American Staffordshire Terrier: Your Complete Guide
American Staffordshire terriers, more commonly known as AmStaffs, trace their lineage back to the dogs that lived in Staffordshire, England. They’re often confused with the British Staffordshire Bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier, but they’re completely different breeds with their own distinct characteristics and traits.
These dogs are known for being loyal and courageous, and for their muscular build. While they’re recognized by the American Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club only allows them to be registered under the American pit bull terrier breed.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain what distinguishes the AmStaff from these other breeds, dive into why they excel as watchdogs, and cover plenty of other aspects to help you figure out if an AmStaff is the right dog for you.
Quick Look at the American Staffordshire Terrier
Below is a quick glance at the American Staffordshire terrier in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 17-19 inches, 40-70 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short and smooth |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Playful, affectionate, loyal, stubborn, headstrong |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
What Is the History of American Staffordshire Terriers?
When the American Staffordshire terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club, it was referred to as the Staffordshire terrier. It descends from bulldogs and mastiffs, which were used for bear baiting, bull baiting, and dog fighting.
AmStaffs were initially bred for hunting game, rodents, and other vermin, and they helped out with farming chores. With their strength, courage, and fierce loyalty, they quickly earned their keep as invaluable working companions.
The Staffordshire terrier dogs began to arrive in America in the mid-19th century. Two breeds were produced after their arrival, and one of them was the American Staffordshire terrier, a taller and heavier version of the English terrier.
Today, they exist as both pets and show dogs, and they retain virtually none of the bear-baiting behavior their ancestors had. There’s still some confusion about their relation to pit bulls (most people wouldn’t be able to tell any difference between their appearance). The United Kennel Club classifies both under the American pit bull terrier breed, while the AKC considers them separate breeds.
What Do American Staffordshire Terriers Look Like?
The AmStaff is a medium-sized, tall, and muscular dog with a powerful build. They have a short coat, broad heads, strong jaws, and well-defined cheek muscles. They give off a very intimidating aura because of their strength. In fact, their strong, muscular body is one of their most distinct characteristics and is the reason why they excel at farming work.
American Staffordshire terriers can have coats in various colors, including black, fawn, red, white, blue, solid, part, or patched, as well as brindle patterns. Some colors like all-white or mostly white, a combination of black and tan, or reddish-brown, are usually discouraged in these dogs. All AmStaffs have a black nose. Their ears can be left natural or cropped, although in most cases, they tend to be left uncropped.
What Size Is an American Staffordshire Terrier?
American Staffordshire terriers are medium-sized dogs, with males standing between 18 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 55 to 70 pounds. Their female counterparts usually stand at 17 to 18 inches and weigh between 40 to 55 pounds.
What Is an American Staffordshire Terrier’s Coat Type and Length?
The AmStaff has a very short and smooth coat that’s easy to maintain and gives them a sleek appearance. It requires minimal grooming, which makes them perfect for those who want a low-maintenance pet.
What Is an American Staffordshire Terrier’s Temperament?
Despite its intimidating appearance, the American Staffordshire terrier is known for its affectionate and friendly nature. They have a tendency to get very attached to their owner, always seeking their attention and trying to cuddle. While they’re mostly gentle and playful with children, they must be supervised when interacting with other dogs and animals.
The breed has a very controversial reputation for misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding its history and appearance. Despite being known for their loyalty and affectionate nature, American Staffordshire terriers have often been unfairly portrayed in the media and misunderstood by the public.
However, there is some truth to concerns about their potential for aggression. In fact, they are banned in many countries precisely because of the risks associated with their aggressive tendencies.
With proper training and socialization, you can avoid any accidents, but it’s still important to always keep an eye on them when they’re interacting with other animals and people. It’s also important to adopt from a breeder who is known for selectively breeding for good temperament.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Good With Kids?
Despite the bad reputation that these dogs get, they’re generally tolerant of children. However, you should always monitor their behavior when they’re with your kids. They’re very strong and powerful, and this can lead to accidents, such as unintentional knocking over or rough play.
