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American Staffordshire Terrier

good-natured / confident / smart
Terrier Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

18-19 inches (male)

17-18 inches (female)

Weight

55-70 pounds (male)

40-55 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12-16 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    20% 20%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    60% 60%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    20% 20%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    60% 60%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff to their admirers, is a canine companion that is intelligent, self-assured, and friendly. Their bravery is legendary. A properly raised, well-adjusted American Staff member is a devoted, reliable friend no matter what. AmStaffs are bull-type terriers that are robust and stocky, measuring 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder. The dark, round eyes are spaced far apart, and the head is broad with a well-defined jawline, cheekbones, and cheeks. AmStaffs move with grace and agility, and their bouncy gait communicates the breed’s innate confidence. The rigid, glossy coat is available in a variety of hues and designs. AmStaffers describe their dogs as being delightful “personality dogs” around the house who are extremely aware of their environment and up for anything. AmStaffs like both physical and mental challenges. As seen by their numerous ventures into show business, they are very trainable. There is only one way to go when purchasing an AmStaff: Do your research and locate an ethical AKC breeder.

What To Expect When Caring For a American Staffordshire Terrier

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The Am Staff is a strong, healthy breed, and an ethical breeder will test their breeding stock for diseases such canine hip dysplasia, heart disease, and skin and coat allergies. Cerebellar ataxia, which causes a progressive deterioration in muscular coordination and first manifests between the ages of 3 and 5 years, may now be genetically detected, allowing breeders to steer clear of passing it down through their lineages by identifying dogs with the mutation. As with all breeds, the dog's teeth should be brushed frequently, and the ears should be examined frequently.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Hip Evaluation
  • Thyroid Evaluation
  • NCL DNA Test
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

The short, rigid coat of the AmStaff is surprisingly simple to maintain. The best way to get rid of any dirt or other foreign matter is to give it a quick once-over every week with a soft bristle brush. Furthermore, regular brushing helps to keep the coat healthy by dispersing skin oils throughout it. An Am Staff will probably need a bath if they get into something extremely nasty. If not, you can wait to take a shower until he starts to smell "doggy." As with all breeds, the AmStaff should have its nails cut periodically since they can be painful and interfere with its ability to run and walk.  

Exercise

The American Staffordshire Terrier is an athletic, active dog that needs a lot of activity. The AmStaff is a people-oriented dog who flourishes when he is integrated into the family, so leaving him in the yard all day is not the best course of action. His physical and mental health are developed during extended play sessions with his owner. Many AmStaff members also take part in dog sports like dock diving, agility, and obedience. Even better than average at search and rescue, AmStaffs are taught to do it.  

Training

For all breeds, early socialization and puppy training lessons are advised, but considering the AmStaff's tenacity, athletic prowess, and enthusiasm, they are essential. The intelligence and eagerness to please of the breed make training enjoyable and simple. However, other habits, like chewing and digging, could be challenging to stop. It should be noted that even well-socialized Am Staffs can become aggressive toward other dogs, so under no circumstances should an AmStaff be left alone with other dogs.  

Nutrition

The AmStaff should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.  

History

Several dog breeds were developed in Great Britain in the past to thrive in blood sports. They were either expected to engage in combat with one another or were released in groups to face a staked bear or bull, with onlookers placing wagers on the gory outcome. Such abhorrent pursuits have long been forbidden. The pleasant legacy of these tragic spectacles, however, is that many of today’s most popular breeds, such as the Bulldog, Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier, originated as fighting and baiting dogs in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Everyone may agree that the Bulldog was the defining characteristic of the bull-type terrier breeds. Arguments start when breed specialists try to identify which preexisting terrier breeds are present in the genetic background of the AmStaff (keep in mind that the Bulldog of 200 years ago was a totally different, more aggressive beast than the loving “sour mugs” of today). Some people think that the genetic admixture that produced the Staffordshire Terrier, the ancestor of the AmStaff, included extinct breeds like the White English Terrier and the Black-and-Tan Terrier.

Whatever the true genetic makeup of the AmStaff may be, we are confident that working-class Brits interested in blood sports crossed terrier instincts for bravery and “gameness” with those of old-style Bulldogs to produce bull-type terrier breeds.

Staffordshire Terriers had reached America by the middle of the 1800s. A larger-than-average Staffordshire Terrier was created by American breeders. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier were eventually recognized by the AKC as two distinct breeds.

Today’s well-educated AmStaff is a more laid-back individual than his pit-fighting predecessors and has long been a popular figure in America. The breed is frequently seen in popular culture, as evidenced by the fact that Bud, an AmStaff, traveled with America’s first cross-country auto trip in 1903 (which was the subject of the Ken Burns documentary “Horatio’s Drive”), that Petey from the 1930s “Our Gang” film comedies and Tige from the Buster Brown Shoes logo are both AmStaffs, and that Sgt. Stubby, an AmStaff, was the most decorated American war dog