May 31 2007
About the American Staffordshire Terrier
Since the American Staffordshire Terrier is famous for its fighting ability, it is no wonder that this powerful breed has a muscular build. However, there is much more to this breed than its unfortunate heritage as an aggressive fighter. Many Staffordshire Terrier lovers praise this breed’s affectionate and loyal family nature. Â
The Staffordshire Terrier was developed by crossing the Bulldog and several terriers. The ancestors of today’s dog were known as the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half, and at times Pit Dog or Pit Bull Terrier. This breed was later given the name Staffordshire Terrier, after the English Region of Staffordshire where it was first developed.
It was not until 1870 that these dogs were brought to America. American Breeders preferred this strong, agile breed as a fighting dog and worked to increase the weight of the dog. They also concentrated on enlarging the breed’s head size. When dog fighting became illegal in the USA, American breeders developed two strains of the Staffordshire Terrier.Â
One strain was developed as a show dog that is today’s American Staffordshire Terrier. The other strain was developed as a fighting dog and is classified as the American Pit Bull Terrier. Despite the best efforts of animal control officials and animal lovers, the American Pit Bull Terrier is still used as an illegal fighting dog in North America. Â
The Staffordshire Terriers were first accepted for registration in the AKC in 1936, as members of the Terrier group. The name of the breed was officially revised in 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier. At this time, the AKC made a distinction between the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England and the American Staffordshire Terrier.Â
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a very muscular and powerful dog with a large bone structure. This solidly built breed weighs between 57-67 pounds. While this breed may have the look and build of a fighter, it is actually very loving and protective of its family.
American Staffordshire Terriers are not ideal apartment dogs, but they will survive in this situation if the owner of this active breed has the energy and stamina to keep up with the dog. These dogs are very active, so will need to take frequent long walks.
A home with a securely fenced yard is a better fit for the breed. However, the Staffordshire Terrier is sensitive to cold and does need to have a warm environment, so during winter months you should be prepared to bring your dog indoors after it burns off some energy with a romp in the yard.Â
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a gentle happy, outgoing dog. This breed plays well with children and relates well to adults. However, you should never leave young children or other pets in an unsupervised situation with any big, strong dog.
These dogs make excellent guard dogs, since they are territorial and very protective. The breed’s original fighting qualities are still evident toward enemies and intruders to the owner’s property. These dogs should be socialized so they accept guests and other animals. Early training, while your dog is still a puppy and you are stronger, is a must. This dog lives to please its owner, but may be hard to housebreak.Â
The American Staffordshire breed is generally healthy. However, this breed should receive yearly health screenings to rule out some hereditary traits like cataracts and congenital heart disease. These dogs are also prone to hip dysplasia, so be sure to ask your breeder if the parents have been screened for this hereditary trait, as well.
The short coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is easy to groom. Brushing your dog’s coat on a regular basis to remove loose hair should suffice, since the breed does not shed profusely. You should also brush its teeth once a day and clip its nails if they don’t wear down on their own.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a protective and loving dog that will wholeheartedly protect its beloved family. These characteristics may just make this breed an excellent choice for you.
Staffordshire Terrier by Ula Kapala
I have a one year old American Staffordshire Terrior named Buddy that I adopted through an online rescue when he was 3 months old. He is the most affectionate, loving dog I have ever had. He is the most well behaved dog at the dog park and plays just as well with the little tiny dogs as he does the large dogs. I am blessed to have found him!
Angelique
I have a blue Amstaff named “Bella”. She is the most affectionate dog i have ever had. And her temperment with children is profound. She is Six months old and weighs in at 45 LBS. She acts like a big lap dog, and loves to be spoiled, but with the right amount of dicipline and love, this breed is the ultimate pet.
Mike
I adopted this great boy from the pound on his “D-day” (He was wandering in our neigherbood and I gave him water - that’s all it took). Next day I found out my neighbor called the pound and he had been picked up.
On a Friday after school, I drove over to the pound with thoughts running through my mind, such as, you already have too many. Your husband is going to be furious.
Before I entered I said to myself, “If I see him, I will adopt him and find him a good home.” …last row of cages, there he was #323, now his name is Little Guy and he is lovely.
I knew he was terrier. His jaw is muscular and his build is one of a hunter. His temperment is one of heartfelt love. I’ve often wondered his breed or mix. After searching a bit, I believe he belongs to the stafforshire family. Regardless, this animal’s personality meets those described on your website. He loves children, fits in with 4 other dogs and a cat and he only wants to please. If only I could send you a photo.
He’s very loved.
American Staffordshire terriers are truly the best breed of dog I’ve ever had. They may look intimidating at first sight but they are extremely affectionate, loyal, and great with children. They live to please the master which make them easy to train.
