|
AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER — BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
Breed Description / Health Issues / Breed Standards / Training / Additional Information
Breed Description
|
| Breed Registries: |
|
|
Note: Starting in 1936, the American Kennel Club accepted for registration in the AKC Stud Book, the breed known as Staffordshire Terrier. However, to avoid confusion with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the name was changed effective 1 January 1972 to the American Staffordshire Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier gained official acceptance by the AKC in 1974. The Canadian Kennel Club does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier, however both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are officially recognized in the Terrier group. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is acknowledged as a breed of British origin and was officially recognized by the CKC in 1953. In North America, the American Pit Bull Terrier has been recognized under this name by the United Kennel Club (UKC) since 1898.
Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
* — The FCI is the World Canine Organization, which includes 83 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The "owner" countries of the breeds write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees. |
| Origin: |
USA |
| Height: |
Males—18 to 19 inches at the shoulder;
Females—17 to 18 inches |
| Weight: |
Ranges from 50 to 75 lbs
Height and Weight should be in proportion |
|
The American Staffordshire Terrier originated sometime in the 1800s, when dog fighting was a popular sport in the U.S. The Am Staff was also used for farm work, hunting large game such as wild pigs and bears, as a guard dog, and for general companionship. The breed, known over the years as the Half-and-Half, Yankee Terrier, Pitbull Terrier and American Bull Terrier, was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as the Staffordshire Terrier. The name was changed to the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972 to avoid confusion with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Although the American Staffordshire Terrier resembles the American Pit Bull Terrier, it is a separate, distinct breed.
The term "Pit Bull" is often used to refer to a breed type as well as different breeds of dogs, including the AmStaff. Other breeds commonly referred to as "Pit Bulls" include: the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. Some believe that all of these breeds of dogs originally came from the same pit fighting stock over 100 years ago but have been bred to differing standards and are now known as distinct and separate breeds. Others believe that these dogs are simply different strains of the same breed. History aside and whether or not they are distinct breeds, if well bred, they all share a natural love for people and the Bulldog as a common ancestor.
Today's Am Staff is mostly seen as a companion and show dog. He is courageous, muscular, and agile. His working abilities, intelligence and high activity level make him well suited for many dog sports and activities. He is very loyal to his family and makes a good guardian. The Am Staff is very people oriented and requires interaction and plenty of attention from his family. The breed is not naturally aggressive towards humans. However, because they are extremely loyal, if trained by an owner to be aggressive toward humans, there is a possibility that the dog may become aggressive toward humans.
The American Staffordshire Terrier comes in all colours — brindles, parti, patched, or any combination. His short coat is easy to maintain and requires little grooming.
TOP
Health Issues:
As with all breeds of dogs, American Staffordshire Terriers may exhibit some genetic health problems. The following is a listing of some of the disorders which may be of concern for the breed:
- Spinocerebellar or Hereditary Ataxia — This is a neurological disorder which has become a major concern for the American Staffordshire Terrier community. This disease affects the cerebellum which, together with the vestibular system, control coordination of movement. Several diseases can affect these areas of the brain and produce similar signs. However, the order and rate of symptoms are characteristic of the disease. Initially, subtle signs of clumsiness and an occasional sway of the body may be noticed. As the disease progresses, the clumsiness becomes more pronounced, where the affected dog easily loses his balance and falls over. Additional signs may be seen in the eyes, where sudden movements of the head can cause rapid flicking of the eyes, either from side to side or round in circles. With time, the affected dog has more difficulty walking due to a lack of coordination in the legs. Weight loss may also be observed. The STCA Health Committee considers Hereditary Ataxia to be a "deadly" disease because most affected AmStaffs must be humanely euthanized.
Research has confirmed that this disease is inherited and most likely by an autosomal recessive trait. Evidence also suggests that the gene is widely distributed in the breeding population of American Staffordshire Terriers. The onset of symptoms generally appear in dogs anywhere from two to eight years of age. Unfortunately, at this time there is no diagnostic test available to confirm the presence of the disease other than an autopsy. Until genetic testing is available, it is strongly recommended that breeders try to avoid spreading the disease by not breeding young dogs due to the possible late onset of the disease, and not breeding any dog with neurologic symptoms, even those thought to be caused by ear infections and strokes, unless definitively diagnosed to have a non-hereditary disorder by a neurologist.
