American Staffordshire Terrier

[Slybacon]

^^^ GReat colours He looks like the dogs of old. I heaps prefer his build then some of the really short ones I see.

[dworx]

Yeah sly as I said in the other thread to you there is still people breeding to the old standard, the dogs are set heavier, aren't as boofy but have fewer birthing problems etc, most breeders today are after a bigger head and smaller rear all in a solid but very compact dog - complications are hard to avoid like that and Australian SBT's usually birth by Cesarian. My boy weighs in around 26kg I think. Teddy bear in nature though.

[incognito]

man those cane corso dogs look evil! especially the black ones with yellow eyes!

beautiful dogs but i would not want to shoulder the responsibility for such a potentially lethal dog.

on a sidenote, I am glad that chihuahas are not any bigger than a large rodent.

any bigger they would be truly dangerous.

there was talk here about silky terriers? the only dog I have been attacked by was an old silky terrier.

they seem to go a bit demented with age. little bastard almost took my achilles tendon off, then got in strife with the owner when i toe punted it across the backyard, as "Misty was just being a bit silly". dont like em anymore.

Still, out of everydog ive ever owned, the most gentle, and most trustworthy dog I have had, was a rednose pitbull cross bullmastiff, he was desexed as a pup so maybee that had an impact on his gentle nature. Such a nice dog. He literally used to smile all day.

Here is another dog that invokes terror! the dachshound!! Best guardog our family ever had, let NOONE into our yard without snapping at them, all of our farm dogs (cattledogs and kelpies) where terrified of it.

I was thinking about getting an amstaff for a long time (love the steel blue coloring).

Im just wary that something bad could happen, as I have lots of little neices and nephews around my place all the time. Its something i know i could never forgive myself for.

I know they do have a good rep as family dogs etc, its just the "what if".

Powerful dogs who have the capability of killing a man, even worse a small child, in a matter of minutes if not seconds.

Edited December 11, 2010 by incognito

[dworx]

Know what you mean re: Chihuahua [they're the only dog taht has attacked me and I hate them now + they're are really ugly like rats on roids] Staffordshire bull terrier aka the nanny dog - extremely trustworthy with children. Their is what ifs with any breed though esp. where children are involved and smaller dogs are snappier than staffies so I would be more cautious with a silky terrier etc with my kids than an amstaff, SBT, etcetcThe biggest fear with our SBT is tha they will bowl the kids over in excitement and hurt them with the mass of themselves, but I have no fear of them biting my kids at all.

[chilli]

Chihuahuas are awesome little animals and so are rats... like with pitties etc, usually the owners are the problem. I wish I could get a dog.

[incognito]

chihuahas are cunts.

[FancyPants]

I'd prefer a pet rat over a chihuahua any day of this current century. Rats are awesome and adorable. Chihuahuas...

[incognito]

just say it FP, the word is applicable. cunts.

my mums friend has them. about 15 of em. they live in her house, and whenever I begrudgingly have to go over there, they run out snarling and barking, wont let me in, and when i do go in the fence im hoping about like a madman so the little bastards dont nip me.

If they where big enough to do damage they would be scary. Possessed by satan each and evey one of them.

Edited December 11, 2010 by incognito

[chilli]

incognito, what I am saying is... how can I put this delicately... your mum's friend sounds like a cunt.

PS would the OP or anyone else know how I can find a reputable breeder for AST in WA?

Edited March 23, 2012 by chilli

[incognito]

lol nah shes not actually, shes a really nice old lady!

I think that they see themselves as the protectors of the house and act accordingly.

Im really yet to meet a nice one. Ones ie met are either very nervous or very aggresive, or a combination of the two.

And ive met alot.

[FancyPants]

lol I find "cunt" more applicable to the owners who tend to consider small dogs as people... wtf? In their extreme selfishness they refuse to see that treating a dog like a dog is the BEST and HEALTHIEST way to treat a dog. I have a "toy" breed dog (only because of my own limitations and I don't have a huge yard) who with her litterbrother (owned by my friend living in my house) were let to sleep in my friend's bed every night. What a pair of little arseholes they ended up being so I didn't allow my dog to sleep in her bed. Amber is such a well-adjusted dog; quite happy to be below the cat on the pack ladder. Gizmo is a neurotic little dickhead who since they've left my house also now never shuts up. I don't know if he's biting or not. Anyway, dogs get identity issues up the wazoo.