Plus, it can be hard to control this breed because of their strength, so make sure you train them well. Early socialization will help make sure that they develop good manners and understand how to interact appropriately with people.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Good With Other Animals?
The American Staffordshire is typically not very sociable with other dogs due to its genetic background. Historically, it was bred for activities like dog fighting, bear baiting, and bull baiting, which has ingrained in them a strong prey drive and a tendency towards aggression towards other animals.
Due to this, it’s generally not a good idea to take them to very busy dog parks or allow them off-leash in areas where they might run into other dogs, especially if you aren’t sure how they will react. Always keep your dog under control and on a leash when out in public.
AmStaffs may not behave aggressively around other animals if they’re raised with cats and other dogs from a young age. Socialization training will help teach them how to behave around other animals. Another thing to note is that every dog is different, and just because one AmStaff is aggressive towards other dogs does not mean that others will behave the same way. Evaluate your dog’s temperament before deciding how they can interact with other animals safely.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Aggressive?
American Staffordshire terriers can display aggressive tendencies, especially towards other animals, due to their genetic background and history of being bred for activities like dog fighting. However, just like every other breed, it depends on a lot of factors such as socialization, training, the breeder you got the dog from, and the environment.
They’re more likely to show aggressive behavior if they haven’t been trained properly or you got them from an irresponsible breeder.
Generally speaking, AmStaffs are friendly and affectionate. In fact, they often get so attached to their owners they end up suffering from separation anxiety when they’re not around.
Most AmStaffs don’t have any inherent aggression and won’t harm anyone or anything unless they’re provoked.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark?
Most American Staffordshire terriers aren’t very vocal dogs. They usually only bark when they want to communicate or express their needs to their owners. They may also bark if they feel threatened by someone or when they feel the need to protect their owners from potential danger.
If your dog is barking more than usual, then it’s probably a good idea to hire a professional trainer to figure out what the underlying cause is.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Affectionate?
Yes, AmStaffs are people-pleasing dogs, and they tend to be very affectionate to people they’re close to. They love to cuddle and sit on laps, despite their large size.
When trained properly, they can also display affectionate behavior towards other animals, like dogs and cats, but keep in mind that they really enjoy gripping and pulling things with their mouth, which many may not like.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Intelligent?
AmStaffs are intelligent dogs who love nothing more than to please their owners. Since they were bred for farming work and many other similar things historically, they’re very hard-working and strong-willed animals. This makes them easy to train, but they can be slightly stubborn and headstrong.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Energetic?
Yes, AmStaffs are high-energy dogs, mainly because they were bred for activities like hunting, farming, and guarding. They have a lot of stamina and will spend a lot of their time jumping around and playing.
They get very excited about going on walks and love to play fetch. Two of their favorite games include chase and tug-of-war. They require at least 60 minutes of exercise every day, and this shouldn’t just include physical activity, but also mental stimulation that challenges their intelligence.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Easy to Train?
Yes, American Staffordshire terriers are usually very easy to train, thanks to the high intelligence they possess. However, as mentioned above, they tend to be a bit stubborn and headstrong, which means they may not always listen to you if they’re not in the mood to be trained.
As soon as you get an AmStaff, it’s important to let them know that you are in charge, otherwise, they’ll end up training you. You have to be just as stubborn and sometimes even more than them. Once they’ve acknowledged you as their leader and owner, it’s smooth sailing from there as you can establish clear boundaries and what you expect from them.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Good Watchdogs?
Yes, AmStaffs can be very protective of their families and those they love. People tend to be intimidated by their looks, and they’ve often been lambasted as one of the most aggressive breeds on the planet in the media. While it’s unfortunate, and most AmStaff owners know they’re not as aggressive as people make them out to be, it adds to their reputation, which helps deter intruders and other threats.
They’re incredibly strong dogs, and if someone tries to hurt you in their presence, they’ll immediately jump in to protect you.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers Good Service Dogs?
