into a ball. When moving, the dog springs slightly.
• Tail set low, straight and short, tapering towards the tip. When excited, it assumes a horizontal position.

According to the standard, Amstaff males are more muscular and larger than females. The latter weigh 22-25 kg with a height of 43-46 cm, males can weigh 25-30 kg with a height of 46-48 cm.

Coat and color

The Staffordshire Terrier's coat should be shiny, thick, short, straight and harsh. A fault is a soft/sparse, loose coat; a fault is silky, overly soft, long, sparse, wavy or matte hair.

Staffordshires are allowed to have (according to the standard) almost any coat patterns and colors. Acceptable solid color - from black to cream, exception - White color. The latter is allowed for the collar/chest as part of a pattern. The undesirable category includes the so-called Rottweiler color (black with red tan) and brown-red.

With a two-color color, white spots should occupy no more than 20% of the body area. Chestnut and black spots are possible (up to 4/5 of the main color). The breed also includes piebald, spotted, bicolor and brindle colors.

Differences from the American Pit Bull Terrier

Amstaffs are distinguished from close relatives of American pit bull terriers by the following facts:

• Amstaffs have a higher upper growth limit.
• Pitbulls are allowed to have a red nose.
• Amstaffs are less angry and impulsive.
• Amstaffs have a wider head and pronounced cheekbones.

Both breeds are very similar as they have common ancestors.

Dog character

By nature, the terrier is a balanced, energetic, courageous and cheerful breed. He is independent, self-sufficient, vigilant, curious and extremely intelligent. This active and strong dog is an excellent protector and friend who is infinitely devoted to his owner.

The breed is capable of showing aggression towards other dogs. But if the owner teaches the Amstaff from an early age how to treat strangers and animals correctly, he will grow into a completely adequate pet who will not rush at everyone on the street.

The American Staffordshire Terrier can be very aggressive towards cats, rabbits or other pets.He is a good watchman and security guard, very distrustful of strangers, and will not let a guest out of sight until he leaves the owner's house.

American Staffordshires are very friendly towards children, but to protect your baby, it is better not to leave him alone with the dog, no matter how much you trust the pet.

We must remember that a feature of the character of these dogs is the constant desire to please their owner in everything. Therefore, in inexperienced hands For a person who is not aware of the strength and dexterity his pet has, the Amstaff can grow up to be pugnacious and aggressive.

When walking, always keep him on a leash, especially in crowded and public places, always control his behavior when strangers appear. Any aggression on his part must be immediately stopped by the owner.

Remember, the main instinct of these dogs is protection, so they can become aggressive in a split second if they suddenly feel threatened by their owner.

By nature, he is quite helpful, cheerful and proud. Always controls himself, even if he shows character. But if suddenly such a dog becomes furious, it will be very, very difficult to control.

This is the breed that must constantly be busy with something, otherwise he will find something to do for himself, and then he will have to buy new furniture, sofas and various household items.Can live both in a city apartment and in a country house. They are compact and clean, do not take up much space, but need constant, long walks and good physical activity.

Relationships with a human owner

Amstaff is very dependent on its owner and adapts to his character. Therefore, it is recommended only for balanced and consistent people to own such a dog. Puppies should get used to company as early as possible. They are taken for a walk along a busy street, travel with them on public transport or by car, and go to places with a lot of visitors. This helps the amstaff get used to strangers and unexpected situations. In order for puppies to get used to getting along with other dogs, they are brought to calm individuals.

The breed is highly trainable and training should begin at an early age.. Acceptable only positive motivation, otherwise the pet begins to become bitter. Puppies are very smart and easily trained to participate in different types cynological sport. When a dog is stubborn, it can be difficult for the owner. You should be patient and avoid any wounding influences.

Raising and training dogs

The undoubted advantage of the breed is its unerring execution of commands, which makes the Amstaff an ideal (working, show and domestic) dog.

Stafford is an exemplary nanny for children and trusted friend all household members. Moreover, a properly raised dog is loyal to other pets, including cats.

True, in order for your Amstaff to become exactly like this, you will have to work hard, without giving him any concessions. The key to success is regularity of classes, strict discipline and increased workload.

• agility;
• Frisbee;
• bikejoring;
• waitpulling;
• skijoring;
• swimming.

Sport keeps the dog in good shape, helps release tension, and forms excellent muscles.

Grooming smooth-haired dogs is simple: trim off any stray hairs and make your pet more eye-catching, highlighting some details.

Routine care of the coat, ears, claws, teeth and eyes consists of examining them daily. Plaque in the eyes/ears is removed with a cotton pad soaked in a solution boric acid. Dead hairs are collected with a rubberized mitten; the claws do not need special care if the dog runs a lot on the asphalt.

If you intend to crop the ears, perform this operation when the puppy is 1.5-2 months old: later in ears there will be more blood vessels, and the rehabilitation period will be delayed.

