American Staffordshire Terrier: breed features and breeding

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a popular fighting dog breed that is widespread in the United States, England and Russia. These dogs are distinguished by a powerful body, remarkable watchdog qualities, as well as an extremely aggressive character in inexperienced hands. This article will talk about American staff, the features of this breed, the intricacies of its maintenance and breeding.

The history of the American Staffordshire Terrier has a deep bloody trail since the Middle Ages. At that time, gladiatorial fights were extremely popular, where it was people who initially performed in arenas in front of tens of thousands of spectators. Over time, the audience turned into an increasingly sophisticated "gourmet", which led to the creation of battles between people and between animals.

Initially, only wild animals were used for such competitions: wild boars, bears, even bulls. Extremely powerful dog breeds (Bulldogs and Mastiffs) were chosen as the opposing side.

Unfortunately, these dogs, in addition to enormous strength, did not possess either the agility or agility of a wild beast, which served as a motive for creating more hardy, fast and equally strong breeds of dogs.

As strange as it is, but these dogs are known today precisely because of their bloody past. In the pedigree of each of the modern staff, there are ancestors who in ancient times were bred exclusively as fighting dogs for such arenas. In addition, terriers were considered incredibly intelligent, which should have endowed the new breed with strategic and tactical talents to overcome stronger opponents.

Breeding experiments soon led to the creation of a completely new breed of dog, which was named "Bull Terrier". These dogs were more resilient, incredibly agile and just as strong as the Bulldogs. A turning point in the development of the breed was the adoption of a law in England in 1835, which prohibited bullfighting. Because of this event, only dog ​​arenas gradually began to form, in which bull terriers showed themselves as wonderful fighting dogs.

Already at that time there were two names for these dogs - some called them Staffordshire Terriers (after the name of the place where the fighting breed was bred in England), while others called them Pit Bull Terriers. Over time, these two names merged into one, which was firmly entrenched among the breeders of that time - the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

After the so-called War of the North and the South (a large-scale American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865), people began to migrate from England to America more and more often. The migrants brought with them not only their culture, but also their pets, among which were bright representatives of the staff. If on the territory of modern England dog fights were already banned at that time, then on the territory of a still very young America they became just wildly popular among the population.

Such popularity of fighting breeds gave another powerful impetus to the development of amstaffs. Breeding experiments lasted until the end of the 19th century, and even then exclusively purebred individuals with ideal fighting qualities were used for breeding dogs.

At the end of the 19th century, the first American kennel club was created in the state of Michigan, the main focus of which was precisely the breeding and development of pit bull terriers. The successful improvement of the breed led to the fact that these individuals began not only to participate in fighting competitions, but also showed themselves excellently in official activities. These individuals began to be bought by ordinary farmers, hunters and traders.

Since about the beginning of the twentieth century, a wave of indignation has swept across America over the ban on dog fighting. With the closure of the fighting pits, the staff would become practically useless, because they were created specifically for the battle. So that the breed does not completely disappear, American dog handlers decided to improve the exterior of these dogs, giving preference to the qualities that are appreciated precisely in exhibition activities.

The result of these works was the creation of a less muscular, but more graceful and hardy dog ​​breed, which was named the Staffordshire Terrier. It was under this name that the dogs of this breed were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. As for the International Cynological Federation, it officially recognized this breed of dogs only in 1971, but the name of the breed changed to "American Staffordshire Terrier".

These dogs came to the territory of modern Russia only in the 80s of the twentieth century. The Amstaffs gained popularity almost immediately due to their fierce and strong exterior. Many Russian breeders and private owners, who had no idea about fighting breeds before, began to train these individuals according to the already established scheme, but suffered a crushing defeat.

Increasingly, there were cases when Amstaffs became the culprits of fatal accidents. Because of these events, the fame of bloodthirsty and ferocious dogs was entrenched for them, which has survived to this day.

