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.
We had pet insurance for our two cats already, and when we brought Ollie home as a puppy we decided to take out pet insurance for him right away. Just 2 weeks after enrolling in the program, Ollie had an accident by the pool at our apartment complex and fractured his elbow. The leg had to be amputated due to infection. Taking out pet insurance was the best and luckiest thing we've ever done!