American Staffordshire Terrier

The most striking feature of this bulldog-Terrier cross is its broad and deep chest. Although the dog is muscular and has a build that is slightly on the bulkier side, it is very agile. Their stature is rather short, at an average height of 16 to 19 inches. The Terrier is unusually strong for this height. They weigh anything between 25 and 30 kg. the breed is mostly healthy but does not escape a few genetic problems such as hip dysplasia and congenital heart disease, although the occurrence is not too common.

It has a smooth coat consisting of short hair and this clearly indicates an adaptation to warmer climates. They can well be brought up in an apartment so long as they get their daily quota of heavy exercise. At one point, this breed was used in dog fights; however they are also great show dogs. Like most of the other breeds, the American Staffordshire Terrier requires a leader to lead the pack. This is a result of the pack-hunting stage during the course of evolution of dogs. They tend to form strong bonds with a small number of people and are wary of newcomers. The American Staffordshire Terrier is very good with children and are very good learners. Hands-off approach in training/interacting with the dog does not work well and makes them disturbed. They are a great family companion although they are guard dogs. This means that treating the dog as a part of the family helps. Training the dog is best started at an age of 8 to 10 months; reward and punishment training has shown best results in this breed. Another point to be borne in mind and one that might prove tricky is housebreaking this dog. It might call for a little extra effort.

The American Staffordshire Terrier makes an amazing guard dog. They have a very high degree of alertness. To add to their attentiveness, they also have muscular strength behind them and can be very aggressive when required. This Terrier can rip a person apart when faced with a demanding situation. Other information about this breed includes its high threshold of pain tolerance. Ears of this dog are cropped very often, but that entirely up to the owner.

The average litter produces 5 to 10 pups. The dog has a longevity that varies broadly between 9 and 15 years. Exercise is one of the few points that need to be given regard- daily exercise is necessary to keep them emotionally stable. Grooming on the other hand is relatively easy. The coat, being made of short hair has a shiny look and needs to be brushed regularly. This can be done without much effort. Bathing can be undertaken as and when deemed necessary. It would be advisable to maintain a frequency of once a week. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a normal shedder despite the thin coat, and is therefore not a good idea to have as a pet if you are allergic to fur.