In relation to the American Staffordshire Terrier, the standard is very stable and firm - all because of the rich historical past of the breed, which has been formed over more than one hundred years.

If most dogs live no longer than 12-13 years, then amstaff individuals, due to their good health and excellent protective qualities, can live to be 15-17 years old. Males are slightly heavier than bitches they weigh between 25 and 30 kg, while adult bitches are rarely heavier than 25 kg. As for the height, it is almost the same for males and bitches - from 43 to 48 centimeters at the withers.

All varieties of the Staffordshire Terrier have an amazingly powerful, muscular and massive build. The main muscle groups are found in the hips, chest, shoulders, back, and limbs. In a state of excitement, these individuals turn into a living lump of muscles covered with thick skin with a shiny coat.

The body of these dogs is very compact, although due to the powerful head it seems slightly elongated. The back is short and well muscled. The rounded croup is noticeably pronounced, which makes it seem as if the dog is ready at any moment to jump off the spot. The shoulder blades are exceptionally long and close to the back.

The head cannot be called long, but it is very wide and massive. The skull itself is flat and widens between the ears. The occiput is poorly expressed, almost invisible under the hair and muscles. The stop, or the transition from the muzzle to the forehead, is smooth, but clearly visible. The Amstaff's muzzle is not particularly long, almost the same length as the skull.

The jaws and teeth are extremely powerful, wide and long. The teeth (white or yellowish) are spaced back to back - in one line on the lower jaw. Scissor bite.

The nose is large and wide, the nostrils are remarkably developed (this is a fighting breed of dogs, individuals of which must constantly have access to oxygen to fight). The lobe itself is always dark (dark gray or black).

The American Staffordshire Terrier has two ear positions. The first option assumes uncropped ears with small shells and a stable position on the cartilage. The second option is short-cropped ears with thin, sharp tips.

The eyes are set low and rather wide; their shape is exceptionally rounded. The iris should be black, although hazel and hazel are acceptable. The eyelids fit tightly to the eyeball and are also pigmented.

The neck is not very long, however, it is extremely strong and muscular, smoothly merging into the withers. Unlike folds on the face and forehead, there are no folds on the neck, and the skin is tight.

The withers stand out significantly from the back due to the developed muscles. The transition from the withers to the back is smooth. The rib cage is broad, deep and muscular. The ribs are predominantly rounded. The belly is tucked up.

Some owners prefer to dock the tail of dogs, but for this dog it serves as a rudder, regulating the direction of movement. The tail of the Stafford is powerful, tapering towards the tip. Covered with a thin layer of wool.

The front legs are parallel and straight, the bones are strong, the developed muscles are clearly visible under the skin. The elbows should fit snugly against the ribcage and look back. The hind legs are much longer than the front ones, they also stand parallel. The muscles on the hips and knees are well developed.The paws of the Amstaffs are small, rounded, the toes are tightly knit.

All Staffordshire Terriers have exceptionally short and dense coats. The structure is rigid and straight. The entire body, except for the chest, withers and abdomen, is covered with approximately the same layer of wool. Depending on the color, it can shine in the sun. Possesses a protective layer of fat, thanks to which these dogs almost always remain clean.

The standard is not particularly selective about the color of the American Stafford. Today, more than 15 color options are known, including the following:

• monochromatic tones (blue, cream, black, red, fawn or gray);
• bicolor and multicolor (black and tan on the face, neck and paws, brindle, bluish-fawn, "boar").

It is unlikely that in the world there is at least one more breed of dog with such an unstable and changeable character as the Staffordshire Terrier. These dogs at one moment can be cute and affectionate, obedient, and at another they become in a protective stance and are ready to tear everyone who gets in their way.

It is worth noting that Experienced breeders rate this breed of dogs as extremely kind, cheerful and balanced, while critics attribute these dogs to the most bloodthirsty traits that any predator would envy.

