BUYER BEWARE
Buyer Beware
The reason we have now decided to include a Buyer Beware page on our Site is to inform the public of what is happening to the American Staffordshire Terrier breed in Australia and to let you know that the situation at hand is very serious and is spiralling out of control at an alarming rate.
It is of great concern not only to myself but also for many other ethical Amstaff breeders throughout Australia. If you have recently been looking through the Dog's For Sale section in the local or interstate papers and visiting Web Sites you will understand some of the problems our breed is facing from unethical breeders. We could see for the Novice that was looking to buy a pup that it would be an absolute nightmare to know what is an Amstaff and what is not, what is correct, what is not, am I getting ripped off? Or, who can you trust?. There are too many people starting to breed and for all the wrong reasons, trying to make a fast dollar is the main one.
We at Ta’Randu Amstaffs strongly believe that the Survival of the American Staffordshire Terrier Breed within Australia now rests in the hands of their future owners. Unethical breeders/puppy farmers will ALWAYS be around as long as there is a Dollar to be made and people continue buying from them, these breeders are not concerned about the Amstaffs well-being, they are only concerned about who they can rip-off next.
We cannot emphasise enough that you should be putting just as much thought into choosing the breeder of your new pup, as you do choosing your pup. Selecting, buying and taking home your new puppy should be a happy occasion, something you and your children can look back on and cherish for the rest of your life's, and hopefully not something you will regret for the rest of your life's as what has been the case for so many people lately. By making you aware of some of these so-called breeders and their Scam's maybe we can help bring a bit of Sanity back into looking for, and selecting that very special pup, to make it a little bit more of an enjoyable experience for you, as it should be!
AMSTAFF BLOODLINES
BUYER BEWARE
Amstaff Red Nose, Sorrells, Jeep, Bullyson and Reid's are "NOT" I repeat, are "NOT" American Staffordshire Terrier bloodlines.
THE BLUE AMSTAFF
BUYER BEWARE
Dont ever be fooled by someone saying one colour is rarer than another, and one colour is more expensive to buy than another, that is just another money making scam. Blue is only a colour and a colour in only cosmetic, whether it be BLUE, Black, Red, White, Fawn, Seal on any other.
A colour has NO Bearing on the dog’s temperament, conformation or health, which are so much more important.
AGGRESSION
BUYER BEWARE
We were sickened to see people trying to install aggressive behaviour into the Amstaff.
Please Note; Registered breeders participating in any practice involving bite work is against the rule of the Australian Kennel Council’s breeders code of ethics that includes the training of dogs in Protection and Crowd Control! Aggression towards humans has never been tolerated from this breed decades of selective breeding have kept it this way. Thats what make him one of the most trustworthy and greatest of all family dogs. An Amstaff will naturally protect his family and property; they do not need aggression installed into them.
The American staff’s standard States
“His courage is Proverbial”. Please, Please, never mistake Aggression as Courage; there is NO similarity, and aggression often only masks insecurity. He should appear supremely confident in all situations, the ideal Amstaff should not display aggression toward other Animals or Humans and no excuses can be made for a specimen that lacks this quality.
Due to the dire situation with the Amstaff and Breed Specific legislation ( BSL) in Australia, so-called breeders like these are only going to get the breed banned! And deny good people like yourselves the honour and privilege of owning an Amstaff
DEPOSIT’S
BUYER BEWARE
Would you put a deposit down on a House or Car without seeing them? So why do people put a deposit on a pup before they are even born? It is exactly the same, but people do it. This is a crazy practice some breeders will try and entrap you just to lock you into a purchase.
You are not able to see which direction the pup are going to take until they are around 6-8 week of age, and choosing a pup is a decision that you should not be rushed into. Your new family member may be with you for the next 15 years so you want to make sure it’s what your are definitely looking for and suits your family and lifestyle. Some pups are more active than others, some pups are more dominant than others, some pups are more laid back than others, and you cannot see what pup is showing what characteristic even at 1 or 2 weeks of age.
Beware of breeders if they are trying to push you into a deposit.
SIZE
BUYER BEWARE
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a Medium sized dog , NOT a large one, and should be possessed of great strength for his size. He is a balance of power and agility, a balance of Bull and Terrier, if you INCREASE his size, you will DECREASE his agility to the detriment of his Balance. The American Staff is NOT an American Bulldog!
