American Staffordshire Terrier puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Cerebellar ataxia, also called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 4A, which causes a loss of coordination from three to five years of age, detectable by DNA test
• Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
• Cardiac disease, screened by a cardiac exam
• Thyroid disorders, screened by a thyroid evaluation
• Skin and coat allergies, diagnosed by a vet once parasites and infection have been ruled out

From American Staffordshire Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your American Staffordshire Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a American Staffordshire Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 18.1 to 31.8 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other medium breeds

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