When talking about the Staffordshire Terrier, many people picture a dog with a broad muzzle, a strong chest, and a kind expression. With an innate sense of danger and a natural protective instinct, AmStaffs can make excellent guard dogs for their owners. The price of these dogs depends on the pedigree of their parents, which directly influences the Staffordshire Terrier's success in various competitions.
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History of the breed
The first mentions of the Amstaff service dog appeared as early as 1209. The breed was not developed in America, as is commonly believed, but in England. The American Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull – these are all names for the same breed. This diversity is due to the fact that at different times the animal various tasks were assigned.
Amstaffs were originally bred as fighting dogs. As gladiatorial combat faded, people found entertainment in animal fights. Mastiffs were initially used for this purpose. However, as mastiffs are quite large animals, they were easy targets for the horns and hooves of wild animals. Consequently, the decision was made to reduce the size of the fighting dog, and breeders crossed a terrier and a bulldog. The result was a fast, agile, and cunning small dog.
The Staffordshire Terrier in its modern form was registered in 1936. In 1976, it became known as the American Staffordshire Terrier. Since then, neither the breed nor its name have changed.
The appearance of the Amstaff
A very strong, large, muscular and well-built dog looks very elegantIt differs:
stocky body;- developed chest;
- with paws spread wide apart;
- height at withers from 44 to 48 cm;
- wide, medium-length head;
- high-set, cropped or undocked ears;
- dark, round, deep-set and wide-set eyes;
- black nose;
- with tight lips;
- a low-set, short tail that tapers towards the end;
- weighing from 25 to 30 kg.
stocky body;The Staffordshire Terrier's coat may have solid, spotted or particolored colorBlack and tan, liver, and white colors are undesirable for this breed. Faults include an excessively long tail, pink eyelids, a light brown nose, and light-colored eyes.
The character of the Staffordshire Terrier
Bold, active, and goal-oriented, Amstaffs possess a unique intelligence and combine a number of opposing qualities. They can be simultaneously sensitive and stubborn, good-natured and uncompromising, strong and affectionate.
Fearless Staffordshire Terriers strive for their own safety. If they see you treating them unfairly, they can become offended.
Breed easy to train, but you can't force her to do anything. Training should be done with positive reinforcement, otherwise the dog may become aggressive.
Amstaffs will never bark or howl without reason. They are very playful and ready to frolic with any family member anywhere. From an early age, the dog should be introduced to the surrounding environment. After receiving all the necessary vaccinations, the puppy should be taken outside, walked in crowded places, on public transportation, and in the car. This will quickly acclimate the puppy and allow it to react calmly to unfamiliar situations and strangers. To avoid conflicts during walks, the puppy should be introduced to other dogs. Peaceful dogs are ideal.
It's important to teach your Amstaff the "Give!" command, taking away a bone or toy. By doing this, you demonstrate that you are the pack leader and that you are important to obey. Staffordshire Terriers leaders, then in order to take the place of the leader, they should be shaken.
American Staffordshire Terrier Care
Am Staffs are indoor dogs that can only go outside for walks. Therefore, it's essential for your pet to have its own place in your apartment or house where it enjoys sleeping. A puppy will likely settle on your bed. Many owners are happy about this. But remember, as dogs grow, they'll eventually become quite large. As a result, there's only room on your bed for one. Therefore, from day one, an American Staffordshire Terrier must know his placeAnd sleep on the bed only with the owner's permission.
Since dogs have no undercoat and little fur, they can get cold even on warm days. The best housing option for them is a well-equipped crate with soft bedding, which should be in place the day the puppy walks through the door.
Exercise is essential for both young and adult dogs. Puppies should be walked twice a day. American Staffordshire Terriers love active play, so they should be allowed to run around a bit off-leash.
Some dogs of this breed enjoy swimming, while others don't. Therefore, the latter need to be accustomed to water. To do this, go into the water and call your pet. If it follows you, be sure to praise it. Rewards and praise play an important role in training a dog.
American Staffordshire Terrier: Price and Pedigree
Since the likelihood of future victories directly depends on pedigree, the choice of a dog must be approached with the utmost responsibility.
Those who want to acquire an Amstaff in order to earn gold medals at exhibitions need to ask the breeder about the pedigreeIt's best if he shows all the parents' awards, written judge reviews, and photos from shows. Any excuses should raise doubts. If everything is in order, then you can choose an affordable puppy you like. Show victories will depend entirely on the owner's efforts.
But for those simply looking to add a new friend to the family, all the above information won't be of much interest. However, for any Staffordshire Terrier puppy the price depends on the class:
- Pet-class dogs are purebred dogs with various deviations from breed standards. These can include jaw defects, asymmetrical skull structure, or a different color. All of these factors preclude the dog from participating in shows, meaning this class of Amstaff is only suitable as a "man's best friend." If you don't plan to show or earn large sums of money from breeding, then this puppy is perfect for you. Prices for this class of dog range from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles.
- The Brit class is suitable for those who want a purebred dog without any developmental disabilities. These puppies have good results, but they are unlikely to win first place at a show. However, they will be suitable for breeding in the future. Their price ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.
- Show-class American Staffordshire Terriers are distinguished by their distinctive breed characteristics. These fighting dogs are suitable for show victories and breeding. However, their price is also high. A puppy can cost over 20,000 rubles.
Criteria for choosing puppies
When choosing a puppy of any class, you need to pay attention to a brand that must be placed in the groin or on the earIt's done on the dog's 45th birthday. In addition, puppies must be:
- well-groomed;
- with shiny, dandruff-free fur;
- plump, but not with bloated bellies;
- strong;
- active;
- inquisitive;
- without any rashes or scratches on the stomach;
- with a correct bite;
- with testicles lowered into the scrotum near the cable.
well-groomed;When purchasing a puppy, you need to make sure that you are given a veterinary passport, because They are vaccinated between 2 and 3 months of ageIn addition, a puppy with a pedigree should be given a card indicating the puppy's date of birth, sex, color, and parents. Based on this, the breeder's club should issue you a tattoo number. Don't forget to ask the breeder about the deworming date and what they fed the little Amstaff.
New owners of American Staffordshire Terriers should remember that breeding purebred dogs is challenging, but rewarding. This fighting breed is always valuable, so with proper care, training, and show victories, there's no need to worry about future profits.