[Slybacon]

PS would the OP or anyone else know how I can find a reputable breeder for AST in WA?

 

http://www.astcwa.com/

That would be a good place to start. Ask lots of questions. Make sure they ask you lots of questions. The more protective they are of their dogs going to the right home the better.

Some places will freight, however, I am always a bit sctchy on that , as you never get to meet the parents. Find a few planned litters and follow the progress. Try and throw may two $100 deposits down early and get first pick ;)

Are you interested in a companion, Show dog, or maybe working your amstaff. Heaps of cool sports around. I want to try and start a dock diving club in Newcastle. We'll see how it goes. Please let me know how you go finding a breeder.

PS - Also try this list and do your home work. The more patient you are the more happy u will be.

AMSTAFF Breeders WA

http://www.iroqamst.com/cms/

Amstaff Forum

I'd prefer a pet rat over a chihuahua any day of this current century. Rats are awesome and adorable. Chihuahuas...

 

Funny you mention that.... I have two pet rats as well. Great little pets...

INCOG- Dworx is right.... If you have lots of kids Id go for a SBT. Amstaffs are reliable but I would recommend them more for Older Kids and adults.

Edited December 11, 2010 by Slybacon

[dworx]

Sly I am sure my kids would be fine with an Amstaff, as much as a staffy, I would stick my kids in with either, over a yard with two or three chihuahuas. Both breeds are power breeds, but good natured power breeds, that's what I was trying to say they won't bite the kids but they might bowl them over in play. Having said that - I know I will probably be under attack, I agree it is largely the owners with the problem attitudes. If I didn't know the owners of a dog, well I wouldn't take the risk with any dog. Oh and old dogs can be bitchy and nip a bit....

[incognito]

I have a rat as well. His names Sniffy. He was all good until his balls dropped now hes a little bitey. Hes drawn blood a few times.

I have two guinea pigs now, Michael Jackson and Gerbil, they seem my kinda pet.

They do a good job keeping the lawn down. I move their outside cage around once theyve chewed down the grass underneath the cage. It amazes me how much guinea pigs eat.

[dworx]

mmmmm Guinea pig yummo!

lol, just kidding, that is one I haven't eaten yet...........

[incognito]

they are meant to be a delicacy in argentina aernt they?

[dworx]

Yeah somewhere like that there is a guy up here farms them for meat for his family, its cheap they're clean source of protein and being a rodent breed like rabbit. I am guessing they taste like rabbit too and I like rabbit.

[dworx]

Sorry - we're a bit off topic should start a new thread - Pets, the ones I'd eat.

[Zen Peddler]

I get sick of hearing informed people saying that its all about the upnbringing of a dog that determines its behaviour in totallity. Dog behaviour is determined by many things, genetics being one, experiences early in life are also a strong determinant (socialisation and positive experiences).

Any dog of any breed adopted from a shelter at 12 months or could have had all sorts of experiences or lack thereof and all the training and love in the world may not alter the fact that the dog has not been socialised in the most crucial period of its life or if it lacks the skills to interact with other dogs or behave in the presence of trucks or people, etc.

If a dog suffers anxiety then its gonna overreact to things no matter what you do - either by running or by turning that energy into aggression. You can do exposure therapy on the dog, gradually re-introducing it to the stressors, but if its learnt to be scared of something or to bite it, then its probably going to revert to that behaviour every time things get hairy for it. There is a thing called bite inhibition - the more they bite, the less inhibeted a dog becomes about doing it.

The difference is always the strength of the breed - the angriest maltese in the world is probably going to give your toe a mean seeing to. the angriest blue heeler or mastiff is gonna kick your arse or rip a kids face off.

I dont really care whether a dog is or isnt a pitbull. As far as most vets are concerned, most of these breeds are all regarded as pitbulls - even english staffies. And these dogs usually tend to play rough, have shithouse recall and are often owned by people who struggle to manage their own lives let alone spend the hours required to properly train what is often a defiant breed of dog.

When im walking my dogs at the local dog park the breeds i tend to always have trouble with are your staffie types usually pulling towards my dog and not trained to heal or stop pulling on command. Generally the only dogs our dogs ever have trouble with are staffies and the occasional lab.

[Slybacon]

When im walking my dogs at the local dog park the breeds i tend to always have trouble with are your staffie types usually pulling towards my dog and not trained to heal or stop pulling on command. Generally the only dogs our dogs ever have trouble with are staffies and the occasional lab.