HEALTH
The first questions you should be asking a breeder is, “Do they health test their breeding stock”?
The American Staffordshire Terrier unfortunately has many serious health problems, a few of the major health problems are Ataxia, ALPP, Heart Disease, Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia.
ATAXIA
Ataxia is a hereditary neurological disorder that is affecting the American Staffordshire Terrier population throughout the world, once your dog is affected by Ataxia there is NO cure. Please make sure the parents of your puppy have both been tested and are free of Ataxia.
EXAMPLES: Inheritance Of The Ataxia Gene In A Litter Of 100 Puppies:
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 carrier and 1 clear are mated.
50% will be clear.
50% will be carriers
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 2 carriers are mated.
25% will be clear.
50% will be carriers.
25% will be affected.
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 affected and 1 carrier are mated.
50% will be carriers.
50% will be affected.
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 affected and 1 clear are mated.
100% will be carriers
When a breeder breeds two dogs together that have been certified clear of Ataxia, the offspring are automatically clear of Ataxia by Parentage. If a breeder breeds any of other combinations together then the offspring will need to be tested.
Here is a link to show what happens to a dog that develops this horrible disease ATAXIA LINK please be warned this may upset some viewers.
.
POLYNEUROPATHY AND JUVENILE LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS (ALPP)
Ta'Randu Amstaffs would like to Thank ANTAGENE for this information on ALPP
This mutation (ALPP) is responsible for a neurological disease, polyneuropathy that is almost systematically associated with juvenile laryngeal paralysis.
The first symptoms can appear as early as 3 months and are usually manifested by respiratory impairment (presence of noises) and a modification of the bark.
The ataxic approach (loss of movement coordination) usually occurs a few months to a few years later.
Detailed symptoms :
Progressive intolerance to exercise, loss of coordination of movements especially in the hindquarters, progressive atrophy of muscles to the point of the animal being unable to carry its own weight, laryngeal paralysis manifested by labored breathing (sounds can be heard) and altered barking (dysphonia), vomiting and swallowing difficulties.
In some cases, the symptoms may remain stable or even improve while retaining episodes of ataxia and swallowing difficulties; these dogs seem to maintain an almost normal life.
Moreover, thanks to the genotyping of a large number of American Staffordshire Terrier's not related and represented all over Europe, Antagene were able to estimate a frequency of 8% carriers in Europe.
Thanks to the recruitment of dozens of infected dogs all over the world, as well as several years of research (since 2016),
in collaboration with the University of Missouri (USA) and the Veterinary School of Alfort (France),
ANTAGENE were able to participate in the discovery of a new mutation in the American Staffordshire Terrier!!
Learn more about the American Staffordshire Terrier Genetic Check Up : Click HERE
HEART DISEASE
Ta’Randu Amstaffs would like to Thank Richard Woolley BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS Specialist of Veterinary Cardiology, for this Article.
Heart Disease in the American Staffordshire Terrier .
Subaortic Stenosis (SAS)
Unfortunately heart problems are common and serious in the American Staffordshire Terrier, and can be a ‘hidden’ killer.
One of the most serious common conditions in the American Staffordshire Terrier is sub-aortic Stenosis. Sub-aortic Stenosis, known as “SAS,” is the most common congenital heart disease of large breed dogs. This article attempts to present a review of this condition.
The Normal Heart
In order to understand what Sub-aortic Stenosis is, it is necessary to understand some normal heart anatomy. This is divided into a left side, which receives oxygen-rich blood from the lung and pumps it to the rest of the body, and a right side, which receives “used” blood from the body and pumps it to the lung to pick up fresh oxygen. Because the left side of the heart must supply blood to the whole body, its muscle is especially thick and strong. Blood is pumped from the left ventricle (pumping chamber) to a particularly large blood vessel called the aorta. The valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta is called the aortic valve. The left ventricle narrows as it leads to the aorta and this area is called the aortic outflow tract.
Sub-aortic Stenosis
In Sub-aortic Stenosis the left ventricular outflow tract just below the aortic valve has a scar-like narrowing or “Stenosis”. This means that the left ventricle must pump extra hard to move the blood through the narrowed area. The blood squirts through in a turbulent fashion that creates a sound known as a heart murmur. The narrower the Stenosis, the more the turbulence the louder the murmur.