There is no better dog than staff for guarding the territory or children. These dogs are extremely responsible for the work entrusted to them. With all their rage, anger and devotion, they will protect not only their family members, but also the home where they are fed and valued. Amstaffs simply have a unique intuition that allows them to fully appreciate a person in a matter of seconds. It is not for nothing that these animals are taken to the borders of countries or to airports to check luggage and hand luggage - they are great at feeling fear, anger and resentment.

If an amstaff feels a threat towards himself or his family members, he rushes into the attack without the slightest warning. These dogs will not bark warning or growl, grinning their teeth, they will simply rush at the offender and, in a fit of anger, can easily bite through the arteries on the arms and neck of a person. If these qualities of a dog are useful on the street, then within the walls of an apartment they can bring a lot of problems. This problem is especially acute in families with babies, where a game with an animal that has gone beyond the borders instantly turns into a brawl and can end in serious injuries.

The strength that nature has endowed these dogs needs a regular outlet. These are not the dogs that would be satisfied with an ordinary walk on the street without adventures and catch-ups. These dogs need long training and physical activity, this is the only way the staffs feel cheerful and happy. If energy does not spill out on the street, these dogs will find a way to direct it against their owner or the apartment where he lives.

In dealing with young children, amstaffs (especially bitches) act as real nannies who will not only support all their pranks, but will also protect babies from other animals, protect their sleep and safety. Such an attitude towards children is possible only with proper upbringing. With the wrong upbringing, it can happen that the child plays with the pet and does not notice when the game goes beyond entertainment and turns into a serious fight.

The staff have their own position regarding all strangers. American Stafford will not stand aside while his owner is talking to a stranger - he will carefully follow the flow of the conversation and evaluate every gesture and gaze of the interlocutor. You should not try to strike up a relationship with the staff during the very first meeting. - he will not allow himself to be stroked by a stranger and will not accept any delicacy from him. The trust of these dogs must be won, but cannot be bought.

American Stafford is loyal to other pets, especially if they grew up together. Many breeders note that these pets are very sensitive to small kittens (namely females) - they feel in them their puppies, which are constantly looked after and looked after. If another pet constantly violates the personal boundaries of the staff or teases him (for example, a parrot), then these actions will not go unpunished.

If you want to buy a thoroughbred and healthy Amstaff, then immediately abandon the options for buying a puppy on the Internet or in a regular market with hands. The choice of puppies of this breed should be treated with extreme caution, otherwise you run the risk of greatly regretting the purchase in the future.

You have two options when purchasing an American Staffordshire Terrier:

• buying a puppy in a specialized nursery;
• purchase from private hands.

Decide on the appointment of your puppy in the future. If you are going to buy a show individual, then the compliance of the puppies with the standard should be as accurate as possible, but if you want to purchase a fighting individual for your own purposes, pay attention to the correct structure of the skeleton and muscles, as well as to the corresponding experience of the pet's parents.

If you choose an individual exclusively for the family, then pay attention to its behavior, the aggressiveness of its ancestors... In this case, you can even buy mestizo amstaffs - they will cost much cheaper, while having practically the same exterior (although they will not be suitable for exhibition activities).

If you choose exactly show puppies, it is recommended to monitor the conditions of their maintenance and development from the very birth. By about one month of age, small amstaffs completely form the key features of the exterior, which allows buyers to better understand how the pet will look in the future. Do not believe the seller's stories that in the future, the appearance of animals can still be corrected with the help of therapeutic massages and exercises - all these are unproven theories.

Be sure to monitor the conditions of keeping the pet, for the thoroughness and regularity of feeding. Also check with the breeder for the number of individuals in the puppy's mother's litter. If there are no more than 6 individuals, then the chance that they received full nutrition in the first days after birth is higher.

The conclusion of a purchase agreement is far from the only document that you should receive from a puppy or kennel seller. In addition, you must be provided with a veterinary passport, pedigree and metrics. It does not hurt to look at the parents' passport to find out about hereditary diseases and predispositions.