The shape of the ears for each baby is selected individually. It is not advisable to perform partial amputation of the ears when the dog's teeth are changing.

As for living conditions, the Amstaff must live in an apartment or house. He needs a warm and dry place. An aviary located on a garden plot is not suitable for keeping this dog.

There are two types of feeding for the American Staffordshire Terrier: natural food and premium ready-made dry food.

The main rule is never mix two types of food in one feeding, this is harmful to the gastrointestinal tract.

Number of Amstaff feedings:

• From 2 to 4 months - 5 times a day
• 4 - 6 months - 4 times a day
• 6 - 9 months - 3 times a day
• After 9 months, an adult dog is fed 2 times a day

For any type of nutrition, stick to simple rules , and your pet will be active and healthy:

• Feed your pet only after walks.
• Feed the puppy from a bowl located on a stand so that correct posture is formed. Adjust the height of the stand as it grows.
• The bowl should be at chest level or slightly higher so that the puppy only puts his face in it.
• It is necessary to have two separate bowls: for food and for water. Bowls are washed hot water after each feeding.
• Never feed your dog table scraps.

Approximate diet:

• Beef, turkey, chicken meat and offal - 80%;
• Cereals - 15-20%;
• Fermented milk products, vegetables, fruits - periodically;
• Chicken egg - 1-2 times a week;
• Sea fish - several times a month.

During the growth process, vitamin supplements are not required if there are no health problems and the dog’s appearance is satisfactory. Wool is the main indicator of condition, so dullness, hair loss, and inflammation in the root zone indicate unsuitable nutrition.

Other nuances of feeding a Stafford:

• Almost a third of the dog menu is devoted to proteins;
• the dog is fed at the same time (morning and evening);
• the remaining food is removed from the bowl (especially in summer);
• It is forbidden to overfeed staff (this has a bad effect on the heart muscle and its health in general).

Important. All tubular bones (bird bones), as well as rabbit bones, are excluded from the list of provisions.

You can give beef moslaks, which are taken after the dog eats the meat and cartilage tissue. This will protect your pet from dislocating its jaw when trying to gnaw on a large bone.

Choosing a nickname

For girls: Dana, Tori, Kayla, Abby, Gina, Elsa, Jess.

For boys: Dodge, Mike, Joe, Butch, Ram, Morgan, Boss.

Health, life expectancy, diseases

With good innate immunity, the American Staffordshire Terrier lives approximately 10-12 years. The most typical breed ailments of the Amstaff are related to the musculoskeletal system. Increased physical activity often leads to ligament rupture.

The list of breed diseases includes:

• hip dysplasia;
• abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• heart failure;
• arthrosis;
• flatulence;
• allergy;
• eye diseases (retinal atrophy and cataracts);
• deafness.

“Professional” sores Amstaff are considered torn infected wounds, which he gets in dog fights. But, if the genes are not bad, your four-legged dog will rarely get sick.

Amstaff (American Staffordshire Terrier) puppies: where to buy and what is the price

Nurseries of this breed are common in countries where there is no ban on breeding Amstaffs; large numbers are located in the USA and Eastern European countries. The National Breed Club is registered in the RKF, through which you can buy a purebred puppy.

Average price of a puppy: 50,000 rubles.

By the look healthy puppies dense, strong and playful. The coat is shiny and lies smooth. The puppy should not have any rashes or scratches on its skin. Amstaff colors are a matter of taste; compliance with the breed standard is important. It is worth examining his tummy: if it is too swollen, this indicates infection with helminths.

In our country, about 70 kennels are engaged in the breeding and sale of American Staffordshire Terriers. This is where you should buy a puppy to avoid getting an animal with genetic abnormalities. There is a practice of booking puppies, and only the future owner is informed by the breeders of the cost of the chosen baby.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can apply for Amstaff Terrier puppies:

http://www.astidog.ru Moscow

http://western-best.narod.ru/ Moscow

http://www.stafflife.ru/ Moscow

http://www.juttaelus.ru St. Petersburg

www.npearl.ucoz.ru St. Petersburg

On average in Russia, a Staff puppy can be bought for $250 - $430. In Moscow and St. Petersburg nurseries the price is slightly higher and can reach up to $515.

• An American Staffordshire Terrier pulled a load weighing 135 kg. For a dog whose weight rarely exceeds 30 kg, this figure is indisputable evidence of innate endurance and desire to win.
• Amstaffs are in the service of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, as they are agile, learn quickly and are able to follow a scent. During the siege of the infamous terrorist attack on Dubrovka, before the assault, the building was examined by dog ​​handlers and amstaffs.
• When numerous accusations of attacking people fell on the breed, the famous artist and public figure Yuri Nikulin stood up for it.

*Based on the results of my own work and colleagues from doggy-boom.ru, sobaki-pesiki.ru, prosobak.com