When a puppy with SAS is born, the Stenosis is very small, barely a ridge near the valve, but over the first four to six months of life the Stenosis grows and the murmur (hopefully) becomes more apparent.
If aortic Stenosis is present, over time the muscle of the left ventricle thickens and grows due to the excess work it must perform. Eventually this interferes with the pumping chamber’s flexibility and ability to fill. Abnormal muscle in the heart makes for abnormal electrical conduction in the heart and soon the heart’s normal electrical rhythm may be disrupted. These pumping and electrical issues can lead to fainting spells or even sudden death. How long a dog with SAS lives depends on how severely the outflow tract is narrowed. Most dogs with severe SAS do not survive beyond age 3 years without treatment, though dogs with milder cases can have normal life spans. A dog with SAS is always predisposed to electrical arrhythmia and sudden death, heart failure, or infection of the abnormal aortic valve.
Recognizing The Disease
Obviously, the pup is not going to receive proper management unless the condition is recognized. The first step is hearing the murmur.
Though regular veterinary visits can pick up "some" of the more severe murmurs, it is recommended that a cardiologist be consulted for full cardiac auscultation. Doppler echocardiography is recommended for the most conclusive results. Echocardiography refers to the imaging of the heart with ultrasound. This is the same technology used in man to examine the pregnant uterus. The Doppler involves the detection and velocity of blood flow throughout the heart. Doppler is particularly helpful in measuring the severity of the Stenosis/Narrowing.
Cause and Elimination
The genetic factor(s) of SAS are not known as of yet. It is believed to be polygenetic, and therefore very difficult to eliminate from the gene pool. Only through the testing of all breeding stock and strict removal of positive animals and producers of positive animals from the breeding pool are there hopes to eventually eliminate this condition.
Treatment
The most popular class of drug for severe SAS is the “beta blockers.” Beta receptors are the neurologic areas on the heart that respond to adrenaline and cause the heart to rate to speed up during exercise. In SAS, this kind of racing pulse is what leads to the abnormal electrical rhythm (and ultimately fainting). It is hoped that the beta blockers will keep the heart from racing. Atenolol, a beta blocker, is currently being investigated. Of all the treatment options available for SAS, Atenolol is certainly the least invasive and least expensive, but studies are on-going to determine if it is also the most effective.
Richard Woolley BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS
Specialist of Veterinary Cardiology.
Link to CardioRespiratory Pet Referrals Victoria
Hip Dysplasia
Understanding Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
This type of disease directly affects the hip joints of dogs, which is the bone structure that attaches the dog’s body to the hind legs. The hips joints are ball and socket joints that rotate freely to allow dogs to walk normally. There are two ball and socket joints present both in animals and humans, one for each leg..
Loose hip joints are the main precursor of this disease.
When the hip joints are far away from each other, they suffer erosion and intense wear and tear. This condition of the joints usually leads to arthritis, a disease characterized by pain and swelling. Arthritis is one of the end effects of this disease. Genetics is the main reason veterinarians point to as far as the cause of the disease is concerned. A certain study has proved that when a parent dog has hip dysplasia, there is a very high chance that its offspring will have the same problem too. The offspring may either be affected or merely carriers of the disease
This disease may cause great discomfort to pets if not treated accordingly. There is no way to determine if a dog is suffering from this condition without first having a Veterinarian X-Ray the animals Hips.
Link to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) site for hip grading
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a fairly common developmental defect that occurs primarily in young, actively growing medium, large and giant breed dogs. It leads to malformation and degeneration of the elbow joint, with accompanying front limb lameness.
Elbow dysplasia in dogs is widely believed to be primarily a genetic disease.
Link to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) site for elbow grading
If you are interested in purchasing a pup from a breeder they will only be happy to show you the results of testing if you request them, never be afraid to ask.
If a breeder tells you their dogs don't need health testing because they don't suffer from any problems, please, politely just hang-up or walk away! There are many other breeders around, and you may save yourself and your family much Heartache and some very expensive vet bills in the future.
A FEW TIPS FOR THE NOVICE!
