AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

Temperament: Tenacious, Friendly, Loyal, Courageous, Attentive.
Height: Male: 19 inches; Female: 18 inches.
Weight: Male: 50-70 lbs; Female: 45-60 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12 – 14 years.

MORE ABOUT THIS BREED

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a muscular breed known for being strong for its size; however, they’re also loving and affectionate with human family members. American Staffordshire Terriers enjoy nothing more than being with the humans they care about, whether they’re out for a jog, playing in the yard, or cuddling up on the couch.

They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable; although, that intelligence means they need mental stimulation. If they don’t get it, they’ll put those strong jaws to use and chew anything out of boredom. American Staffordshire Terriers can also use their strength to pull dog walkers along with ease wherever they want to go if they aren’t trained properly. This means they need a strong, confident trainer who will set boundaries without being overly harsh.

PERSONALITY

The average AmStaff is playful, gentle and tolerant. Most well-socialized AmStaffs are good with children, but as with any dog, AmStaffs and children should always be supervised when together. Interaction with other animals, especially other dogs, should be closely monitored.

The AmStaff wasn’t meant to be a hop-to-it obedience whiz, and he isn’t. If you try to force him, he will always win. If you try to make it a game, he will always play, and you will both win. Despite its tough dog persona the AmStaff is a breed that loves to love.

FEEDING

American Staffordshire Terriers should be given a diet formulated for a mid-to-large size dog with moderate energy levels. You should consult your veterinarian or professional nutritionist for advice on what to feed your American Staffordshire Terrier and what size portions they require. Their needs will change with age, so be sure to make adjustments from puppyhood to adulthood and old age as recommended.

HEALTH

The breed is prone to skin allergies, urinary tract infections, and autoimmune diseases. They may also develop osteoarthritis or spondylosis later in life. Other health problems that American Staffordshire Terriers may develop include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, demodectic mange, cerebellar ataxia, heart disease, and luxating patella.

CARE

American Staffordshire Terriers are known to get bad breath, so their teeth should be brushed at least weekly, preferably even more frequently, to prevent bad breath germs from growing.

Their nails should be trimmed as needed, which can be difficult as American Staffordshire Terriers tend to not like to have their paws touched. Training them early to be comfortable with touching and grooming will help.

Their ears should be checked for wax buildup and debris weekly and cleaned as needed to avoid ear infection or pest infestation.

Keep up with regular veterinary checkups and follow your veterinarian’s advice for additional at-home care.

GROOMING

The short, smooth coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier can come in a variety of colors, including blue, fawn, white, black, and red. They can include a mix of white and other colors or a mix of white and brindle. The stiff, glossy hair of the American Staffordshire Terrier sheds heavily twice a year as the seasons change and sheds minimally the rest of the year. It should be brushed at least weekly, which will help capture some of the shedding fur and keep the coat shiny. Bathing is only necessary as needed, which shouldn’t be more than a few times a year unless dogs get dirty.

Source: dogtime, hillspet.