Amstaff Puppies

How To Choose Between Getting an Adult Dog and a Puppy

Choosing between a puppy and an adult dog can be difficult. You are guaranteed some trying moments if you welcome a puppy into your life, but owning a dog in general requires a lot of time and love, and not just a little patience on occasion. Here are some guidelines to help you choose between an adult dog and a puppy.

First, ask yourself why you're in this position. Many people have a hard time deciding between puppy and adult dog, but some of these people are indecisive because they feel that they don't have enough time to devote to a puppy. They think that an adult dog will be fine with far less attention and therefore could be a better fit in their life. If this resembles your thought process, then you must face the possibility that you aren't in a position to care for any dog, young or more mature. Dogs of any age deserve lots of time and attention; they require love and affection in order to be happy. If you're thinking of buying an adult dog because you're gone all the time and think a puppy won't be happy in that situation, then you're absolutely right about the puppy. But the same is true for the adult dog.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's look at the pros and cons of adding a puppy to your family.

1. is a lot like raising a baby (except obviously the puppy will become an adult much faster). You'll experience similar joy watching the puppy mature, learn and express curiosity and wonderment. And your puppy will develop a fast, loving bond with you from day one.
2. But dogs don't wear diapers, and you're bound to encounter accidents before the puppy is housebroken. Taking them out frequently can help to avoid accidents inside the house.
3. Puppies need to be fed about 4 times daily.
4. Puppies will chew on things as their teeth come in (a process called "teething" - you may have heard dismayed dog owners bemoaning this behavior).
5. Puppies sometimes wake you up at night needing some affection. You can't turn them away! You have to be prepared to give them your attention and be patient as they grow accustomed to your daily routine.

That should give you a bit of an idea for the joys and challenges of raising a puppy. Raising an adult dog is a pleasure as well. Many people don't feel the same way toward dogs that have already lived and spent early formative years with another owner. However, this reluctance to adopt deprives these perfectly lovable companions of a nurturing home, which isn't fair at all.

1. The majority of dogs up for adoption are still in their teenage phase between the puppy period and mature adulthood. This means you'll escape the worst of the chewing (teething ends before the end of the puppy's first year), housetraining and wakeful nights.
2. Senior dogs can also be adopted. Dog owners know that some of a dog's most tender and placid years are often those later in life. Senior dogs can make excellent companions for senior citizens, providing the affection and devotion of a dog without the sometimes-hyperactive tendencies of a puppy.
3. Ask about the dog's life experience. If the adult dog has been abused or grossly neglected, it may not be wise to adopt that dog into a family with small children. Unfortunately, abused dogs can become skittish and defensive around children, resulting in some negative situations. However, the majority of adult dogs up for adoption were not abused, but are simply a casualty of the misjudgment of people who didn't realize that they weren't prepared to properly care for a dog.
4. For more on adopting dogs, consult our article, "How To Adopt a Dog."

Whether you choose a puppy or an adult, you'll experience the rare, unconditional love of a dog. As long as you recognize that your dog deserves a responsible, loving and generous family, the experience will be rewarding for both you and your dog.

By Staff Writer

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Choosing an American Staffordshire Terrier Puppy

As you gather in front of a litter of American Staffordshire Terrier puppies, you should take a good first look at the group as a collective.

A litter of four out of five puppies that runs away or apprehensively barks at prospective owners is not a good sign. Chances are, the fifth puppy will also carry too much shyness or distrust in his genes.

There are many other ways to evaluate a litter to pick out a winner. First, weeding out the shyer puppies is suggested, which may later grow into shy adults with a higher tendency to snap at others as a defense mechanism. These puppies usually hide, shrink away, or tuck their tails between their legs.

A normal American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is one that is inquisitive, friendly, and trusting. They may meander about your feet, play with your shoelaces, crawl into your lap, or paw at your fingers.

You may also choose a proper American Staffordshire Terrier puppy by the way they interact with their brothers and sisters. Some will appear strong, outgoing, bossy, or boisterous. Others are more quiet, gentle, or submissive, and may become the most picked on of the bunch.

It is also important to note the puppies that dominate the toys or wins all of the tug-of-war games. Some families prefer a strong-willed dog, while others enjoy a sweet-natured puppy that will later become dependent on their masters. The best bet is to seek out a puppy that is good-natured.

A good method to test out the character of a puppy is to clap your hands, snap fingers, jingle keys, whistle, and tap your feet. This will help sort out the curious puppies who show interest, the bold ones that investigate, and the apprehensive pups who stay behind. It is important to choose an American Staffordshire Terrier that is alert and filled with confidence.

Choosing a Full-Grown American Staffordshire Terrier

If you are considering bringing home a full-grown American Staffordshire Terrier, you may want to pay attention to the appearance and size of the dog. His body should look strong with a muscular and stocky build. The triangular ears of an American Staffordshire Terrier may appear docked or fall downward.

The dog's coat should be short and thick, and may display a variety of colors. No more than 80% of his or her body should be white. Additional characteristics should include dark, alert eyes and a short tail that is usually carried in the downward position.

The typical height of an American Staffordshire Terrier is 17 to 19 inches from the shoulder with a general weight of 40 to 50 pounds.

As for temperament, an American Staffordshire Terrier should exhibit a gentle and loving nature towards the individuals he or she comes in contact with on a daily basis. They display a high level of protection in regards to children, their masters, and the property that belongs to them.

An aggressive behavior may surface when introduced to strangers, but when socialized and trained at an early age, American Staffordshire Terriers are intelligent and obedient.

posted from : amstaff-dechaine.com

American Staffordshire Terrier