They are not always good with other animals like many bully breeds and terriers are in general, so socializing at early age is important. And yes, they do need a good amount of work out everyday to keep their body and mind stimulated and happy. They definitely are not a couch potato type, however pretty mellow tempered personality wise.
I am blessed and proud to be owned by an Amstaff. Amstaff is an addiction.:)
I have two staffordshire bull terrier puppies. Zak, my wee boy, was 11 months yesterday. He is a brindle and white English Staffordshire. Kira is 8 and a half months, fawn and white with four little white socks. She is a cross american/english staffordshire.
They both mean the world to me and I love reading about other peoples comments about these breed of dogs. I have socilaised them well from 8 weeks of age and they are turning out very friendly, well adjusted dogs. They are so affectionate and seem to know when I am feeling low or upset about something. My life has been very up and down over the past couple of years and since I’ve had them, they have helped me see life in a simpler way.
I am so proud of them and would give anything for them.
All I can say is thank-you to my little puppies for all they have done for me. A better companion breed will be hard to find - I know this for sure….
I also own a amstaff and had him since he was a puppy and I have had my hands full at the puppy stage but at the time I took advantage and trained him and had the time being that I was in school and the rest of the time was given to my boy ridik but now that he is a year and four months he became the most doscile dog I have ever owned and smartest also he weighs around 60 pounds very energetic and loving as well as strong but he has been around every animal I can imagine and never one ounce of aggression toward people either and to be honest it is the way these dogs are raised that transponds to there personality and if you were to meet him he would be very intimidating but honestly he is not a threat to anything in this world besides his food LOL!!! but in all reality these dogs are only what you allow them to be yes I do agree these dogs were raised for fighting only reason being the way this breed is built and there sense of no fear also but mostly driven by there owners its like this your dog is a splitting image of you and in any case the amstaff will be exactly his owner and fortunate for me and everyone here we love this breed and no matter what I will basically keep this breed in my life as far as I can possibly live and I cant imagine giving my dog away I wouldnt give up my boy ridik not even for a million dollars. I love my brindle amstaff and plan to breed him within the next 6 months I cant wait to see how these pups will come out.
Has anyone heard that there are three different types of American staffordshire terriers>? I have been told by a reputable breeder that there is the modern type , terrier type and also the bully type but i can find no literature that explians or mentions this please help anyone email me to let me know please thanks
I have a 5 year old american staffordshire. I have had her since she was 5 weeks old she is my world. I got her from a man who fought dogs and he was going to leave the puppys in the dead of floridas summer with no food or water and no mom. So I took all of them and found home form them. But I have always had this breed ever since I was a little girl they are the best pet I thank I could ask for I also have a Jack Russle and she is way more calm and whale behaved than he could ever be when it come to kids or other pets I have a cat and my staff thanks that is her baby she will clean it and play with it. Well I know it is nice to know there are others out there who feel the same way I do for the breed
i love my amstaff dapple best dog ever he is beautiful inside and out we do everything together. he is brindle and good with everyone even other dogs our dogs get bad raps because people don’t always hear the good things about the dog
We adopted Mick Cartney after finding him roaming in the blazing desert. I offered him water, then sat on the curb. He came and laid on my lap! I wasn’t too sure my family was ready for a new dog, because we recently put down our 12yr old chow/shepard mix. My coworkers called a no kill facility, but after thinking of him all night, I had to go adopt him the next day. The facility told us he was a sharpei/terrier mix, but we were never sure. After searching on the web, we are positive he is a AmStaf. He is everything every site describes. He is getting territorial now, so he needs more socialization but he is our new big baby! We love him. He is the greatest dog…so, so smart!
I got Mimi when she was 6 weeks old and she is the love of my life. High energy - yes, but also the sweetest, smartest dog. She is spoiled rotten and tends to be a little hardheaded when she wants her way but who isn’t. I would not give her up for anything. She loves people and thinks everyone comes to play with her.
hi, i am considering adopting a black/white am staff mix breed from the humane society, about one year old. she is a very sweet dog and i think she would be a great companion for my larger, older lab mix female. i also have three very well behaved indoor cats. what do you guys think about the cats and this new dog? i will be taking both dogs with me every day to the beach to run as i work in the afternoon and half the time at home on the computer. i have heard these dogs are similar to pit bulls in their tenacity, but this one is a mix of what we do not know. my cats are 2, 6, and 15, two males, neutered, and one female, spayed. i also have both dogs spayed. thanks. i lost one of my dogs in may of this year and i feel the one dog left sure would love another companion, although she does not say much i feel she needs a friend again. thanks.