Please!.. we cannot stress enough, when searching for your pup to look around and compare, talk to Breeders ask questions, the best places to visit are Conformation dog show's that's what they are there for ,they where originally started to show-case purebred dog breeds to the public. You will see a great variety of Amstaffs of various types and colours, the breeders you will find there are breeding to the American Staffordshire Terrier Breed Standard as set down by the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America, so you wont find Staff's more true to type than what they are breeding! Give the Amstaff Club in your State a ring and see when they are running a show or holding a Fun Day, these event's are great you will see lot's of Staff's and meet load's of people with the same interest who are as passionate about the Amstaff as you are, and have a genuine concern about the breed and it's future.
Don't just buy from the first breeders you come across in the Paper just because they have pups ready to go , some breeders will always have pup's ready to go. Be aware there are just as many liars and cheat's in this business as any other. Don't be talked into something you don't want, they will say and do anything to win your dollar.
We cannot emphasize enough that you MUST make sure your Amstaff pup will be sold with Australian National Kennel Council (A.N.K.C) Pedigree Papers either on Main or Limited Registration and also make sure your pup will be Micro chipped , under no circumstances accept anything less. One of the main reason's you should do this, is due to the Amstaffs close resemblance to a Restricted breed in which it is often mistaken for, your Amstaff can be seized by Canine Control Sheriffs and may be destroyed if you cannot prove that it is an Amstaff !, so having that Paperwork and Microchip is Critical ! Some people try to save a few dollars by not getting Papers but they only cost the breeder around $25 so don’t think your making great savings by not getting the ANKC papers with your new pup. But believe me they regret it when Shire/Council officer's come knocking, it will be very upsetting for all concerned, especially your children!!
Thanks for taking time to read through our Buyer Beware page we will continue to add to it so please call back soon We hope you will now be a little bit more Educated about the Amstaff, and allot more wiser to some of the Breeders that are breeding them.
If you can learn something from us and then take it away and use it for the good and well being of the American Staffordshire Terrier and it's future, then we feel that we have been able to give a little something back to the breed that has given so much to us. We are sure that if you do your research and choose your breeder and your pup wisely, that your new Amstaff will surely give you as much enjoyment, satisfaction and never ending devotion as what we have had from our's over the many years that we have been privileged to have them as part of our Family.
Thankyou Ta’RanduAmstaffs.
Thank you to Stewart from Runamuk Kennels for help with the Buyer Beware
It is of great concern not only to myself but also for many other ethical Amstaff breeders throughout Australia. If you have recently been looking through the Dog's For Sale section in the local or interstate papers and visiting Web Sites you will understand some of the problems our breed is facing from unethical breeders. We could see for the Novice that was looking to buy a pup that it would be an absolute nightmare to know what is an Amstaff and what is not, what is correct, what is not, am I getting ripped off? Or, who can you trust?. There are too many people starting to breed and for all the wrong reasons, trying to make a fast dollar is the main one.
We at Ta’Randu Amstaffs strongly believe that the Survival of the American Staffordshire Terrier Breed within Australia now rests in the hands of their future owners. Unethical breeders/puppy farmers will ALWAYS be around as long as there is a Dollar to be made and people continue buying from them, these breeders are not concerned about the Amstaffs well-being, they are only concerned about who they can rip-off next.
We cannot emphasise enough that you should be putting just as much thought into choosing the breeder of your new pup, as you do choosing your pup. Selecting, buying and taking home your new puppy should be a happy occasion, something you and your children can look back on and cherish for the rest of your life's, and hopefully not something you will regret for the rest of your life's as what has been the case for so many people lately. By making you aware of some of these so-called breeders and their Scam's maybe we can help bring a bit of Sanity back into looking for, and selecting that very special pup, to make it a little bit more of an enjoyable experience for you, as it should be!
AMSTAFF BLOODLINES
BUYER BEWARE
Amstaff Red Nose, Sorrells, Jeep, Bullyson and Reid's are "NOT" I repeat, are "NOT" American Staffordshire Terrier bloodlines.
THE BLUE AMSTAFF
BUYER BEWARE
Dont ever be fooled by someone saying one colour is rarer than another, and one colour is more expensive to buy than another, that is just another money making scam. Blue is only a colour and a colour in only cosmetic, whether it be BLUE, Black, Red, White, Fawn, Seal on any other.
A colour has NO Bearing on the dog’s temperament, conformation or health, which are so much more important.
