Amstaf (American Staffordshire Terrier) is considered a very dangerous and aggressive breed. This is because they are descended from pit bulls which are fighting dogs. However, fans of amstaphs consider them to be domestic dogs and breed them as exhibition and social animals. How to feed amstaf and what diseases threaten it? How should the amstafa training be conducted?
Amstafis a young breed. In the 19th century in Great Britain, bulldogs were often crossed with terriers to obtain fighting dogs. This is how, for example, the pitbull breed was created. However, when such entertainment was banned (first in the UK, and then in the USA, to which traditional dog fighting reached with immigrants), non-aggressive dogs began to be bred to create a new breed. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was registered in the USA as a staffordshire terrier, and in the 70s it was called the american staffordshire terrier (amstaf). These dogs came to Poland only 20 years later.
Amstaf - appearance
The standard of the FCI, that is the International Cynological Federation, includes amstafas in group III terriers. Amstafas are not very big, but they are strong and massive. Their height at the withers is 46-48 cm (female dogs are 2-3 cm shorter). They weigh 25-40 kg.
They have short, close-fitting and hard hair without an undercoat. The color of the amstaff can be uniform, brindle or spotted in any color except black and tan, chocolate and white (if white takes up more than 80% of the body).
Amstafas are muscular, with a broad, muscular chest. Head and muzzle of medium length, with a clearly defined stop (where the forehead becomes the muzzle). Cheeks muscular, eyes round and set wide apart. The ears of the amstaff are short, erect or semi-raised. The neck is strong and the torso is slightly sloping around the rump. The tail is short and low set, and the limbs are massive and muscular.
Amstaf - care
Amstafs are not particularly demanding. Their short hair does not get tangled or felted, but unfortunately it spreads around the apartment, so it is worth brushing them regularly (every 3-4 days), preferably with a thick, hard brush, adhering to the body. In order for the hair to be beautiful, shiny and not fall out, it is worth using hair spray conditioners that will moisturize, make it elastic and regenerate.
Amstafyyou should drip as needed, remembering that the dog is covered with dirt and dust, and the coat itself has its own specific smell. In the bath, special shampoos and conditioners are used to reduce hair loss. After bathing the dog, wipe with a towel (towards the hair).
Like every dog, the amstaf also requires eye care, which consists in wiping them with a damp cotton swab. Thanks to this, the tear ducts will be open and the eye properly moisturized. If the dog does not rub its claws by itself, cut them off. It's also a good idea to remove the hair between your fingers to prevent the formation of clumps that make it difficult for the dog to walk.
Amstaf - nutrition
If the dog is physically active, it requires a lot of energy. The dog's diet should include meat such as horse meat, lamb, boneless poultry, and fish. Bones can be given from time to time - dogs love to bite them, and they also clean their teeth on this occasion. Amstafas can eat vegetables and fruits as well as dairy - due to the high protein content they need.
When choosing food, try to check the amount of meat contained in it, and not only protein, which may be, for example, vegetable, and therefore less digestible. In order for the dog to be he althy and full of energy, it should also receive preparations containing a full set of vitamins, minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.).
According to an expertdr inż. Jacek Wilczak, nutrition expert in the Noteć Valley, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life SciencesDue to the very good muscularity of American amphibians, in their diet, special attention should be paid to the type and quality of protein sources - ingredients responsible for the proper growth and development of young organisms as well as maintaining the he alth of adults.
Proteins, the basic elements of which are amino acids, are the basic building block of all body tissues and many biologically active compounds, such as enzymes and hormones. They regulate metabolic processes and many functions of the system, ensuring its proper condition and adapting to changes in the external environment.
A modern approach to the nutrition of adult animals is to properly balance the content of amino acids in the diet, not just the total amount of protein. Since the exact determination of the dog's protein requirements is relatively difficult and depends on the individual needs of a given animal, special attention should be paid to the quality of the raw material being its source in each meal. It does not have to be beef sirloin each time, but high-protein meat fragments should be preferred.
