How to Care for an American Staffordshire Terrier

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By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (22 Ratings)

The American Staffordshire terrier is known for its dominant personality and will need firm training from an early age. But this shouldn't be too difficult, as this dog's first desire is to please its owner. Know that your Staffordshire terrier will have to be restrained at all times when around other dogs because of its strong fighting instinct.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Worming Medicine
Dental Kits (for Dogs)
Dog Beds
Dog Bones
Dog Brushes
Dog Collars
Dog Conditioner
Dog Dishes
Dog Food
Dog Grooming Sprays
Dog Leashes
Dog Shampoo
Dog Training Aids
Nail Clippers For Dogs
Dog Shampoo

Step 1

Vaccinate your American Staffordshire terrier when you first get her, and make sure she gets yearly booster vaccinations to maintain her immunity to disease. Also, worm your adult dog every three months and consult with your veterinarian about flea control products.
Step 2

Feed your American Staffordshire terrier high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less.
Step 3

Train and socialize your American Staffordshire terrier when she's young. This breed has dominant and aggressive tendencies and needs to be around people and animals to avoid negative behavior formation. Remember to use positive reinforcement when training.
Step 4

Realize that this breed can be difficult to house-train and will require much time and patience in this area. Puppies will probably need to relieve themselves up to six times a day. Begin by urging them to go after meals.
Step 5

Exercise or run your American Staffordshire terrier daily. Be sure to keep her on leash to prevent fighting with other dogs.
Step 6

Brush your dog's coat daily with a firm-bristle brush, and buff her coat with a damp cloth to bring out the sheen. Shampoo as needed and trim nails every two to three weeks.
Step 7

Understand that the American Staffordshire terrier is prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint) and cataracts (cloudy eye lens).
Step 8

Note that male American Staffordshire terriers will grow to 17 to 19 inches and weigh between 57 and 67 lbs. Females will grow to 16 to 18 inches and also weigh between 57 and 67 lbs.
Step 9

Expect an American Staffordshire terrier to live 10 to 12 years.

Comments

kevinv said

Flag This Comment

on 11/23/2009 the end of the opening paragraph reads
" Know that your Staffordshire terrier will have to be restrained at all times when around other dogs because of its strong fighting instinct."

Is this the way to educate visitors to this page of a particular dog breed?
Dogs trained for viciousness and fighting could be any breed, do not cast a breed based on it's biting strength and network television ratings grab.
Would Chihuahuas be considered adorable if their jaw strength were more powerful?
Please do some research before casting a negative light on a breed that has been taking a liking too by news reporters looking for ratings, or by the drug dealers and gang-bangers of the world.

docg80 said

on 11/22/2009 we have an 11 month old female that has never needed to be restrained around other dogs. we introduced her and socialized her with other dogs from 4mos and on. She loves children and knows that they're small and wont jump on them. Its ridiculous to say that they need to be restrained at all times due to the inherent fighting! how ignorant, especially from someone writing as if they were an expert!!

shell1212 said

on 10/16/2009 I will say the same 13 month female amstaffy...She been under the very best of strict training and 24 watch with introduction level of dogs,children,adults. Every step this loverly dog takes it is documented for further training.We as owners produce information on dog to dog interaction and breeding as well animal interaction...I do try my best to prove my result with 24 hour 12,8,6 watch and will continue to say it is a very very strong dog but if you wish to take on this dog there must be for all dogs a stage of formal training.Your animal(Best mate)must understand the rules and with no physical violence.Please understand your choice of pet....Shell1212

imdkeeper said

on 4/16/2009 Oh, and by the by... My staffie pup is 9 weeks old... already house trained, living in a house with 2 rat terriers, 1 chow-golden retriever mix amd a cat. The catis not too happy but he gets along real well with the other 3 dogs. He's my second staffe. The first just passed at 14 yo, from pancreatic cancer. I've had the new pup for less than a week... stubborn, just as my other one was, but very smart, very trainable, very very affectionate. I will have a staffie in my home as long as I live and breathe.