AGGRESSION
BUYER BEWARE
We were sickened to see people trying to install aggressive behaviour into the Amstaff.
Please Note; Registered breeders participating in any practice involving bite work is against the rule of the Australian Kennel Council’s breeders code of ethics that includes the training of dogs in Protection and Crowd Control! Aggression towards humans has never been tolerated from this breed decades of selective breeding have kept it this way. Thats what make him one of the most trustworthy and greatest of all family dogs. An Amstaff will naturally protect his family and property; they do not need aggression installed into them.
The American staff’s standard States
“His courage is Proverbial”. Please, Please, never mistake Aggression as Courage; there is NO similarity, and aggression often only masks insecurity. He should appear supremely confident in all situations, the ideal Amstaff should not display aggression toward other Animals or Humans and no excuses can be made for a specimen that lacks this quality.
Due to the dire situation with the Amstaff and Breed Specific legislation ( BSL) in Australia, so-called breeders like these are only going to get the breed banned! And deny good people like yourselves the honour and privilege of owning an Amstaff
DEPOSIT’S
BUYER BEWARE
Would you put a deposit down on a House or Car without seeing them? So why do people put a deposit on a pup before they are even born? It is exactly the same, but people do it. This is a crazy practice some breeders will try and entrap you just to lock you into a purchase.
You are not able to see which direction the pup are going to take until they are around 6-8 week of age, and choosing a pup is a decision that you should not be rushed into. Your new family member may be with you for the next 15 years so you want to make sure it’s what your are definitely looking for and suits your family and lifestyle. Some pups are more active than others, some pups are more dominant than others, some pups are more laid back than others, and you cannot see what pup is showing what characteristic even at 1 or 2 weeks of age.
Beware of breeders if they are trying to push you into a deposit.
SIZE
BUYER BEWARE
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a Medium sized dog , NOT a large one, and should be possessed of great strength for his size. He is a balance of power and agility, a balance of Bull and Terrier, if you INCREASE his size, you will DECREASE his agility to the detriment of his Balance. The American Staff is NOT an American Bulldog!
HEALTH
The first questions you should be asking a breeder is, “Do they health test their breeding stock”?
The American Staffordshire Terrier unfortunately has many serious health problems, a few of the major health problems are Ataxia, ALPP, Heart Disease, Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia.
ATAXIA
Ataxia is a hereditary neurological disorder that is affecting the American Staffordshire Terrier population throughout the world, once your dog is affected by Ataxia there is NO cure. Please make sure the parents of your puppy have both been tested and are free of Ataxia.
EXAMPLES: Inheritance Of The Ataxia Gene In A Litter Of 100 Puppies:
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 carrier and 1 clear are mated.
50% will be clear.
50% will be carriers
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 2 carriers are mated.
25% will be clear.
50% will be carriers.
25% will be affected.
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 affected and 1 carrier are mated.
50% will be carriers.
50% will be affected.
Inheritance of the Ataxia Gene, when 1 affected and 1 clear are mated.
100% will be carriers
When a breeder breeds two dogs together that have been certified clear of Ataxia, the offspring are automatically clear of Ataxia by Parentage. If a breeder breeds any of other combinations together then the offspring will need to be tested.
Here is a link to show what happens to a dog that develops this horrible disease ATAXIA LINK please be warned this may upset some viewers.
.
POLYNEUROPATHY AND JUVENILE LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS (ALPP)
Ta'Randu Amstaffs would like to Thank ANTAGENE for this information on ALPP
This mutation (ALPP) is responsible for a neurological disease, polyneuropathy that is almost systematically associated with juvenile laryngeal paralysis.
The first symptoms can appear as early as 3 months and are usually manifested by respiratory impairment (presence of noises) and a modification of the bark.
The ataxic approach (loss of movement coordination) usually occurs a few months to a few years later.
Detailed symptoms :
Progressive intolerance to exercise, loss of coordination of movements especially in the hindquarters, progressive atrophy of muscles to the point of the animal being unable to carry its own weight, laryngeal paralysis manifested by labored breathing (sounds can be heard) and altered barking (dysphonia), vomiting and swallowing difficulties.
In some cases, the symptoms may remain stable or even improve while retaining episodes of ataxia and swallowing difficulties; these dogs seem to maintain an almost normal life.
