Among the large variety of breeds, the Staffordshire Terrier is striking with a combination of a serious, even threatening appearance and a balanced, non-aggressive nature.
Description
The breed was bred relatively recently, in the second half of the XIX century. At that time, bulldogs from the county of Staffordshire were brought to the United States from Great Britain.
Strong dogs helped farmers - protected the house, protected from predators.
Then fights between dogs became widespread. Stakes were made, and the owner of the winner could take a rather impressive amount.
Breeders and owners had a goal - to breed such a breed that could withstand a lot of fights and win them. For this, we conducted the crossing of a belligerent, but heavy bulldog and a light, nimble terrier. The experience was more than a success - the offspring inherited the best parental qualities.
The dogs of the new species turned out to be absolutely fearless, with a deadly grip, nimble, nimble. They fought hard, often to death, not paying attention to severe wounds.
Gradually, this cruel entertainment is gone, fighting dogs have ceased to be in great demand. Instead, they began to be used as bodyguards.
The name of the breed changed over time. First, in 1898, she was named Pit Bull Terrier. Then in 1936 - the Staffordshire Terrier in memory of the ancestors - the Bulldogs from Staffordshire and Terriers, and from 1972, they added the word American or Amstaff.
This breed may have a different color - white, blue, fawn, brindle, and red. Breed refers to the shorthair.
The Black Staffordshire Terrier, as the name implies, is a dog whose coat color is solid, black.
Another name is “black boston”. The hair of such individuals is saturated black, nowhere is there the slightest shade, or even modulations. The tip of the nose, the paw pads, the eyes are also black. Very rarely are small patches of white on the face, head or back.
Amstaffs are reliable advocates and loyal friends. But in order for an adult dog to show all its positive qualities in full, the puppy should receive a full-fledged balanced diet, timely vaccinations and proper training.
Character
The character traits of the Staffordshire Terrier are due to its original purpose - to attack the enemy and withstand the fight to the bitter end, despite the damage.
At the slightest danger, real or imaginary, the dog rushes at the enemy with lightning speed and does not calm down until it is completely neutralized.
Staffs are devoted to their owner, vigilantly guarding family members and property of the owner. Appreciate care, love and affection, but do not tolerate "calf tenderness."
They are very sociable, tireless, prefer outdoor games and running.
For children (their family) are friendly. Quietly tolerate the presence in the house or on the site of other pets.
However, we must remember that this fighting breed. Aggressiveness embedded in it on a subconscious level.
Do not leave the animal alone with young children without adult supervision.
Staffordshire Terrier - a subject with a hard, strong character and a pronounced desire for leadership.
In dealing with him, it is very important to properly combine love and severity.
Content Features
The breed is considered unpretentious and does not require any special conditions of detention.
He doesn’t need frequent bathing, two times a year is enough. The rest of the time, especially after walks, the animal is simply wiped off with a wet towel, you can brush it with a hard pile.
Dense short wool does not fall down, and always looks neat.
Every year you need to visit the veterinary clinic for preventive examination and vaccination.
The first vaccination of a puppy needs to be done at the age of two or three months, 7 days before it is given drugs for worms.
After the injection of week 2, you can not bathe, it is desirable also to limit physical exertion and contact with relatives.
Staffs should walk as much as possible. And not just walking on a leash, but actively move, play, run, execute commands.
In no case can not keep such a dog locked up, as this can lead to outbreaks of aggression and unmanaged behavior.
A very important point in the care of these animals is the provision of good nutrition, as they have a tendency to disrupt digestion.
What to feed?
There are two answers to this question - ready-made dry food or fresh food.
Here, each owner chooses himself based on his own situation. In this and in another case, there are pros and cons.
Dry food is easier to use, but their price is quite high, moreover, it is not always possible to be confident in their composition. Especially since for this breed the first one will not fit.
On the other hand, natural products are cheaper, their condition is immediately visible. But you have to spend some time on cooking.
The diet should be balanced and contain all the components necessary for growth, development and maintenance of physical fitness.
If the choice is made in favor of natural feeding, the pet menu includes a number of mandatory products.
- Raw meat - Better beef with a low fat content. This is the basis of nutrition. To protect against possible parasites, it is frozen. You can also hold briefly in boiling water.
- Liver, Lung, Heart - raw or boiled.
- A fish - only sea.
- Kefir or sour milk. It is not recommended to give yoghurt, as it contains flavorings and sugar.
- Raw eggs, you can omelette.
- Porridge - rice, buckwheat, oatmeal.
- Greenery (chop and mix with porridge, egg).
- Some vegetable oil (better than unrefined).
It is necessary to immediately accustom the dog to the regime, and strictly observe it in the future.
Feed at certain hours, the remnants of food clean up. In a separate bowl, fresh water should always be poured.
In no case can not overfeed - it can lead to health problems.
Upbringing and training
As already mentioned, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a serious breed. To train such a pet should be approached with all responsibility. Education starts at an early age.
The owner must immediately, literally from the first days, explain to the dog the “rules of the game” and show who is in charge. If this is not done, the dog will seek to take the place of the "pack leader".
But one should not "go too far" and punish the puppy for the slightest disobedience, on the contrary, it is necessary to praise more often even for the smallest successes. The pet will feel love and kindness, and will try to earn praise. In this case, the commands should be pronounced confidently, clearly, clearly.
To achieve good results, it is important to engage with the dog every day for 2-3 hours.
On issues of education, communication, dog training, you can consult with the experts of the canine service.
Staffs are very intelligent and intelligent animals.. Representatives of the breed serve in the police and military. They can even be coaches, train their kinsmen.
With proper education, this dog can become the best friend. Moreover, the diet, communication, training is absolutely not dependent on the color of the pet's coat.
On how the training of puppies of American Stafforsh terriers, see below.
