American stanford blue
Characteristics American Stanford Blue Terrier
The characteristics of the American Blue Terrier in terms of size and temperament are those of all AmStaff. The only feature that sets Staffy Blue apart from the rest is the color of its nose, fur, eyes, and pads.
As we have already discussed, this characteristic color is due to a homozygous recessive gene. Let’s go by parts:
Gene: it is the minimum fraction of DNA that controls a certain character (eye color, hair color, skin color, …)
Recessive: it is a gene that is not expressed in the individual unless it has been inherited by both parents.
Homozygous: in mammals, for a gene to be expressed, it is necessary to inherit one copy of the gene from each parent. When the copies of both parents are equal, they are called homozygous; if they were different, they would be called heterozygous.
Each offspring inherits half of the genes from each parent.
Simplifying. In the American Stanford Blue Terrier, both parents must be carriers of the recessive gene.
This does not necessarily mean that they are both blue. For example, both parents can be colored, say, fawn (fawn or sand). This color may be due to the fact that both genes are fawn; or one is tawny and the other blue. In the latter case, as the blue gene is recessive, only the color of the dominant gene will be expressed, that is, fawn.
In the first case, as both genes are the same, it would be said that both parents are homozygous fawns. This pair was never able to generate blue offspring.
In the second case, having the fawn gene and the blue gene, it would be said that the two parents are heterozygous fawn. These could give rise to a blue offspring with a probability of 25%.
If we cross two blue individuals, since in both cases the pairs of genes are blue, the offspring will be blue with a 100% probability.
The reality is that Amstaff color is controlled by a group of nine gene pairs.
As we have said, this explanation is a simplification to facilitate, we hope, the understanding of the origin of the color blue.
In the American Blue Terrier, the recessive gene affects the formation of eumelanin, which is the pigment that colors the skin and hair.
The frequency of manifestation of the recessive blue gene is very low under responsible breeding conditions.
American Stanford Blue Terrier, responsible breeding
The Amstaff Blue is a dog of great beauty. The number of American Blue Terriers obtained by responsible breeders is very low and their price is high.
Currently, the Blue of the Amstaff variety is in high demand and there are far more copies than could be responsibly sourced.
The trick of the increase in the number of American Stanford Blue Terriers lies in unscrupulous breeders who have several Amstaff Blues and cross them inbred (always with each other). These unscrupulous breeders generate litters without genetic variability.
With this unscrupulous technique, the puppies obtained, genetically impoverished, are much more prone to suffer from health problems (allergy to grass, cataracts, immune disorders, cancer, heart problems).
Since in unscrupulous breeding it is only important to obtain animals with blue coloration and no attention is paid to other characteristics such as character, inbreeding can cause character problems in new litters.
These unscrupulous breeders do not pay attention to the quality of the litters, but to the economic benefits they obtain.
Therefore, if we want the American Blue Terrier to be part of our family, it is best to get one from a professional breeder. In this way, we can be sure of the quality of the copy.
Adoption of the American Stanford Blue Terrier
To speak of is to speak of responsibility. Dogs, especially when they are puppies, are charming and strike a chord with us. Now, you have to: pay attention to them, take them for a walk, play with them, educate them …
American Blue Terriers are very active pets that require a good dose of exercise and socialization with people and other dogs. People who only look at their beauty, «get tired» of their great activity and their possible «misdeeds».
Many people «get tired» of their pet and abandon it or, in the best of cases, take it to an adoption center.
One point to note with the American Stanford Blue Terrier is that they are dogs that enjoy being with family, but may not be well prepared to share their lives with other pets.
Before adopting the American Blue Terrier and, by extension, any dog, a series of steps must be taken, which require patience and a lot of responsibility:
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