Moreover, thanks to the genotyping of a large number of American Staffordshire Terrier's not related and represented all over Europe, Antagene were able to estimate a frequency of 8% carriers in Europe.
Thanks to the recruitment of dozens of infected dogs all over the world, as well as several years of research (since 2016),
in collaboration with the University of Missouri (USA) and the Veterinary School of Alfort (France),
ANTAGENE were able to participate in the discovery of a new mutation in the American Staffordshire Terrier!!
Learn more about the American Staffordshire Terrier Genetic Check Up : Click HERE
HEART DISEASE
Ta’Randu Amstaffs would like to Thank Richard Woolley BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS Specialist of Veterinary Cardiology, for this Article.
Heart Disease in the American Staffordshire Terrier .
Subaortic Stenosis (SAS)
Unfortunately heart problems are common and serious in the American Staffordshire Terrier, and can be a ‘hidden’ killer.
One of the most serious common conditions in the American Staffordshire Terrier is sub-aortic Stenosis. Sub-aortic Stenosis, known as “SAS,” is the most common congenital heart disease of large breed dogs. This article attempts to present a review of this condition.
The Normal Heart
In order to understand what Sub-aortic Stenosis is, it is necessary to understand some normal heart anatomy. This is divided into a left side, which receives oxygen-rich blood from the lung and pumps it to the rest of the body, and a right side, which receives “used” blood from the body and pumps it to the lung to pick up fresh oxygen. Because the left side of the heart must supply blood to the whole body, its muscle is especially thick and strong. Blood is pumped from the left ventricle (pumping chamber) to a particularly large blood vessel called the aorta. The valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta is called the aortic valve. The left ventricle narrows as it leads to the aorta and this area is called the aortic outflow tract.
Sub-aortic Stenosis
In Sub-aortic Stenosis the left ventricular outflow tract just below the aortic valve has a scar-like narrowing or “Stenosis”. This means that the left ventricle must pump extra hard to move the blood through the narrowed area. The blood squirts through in a turbulent fashion that creates a sound known as a heart murmur. The narrower the Stenosis, the more the turbulence the louder the murmur.
When a puppy with SAS is born, the Stenosis is very small, barely a ridge near the valve, but over the first four to six months of life the Stenosis grows and the murmur (hopefully) becomes more apparent.
If aortic Stenosis is present, over time the muscle of the left ventricle thickens and grows due to the excess work it must perform. Eventually this interferes with the pumping chamber’s flexibility and ability to fill. Abnormal muscle in the heart makes for abnormal electrical conduction in the heart and soon the heart’s normal electrical rhythm may be disrupted. These pumping and electrical issues can lead to fainting spells or even sudden death. How long a dog with SAS lives depends on how severely the outflow tract is narrowed. Most dogs with severe SAS do not survive beyond age 3 years without treatment, though dogs with milder cases can have normal life spans. A dog with SAS is always predisposed to electrical arrhythmia and sudden death, heart failure, or infection of the abnormal aortic valve.
Recognizing The Disease
Obviously, the pup is not going to receive proper management unless the condition is recognized. The first step is hearing the murmur.
Though regular veterinary visits can pick up "some" of the more severe murmurs, it is recommended that a cardiologist be consulted for full cardiac auscultation. Doppler echocardiography is recommended for the most conclusive results. Echocardiography refers to the imaging of the heart with ultrasound. This is the same technology used in man to examine the pregnant uterus. The Doppler involves the detection and velocity of blood flow throughout the heart. Doppler is particularly helpful in measuring the severity of the Stenosis/Narrowing.
Cause and Elimination
The genetic factor(s) of SAS are not known as of yet. It is believed to be polygenetic, and therefore very difficult to eliminate from the gene pool. Only through the testing of all breeding stock and strict removal of positive animals and producers of positive animals from the breeding pool are there hopes to eventually eliminate this condition.
Treatment
The most popular class of drug for severe SAS is the “beta blockers.” Beta receptors are the neurologic areas on the heart that respond to adrenaline and cause the heart to rate to speed up during exercise. In SAS, this kind of racing pulse is what leads to the abnormal electrical rhythm (and ultimately fainting). It is hoped that the beta blockers will keep the heart from racing. Atenolol, a beta blocker, is currently being investigated. Of all the treatment options available for SAS, Atenolol is certainly the least invasive and least expensive, but studies are on-going to determine if it is also the most effective.
