HEALTH TESTING
With any pedigree breed, there are issues that particular breeds are predisposed to. Without careful planning with breeding pairs, along with specific health testing, families can be left with a pet that will either cost a small fortune in veterinary bills or almost a certain premature death of their loved pet – a traumatic experience no owner or family should have to endure.
Due to the colour blue being perceived by the public as a ‘rare’ colour, some individuals have been purchasing two blue or blue-fawn dogs and breeding them, fetching anywhere from $2,000-$3,000 per puppy. The problem with this is that no research has gone into the match of the sire and dam, they begin to see dollar signs in their eyes and eventually become ‘puppy farmers,’ either on a minor or broad scale, so it is important to source puppies from reputable and registered breeders.
The minimum breeding age for bitches in Victoria is 18 months. (As per DOGS Victoria age restriction regulations last amended August 2014)
American Staffordshire Terriers are predisposed to Cerebellar Ataxia, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and heart disease. The first and most important question you should ask the breeder is ‘Are you dogs health tested?’. This doesn’t mean a quick examination of the puppy or bitch by the veterinarian at the puppies 6 week vaccination, so ensure you get the breeder to elaborate on the extent of their dogs health test and ensure you ask to see the results of these tests.
It is STRONGLY recommended that the following tests are performed on both the sire AND the dam of the litter:
* Radiographs of the hip and elbows with scoring of both performed
* Tested for cerebellar ataxia
* Cardiac ultrasound and scoring performed by a cardiologist.
Due to the colour blue being perceived by the public as a ‘rare’ colour, some individuals have been purchasing two blue or blue-fawn dogs and breeding them, fetching anywhere from $2,000-$3,000 per puppy. The problem with this is that no research has gone into the match of the sire and dam, they begin to see dollar signs in their eyes and eventually become ‘puppy farmers,’ either on a minor or broad scale, so it is important to source puppies from reputable and registered breeders.
The minimum breeding age for bitches in Victoria is 18 months. (As per DOGS Victoria age restriction regulations last amended August 2014)
American Staffordshire Terriers are predisposed to Cerebellar Ataxia, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and heart disease. The first and most important question you should ask the breeder is ‘Are you dogs health tested?’. This doesn’t mean a quick examination of the puppy or bitch by the veterinarian at the puppies 6 week vaccination, so ensure you get the breeder to elaborate on the extent of their dogs health test and ensure you ask to see the results of these tests.
It is STRONGLY recommended that the following tests are performed on both the sire AND the dam of the litter:
* Radiographs of the hip and elbows with scoring of both performed
* Tested for cerebellar ataxia
* Cardiac ultrasound and scoring performed by a cardiologist.
Hip and Elbow Radiographs
The breed average for hips of the American Staffordshire Terrier is 17.35 in Australia and are scored between 0 – 106 combined. (0-53 scoring on the left side and 0-53 on the right side). 0 being perfect hips and 106 meaning the dog is barely capable of moving.
Elbows are scored from 0-4 on each side, once again the lower score being most desirable (0) and the higher score being least desirable (4). For example if your bitch receives elbow scores of 2/2, then you would be looking for a stud with elbow scores of 0/0, to ensure you give your bitch the best chance of improving her results in her offspring. The aim is improvement of the predisposed issues, and without health testing to allow us to know their hip and elbow scores, we cannot improve the breed through their offspring.
Click here for further information on hip testing Click here for further information on elbow testing
The breed average for hips of the American Staffordshire Terrier is 17.35 in Australia and are scored between 0 – 106 combined. (0-53 scoring on the left side and 0-53 on the right side). 0 being perfect hips and 106 meaning the dog is barely capable of moving.
Elbows are scored from 0-4 on each side, once again the lower score being most desirable (0) and the higher score being least desirable (4). For example if your bitch receives elbow scores of 2/2, then you would be looking for a stud with elbow scores of 0/0, to ensure you give your bitch the best chance of improving her results in her offspring. The aim is improvement of the predisposed issues, and without health testing to allow us to know their hip and elbow scores, we cannot improve the breed through their offspring.
Click here for further information on hip testing Click here for further information on elbow testing
Cerebellar Ataxia
Ataxia is a hereditary neurological disorder that is affecting American Staffordshire Terriers across the globe. Prevention is the key, as there is NO CURE for this debilitating disease, so you MUST ensure the parents of your puppy have BOTH been tested and are CLEARED of ataxia.
There are three categories of ataxia – CLEAR, CARRIED and AFFECTED – without testing for cerebellar ataxia, you cannot be sure your puppy is not affected. Affected dogs may not begin to show signs of suffering from ataxia until later in life, most commonly around 3-5 years of age. Click here to see a video of an affected dog. Carrier dogs will not show signs of this disease, but could potentially contribute to their offspring being affected and clear dogs will show no signs of the disease and cannot pass the gene on to their offspring, as they do not carry the gene.
NOTE: Antagene own full rights to the Cerebellar Ataxia Test (NCL-A) and all Results.
Ataxia is a hereditary neurological disorder that is affecting American Staffordshire Terriers across the globe. Prevention is the key, as there is NO CURE for this debilitating disease, so you MUST ensure the parents of your puppy have BOTH been tested and are CLEARED of ataxia.
There are three categories of ataxia – CLEAR, CARRIED and AFFECTED – without testing for cerebellar ataxia, you cannot be sure your puppy is not affected. Affected dogs may not begin to show signs of suffering from ataxia until later in life, most commonly around 3-5 years of age. Click here to see a video of an affected dog. Carrier dogs will not show signs of this disease, but could potentially contribute to their offspring being affected and clear dogs will show no signs of the disease and cannot pass the gene on to their offspring, as they do not carry the gene.
NOTE: Antagene own full rights to the Cerebellar Ataxia Test (NCL-A) and all Results.
Cardiac Disease – subaortic stenosis (SAS)
Unfortunately cardiac disease are a common and extremely serious problem in the American Staffordshire Terrier and is a hidden killer.
Click here for more information on cardiac disease
Unfortunately cardiac disease are a common and extremely serious problem in the American Staffordshire Terrier and is a hidden killer.
Click here for more information on cardiac disease
When selecting a breeder to purchase a puppy from, ensure you choose a reputable breeder whom health tests their amstaffs and are working towards bettering the health and temperament of our grand breed.