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Breedist
Puppy
Joined: 01 Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Location: Romania
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 Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:23 am Post subject: please help to promot amstaffs and responsible owners! |
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Hello!
We are members of a small non governmental association based in Bucharest, Romania. Given the fact that the 30th of April 2010 is the anniversary of eight years since the adoption of a Dangerous Dogs Act in our country, we thought of doing a campaign to inform the general audience about breed specific legislation and also about the breeds of dogs that fall under its specifications. Some of the activities planned within this campaign include a website that would contain, among other things, testimonials of responsible breeders and owners. We are hoping you'll be able to help us in this aspect, by writing your thoughts on this wonderful breed, considering the following questions (for kennels only):
How do you pick up the prospective owners of the pups? Does the hierarchy in the litter (regarding dominance) influence choosing the owners? What would be the profile of an ideal amstaff owner?
What is, generally speaking, the profile of people that want to buy an amstaff?
What do you think are the main differences between training an amstaff and training any other dog that doesn't belong to an alledgedly dangerous breed?
Did breed specific legislation change something in your activity as a breeder?
What do you consider the ideal amstaff to be, regarding temperament? Did you ever notice, besides physical resemblances, any similarities between closely related dogs, from the viewpoint of the temper?
There is a significant number of guides, on the Internet or in specialty literature, according to which amstaffs and other bull type terriers must not, under any circumstances, be trained for guarding and protection, become inured to play tug-of-war and generally be involved in anything that could be similar to a force competition with humans. Is this true?
What would your advices to a prospective owner be?
Feel free to write about any other aspects you think are important or any stories you may have and consider would show the true nature of these wonderful dogs!
Thank you,
A.C.U.M., Bucharest, Romania
[url]www.acum-ong.ro
[/url]
p.s. 1. Please pm me with your answers!
p.s. 2. questions for (just) owners will be posted later today as soon as I translate them from Roumanian.
The planned site was first intended to feature only people from Roumania, but now we think it's best that we present a wordlwide report on the subject for a better local promotion.
Last edited by Breedist on Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Breedist
Puppy
Joined: 01 Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Location: Romania
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:03 am Post subject: for owners only |
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What made you buy an amstaff?
Did you ever have second thoughts because of the reputation pitbulls, amstaffs and generally bull type terriers have?
Does it ever happen for people you meet to be prejudiced against you or your dog because of its breed?
Was the amstaff your first dog? If not, did you consider the training and adaptation process different in any way from that of another breed?
Do you think that previous experience with dogs is mandatory in raising an amstaff?
What is it that you appreciate most about your dog? |
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X-Pertise
Scouts
Joined: 08 Oct 2008
Posts: 419
Location: NY, USA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:03 am Post subject: Re: for owners only |
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| Breedist wrote: |
| What made you buy an amstaff? |
I didn't know anything about the breed. My father had Boxers. I looked it up in the encyclopedia where it stated they were good apartment dogs. Since I lived in a small city house, I decided to go look at them and fell in love with the boy that sat in my lap and fought off his sisters. I wanted a dog as a companion and protector.
| Breedist wrote: |
| Did you ever have second thoughts because of the reputation pitbulls, amstaffs and generally bull type terriers have? |
No I've never had a second thought. This breed is perfect for me. Other people tried to convince me to look at other breeds when I lost my first AST and I did, but could not find another dog that suited me as well.
| Breedist wrote: |
| Does it ever happen for people you meet to be prejudiced against you or your dog because of its breed? |
Almost everyone I meet has a prejudice against this breed. They are victims of sensationalized media reporting which they never stop to question. It amazes me how perfectly intelligent people accept anything in the media as fact without doing any research of their own.
| Breedist wrote: |
| Was the amstaff your first dog? If not, did you consider the training and adaptation process different in any way from that of another breed? |
AST was the first breed I owned by myself. I did train my father's Boxers when I was a child. The AST was the first breed I took to formal obedience classes. I find the AST works well with positive reinforcement. Since we train in a class of other breeds, I don't think the methods I use are any different from those used by others.
