Description

The stocky and muscular look of the American Staffordshire Terrier makes this particular dog breed not only impressive, but also slightly intimidating to strangers and other dogs. The strength of this agile dog is apparent from the outer appearance. With a powerful and broad head structure, the short muzzle is accentuated by a strong set jawbone. The ears of the American Staffordshire Terrier are often short and cropped.

Like its cousin the American Pitt Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a tough looking dog, but the American Staffordshire Terrier is often the larger of the two with a thicker bone structure, weight, and overall head size. The teeth are set in a scissors bite. The coat of this breed is short and shiny, making it simple to take care of for a wide range of owners.

The eyes of the American Staffordshire Terrier are black and round, with a stern expression that can be perceived as both intimidating and alert. However, with a closer look, the American Staffordshire Terrier seems to be more of a lover than a fighter. Affectionate and loving, this dog breed works well in a family setting and can be a powerful guard dog if necessary.

Coat Description

The coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is short and glossy, creating a vibrant shine when well managed. It can come in a variety of colors (as listed below) and is easy to maintain. Those that do not want to spend hours managing their dog\'s coat will find that this dog is that perfect fit for their time. The coat does appear dense, but it is not well-suited for temperature extremes, especially the cold.

History

The American Staffordshire Terrier originated in the 19th century in the Staffordshire region of England as a mixing of the bulldog and other terrier breeds. In this breeding process, the American version became the larger and more muscular version of the bulldog terrier.

Once dog fighting was banned in the United States in the early 1900s, two versions of the American Staffordshire Terrier emerged - one for show and one for fighting. The fighting one is now considered to be the American Pit Bull Terrier, while the American Staffordshire Terrier is considered the gentler show version.

Temperament

With its powerful stance, it\'s no wonder that the American Staffordshire Terrier is a natural guard dog. This is a dog breed that naturally will want to protect its family and anyone it deems a part of its pack. The pack mentality in this particular breed is strong, so once you\'ve asserted that you are a part of their pack, they will fiercely protect you.

When they feel they are threatened, these are dogs that will become aggressive and even bite the intruder. Unlike other breeds, the American Staffordshire Terrier will also actively protect their owner\'s property too. This is an excellent combination for those that want that extra layer of protection for their home.

What\'s more is that the American Staffordshire Terrier is a persistent fighter that will continue to fight until they feel the attacker or intruder is subdued. This tenacity is helpful in dangerous situations can be problematic if they aren\'t taught properly who is friend and who is foe. These lessons will need to begin as quickly as possible including socialization with other pets and children that are in the home. Once this dog learns who their \'family\' is, they will be docile and loving. This breed has actually been bred to be a family dog over the years. So while you should never leave a dog alone with a young child, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a good breed for all ages.

If a dog is left unsocialized, it might have troubles interacting with other dogs. When the American Staffordshire Terrier feels it is being backed into a corner (whether figuratively or literally), it can lash out and become aggressive.

Stable and outgoing, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed that will be fun to have around the house. They want to do nothing but please their master, so they will be willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy.

However, that said, it should also be noted that the American Staffordshire Terrier is a dog that can be difficult to housetrain. You will need to spend extra time with these lessons to ensure this dog doesn\'t create a bathroom of your home\'s interior.

Another thing to consider is that while this dog is a loving breed to have in a family setting, it does not do well with an owner that is not willing to assert their authority. The American Staffordshire Terrier takes the idea of pack order very seriously, so you will need to find ways to show that you are in charge of it in order to receive respect in return.

Thyroid Disease - High Risk

The American Staffordshire Terrier ranks #18 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. There is a high risk of obtaining a dog that will develop thyroid disease. For this reason you should make sure you, or your breeder, are testing all dogs before breeding.  It may even be a good idea to test dogs that you don't plan on breeding so that any instance of disease can be traced back to breeding pairs and eliminated.

You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here

Other Health Problems

In most cases, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a hardy breed that doesn't suffer from a lot of health problems, but there are some concerns that do come up with some dogs:

• Hip Dysplasia: A common disorder in canines, this degenerative disease causes the hip joint to become damaged, causing pain and problems with mobility. Symptoms occur over a long period of time and can manifest in symptoms such as slower movement and problems getting up and down. Treatment options will vary, but include exercises, pain medications, and even surgery.
• Congenital heart disease - Some American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are born with this condition and symptoms and treatments vary. Many dogs have no problems at all, while others will require monitoring and medications to make sure the heart is working properly.
• Cataracts - Caused by genetic factors, these cataracts can cause blindness and vision disturbances. Treatments are available for severe cases and require surgery to remove the cataracts. 
• Hives - Since the coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is so short, the skin is often exposed to the elements and the outside environment. This often creates a situation in which the skin can become irritated more easily by insects or heat, even stress, causing hives or small welts in the skin.