Choosing an American Staffordshire Terrier

Choosing an American Staffordshire Terrier

By: Barbara Maroon

Common Diseases and Disorders

Problems seen in this breed may include:

  • Gastric torsion (bloat) is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

  • Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

    Arthritis and cruciate injuries are also relatively common.

    In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported:

  • Lick granuloma is a behavior problem that results in persistent licking of one area on the skin causing a non-healing wound.

  • Cutaneous histiocytoma - is a benign tumor of the skin that can affect young dogs.


  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Deafness can occur at birth or develop later in life.

  • Patent ductus arteriosis, or PDA, is a birth defect of the heart that if not treated can lead to heart failure.

  • Mast cell tumors are malignant tumors than can occur in the skin or within the body.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.


    Life Span

    The life span of the American Staffordshire terrier is 10 to 12 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

     
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