Keep in mind that, depending on the age, the color of the American Stafford can vary significantly. For example, if in newborn puppies white spots predominate in color, and the nose, eyelids or lips are also pigmented with white, then by the year a significant part of these spots may darken or acquire a brown or red color.

remember, that partial pigmentation or staining of these parts of the body must be present. It is also worth paying attention to the color of the iris in puppies - it is finally formed only by the age of one year.

Pay close attention to examining the dog's fur. It must be smooth and short (this type of wool is sometimes called velor) without bald areas and bald patches.The puppy's skin should also be closely examined - under unscrupulous conditions, the skin of these dogs becomes covered with ulcers, abscesses and blackheads. As for the coat, it must first of all be dry - if it is wet near the genitals or around the anus, most often this means problems with the intestines in the dog.

The eyes should be clear and not clouded, without lacrimal pathways and mucous lumps in the corners of the eyes. At about one month of age, staffs should weigh between 3 and 5 kg. The puppy should not look emaciated, or, conversely, overfed. Protruding ribs and pelvic bones indicate malnutrition.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to buy an American Staffordshire Terrier right after birth or even at the age of 1 month. These puppies are allowed to be sold only after reaching 45 days, taking into account branding, vaccination and expert judgment in kennels.

If the education of these dogs cannot be taken carelessly, then with the maintenance and care they definitely will not make you sweat. Regarding these two positions, they are practically ordinary dogs, whose good health protects them from most of the problems.

From the moment the puppy appears within the walls of your apartment do not forget to carry out regular procedures to combat fleas, lice and worms. To combat lice and fleas, special shampoos, lotions and combs are suitable; to get rid of worms, special solutions or tablets prescribed by a veterinarian are usually used.

Regular vaccination is another important point in prevention. If you bought a puppy in a kennel, then the first vaccination should have been carried out there, it should be repeated at least once a year.

Thanks to their short coat, these dogs practically do not need close grooming. Also, they practically do not shed, which allows them to successfully keep them within the walls of a city apartment. To remove dead hairs, it is recommended to carry out regular brushing with a soft comb or brush - this will additionally be a good massage for the dog's skin.

Dogs need regular care for the ears, claws, teeth and genitals of the animal. To clean your ears, you will need cotton swabs or cotton pads moistened with lotion or water, get a nail clipper for your nails (for large breeds of dogs), only specialized pastes and brushes for large dogs (not human) are suitable for teeth. The genitals can either be wiped off with moist hypoallergenic wipes, or rinsed under running water after each walk.

Thorough washing of amstaffs should be carried out no more than several times a year. They have a short coat that is not very dirty, in addition, these dogs are clean and do not like to walk in puddles or wallow in the water. For washing wool it is worth choosing only hypoallergenic shampoos with a mild formula.

It is worth walking with these dogs every day, while trying to load the pet as much as possible. You should take a walk before eating, be sure to wear a muzzle on the pet (even on a young individual) while walking.

American Staffordshire Terriers are very social animals that require from their owners not only care, but also regular communication and entertainment. With a lack of attention, they tend to experience aggression, or, conversely, fall into deep apathy.

Despite the remarkable security qualities and powerful exterior, these animals are not recommended to be kept outdoors or in an aviary. If their coat can withstand a relatively low temperature, then it will not save the dog from sudden changes. Some owners, when walking these dogs in winter, prefer to dress up their pets in blankets so that they do not freeze.

Another important point in the maintenance of amstaff is regular and nutritious food. Breeders adhere to two methods of feeding these dogs: natural or dry food.

If we are talking about ready-made feed, then it is recommended to focus on hypoallergenic feed of good quality - premium or super-premium. These feeds contain all the necessary vitamins and microelements, they are stored longer and do not need balancing.

As for feeding with natural products, here it is worth adhering to the following tips.

