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Diinctive Characteristics Of The American Staffordshire Terrier

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Breed Report
Hayley Goulin
October 3rd, 2015
Monica Tighe
Veterinary Technician
St Clair College

American Staffordshire Terrier Newfoundland Munchkin

Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
CKC classification: As clearly stated in the breed’s name, the Canadian Kennel Club classifies the American Staffordshire Terrier as a terrier. (1)

Origin: The country of origin for the American Staffordshire Terrier is Staffordshire, England in the 1800’s. (3) This breed originally named the Staffordshire Bullterrier is a cross between Bulldogs and various terriers used for dog fighting. (3) The Staffordshire Terrier was renamed the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972 and was recognized as a separate breed to avoid confusion …show more content…

(3) Proportionate to their height, the average weight for this breed is 57-67 pounds. (3) This breed is very muscular, has a strong jaw, a round medium-sized muzzle, with dark round eyes. (3) The American Staffordshire Terrier’s coat can be virtually any colour – solid, parti or patched and is short, stiff and glossy. However this breed should be no more than 80 percent white in colour. (3) Distinctive characteristics: The American Staffordshire Terrier’s most distinctive characteristic is that it is a guard dog that is extremely protective of its owners and owner’s property. This breed will fight an enemy to the death if its loved ones are threatened, or if the dog is trapped. (3) This breed is also very good with children (3) and requires very little grooming. (2)

Veterinary notes: A very serious health problem in this breed is Ataxia. Heart murmurs, congenital heart disease, hereditary cataracts, thyroid problems, skin allergies, and tumors are also health problems associated with the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. (3)

Breed: …show more content…

(7) Other distinctive characteristics of this breed include their double coat and their ability to work very well both on land and in water. (6) This breed is very protective, intelligent, and gentle and also rarely barks. (7)

Veterinary notes: With Newfoundlands you should see several health clearances for elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, and thrombopathia. (6) Other health problems that are common for Newfoundlands include Addison’s disease, cataracts, cherry eye, subvalvular aortic stenosis, epilepsy, cystinuria, gastric torsion, cancer, and ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. (7)
Breed: Munchkin

Origin: Reports of short-legged cats have appeared in England as early as the 1930’s. (8) However most short-legged cats were wiped out during World War II. (8) The title of ‘mother’ of the Munchkin breed is attributed to a stray short-legged female cat who was found in Louisiana in 1983 named Blackberry. (9) Blackberry and her male kitten, Toulouse were outcrossed to domestic cats. (9) In 2003 this breed was recognized by The International Cat Association. (9) These short-legged cats were named Munchkins after the little people in the children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum).

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