American Staffordshire Terrier: Pictures, Info & Care Guide
The American Staffordshire Terrier, often called Amstaffs or Staffies, is a smart and loyal breed with plenty of love to share.
With their muscular frame and athletic capabilities, these dogs need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation each day.
Find out if an American Staffordshire Terrier could be the right match for you.
Overview of the American Staffordshire Terrier
| UTILISATION | Hunt vermin and rodents, as well as for pursuing game and performing farm work. |
| FCI-CLASSIFICATION | Terrier, Bull Terrier |
| BREED GROUP | Terrier |
| COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | United States of America |
| HEIGHT | Female: 17–18 inches (43–46 cm), Male: 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) |
| WEIGHT | Female: 40–55 lbs (18–25 kg), Male: 55–70 lbs (25–32 kg) |
| LIFE EXPECTANCY | 12-16 years |
| TEMPERAMENT | Intelligent, confident, loyal, affectionate, attentive |
| INTELLIGENCE | High |
| SHEDDING AMOUNT | Infrequent |
| DROOL AMOUNT | Low |
| EXERCISE AMOUNT | Moderate |
| ENERGY LEVEL | Active |
| BARKING LEVEL | Sometime |
| TRAINABILITY | Moderate ease |
| COAT LENGTH/TEXTURE | Close, hard hound coat of medium length. |
| COLORS | Black, White, Brindle, Fawn, Sable, Brown, Blue |
| SUMMARY | Affectionate with families. Okay with children and other dogs. Easy to groom. Great watchdog. Open to strangers. Potential for weight gain. |
The American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff for short, is a stocky and muscular breed of dog.
They stand between 17 to 19 inches (43-48 cm) at the shoulder, with broad heads and well-defined jaws.
Their glossy coats can come in many colors and patterns, but all AmStaffs appear to be alert and aware of their surroundings.
Very loyal and trustworthy animals by nature, they typically get along with other people and animals without any problem.
As highly trainable dogs, they love taking on mental and physical challenges as much as being loving house pets around the family.
American Staffordshire Terrier Health
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a robust and healthy breed. However, it is important to screen breeding stock for health issues such as canine hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, skin allergies and coat allergies.
To further improve the health of the breed, a genetic test has been developed to identify dogs with a gene mutation which causes cerebellar ataxia.
This condition can cause a slow decline in muscle coordination and thus should be avoided by responsible dog breeders.
It is also important to regularly check the ears and brush their teeth regularly to ensure their good health.
Additionally, obesity is common due to overfeeding and lack of exercise.
Grooming
The American Staffordshire Terrier has a short and stiff coat which is easy to maintain.
A quick weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush is often enough to keep it clean.
Regular brushing will also help to distribute natural skin oils and keep the AmStaff’s coat healthy.
In the case of any particularly dirty adventures, bathing might be necessary but otherwise bath times can be kept to when and if he develops an unpleasant odor.
As with all breeds, the AmStaff should have their nails clipped regularly as overgrown nails can cause discomfort and difficulty when walking or running.
Exercise Your American Staffordshire Terrier Regularly
Providing adequate exercise for your American Staffordshire Terrier is a great way to ensure it stays physically fit and healthy.
Exercise can also help to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
Regular exercise will help burn off excess energy and stimulate mental activity, which can reduce stress and even prevent destructive behavior due to boredom.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, either through activities such as playing ball or going on walks; this should help your American Staffordshire stay in tip-top shape.
Training
Socializing and training an American Staffordshire Terrier is a must due to its strong will, physical power and energy.
The intelligent and eager-to-please nature of this breed make the training process enjoyable – however, some behaviors such as chewing and digging may be difficult to control.
It is essential to recognize that even when well socialized American Staffordshire Terriers can exhibit dog aggression; therefore, never leave them alone with other dogs.
Nutrition
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed that will thrive on a high-quality diet.
This could be homemade meals made with your veterinarian’s guidance or store-bought dog food.
Altering their diet based on their age, from puppy to senior, would be suggested.
Some dogs may have tendencies to obese, so giving doggy treats should be done in moderation and overall monitoring of calorie consumption and weight level should be closely monitored.
Additionally, research which human foods are permissible to give your canine friend as not all may be safe. Lastly, supply clean, fresh water at all times for the best health of your pet AmStaff.
American Staffordshire’s Temperament
The American Staffordshire Terrier is an intelligent breed that loves to please its family.
It has strong protective instincts, can be independent-minded and stubborn, and is usually strong-willed—all traits you should take into consideration when choosing this breed.
With the right training, it can be friendly and sociable with other pets, children, and strangers if properly socialized from a young age.
However, its territorial nature must still be considered, and it needs to learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.
Make Sure Everyone in the Household is On Board
Before bringing an American Staffordshire Terrier into your home, make sure that everyone in the household is not only willing but also prepared to have a dog, in particular, an Amstaff.
This includes creating a budget for things like food and supplies, and also having a plan in place to handle its daily care and grooming needs.
Early socialization of the puppy with activities like obedience classes or doggy playgroups can also help it grow up to be confident around other people and animals.
Choose a Responsible Breeder or Animal Shelter
When looking to add an American Staffordshire Terrier to your family, you should choose a responsible breeder or even better, adopt from a local animal shelter.
Responsible breeders use ethical breeding practices and have knowledgeable and experienced backgrounds in the breed they are selling.
They will also be able to provide you with important information about health clearances and any potential genetic issues that the dog may have.
Spend Time Bonding and Training Together
It is important to spend quality time with your American Staffordshire in order to build a strong bond and create an ideal environment for both you and your pet.
Training is the perfect way to do this, as it not only helps strengthen the relationship between you and your pet but also forces them to use their mental capabilities in order to complete various tasks.
Working together on simple commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ will help establish trust between yourself and your American Staffordshire Terrier, allowing for a more harmonious home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an American Staffordshire Terrier the same as a pitbull?
No, an American Staffordshire Terrier is not the same as a Pit Bull.
While there are some overlapping qualities between these breeds, such as their strong build and courageous demeanor, they do have distinct differences in terms of their history, appearance, temperament, and attitudes.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is more stable, loyal, and good-tempered than the Pit Bull, making it a suitable family pet.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is typically larger and heavier than a Pitbull.
In addition, while all American Staffordshire Terriers are considered a breed of cross-bred aggression fighters. Most of today’s pitbulls have been bred to be gentle companions, despite their still aggressive reputation.
Is an American Staffy a good family dog?
An American Staffordshire Terrier can make an excellent family dog, as long as it is socialized properly from a young age.
They are loyal, friendly and protective of their family, living in harmony with other pets if raised together.
Training and early positive reinforcement are key to helping the dog understand boundaries and its place in the family structure.
What is the difference between a Staffy and an American Staffy? American Staffordshire Terrier vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed of dog that originated in the United States.
It is sometimes confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which is its cousin from England.
The main difference between them is their size and muscle mass: the American Staffy is larger and more heavily muscled than the English version.
The American Staffy is taller on average than the Staffy, usually 23-27 inches tall compared to 17-19 inches for the Staffy.
There are also some differences in color patterns. The American Staffy can come in any solid color whereas the Staffy is typically only found in white or brindle.
American Staffordshire Terrier price
The average price of an American Staffordshire Terrier can range anywhere from $800 to over $2,500. Prices will depend on the breeders’ location, pedigree history, Gender and age of the dog.