 

I tend to see alot of over excited staffs at the park. Alot of comes down to body language, all there body language comes across as fight. I think its very important to research your dogs history. Understanding whats it is bred for and what traits and characteristics are in the breed. This will help you determine the training you will need to give it. Most people don't even give a second thought to a breeds history. They just go, wow that a cool dog , I want one.

[AndyAmine.]

Where I live in Mudgeeraba it is like living in one large, BYB Pitbull dog kennel and I can tell you the large majority of 'pitbull' type dogs (around here, or on the GC in general where they are VERY pupular) are far from being pure bred (much closer to recently bred game x's) and they are the ones that worry me when Im on a walk.

I was speaking with the local Vet the other day and there was a Stafford type (a monster) that had to be put down for attacking the neighbour’s dog, I asked if it was common and he said very, I asked when the last time he put down a 'pure bred' SBT or AMSTAFF for aggression, he said 2 in 10yrs. In fact I think most of the dogs here are SBT types but are heading toward hip height, are fat as fuck and next to unsocialised.

IMO If more people practiced the NILF (Nothing In Life Is Free) technique and took real pack walks there would be less issues down in the park.

You see them all out for a walk and I think out of the 15 of so I see regularly each day I only see 3 that are walked properly and the 'walk' is the real key along with other basic daily pack leadership training. Christ people, walk your dog, dont let your dog walk you.

Once a dog thinks its his/her job to take on the lead, which also means taking on the protection/guarding role the dog will start acting out aggressively to other dogs, starting pulling, pissing/shitting where it wants, get possessive of food etc. and this is when kids (and owners) often get bitten.,

Generally a dog that is 2nd in the pack to you will rely on you for its cues when out in public, if you’re not scared he won’t be, if you don’t want to move somewhere he will wait, if you tell him to stop because there is danger he will wait for your all clear, if you’re not anxious he will not bark at strangers walking past the yard etc.

FYI: this isn’t just me reciting what I heard on The Dog Whisperer, my family has been heavily involved in the GSD breed and other working dogs for the last 50yrs.

Edited December 12, 2010 by AndyAmine.

[Slybacon]

I was speaking with the local Vet the other day and there was a Stafford type (a monster) that had to be put down for attacking the neighbour’s dog, I asked if it was common and he said very, I asked when the last time he put down a 'pure bred' SBT or AMSTAFF for aggression, he said 2 in 10yrs.

 

My Vet nurse said a similar thing. I put it down to the fact that people who generally dont do a good job of training there dogs are the ones that don't want to spend the time and money to get a well bred dog from a reputable breeder. They get back yard accidents and dogs from the trading post or designer dogs from puppy farms unknowingly at the pet shops. I general , I think instead of putting Specific Breed Legislation into place they should put more restrictions on breeding and insure that all breeders are breeding dogs responsibly with priority in the right order. Health , Temperament and then breed conformation.

[dworx]

I get sick of hearing informed people saying that its all about the upnbringing of a dog that determines its behaviour in totallity.

What does this actually relate to something said in this thread or just general?

There is a thing called bite inhibition - the more they bite, the less inhibeted a dog becomes about doing it.

This is true but one can teach a dog to not bite, it is basic traing really a bit of you being alpha and a bit of discomfort for doing whatever it is you want to change in your dog, but have you got the time?

The difference is always the strength of the breed - the angriest maltese in the world is probably going to give your toe a mean seeing to. the angriest blue heeler or mastiff is gonna kick your arse or rip a kids face off.

Yes and no, What most people fail to realise is that all dogs have the same teeth essentially [smaller or bigger] It is the little dog more likely to savage a child to preserve his place in his pack, it is the human who does not understand enough about dogs to carry out real intuitive / instinctive /natural /alpha training for any dog they own. Usually small dog owners treat the little dog as a toy or a human being, sleeping it in bed with them and feeding them at the dinner table whilst they eat themselves etc Sure they won't have the strength to rip the child apart in quick order but scar, emotionally and physicaly yes, tear deep enough to cause a bleed out yes, don't kid yourself the teeth are meant for the same thing, hunt and dispatch and then to eat.

I dont really care whether a dog is or isnt a pitbull. As far as most vets are concerned, most of these breeds are all regarded as pitbulls - even english staffies.

How many vets have you talked to, I have talked to quite few and alot of tehm don't have time to learn breed specifics, they treat all dogs as being biters and usually are not upto date with white papers and laws concerning dogs. My vet despises little dogs because they are snappier than teh snakes, cats, big dogs, horses and cattle etc that he treats.

