Here are a few hints and tips for you when looking for your amstaff.
• Do your research as to wether this is the right breed for you. Liking the look of the dog is
simply not enough. You need to consider many things such as, do you have enough time to
devote to your puppy, how much space do you have, why do you want a puppy etc…
If you have done this research and still want an amstaff then…
• Look for a SACA registered breeder so you know what you are getting is a pure bred
amstaff. Since it is illegal to breed pitbulls in this state, many of those breeding pitbulls claim they
are amstaffs when advertising in the newspaper. Amstaffs do not come in jeep lines or have
red noses!! Having said this I do not have any issues what so ever against the pitbull. I just
believe a puppy buyer has the right to make an informed choice and to get what they believe they
are paying for.
• When visiting the pups , take note of the condition the pups and adult dogs are in. Do they
look healthy? Are they friendly and sociable? Is the area they are living in clean? In my personal
opinion dogs should not live in crates. If the owner does not have the space to let them live
freely, then maybe they should not own them. If this is an issue for you too, then take note of this
also. If your unsure or what you see – ASK! Ask other breeders, ring SACA etc, gather information
and make your own judgement.
• Some breeders continually have puppies because it makes them money. This behaviour
harms the breed as a whole, can be harmful to individual dogs and also can be heartbreaking to
the puppy buyer. Breeding indiscriminately encourages/produces faults in the dogs and
genetic problems/ illnesses.
• Cost! For a show quality, Australian bred amstaff you really should not be paying over
$1500. A pet price can vary but should not really cost over $1200. No colour should cost anymore
than any other colour. There are no colours that are rare. Prices can go higher if the parents
are imported as the cost to import can be high.
• Hip and elbow scoring is important with this breed. Don’t be afraid to ask the breeder if the
parents have been tested and what are the scores. Be sure to sight the original paper work of the
hip and elbow scoring as some breeders have been known to misrepresent information for the
sake of the sale of a puppy. If you are unsure what the results mean, ask a vet, SACA or other
breeders. Hip dysplasia is a very real threat in this breed but with care taken, can be
lessened and avoided.
As registered SACA breeders we are obliged to follow a code of ethics. Unfortunately SACA is
unable to police all the breeders due to the amount of members. Do not be fooled into thinking
that just because someone is registered with SACA that they are doing the right thing by the
breed and by you, the puppy buyer. Take the time to investigate until you are satisfied.
Remember, all puppies are cute!
The above points are made with the code of ethics in mind. If another breeder has a problem or
takes offence to this then maybe you need to ask why they disagree and wether that person is a
reputable breeder!
