A little look at life together.
Getting to know the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a stocky, short-coated terrier with a confident manner and considerable strength. Focus on consistent teaching, appropriate activity, and learning the individual dog's comfort around other animals.
An everyday routine
Plan a daily mix of walks, play, and rest. The amount that works for a particular dog depends on age, fitness, experience, and temperament.
Coat care to plan for
A relatively straightforward coat still needs routine checks, appropriate brushing, and attention to nails and teeth. Ask a groomer to demonstrate tools that suit this coat.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
American Staffordshire Terrier questions
Is an American Staffordshire Terrier a pit bull?
The breed is registered as the American Staffordshire Terrier, not as a pit bull. The overlap comes from history, since the bull and terrier dogs that reached America were once called Pit Dogs and Pit Bull Terriers, and they were accepted in 1936 as Staffordshire Terriers. If the label matters to you, ask which breed and registry a dog is registered with.
What is the difference between an American Staffordshire Terrier and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Mostly size. AmStaffs stand 17 to 19 inches and weigh 40 to 70 pounds, while Staffordshire Bull Terriers stand 14 to 16 inches and weigh 24 to 38 pounds. American breeders developed a heavier dog, and the name gained the word American in 1972 to mark the two as separate breeds.
How big does a full-grown American Staffordshire Terrier get?
Males usually stand 18 to 19 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds, and females stand 17 to 18 inches and weigh 40 to 55 pounds. Height and weight should be in proportion, and the dog is stocky with great strength for its size.
How long do American Staffordshire Terriers live?
Life expectancy is usually 12 to 16 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers good with children?
They are very affectionate with family and can be good with young children, though supervision is needed. AmStaffs are very good with children, and aggression toward people in non-threatening situations should never be seen. No dog of any breed should be left alone with children.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers get along with other dogs?
It varies, and it needs managing. Dog aggression can develop even in a well-socialized AmStaff, and the breed should not be left alone with other dogs. Plenty of early socialization in controlled settings with dogs of known temperament is recommended.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed?
A little. The coat is short and stiff, and a weekly once-over with a soft bristle brush is usually enough, with a bath when the dog gets dirty or starts to smell.
How much exercise and training does an American Staffordshire Terrier need?
Plenty of both. This is an athletic, people-oriented dog that needs a lot of exercise with its owner, not hours alone in a yard. Early socialization and puppy classes are a necessity because of the breed's strength and strong will, and chewing and digging can be hard habits to shift.
