There's a lot to learn when you have a new pet. Our sister brand, The Wildest, is here to support you—with new pet checklists, virtual training, and expert guides. Sign up for free.
Posted over 9 years ago
| Updated over 9 years ago
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
Find a pet to adopt
My basic info
Breed
American Staffordshire Terrier
Color
Gray/Blue/Silver/Salt & Pepper
Age
Young
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with dogs
Good with cats
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
Share
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Adopt-A-Pet isn’t known for featuring a lot of bully breeds, but when the man who is now his foster dad called us, we knew he was trying really hard to do whatever it took to find Hutch a wonderful home. Hutch had been kept in a too-small crate in a bathroom most of his life (he’s just turning 3 years old). His life consisted pretty much of going outside to potty and back into the crate. And the crate didn’t even have a soft surface….just the wire bottom.
Rather than presenting as damaged goods from a neglectful background, it’s like he’s making up for all that lost time – he’s all waggy and has been amiable to everyone he meets, both on 2 legs and 4 legs. We know Hutch looks a little scary and formidable, but don’t let his looks deceive you. He is a super friendly dog and a real mush-ball. He’s been fine with all the other dogs he has met - in fact, he has a doggy girlfriend that he meets up with sometimes on his walks and they just go all flirty with each other. Little dominant barky dogs have approached him, but he just wags his tail and wants to meet them. While his foster home has been keeping him separated from the cat (by just a doorway barrier) he recently allowed them to go nose-to-nose: the cat signaled who was boss by bopping him on the head and Hutch just walked away, depressed that he couldn’t make a friend.
While he is strong at about 90 pounds, his hind legs were extremely weak from being crated too much, and he had trouble getting from laying to standing, but his foster dad is exercising him regularly and he’s gotten a lot stronger. At the time of this writing he has dropped about 8 pounds but still needs to lose a little more weight. Maybe by the time you read this he will be down to his ideal weight, since he’s running more and eating less. And, although Hutch is, by virtue of his breed, a physically strong dog who thoroughly enjoys playtime, he hasn’t displayed any alpha tendencies or frenetic energy, and he shifts gears seamlessly into relaxing mode, kind of a Type B dog.
Hutch has started regular training classes so his foster dad is learning how to make him as “turnkey” as possible. He walks well on leash and responds quickly to correction if he gets into pulling mode. At home, Hutch will just plop down in his foster dad’s lap (typical of the breed) when he catches him on the couch watching tv or reading. He hardly ever barks, is potty-trained and will let you know when he needs to go out. He’s now going to the tennis court to run around in an enclosed area and loves chasing after his kong toy. You can take his food or a toy away from him and he won’t resist.
Hutch would do really well with another playful dog if you happen to have one. But that’s certainly not required, just a routine of love, play, lounge and repeat, repeat, repeat.
Hutch’s adoption fee of $250 includes: vet exam, heartworm test, distemper, bordetella and rabies vaccinations, routine deworming, flea control, microchip and neuter.
