This powerful dog has a short, close, stiff and glossy coat. It has very low grooming needs but if your dog isnt used to basic grooming practices; you'll need a strong pair of helping hands, a leash, and perhaps a muzzle.

Brushing:

Brushing is the best grooming you can do for your pet. Brushing removes dirt and debris, stimulates and spreads natural oils, and is a great bonding experience. Early detection of problems such as fleas, ticks, eczema and other issues occurs during brushing.

Having a short coat, the American Staffordshire need only be brushed once a week, but more frequent brushing keeps your home and clothes hair free to an extent.

A variety of brushes exist that can work on your Staffordshire terrier. A rubber brush or mitt will not hurt its skin and feels more like stroking but your dog may appreciate a stiffer brush like a bristle brush.

A chamois cloth will encourage natural oil production and give it gloss.

Eyes:

Wipe your terrier's eyes several times during the day with a damp cloth or paper towel. As with humans, our eyes push irritants to the corners and this can build up. This build up is not only unattractive; it can be irritating and a source of bacteria growth.

Ears:

Cleaning your dog's ears regularly prevents yeast build up and often minimizes odour. There are ear solution products available but mineral oil, witch hazel, and hydrogen peroxide work just as well. Put a few drops in your dog's ears and massage to loosen wax. Wipe out with cotton wool balls.

Nails:

All dogs require regular nail trimming. Lack of it can cause pain, infection, and a limp.

How often you clip your dogs nail depends upon the activity of your dog and whether or not it walks on pavement. Some people trim weekly but at least once a month is a good bet. The more frequently you clip, the more the quick will recede.

Your dog's nails should not touch the ground. You can tell by looking at it when standing if the nails are retracted and above the ground.

Don't forget to check for dewclaws (extra claws that grow up on the leg). These nails never make contact with the ground so can easily curl and grow inward.

Pliers-type clippers work best.

Sit beside your dog and if you can, reach around it. This proximity helps to calm the dog, and ensures that you clip at the right angle.

Pick up the paw and push on pads to reveal nails. If they are light, look for the quick.

The quick is a dark bundle of nerves and blood vessels that you do not want to cut.

If your dog has dark nails, clip just the tip under the curve. Always clip from underneath and at an away angle. If you wish to clip further, look to avoid the dark quick.

Styptic powder can be bought in a stick and will help staunch bleeding if you've cut through the quick.

Paws:

Check your dog's paws and pads frequently. Foreign matter can get lodged between pads and cuts or abrasions can become infected.

Teeth: Regularly

80% of 3 year old dogs have periodontal disease. Cavities and gum disease are painful for your dog; they diminish its pleasure and ability to eat. Bacteria that develops can infect the heart, kidney, liver and brain. Really bad breath is usually a sign of gum disease.

Tools: Toothbrush/finger cap/cloth, doggie toothpaste, tooth scraper.

Never use human toothpaste. It is not edible.

Starting this dog off with this practice takes patience. Reward it constantly.

Start off by getting it used to its mouth being handled.

Progress to touching the teeth with your finger.

Get some meat-flavoured toothpaste and apply with your finger.

Then introduce the brush. Clean a few teeth at a time and soon you will have a routine that takes just minutes.

Brush in a circular motion and get under the gum line.

If you don't want to brush everyday, use a tooth scraper once or twice a month to get rid of the build up of plaque. It accumulates mostly on the outside of the teeth and on the back molars. This won't be much fun for your or your dog though. Lots of bones and hard, crunchy foods can minimize plaque but not to a truly effective degree.

Expressing Glands: Every 2 to 4 weeks

This is a task normally done when you take your dog in for professional grooming. Your dog uses scent glands in the anus to mark its territory.

These glands also excrete when your dog defecates. At times, they may get impacted. Signs of this include: increased doggie odour, excessive licking and chewing of the behind and worst of all, scooting (when your dog drags its bottom along the floor or carpet).

There is no risk of overly expressing these glands so it's best to get accustomed to doing it regularly as it will lessen dog odour.

Bathing: Your American Staffordshire terrier only needs bathing a couple of times a year.

A rubdown with a damp towel can remove dirt. With regular brushing, ear cleaning and gland expression, dog odour will remain minimal.

Tools: Non-slip mat, sprayer hose, dog shampoo, conditioner, leash, towels.

Choose a place where you can block escape routes and expect 1-3 water-spraying shakes.

A leash tied to a higher point than your dog's head will keep it standing and prevent it from escaping. This is highly recommended as it's really difficult to hold a slippery dog.

Never bathe your dog in standing water and never use human shampoo.

If you choose to bathe your Staffordshire terrier outside, attach the hose to the tap of your kitchen sink for warm water. Grooming salons often offer self-service use of their well-equipped facilities.

Wet your dog using your hand to massage it.

Avoid getting water into the eyes, nose and ears.

Cotton wool can be stuffed into the ear canal to deter water.

Massage the shampoo into a lather. Rinse thoroughly as leftover shampoo can severely dry out and irritate your pet's skin.

Squeeze out excess water by running your hands along its body and pressing.

Dry with a towel.

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