American Staffordshire Terrier
Temperament:
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a very well-known dog breed from the USA. It is recognized by the FCI and is assigned to Group 3 (Bull Terrier). The breed is also known under the names "Amstaff" or "Staffy". The handsome Staffordshire Terriers often have a bad reputation. They are regarded as so-called fighting dogs - quite wrongly. In reality, these clever four-legged friends are real family dogs. They are sensitive, affectionate and love living with people. The import of American Staffordshire Terriers into Germany is prohibited under the Dog Movement and Import Restriction Act.
Characteristics
The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the medium-sized dog breeds. On average, the dogs reach a shoulder height of approx. 43 - 48 cm. The average weight of adult animals is around 18 - 30 kg. This makes the dogs real heavyweights. Bitches are generally somewhat smaller and correspondingly lighter than males.
Visually, the dogs make a strong and very robust impression. They have a broad, strong and often muscular build, giving them an athletic and healthy appearance. Their appearance arouses respect and attention. At the same time, however, the Amstaff also appears sublime and elegant. Their gait is upright and proud. In society, they are regarded as particularly beautiful specimens.
The life expectancy of the American Staffordshire Terrier is around 12 years. This is quite a long life expectancy for the size and weight of the dogs. It is remarkable that these four-legged friends are usually still very fit and healthy even in old age. This is due to their ideal build and disposition.
The coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is dense, short and smooth. It is close lying and usually shiny. In this way, the coat emphasizes the dog's pronounced musculature. The Amstaff does not have a standard coat color typical of the breed. In principle, both light and very dark colors are possible. From white to beige, brown, gray and black, everything is represented. Many animals have white markings on their coat. These are often found on the chest, forehead or paws.
The Amstaff is a calm and even-tempered dog. It has a high tolerance threshold and is not easily provoked or upset. The dogs are patient, loyal and even affectionate. They have a very friendly and lovable nature and seek close contact with their owners.
Once trust has been established between man and dog, this dog is the ideal companion. He obeys his owner at his word and does everything to please him. Dogs adapt well to their owners and protect them from potential dangers. They are usually neutral towards strangers. The same applies to conspecifics and other animals.
Although the Amstaff has a lot of strength, it is not an aggressive dog. He is courageous, but will never deliberately start a fight. However, if the American Staffordshire Terrier gets into a tricky situation, he knows how to use his strength to protect himself or his family.
The breed is accorded a great deal of respect simply because of its appearance. Many people and animals fear the Staffordshire Terrier. This is partly due to their strong, powerful appearance, but also because of the breed's bad reputation. Many people still consider these handsome four-legged friends to be dangerous and classify them as fighting dogs.
The Amstaff is an intelligent and sensitive companion. It is ideal as a family and companion dog. He fits in easily with his new pack and loves children. He romps around with children and loves to play. He always keeps an eye on the young members of the family and is gentle with them.
Overall, the animals are considered to be extremely intelligent. They adapt wonderfully to their owners and their families. They also enjoy living closely together. Nevertheless, the animals are active, alert and always on the move. They want to be challenged physically and mentally.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
Feeding dogs is unproblematic. The daily amount of food should be based on weight and age. Balanced and nutritious meals ensure the vitality and health of the animals. Occasionally treats and chewing bones can be fed. These serve as a small reward between meals.
The Amstaff is basically a healthy breed. Diseases typical of the breed are not known. Some animals occasionally have problems with their hips. However, this is not very common.
Health & Care
The Amstaff is generally considered to be an easy-care dog. Grooming is child's play and goes by itself. Only occasional brushing is required.
However, one important aspect is the daily exercise of the animals. This must be guaranteed so that the dogs feel comfortable and don't get bored. The Amstaff's urge to move is above average. Walks alone are not enough.
The dogs need plenty of exercise, preferably in the great outdoors. They are also very suitable for dog sports. Dogs can really let off steam and train their coordination and agility at the same time. Dogs also like to exercise together with their owners. Jogging or cycling are a good way to spend valuable time with your pet and challenge it at the same time.
The training of your dog should begin as a puppy. It should be carried out with loving consistency right from the start. It helps the dog to integrate into the family and find its place.
With good training, the Amstaff is easy to lead and listens to the word. It works closely with its human and tries to fulfill all commands and wishes. Training such a dog can be difficult for beginners. It should not be forgotten that these animals have a lot of strength.
If they are not trained well from the start, problems can arise sooner or later. Even experienced dog owners are recommended to attend a dog school from puppyhood. Above all, this promotes contact and socialization with other dogs.
The four-legged friend can also be given a task. The dogs are particularly suitable as guard dogs, but also for keeping on a large farm with other animals. The breed is also increasingly being used as a rescue dog. The intelligent animals can also be trained as assistance dogs. In this way, they support people with disabilities. The Amstaff wants to be needed and feels very comfortable doing so.
Suitable accessories
If you get an Amstaff, you should definitely have enough space for your four-legged friend. Keeping them in a small apartment is not recommended. In general, it should be noted that the breed may not be welcomed in rented apartments. Many landlords refuse to keep such dogs because they are still considered fighting dogs.
In some federal states or countries such as Denmark or the Netherlands, the animals are not allowed. Travel to these countries should be avoided at all costs. In the worst case scenario, the dogs could be confiscated.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is considered to be lively and playful. Dog toys should definitely be purchased. Dogs have a lot of fun with them. Ball and fetch games are particularly suitable.
The keeping of this breed is subject to strict regulations in almost all federal states. These include a dog license and a muzzle.
Origin & History
It is a relatively young and modern dog breed. It originates from the USA and enjoys great popularity. The origin of this dog breed can be traced back to the inglorious dog fighting scene in the USA. In the past, powerful dog breeds were deliberately set against each other. The sole purpose of this was to entertain people.
Although such fights are now banned, they are still held, especially in the USA. The good-natured Amstaffs are unfortunately well suited to these events due to their robust and strong physique.
The breed originated from the crossbreeding of bulldogs and terriers. This cross was intended to make the dogs stronger, more aggressive and uncontrollably aggressive. However, the fact that dogs do not naturally show aggressive behavior was not taken into account.
In the meantime, the "American Staffordshire Terrier Club of America" has made it its mission to take over the serious breeding of the dogs and to keep them away from dangerous owners and the fighting scene. American society was quickly made aware of the positive characteristics of these dogs. Today, the Amstaff is a highly respected companion dog in the USA.
American Staffordshire Terriers are rarely found in Germany. The classification of the animals in the breed list makes it difficult for dog owners. This is because not only the import but also the keeping of this breed is prohibited in many places or subject to strict conditions.
