The American Staffordshire Terrier has been known by several different names throughout time. They are also known as American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Dog, and Yankee Terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier originated in England and is a mix of a Bulldog and a Terrier. Their instincts make them great hunters, and in the past they were often used as bear and wild pig hunters. They were most commonly used as farm dogs with guardian and stock dog duties. With their muscular, stocky build the American Staffordshire Terrier is very athletic and presently competes in many dog sports such as weight pulling, agility and obedience competitions. They are also strong climbers and jumpers and must be kept in a secure back yard if left alone outdoors. Due to high dominance, this breed prefers to be the only dog in the house and should be watched carefully around other pets because they have strong prey instincts. They require a lot of attention and if they don’t receive enough and are left unattended they may become destructive. They are trainable but require time firm but patient training from their master.
When I visited my vet's office, I saw
Pethealth's pet insurance brochures on display. After reading about their
accident and illness programs, I took out a policy for Buddy, my Golden
Retriever. Boy was I glad that I did! It was not long after purchasing
the insurance that Buddy developed an acute allergic reaction. He experienced
itchy, inflamed bumps in his neck, throat and abdominal area. Left untreated,
the condition would have been terminal. Over the course of his treatment,
Buddy saw six different veterinarians. It was comforting to know I could
go forward with the treatment, and did not need to worry about the high
cost of the procedures. Today Buddy is happy and healthy. Thank-you Pethealth.