And these dogs usually tend to play rough, have shithouse recall and are often owned by people who struggle to manage their own lives let alone spend the hours required to properly train what is often a defiant breed of dog.

Stereotyping owners of a particular breed that is nothing more than loowlife propaganda - I have seen these dogs riding around in corvettes etc its like me sayin everyone that owns a small dog are slutty blonde drug using wealthy bimbos living on their parents earning - unneccessary [oh Paris Hilton] I have been breeding SBT's for 12-13 years and sold dogs to both ends of the market and in that time I have had wealthy people return dogs and they take their refund - I guess they only wanted the puppy time, I have had from lower economic brackets pay $3k for a dog and never have a thought about returning the dog. They would rather go without than give up their companion, and tehy walk and train them because they were educated by us the breeder to do so, and most breeder I have spoken to always ask if the buyer has had a staffy before nad explein they require training..So to say people who can't get their life together is BS, It is the careless from both sides of life that don't give the time to train.

When im walking my dogs at the local dog park the breeds i tend to always have trouble with are your staffie types usually pulling towards my dog and not trained to heal or stop pulling on command. Generally the only dogs our dogs ever have trouble with are staffies and the occasional lab.

 

Again these types of dogs are full of energy and love to play, you fail to mention that they are snarling and growling at you, so I am guessing they weren't - rather they were excited and wanted to come and play. What I would like to know is what your dog was doing, how he was reacting, where he sleeps, eats, how, if what sort of, training he has had, have you ever allowed your dog to be introduced to these staffies? on lead and watched the inter-action, it may not be aggressive just your minds presumption of aggression.

edited to say[below]

Oh and I wrote this twice the first time got lost in transfer due to storm but I also wrote in agreement to Andy and still refer to the training he describes, it applies to all breeds not just the power breeds.

Edited December 12, 2010 by dworx

[Slybacon]

When im walking my dogs at the local dog park the breeds i tend to always have trouble with are your staffie types usually pulling towards my dog and not trained to heal or stop pulling on command. Generally the only dogs our dogs ever have trouble with are staffies and the occasional lab.

 

IMO, Dog parks are unsafe. Dogs get killed in dog parks all the time. Un vaccinated dogs spread diseases and dogs there can be very unbalanced. I tend to find a friend with a balanced dog and go bush if i want the full off the lead experience. Other wise I keep my dog on the leash. I know what he will be capable of and If another dog challenged him when he is fully grown it would most likely be the end of the other dog. Treat your your animal with the respect it deserves , only take your dog to the the park if it is a huge park and dogs can meet in a supervised 1 to 1 type thing.

Dog parks in general tend to be bad news, why? Most people use it as the sole outlet for their dogs energy instead of actually walking them. Not saying this is you, I am saying this is the type that normally go to dog parks alot. They just let their dogs offleash and let them go nuts, it is easy and the lazy way. The dogs are often left uncontrolled and with very little supervision. This is how the fights start.

Edited December 12, 2010 by Slybacon

[Zen Peddler]

This is true but one can teach a dog to not bite, it is basic traing really a bit of you being alpha and a bit of discomfort for doing whatever it is you want to change in your dog, but have you got the time?

This suggests to me your training techniques centre more around domination rather than positive reinforcement. If a dog learns to bite out of fear and is unsocialised your dreaming if you think you can easily train it out of what is learned as the appropriate way to deal with certain situations.

Most vets will tell an owner that if their dog has bitten a person once then its MUCH more likely to bight again and any dog trainer or behaviouralist that is half decent will say that a dog that has bitten can never be fully trusted.

have I got the time? Well Ive got a kelpie and she's a very well trained animal - other than with cars but we're working on that.

Yes and no, What most people fail to realise is that all dogs have the same teeth essentially [smaller or bigger] It is the little dog more likely to savage a child to preserve his place in his pack, it is the human who does not understand enough about dogs to carry out real intuitive / instinctive /natural /alpha training for any dog they own. Usually small dog owners treat the little dog as a toy or a human being, sleeping it in bed with them and feeding them at the dinner table whilst they eat themselves etc Sure they won't have the strength to rip the child apart in quick order but scar, emotionally and physicaly yes, tear deep enough to cause a bleed out yes, don't kid yourself the teeth are meant for the same thing, hunt and dispatch and then to eat.