For additional information, see:
- Heart Disease — Several forms of genetic heart disease have been seen in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. These include: Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pulmonic Valvular Stenosis, Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS), and others. It is strongly recommended that breeding stock be tested by a Cardiologist and echocardiogram rather than by a regular Veterinarian who may miss a heart murmur. The mode of inheritance of heart disease is not known and any dog affected with heart disease should not be used as breeding stock.
For the puppy buyer, it is important to note that the OFA provides certification from both a Veterinarian as well as from a Cardiologist. When looking at a dog's OFA certification number, the letter "C" or "S" at the end denotes that the dog has been certified by a Cardiologist or Specialist.
For additional information, see:
- Hip Dysplasia — Hip Dysplasia in American Staffordshire Terriers is polygenetic, meaning that even if both sire and dam have good hips, they can still produce a litter of hip dysplastic pups. American Staffordshire Terrier breeding stock should always be certified from OFA or Penn Hip and breeders should research the information available through the OFA or Penn Hip databases to verify the certifications of previous generations — Minimizing the occurrence of Hip Dysplasia comes from a long history of passes. Certifications other than from OFA or Penn Hip are less reliable because their databases do not have the historical information that OFA has with over 1800 x-rays of evaluated AmStaffs.
- Elbow Dysplasia — The OFA ranks the Am Staff at number 9 for Elbow Dysplasia. Therefore, elbow x-rays are also recommended for breeding stock along with the Hip x-rays.
- Hypothyroidism — Canine Hypothyroidism is the most commonly diagnosed hormonal disease found in dogs. The term hypothyroidism simply means the underproduction of thyroxin, the hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The treatment is through thyroid hormone supplementation given orally once or twice a day. Usually thyroid supplementation improves the clinical signs associated with the disease within four to six weeks. All the clinical signs of hypothyroidism are reversible, once treatment is started. It is believed that a pup is predisposed to this disorder by a recessive or polygenetic mode of inheritance from his/her mother, or a bitch with antithyroid antibodies in her blood may pass these along to her puppies in her colostral milk. Thyroid screenings are recommended between 10-14 months of age and subsequently every one to two years thereafter.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy — PRA has been known to occur in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. Annual testing and CERF certification is recommended.
If you are considering the adoption of a American Staffordshire Terrier puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. This should include OFA or Penn Hip certifications for hips and elbows, OFA certification and testing by a Cardiologist or Specialist for heart disease, CERF certification for eyes, and screening should be done for hypothyroidism as well. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
TOP
Breed Standards:
TOP
Training Resources:
The American Staffordshire Terrier is strong, intelligent, inquisitive and determined and, if left untrained, the bored Am Staff can do considerable damage to home and property. The best approach with the Am Staff is through early obedience training.
- Training — For information on training your Am Staff, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
TOP
Additional Information:
- An informative Brochure by the STCA — Provides information on choosing the breed, breed description, breed history and the official AKC Breed Standard (in PDF format)
- What is a "Real" Pit Bull? — Understanding the difference between: American Pit Bull, American Staffordshire, Staffordshire Bull
- Pit Bulls — The Real Deal — From Pit Bull Rescue Central (PDF Format)
- From Homeless to Hero — Norton's Story — Norton was inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame in 1999 for his heroic act.
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — Interested in getting involved in a particular dog sport or activity with your Am Staff? This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs includes information on various dog sports and activities, including Schutzhund, Obedience, Agility, and much more. Also included here is a listing of nono-breed specific Clubs from across Canada. (Note: For Am Staff specific Clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
- Information About Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) — What is BSL; which breeds are affected.
- American Pit Bull Terrier & American Staffordshire Terrier Awareness Organization (ASTAO)
- Am Staff Network — Dedicated to Connecting Am Staff Lovers Around the World
|
|
HOME
Int.Ch. Barberycoast Second to None (Tonne)