| Breedist wrote: |
| Do you think that previous experience with dogs is mandatory in raising an amstaff? |
No, I do not. I do ask if they have had previous experience with dogs or what other breeds they already own. I think the key is that a new puppy owner must be willing to take their puppy to a formal training class and do the training themselves. Sometimes this is not enough. Screening by the breeder is extremely important. The breeder must be certain that the new owner has what it takes to be the pack leader.
| Breedist wrote: |
| What is it that you appreciate most about your dog? |
I like a strong dog that can be 'thumped' and it is a 'love tap'. I like a thinking dog that is intelligent and easily trained. I love the strength and beauty of the AST. I appreciate the courage and loyalty of the breed to its owner. I like a dog of stable temperament who can be trusted with children, adults and other animals within a controlled setting. |
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peeds13
Hunters
Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 873
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:37 am Post subject: |
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What made you buy an amstaff?
I have always liked bully breeds, I had a bull terrier as a kid and my uncle has always had staffies so I thought I'd give the amstaff a go and dont regret it one bit!
Did you ever have second thoughts because of the reputation pitbulls, amstaffs and generally bull type terriers have?
I'd prefer they didnt have a rep but it didn't effect my decision at all.
Does it ever happen for people you meet to be prejudiced against you or your dog because of its breed?
Yes, alot of people love him at first sight, then ask what he is and you can see there face's change.
Was the amstaff your first dog? If not, did you consider the training and adaptation process different in any way from that of another breed?
No. I find he's alot like my old bully, but I think he's smarter!
Do you think that previous experience with dogs is mandatory in raising an amstaff?
I think it would be easier, but I dont think its mandatory.
What is it that you appreciate most about your dog?
I love the way he's always over the moon to see me and never back stabs me!!!  [/u] |
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Breedist
Puppy
Joined: 01 Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Location: Romania
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:48 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you for your interest in our project, and for answering our questions. Would appreciate if you sent your answers by pm along with first name and age, in order to present a more truthful image of responsible owners/breeders worldwide. Thank you very much once again! |
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Chianti's Mom
Omega Dog
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 181
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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What made you buy an amstaff?
When I was a teenager there was a lot of hype in the news. I argued back then that a dog is a dog and the hype was stupid. Guess I fell in love with the underdog way back then.
Did you ever have second thoughts because of the reputation pitbulls, amstaffs and generally bull type terriers have?
Nope. I get tired of dealing with the politics from time to time, but the reputation is based on a lot of falsehoods and hype. It never gave me second thoughts about the dogs.
Does it ever happen for people you meet to be prejudiced against you or your dog because of its breed?
Yes. Whenever I meet someone who is worried about the breed, I do my best to educate them. Some listen, some don't. I also always make sure my dogs are ambassadors for the Bully Breeds , trained, socialized and under control, and that I am a responsible dog owner
Was the amstaff your first dog? If not, did you consider the training and adaptation process different in any way from that of another breed?
The American Pit Bull Terrier was my first breed as an adult. No, training is not different other than that I always feel that they need to be well trained since people are so biased. I try not to get hung up on breed in training methods though. Every dog, regardless of breed, has methods that work well for them, and methods that don't, based on their individual personalities, not on their breed. For every one of my dogs I've had to make adjustments to training based on their individual personalities.
Do you think that previous experience with dogs is mandatory in raising an amstaff?
Not necessarily. I think pairing person with breed is more about personality, energy level, lifestyle. 'Experience' could mean anything. Some people have lots of dog experience and still shouldn't have a dog. Some people don't have much but have the enthusiasm to learn or are "naturals". These are a strong, active dogs, and are smart so they need mental stimulation and exercise. If someone is responsible and can provide that, great. If they expect the dog to be a decoration with no effort put into training, socializing, exercise and responsibility they should really reconsider having any dog. I don't know any breed that doesn't need any of those things. The difference between breeds has more to do with how MUCH, and even that varies from dog to dog.
What is it that you appreciate most about your dog?
My current AmStaff is a good-time girl. That's what I love about her. She makes life FUN!
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