Richard Woolley BVetMed DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS
Specialist of Veterinary Cardiology.
Link to CardioRespiratory Pet Referrals Victoria
Hip Dysplasia
Understanding Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
This type of disease directly affects the hip joints of dogs, which is the bone structure that attaches the dog’s body to the hind legs. The hips joints are ball and socket joints that rotate freely to allow dogs to walk normally. There are two ball and socket joints present both in animals and humans, one for each leg..
Loose hip joints are the main precursor of this disease.
When the hip joints are far away from each other, they suffer erosion and intense wear and tear. This condition of the joints usually leads to arthritis, a disease characterized by pain and swelling. Arthritis is one of the end effects of this disease. Genetics is the main reason veterinarians point to as far as the cause of the disease is concerned. A certain study has proved that when a parent dog has hip dysplasia, there is a very high chance that its offspring will have the same problem too. The offspring may either be affected or merely carriers of the disease
This disease may cause great discomfort to pets if not treated accordingly. There is no way to determine if a dog is suffering from this condition without first having a Veterinarian X-Ray the animals Hips.
Link to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) site for hip grading
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a fairly common developmental defect that occurs primarily in young, actively growing medium, large and giant breed dogs. It leads to malformation and degeneration of the elbow joint, with accompanying front limb lameness.
Elbow dysplasia in dogs is widely believed to be primarily a genetic disease.
Link to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) site for elbow grading
If you are interested in purchasing a pup from a breeder they will only be happy to show you the results of testing if you request them, never be afraid to ask.
If a breeder tells you their dogs don't need health testing because they don't suffer from any problems, please, politely just hang-up or walk away! There are many other breeders around, and you may save yourself and your family much Heartache and some very expensive vet bills in the future.
A FEW TIPS FOR THE NOVICE!
Please!.. we cannot stress enough, when searching for your pup to look around and compare, talk to Breeders ask questions, the best places to visit are Conformation dog show's that's what they are there for ,they where originally started to show-case purebred dog breeds to the public. You will see a great variety of Amstaffs of various types and colours, the breeders you will find there are breeding to the American Staffordshire Terrier Breed Standard as set down by the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America, so you wont find Staff's more true to type than what they are breeding! Give the Amstaff Club in your State a ring and see when they are running a show or holding a Fun Day, these event's are great you will see lot's of Staff's and meet load's of people with the same interest who are as passionate about the Amstaff as you are, and have a genuine concern about the breed and it's future.
Don't just buy from the first breeders you come across in the Paper just because they have pups ready to go , some breeders will always have pup's ready to go. Be aware there are just as many liars and cheat's in this business as any other. Don't be talked into something you don't want, they will say and do anything to win your dollar.
We cannot emphasize enough that you MUST make sure your Amstaff pup will be sold with Australian National Kennel Council (A.N.K.C) Pedigree Papers either on Main or Limited Registration and also make sure your pup will be Micro chipped , under no circumstances accept anything less. One of the main reason's you should do this, is due to the Amstaffs close resemblance to a Restricted breed in which it is often mistaken for, your Amstaff can be seized by Canine Control Sheriffs and may be destroyed if you cannot prove that it is an Amstaff !, so having that Paperwork and Microchip is Critical ! Some people try to save a few dollars by not getting Papers but they only cost the breeder around $25 so don’t think your making great savings by not getting the ANKC papers with your new pup. But believe me they regret it when Shire/Council officer's come knocking, it will be very upsetting for all concerned, especially your children!!
Thanks for taking time to read through our Buyer Beware page we will continue to add to it so please call back soon We hope you will now be a little bit more Educated about the Amstaff, and allot more wiser to some of the Breeders that are breeding them.
If you can learn something from us and then take it away and use it for the good and well being of the American Staffordshire Terrier and it's future, then we feel that we have been able to give a little something back to the breed that has given so much to us. We are sure that if you do your research and choose your breeder and your pup wisely, that your new Amstaff will surely give you as much enjoyment, satisfaction and never ending devotion as what we have had from our's over the many years that we have been privileged to have them as part of our Family.
Thankyou Ta’RanduAmstaffs.
Thank you to Stewart from Runamuk Kennels for help with the Buyer Beware
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