After adjusting for the energy value, pieces of meat containing fat can also be takeninto account. Tendon and fibrous meat can be considered a valuable source of amino acids, which should be included in the Amstaf's diet.
Amstaff - training
In the case of amstaphs, which have a difficult character and aggressive ancestors, training and consistent upbringing from an early age is necessary. This breed is very intelligent, prone to training and eager to learn and remember commands. The basis of raising a dog is close contact with the owner and showing him that he is the leader of the herd, contact with other animals and children staying at home. Defensive training is not recommended, because if carried out incorrectly, it can cause a lot of damage to the dog's character.
ImportantAmstafas are tolerant of other animals, but males may have difficulty accepting another male or other dominant dog.
Amstaf - character
Despite their bad opinion, Amstaffs are cordial, friendly and balanced, as well as well-disposed towards children - they are happy to play with them and are extremely patient with them. They are very close to their family, but may be wary of strangers. Their genes encode the owner's defense instinct and courage, which is why they are good watchmen and guardians of the household members.
Badly led Amstaffs can become aggressive and dangerous (especially in relation to other dogs), because they are stubborn and dominant by nature. With that in mind, it is worth choosing dogs from proven and reliable kennels, where aggressive individuals are eliminated. Amstafas are very strong, fit and physically active. They require a lot of exercise, energy discharge and muscle building. which, however, should be dosed wisely, because this breed has a tendency to tear ligaments.
Amstaf - the reproductive cycle
Amstaph's reproductive cycle does not differ from that of other dogs. The first heat in bitches of this breed occurs around 7-8. month of age and lasts about 2 weeks, which is synonymous with sexual maturity, which does not mean, however, that the female dog should be covered then - the female dog shows maximum fertility at 3-4 heat. Pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks and can end in the birth of even a dozen or so puppies.
According to an expertEwa Korycka-Grzegorczyk, a veterinarianDisease predisposition:
Amstafas are a breed of dogs quite resistant to disease, genetic diseases are quite rare in Amstafas.
- Because they belong to dogs that are large and grow quickly, they may developdysplasia of the hip joints, less often of the elbows . In the case of hip joints, dysplasia is an inaccurate fit of the femoral head to the acetabulum, which weakens the joint stabilization mechanism. This leads to subluxations andinflammation, and later to the development of degenerative changes. During the period of growth, the first symptoms are reluctance to move, the so-called "Rabbit jumps" when moving faster and lying down on a walk. Later on, there is lameness of the pelvic limbs, frequent and careful squatting and "rocking" of the croup while walking. The first symptoms may appear in dogs 6-12 months old.
- Due to the spontaneous disposition of dogs and their high activity, they often suffer from injuries andligament damage , most oftencruciate ligament in the knee joint.Damage to this ligament is a common cause of pelvic limb lameness. Its damage may result in the appearance of degenerative changes in the joint at a later time.
- Amstafas, as animals with a prominent musculature, are predisposed to developing diseases related to muscles. As a puppy, he may developCongenital Muscle Tension . It is caused by electrolyte disturbances. The first symptoms are noticeable when the puppies begin to walk, they worsen after resting. Stiff gait affects the pelvic limbs more often than the pectoral limbs, dogs have a problem with bending the limbs at the joints. The muscles overgrow and their pressure causes small dimples. Similar symptoms can also occur in adult dogs and are classified as a disease entity calledmyotonia.Both of the above diseases are incurable, but their symptoms can be inhibited pharmacologically, which allows the animal to function normally.
Małgorzata Wójcik The editor in charge of the website. Journalist with 25 years of experience. From the beginning, she was associated with the subject of children and he alth - she worked, among others. in the magazine "M jak mama". At mjakmama.pl, she specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. Privately - mother of three adolescent children. He is eager to read and walks in the woods with his dog.
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