Evanger's Breed Buzz: American Staffordshire Terrier

Breed Spotlight: American Staffordshire Terrier

Stocky, muscular bull-type terriers standing 17-19 inches at the shoulder, American Staffordshire Terriers have broad heads, pronounced cheekbones, well-defined jaws, and dark, round eyes that are set wide apart.

The Am Staff is a people-oriented dog breed that thrives when made part of the family and given a job to do. These confident, good-natured, smart dogs are great with children and other pets. They’re also very trainable dogs that are agile and graceful, with a springy gait that displays that confidence.

Behavior/Temperament
American Staffordshire Terrier parents describe their dogs as “up for anything,” keenly aware of their surroundings and lovable “personality dogs.” When acquiring an Am Staff, potential owners should do research to find an experienced AKC breeder. A responsibly bred Am Staff that is socialized from puppyhood and trained with a firm but loving touch will prove a loyal, trustworthy friend that is excellent with children.

These natural clowns often make training comical. So it’s critical to keep the training program fun and engaging. And since Am Staffs do have a stubborn-streak, training requires patience and a firm but kind hand.

Care
Am Staffs are good house dogs since they are generally fine with spending time alone and are very clean with minimal shedding. The best way to groom an American Staffordshire Terrier is by using a short soft-bristle brush to bring out the best sheen in his coat. As with most dog breeds, these dogs need to be bathed, have nails trimmed and should have teeth brushed on a regular basis. Ears should be checked regularly for any debris that may cause an infection.

Health
The Am Staff is a medium-sized dog breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The breed displays some instances of mild hip dysplasia and some types of cardiac disease. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions in their breeding stock. Instances of skin and coat allergies–which are attributed to immune system weaknesses–have also been found.

The breed has been afflicted with an inherited disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, which causes a progressive decline in muscle or voluntary coordination (ataxia). This neurological disease shows first signs of appearing usually between 3 to 5 years of age.

Affected dogs typically show loss of balance, difficulty cornering and falling when shaking its head. A screening test has been developed to identify those dogs affected, as well as carriers of the gene that causes the disease. Good breeders utilize this genetic testing on their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.


American Staffordshire puppies benefit from high quality
dog food that provides a higher level of moisture and
nutrients for a healthier immune system and skin.
Because the American Staffordshire Terrier is prone to weaker immune systems and allergies, it is important to take extra care in his nutritional intake. This dog breed should eat canned food (whether alone, or as a supplement to dry kibble). The extra moisture and nutrition from fresh meats will help keep the skin hydrated. We recommend Evanger’s Hand Packed Chunky Chicken Casserole, as it provides a complete meal, including fresh, hand packed chicken and vegetables in a dinner that provides a high level of moisture for good hydration. Remember that fresh ingredients from canned food provide higher bio-availability of nutrients, meaning that the body is better able to absorb what is needed to keep your Am Staff in optimal health!

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