Skip to content There is still much debate about the origin of the American Staffordshire Terrier, more precisely, the breed under this name. Some even believe that the AST and the American Pit Bull Terrier are the same breed. In fact, the American Staffordshire Terrier is the name of a show breed, while the American Pit Bull Terrier is the name of a fighting dog breed. And in fact, although these two dogs are considered the same breed, have the same constitution and the same quality characteristics, they are registered in the registers as two different, separate breeds.
Characteristic
The American Staffordshire Terrier has been infamous for many years for being used in so-called sporting dog fighting. At the same time, these dogs are very loyal, tactful and very fond of their owners. The AST can be a wonderful companion for an experienced owner who is accustomed to dominating, and in addition, it can be an excellent guard dog, as they are always ready to defend their territory, family, and home.
Character
The American Staffordshire Terrier has a very even and firm character which makes it an excellent and reliable companion. Dogs of this breed really get along well even with children, however, since these are very strong dogs that are easily irritated, it is strongly discouraged to leave them unattended. The AST can get along well with other dogs; however, a fighting dog should never be taken into a home that already has another dog because the American Staffordshire Terrier can be quite aggressive towards other canines. In order to be completely confident in the character of this dog, it is necessary to conduct its careful and constant study.
Wool and care
The Staffordshire Terrier has a very short coat that needs very little and sometimes no grooming. In a healthy animal, the hair is short and straight, of the same length throughout the body. It should be glossy and never soft or silky. The coat of this breed is hard to the touch and fits snugly to the dog’s body. Since the coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is very short, it does not require much maintenance. Generally, hair loss is negligible, but depending on climatic conditions, it can be moderate. To remove dead or fallen hairs, it is recommended to rub the dog with a dry hard towel or a special rubber glove. From time to time, the dog can be given a bath in the bath, but experts recommend limiting it to cleaning with dry shampoo.
Training
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a very energetic dog and therefore difficult to train and train. Despite the fact that this breed is distinguished by a very high intelligence, the AST is still very willful and stubborn, this breed requires consistent and persistent training, and it needs to be shown “who is the boss” from the very beginning in order to prevent possible dominance problems. It is necessary to constantly correct the behavior of the dog with a firm hand, because this breed is distinguished by considerable strength and willfulness. The American Staffordshire Terrier must, at an early age, undergo a special training course under the guidance of an experienced instructor familiar with this particular breed.
Activity
The American Staffordshire Terrier has an extremely high potential for vital energy, which requires constant release. It is best if you keep it in a small to medium-sized backyard rather than locking it up in your apartment. Otherwise, the dog may get bored and start spoiling things, causing considerable destruction to the environment. This extremely lively breed requires at least two hours of exercise daily. Therefore, experts recommend long walks and / or jogging with the dog, as well as free content in open enclosures.