I dont agree with any of this. Any dog is potentially dangerous around a child. I never said otherwise. But its kinda redudant to suggest that a silky terrier on a bad day is going to any where near the damage that a pitbull-mastiff cross (what I call a Katherine, NT special) that weights 8 times more than a silky terrier is going to do. lets not forget why pitbulls and staffies were bred in the first place; to mix the gameness (aggression and tenacity) of a terrier with the size and strength of an english bulldog.

How many vets have you talked to, I have talked to quite few and alot of tehm don't have time to learn breed specifics, they treat all dogs as being biters and usually are not upto date with white papers and laws concerning dogs. My vet despises little dogs because they are snappier than teh snakes, cats, big dogs, horses and cattle etc that he treats.

My next door neighbour is a vet, when adopting a dog from a shelter I saw three, when my mate had trouble with blue heeler recently I was also there when a behaviouralist was giving a three hour session to help with the dog's anxiety. And my dog recently had a tick bite that got infected and I met another vet. I respect Hugh whatshisface and agree with his opinion on these breeds. While at the shelters looking for my own dog and with my friernd when he adopted half the dogs easily in all of them were mastiff/staffie mixes.

Stereotyping owners of a particular breed that is nothing more than loowlife propaganda - I have seen these dogs riding around in corvettes etc its like me sayin everyone that owns a small dog are slutty blonde drug using wealthy bimbos living on their parents earning - unneccessary [oh Paris Hilton] I have been breeding SBT's for 12-13 years and sold dogs to both ends of the market and in that time I have had wealthy people return dogs and they take their refund - I guess they only wanted the puppy time, I have had from lower economic brackets pay $3k for a dog and never have a thought about returning the dog. They would rather go without than give up their companion, and tehy walk and train them because they were educated by us the breeder to do so, and most breeder I have spoken to always ask if the buyer has had a staffy before nad explein they require training..So to say people who can't get their life together is BS, It is the careless from both sides of life that don't give the time to train.

There are wankers in every walk of life. I wasnt refering to socio-economic means or status - I was talking about intelligence and responsibility. Im a socialista afterall... i reiterate past comments on the fact that these breeds tend to attract types more interested in bulstering their penis size than owning a dog in a responsible way. But if your going to call me a low life at least bother to understand my point.

Again these types of dogs are full of energy and love to play, you fail to mention that they are snarling and growling at you, so I am guessing they weren't - rather they were excited and wanted to come and play. What I would like to know is what your dog was doing, how he was reacting, where he sleeps, eats, how, if what sort of, training he has had, have you ever allowed your dog to be introduced to these staffies? on lead and watched the inter-action, it may not be aggressive just your minds presumption of aggression.

Give me some credit. Never referred to any dog snarling at me. I never referred to snarling or growling in general. Ofcourse my dog has met staffies. My dog is a kelpie so I know more about energy than you realise, she is well socialised and is pretty cluey on dog social ques, she sleeps on a mat, but this is all irrelevant to my point. Im not just talking about my dog. the park I go to usually has 20-30 dogs there at any given afternoon. My dog and most of the other dogs get along well, give or take a poorly socialised lab that a woman adopted late that we avoid. The staffies I see at this park usually either come bolting out of the bushes with a worried owner chasing after them or come up pulling their owner who doesnt seem to understand that a pulling dog is an out of control dog. Whether its my dog or others, they always play rough whether on or off leads and two of them usually face nip. My dog is pretty good around them in general but my mate's blue heeler was getting pretty toey. I also have seen one of these staffies in about three fights with other dogs.

Oh and I wrote this twice the first time got lost in transfer due to storm but I also wrote in agreement to Andy and still refer to the training he describes, it applies to all breeds not just the power breeds.

 

Alpha training? teaching your dog that your the boss? I dont necessarily agree. My kelpie has been purely trained on positive reinforcement but she is of a breed or a personality at least that craves affection. Her recall is impressive.

On the other hand a bird that worked with my missus spent a lot of time having to head lock dominant rotties apparently so maybe its required in some circumstances.

Dog breeds are probably like lots of things. Until you've owned one your opinion is probably biased. I have a little maltese as well and I used to hate them when i was young. I get them now that I have one. Ive never owned a staffie and given my experiences with them Im prone to disliking them but perhaps if i owned one in the future I might change my tune.

But I dont buy into this blame the owner stuff all the time. Some dogs are just fucked up even with the best owners.

Edited December 12, 2010 by Zen Peddler BlueGreenie