The American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire Bull terrier have similar names, but they are two different races, although their physical characteristics are slightly similar as well as their temperament.
The only real difference is the size, as Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh about 14 kilos less than American Staffordshire.
Features
Loyal, fun-loving, fearless and affectionate, American Staffordshire Terriers (sometimes called Amstaffs) bring joy to families.
They are often confused with Pitt Bull Terriers, the two breeds share an ancestral bloodline and they were originally bred to fight, but the American Staffordshire line has gotten a lot smoother in the last 100 years.
Despite its reputation for an aggressive breed, the Amstaff it is a true affectionate and playful family dog.
The American Staffordshire requires daily exercise to maintain muscle tone; They enjoy walks and being a very active breed, they are suitable for a home that has a fenced yard or garden with enough space to run and play.
If raised alongside other animals, a well-behaved American Staffordshire Terrier will be fine, but if you adopt an older dog it is better not to have other petsas even the kindest Staffordshire can attack if challenged by another animal or if they fear their owner is in danger.
Training
The Amstaffs they are dogs with a strong personality, so your training requires a lot of confidence and patience.
They must be trained and socialized as soon as possible. Any well-behaved American Staffordshire Terrier is a magnificent ambassador for their breed and positive reinforcement should be used as a training method for an Amstaff, as harsh discipline can breed mistrust.
Socialization should also be done early. They should be taught to be friendly with people and make them understand that children are fun and not threatening playmates.
A boring American Staffordshire is a bad idea for the home and its furniture. Plenty of exercise and stimulation is key to maintaining the integrity of a home's furniture. This breed loves to chewLeaving plenty of toy bones or other stress-related materials around and around the house will help protect your shoes, sofas, and wooden table legs.
Appearance
They are strong and robust dogs, with large heads, strong jaws, and medium-length, straight tails.
They have black noses, large, round, low eyes, and broad, round snouts. His chest is well raised, which gives them an air of confidence as they move. They have a wide range of colors and patterns ranging from white to black and solid to print. Although muscular and very strong, they are only 43 and 48 inches off the ground.
The Amstaffs they are robust and very proportional dogs. The standards range from a height of approximately 48 inches from the shoulders for the male and 43 inches for the female, although some may be larger or smaller. Male dogs weigh 12 to 17 kilos, while the females weigh from 11 to 15 kilos.
This breed of dog has a short, smooth coat attached to the skin. It has a variety of colors including the reddish, beige, white, black or bluish color, or any of these colors with white, as well as with brindle or brindle with white.
Care
These dogs are very easy to bathe if taught from a young age. They can be very stubborn and sensitive to feet being touched., so it is important that they get used to being handled like puppies.
Weekly brushing can keep the coat manageable and shiny. Amstaffs don't have much «dog smell»And bathing is only required a few times a year and unless the dog gets dirty.
Amstaffs are prone to bad breath, so regular teeth cleaning should be part of the grooming regimen. Many owners brush their teeth weekly or even more frequently, thus keeping harmful bacteria and odor at bay.
Personality
Aggression towards other animals is the biggest problem with Amstaff. As long as the dog comes from a reputable breeder, with a smooth bloodline, the Amstaff will not be aggressive towards people, because they were bred to fight and because they are loyal to their families. On the contrary, if they feel threatened by another dog, they can become aggressive.
This breed should be treated as a member of the family and never leave them tied up or alone for a long timeAs they can develop serious behavior and aggression problems, if neglected.
Health problems
Some are prone to heart murmurs, thyroid problems, skin allergies, tumors, hip dysplasia, inherited cataracts, and congenital heart disease. They can also suffer from ataxia, a very serious health problem in this breed.
If you are looking for an Amstaff it is advisable to ask any breeder if their puppies are guaranteed ataxia-free or not. It is a recessive traitTherefore, if one of the parents has not suffered from ataxia, it is safe to know that the puppy will not be affected by this disease.
The American Staffordshire are smart, hardworking and they have great strengthFurthermore, due to its loyal nature, it fosters a strong bond with the family.
Protection attributed to race may actually be a self-defense response, therefore, increasing socialization can help minimize the development of aggression defensive based on fear.
These dogs are often motivated by food, which facilitates learning and training and encourages the dog's bond with the family. However, as with other terrier breeds, it is quite difficult to unhook them from an activity or behavior.