While it’s possible to train AmStaffs for service animal work, their high prey drive and potential for aggression towards other dogs may make them less suitable for environments like restaurants or crowded public spaces. They have a tendency to chase small animals, and even the most well-trained American Staffordshire terriers have the potential to be aggressive towards other dogs.
These dogs are very solid and muscular, though, so they could potentially be trained to help people with mobility issues.
AmStaffs would also make really great emotional support animals (ESAs) because of their affectionate and people-pleasing nature. If they make you feel happy and you find it easy to wake up in the morning because of them, then we recommend getting an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
How to Care for an American Staffordshire Terrier?
When taking your AmStaff out on a walk, use a harness instead of a leash. This will not just reduce the pressure and strain on their neck and throat, but it will also help you have better control over them, especially if they pull or lunge when they see other animals.
They have a lot of energy that can’t be burned off just by walking. In fact, walking should only make up a small portion, around 10-20%, of their daily exercise routine. Make sure your dog is getting plenty of physical activity and play games with them so they can burn off all that energy.
One of the most important things about owning an American Staffordshire terrier is beginning their training and socialization process as soon as possible. They get a bad rap for being aggressive, so it’s your responsibility to make sure they get proper training so you can dispel misconceptions about their temperament and behavior.
Since they have a short coat, you don’t have to brush them every day. Using a rubber-based brush at least once a week to remove dead hair from their coat should be more than enough. Give them a bath once or twice a month, but if they’re frequently outdoors and get dirty often, you might need to bathe them more often.
These dogs are known for having allergies and skin issues, so make sure you keep an eye on their skin condition and take them to the vet if you see any signs of irritation or sensitivity.
Do You Need to Groom an American Staffordshire Terrier?
Yes, you’ll find grooming an American Staffordshire Terrier very easy because of their short coats. Take them to a professional groomer once every month or two (puppies should be taken once a month so they can get used to the process).
Trim their nails once or twice a month. Give them a bath at least once a month; only bathe them more than once a month if they get very dirty.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers Shed?
AmStaffs don’t shed as much as other breeds because their fur is too short. You’ll probably be spending more time worrying about all the dirt your dog will bring into the house instead of fur.
They’re not hypoallergenic, though, so they may not be the best breed for people who have allergies.
What Health Problems Do American Staffordshire Terriers Have?
The most common problem faced by most AmStaffs is allergies because of its short coat. Grass allergies, in particular, are very common among these dogs, and they can lead to skin irritation and excessive itching.
Here are some other health issues that are common in American Staffordshire terriers:
- Cerebellar Ataxia: This condition results from a degeneration of nerve cells in the cerebellum, leading to a lack of coordination and balance. It’s a genetic condition whose symptoms start to appear between the ages of 3 and 5 years.
- Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is another common health issue in American Staffordshire terriers. It’s a genetic condition that affects the hip joint and makes it challenging for the dog to walk properly.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a condition that affects the dog’s eyes and can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. One of the first symptoms of this condition is night blindness. There is no cure for progressive retinal atrophy, so it’s important to take your dog to the vet regularly for monitoring and early detection.
How Long Do American Staffordshire Terriers Live?
The American Staffordshire terrier has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Your dog may live longer or shorter than this average, depending on their overall health and any genetic issues.
What Should an American Staffordshire Terrier Eat?
AmStaffs are strong dogs that require a lot of food that’s rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. We recommend feeding them high-quality dog food that’s formulated for medium to large breeds. Whatever diet you choose to provide your AmStaff, make sure you talk to your vet if you have any feeding questions or concerns.
Is an American Staffordshire Terrier the Right Dog for Me?
Whether the American Staffordshire terrier is right for you depends on your lifestyle, living situation, and experience with dogs. Typically, this breed might not be the right choice for first-time owners. If you’ve worked with medium to large breeds before, then you may find it easy to train an American Staffordshire terrier.
AmStaffs require a lot of patience and stubbornness. They’re highly intelligent animals, but genetics can cause them to have a high prey drive and potential for aggression, especially towards other dogs. That’s why it’s important for their owner to be patient, resilient, and firm when it comes to helping this breed thrive.