Genetic disorders are common in the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. Some that are relatively common include demodectic mange, eye disorders like progressive retinal atrophy, and musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. Breeders should be aware of these potential health issues and offer a written health guarantee to buyers. Prospective owners should also have puppies examined by a veterinarian.

1. Genetic Disorders
American Staffordshire Terrier

2. Introduction
When choosing any breed of dog you must be
aware of potential health concerns
All dogs mixes and pure bred can have health
concerns
The more popular breeds and their mixes will
have more genetic problems listed and more
likely to have puppies with problems .
Make sure your breeder offers a written health
guarantee good for one year.
Have the puppy heath checked at your
Veterinarian

3. Eye Disorders
Progressive retinal atrophy: deterioration of the retinal cells causes blindness.
Generalized PRA - early onset: The first sign is generally failing night vision, as
early as 6 weeks of age, and this progresses to complete loss of vision by about 1 - 2
years of age. Collies may retain some vision until the age of 2 - 3 years. In miniature
schnauzers, poor night vision usually develops later (6 months to a year) and there is
advanced loss of vision by 3 to 4 years. Affected Alaskan malamutes are day-blind
(hemeralopia) at 8 to 10 weeks of age; night vision is never affected.
Generalized PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration) - late onset: Generally
night blindness is noticed between 2 and 5 years of age (depending on the breed)
progressing to total blindness within a year or so. Peripheral vision is lost first.
Central PRA (CPRA) - retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED): Loss of vision
occurs much more slowly than in generalized PRA, without initial night blindness.
Affected dogs may not lose vision completely. Because the changes are in the centre
of the retina, affected dogs initially have trouble locating still objects in bright light.
Cataracts: Can be congenital, juvenile or as a result of old age

4. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Hip dysplasia The hip joint is a "ball and
socket" joint: the "ball" (the top part of the thigh
bone or femur) fits into a "socket" formed by the
pelvis. If there is a loose fit between these
bones, and the ligaments which help to hold
them together are loose, the ball may slide part
way out of the socket (subluxate). With time, as
this occurs repeatedly, other degenerative
changes in the joint occur (also called
osteoarthritis) and your dog will become painful,
lame and weak in the hind end.
This disease is progressive; that is, it gets worse
with time

5. Reproductive Disorders
Disorders of sexual development - sexual reversal
Affected animals are infertile (so that your apparently
female dog will not come into heat), and may have
chronic irritation in the genital area, which may look
abnormal to you. Your veterinarian will typically suspect
one of these conditions when s/he notices an
abnormality such as clitoral enlargement or an abnormal
penis during physical examination of your dog, or if a
breeding dog is being examined for infertility. To
diagnose the specific condition requires your veterinarian
to evaluate both internal (generally at the time of spay)
and external sex organs, and send away a blood or other
cell sample from your dog for karyotyping, which
identifies the chromosomes

6. Skin Disorders
Demodicosis/ Demodectic mange is a mite that is present in
small numbers in the skin of most healthy dogs. Nursing puppies
acquire the mite from their mothers during the first few days of life,
and in most dogs there will never be any associated problems.
In some dogs however, the normal balance is disrupted due to an
immune defect. The mites multiply by the thousands in the hair
follicles causing inflammation, in a condition called demodicosis.
Demodicosis may be localized - that is, confined to 1 or more small
discrete scaly reddened areas of hair loss, most commonly on the
face or front legs. This is usually seen in pups of 3 to 6 months of
age, and most cases resolve spontaneously. Alternately,
generalized demodicosis may develop, at anywhere from 3 to 12
months of age. This is a severe skin condition.
The defect in the cell-mediated immune system which allows the
development of generalized demodicosis is believed to be inherited
It is not infectious, to other pets or to people

7. In Conclusion
American Staffordshire Terriers have 5 health concerns Disorders
relatively common in this breed are : Demoectic Mange.
Note above disorder(s) is very common in this breed. Do not take
lightly the other disorders. Some are very serious .
Information for this presentation as a public service provided by:
www.delayrekennel.com with information provided by :
A joint initiative of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the
Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and
the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association..
Permission is granted to reprint pages from the database, provided
that credit is given as follows: Crook A et al. 2011. Canine Inherited
Disorders Database
Photo Wikipedia

8. About the Presenter
Member of the Canine Ambassador Program with Orange Empire
Dog Club. Educating people in the joy canines bring into our lives
through their relationship, interaction, and unconditional love.
Pet Professional specializing in the training of puppies in Sun Valley
since 1974 .
Breeder of Silky Terriers and Wire Fox Terriers
My boarding, training and breeding kennel was awarded Small
Business of the Year 2000
Better Business Bureau A+ rating
I have owned and/or bred 21 Conformation Champions including 6
International Champions
Member and former Vice President of the City of Angels Silky
Terrier Club
Past President of Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce
Have also served on the boards of Associated Terrier Breeders,
Animal Safe Haven Foundation, United Chambers of Commerce