American Staffordshire Terrier — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 4A / cerebellar ataxia (NCL-A)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
A late-onset, incurable neurodegenerative disease (ARSG gene) causing cerebellar signs — incoordination, tremor, abnormal gait — that usually appear between 3 and 5 years old and progress until the dog is euthanised. Puppies are unaffected and look completely normal at the time of sale.
Ask to see: DNA test result for NCL-A (ARSG gene) on both parents, registered with the OFA; required for a CHIC number under the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America's health programme.
Staffordshire Terrier Club of America — Health (https://amstaff.org/health) · AKC Health Statement — American Staffordshire Terrier (https://cdn.akc.org/Marketplace/Health-Statement/American-Staffordshire-Terrier.pdf) · Genomia (commercial DNA lab) — NCL-A test (https://www.genomia.cz/en/test/ncl-a/)
Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (ALPP)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
An inherited neuromuscular disease causing progressive laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy — weakness, exercise intolerance and noisy or laboured breathing — usually appearing in young adulthood. The responsible DNA variants were identified through University of Missouri research into this breed specifically.
Ask to see: DNA test result for ALPP on both parents, registered with the OFA; required for the same CHIC number as NCL-A.
Staffordshire Terrier Club of America — Health (https://amstaff.org/health) · Staffordshire Terrier Club of America — Health Awards (https://amstaff.org/health-awards)