• The basis of the diet of this breed must necessarily be protein of animal origin. This is raw or boiled meat, offal or fish. For meat, chicken, beef, or veal are best. Pork and lamb should be given extremely rarely - they have a high percentage of fat.
• Dairy products - cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir.
• Cereals. Amstaffs' body constantly needs herbal supplements and fiber. Rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, corn are perfect here. Such cereals should not be served "dry", they should be made in water with the addition of meat and vegetables.
• Offal are an excellent substitute for meat, especially since the Amstaffs simply adore them. This applies to giblets, tongues, ventricles and hearts. Of course, all this must be boiled in advance.
• A fish replaces meat well, contains useful phosphorus and strengthens the bone of the dog. It is sea boiled fish with a minimum amount of bones that is recommended.
• At a young age, puppies need enhanced vitamin nutrition, in addition, they are actively teething - in this case it is recommended to give them special vertebral bones. Regular bones should not be given to these dogs - they spoil their teeth and lead to constipation.
• Eliminate sweets (sweets, chocolate), pastries, human food from the table from the dog's diet (including salted, smoked, spicy and fatty foods). Sausages and sausages should also be discarded.

Avoid overfeeding your staff to avoid obesity. For this dog, this is a very dangerous disease, especially in the winter season, when the walks are not so long and there is no way to physically load the pet. Feed after walks - then the pet is more likely to want even food that is not particularly tasty, in his opinion.

Provide 24/7 access to a clean, fresh water source, especially if the dry prepared food option is selected.

The American Staff is exactly the breed of dog that needs to be worked on from the earliest childhood. You need to understand that these dogs will try to define their position from the very first day they appear in the apartment.

The most important thing that is required of you is to establish your authority. Staff must understand that it is you who are in control of all situations, it is you who decide what is allowed and what is not. To achieve this, you should proceed as follows:

• train your dog to always walk next to you;
• go into the room first, and then let the pet in;
• sit down at the table before giving food to your pet.

Remember: your word is a law that must not be violated under any circumstances. Once you allow an American stafford to cross the boundaries of what is allowed, it will be extremely difficult to wean him from it. Always stand your ground, from the very first day, designate those zones in the apartment where the pet is not allowed to enter.

When raising an American Staffordshire Terrier, try to avoid scenes of overt aggression. If this is a family conflict with beatings, raising and shouting, amstaff may not react in any way due to not knowing who to protect. If it’s a conflict on the street, even if the situation gets heated, try to maintain an even and calm tone.

Try to end every meeting with a new person or new pet on a good note. If the staff remembers it in a negative way, it is very possible that he will unconsciously experience the same aggression towards all future animals or people with the same characteristics.

Exercise your pet regularly, take him to the dog grounds, make him do light, then more difficult exercises. Always reward the dog with either a treat or gentle intonation for completing commands.

From the success of the chosen nickname, as experienced breeders say, not only the success of the animals depends, but also the character, mood of the future pet. The most common variants of nicknames for dogs of this breed are:

• for boys: Archie, Aron, Bruno, Vegas, Hector, Gray, Zeus, Lord, Lucius, Max, Nike, Richard, Steve, Phobos, Hardy, Caesar;
• for girls: Adele, Berta, Viva, Jolie, Dora, Eve, Zlata, Luna, Margot, Mira, Nesty, Tessa, Tiffany, Feona, Holly, Alice.

Reviews about this dog cannot be called unambiguous - people's opinions about the breed are divided into two camps.

Dog owners from the first camp notice that this is an unusually difficult, aggressive, capricious and even vicious dog breed, individuals of which will not lose any opportunity to feast on someone's flesh.

Representatives of the second camp agree with the thesis that this breed is really difficult to keep and is not suitable for every owner. However, in their opinion, in firm hands, these dogs are incredibly docile, intelligent, perspicacious and very nice in relation to their entire family.

The bloody trail that has been following the American Stafford since the beginning of the 19th century, still generates more and more new stereotypes about the bloodthirstiness of this breed.

For a story about the breed, see the next video.