Mary Allen
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a relatively young breed of dog, but it can look back on a long history. Even if there are still many, now rather unfounded, reservations about this breed due to its sad history – its ancestors were long abused by unscrupulous people as fighting machines – the responsible dog owner will find a loyal and family-friendly companion dog here.
The breed received international recognition in 1972. Since then, the FCI has kept the American Staffordshire Terrier in Group 3: Terriers, Section 3: Bull Terriers, without a working test.
American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Information
Size: 43-48cm
Weight: 28-40kg
FCI Group: 3: Terriers
Section: 3: Bull Terriers
Country of origin: United States
Colors: Fawn, brindle, black, blue, brown, sable
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Suitable as: Companion, therapy, family, rescue, and guard dog
Sports: agility, trick dogging
Personality: Attentive, Kind, Devoted, Brave, Loyal, Tough
Leaving requirements: high
Drooling Potential –
The thickness of hair –
Maintenance effort: low
Coat structure: short, dense, stiff, shiny
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: –
Origin and Breed History
Originally from the English Midlands of the county of Staffordshire, the ancestors of the American Staffordshire Terrier were bred there as stocky, agile dogs for bloody dog and animal fights in the so-called pit, the fighting arena. Here dog against the dog, dog against badger, dog against rat, always fought to the death. This cruel animal cruelty was finally outlawed in England in 1835, but it still continued in secret. As a result, some of these dogs, known as Pit Bull Terriers, Bull-and-Terriers, or Staffordshire Terriers, came to the United States of America with British emigrants around 1860, where dog fights continued with them and they were used for this purpose were also bred further.
These fights, on which a lot of money was also bet, took place commercially and on a large scale, especially in the northeast of the USA in the late 19th century. They were a very lucrative business until they were finally banned there by law. Since at that time the strong, alert dogs were already valued above all by farmers as guard dogs, breeders began to promote the positive characteristics of this dog breed. They placed increased value on the appearance, size, and character of their animals.
With the official recognition of the breed as the “Staffordshire Terrier” by the American Kennel Club in 1936, breeding finally separated itself from the continued illegal use of dogs, the so-called Pit Bull Terriers, for the fighting arena. The serious orientation of the breed with a special focus on appearance and suitability for families began. It was not until the early 1970s that the breed was officially renamed “American Staffordshire Terrier” to distinguish it from its smaller British relatives, the Staffordshire Terriers, and has been bred according to a clear breed standard ever since.
Nature & Temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier or “Amstaff” is a brave and fearless dog with a very lively temperament that is extremely affectionate towards its owner and family, likes to play, and be kept busy. His strong protective instinct towards his “pack”, i.e. the family, the high urge to move, and his often dominant behavior towards fellow dogs require a consistent and clear training of the puppy right from the start.
Early socialization with other dogs should be specifically encouraged, for example in puppy playgroups. The intelligent and attentive Amstaff quickly becomes an obedient and good-natured family dog that barks little and is a pleasant companion with its calm and relaxed manner. He likes to go for long walks or hikes, also learns to walk on his bike, and loves to play ball or fetch games.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Suitable as a Family Dog?
A well-behaved and socialized Amstaff makes a great family pet!
The Appearance of the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is characterized by a strong, muscular physique. The broad chest and stocky legs still appear brawny and imposing, yet these dogs are very agile and active. Males reach a shoulder height of between 46 and 48 cm with a weight of up to 30 kg. Bitches are slightly smaller and lighter at 43-46 cm at the shoulder and around 20-25 kg.
The head is broad with a medium-length muzzle, black nose, and dark, round eyes. The ears come either as a tilting standing ear or as a so-called rose ear. While cropped ears are still required by the breed standard in some other countries, this practice has been prohibited by law in Germany since 1986. The import and, since 2001, even the exhibition of docked dogs are also prohibited in this country. The tail is of medium length and is usually stretched straight back.
The Amstaff’s coat is short, hard, and shiny. Almost all coat colors are allowed, from white to gray, fawn, dark brown to black, solid, multicolored, brindle, or spotted. According to the breed standard, however, liver-colored or black with brown markings (such as in the Dobermann or Rottweiler) are undesirable, as well as more than 80% white (with this coat coloration, the dog increasingly becomes genetically conditioned deafness).
Training and Husbandry of the American Staffordshire Terrier – This is Important to Note
The American Staffordshire Terrier is not recommended as a beginner’s dog or for seniors because of its size and strength and because of its strong character, which quickly manifests itself in dominant behavior if not guided. Several years of experience in training and keeping dogs of this or similar breeds and sufficient physical strength should therefore be available before deciding on this breed of dog.
A calm, consistent and respectful upbringing with clear commands and strong leadership are important prerequisites for success. Especially the almost adult, the pubescent dog will try again and again to question the ranking in the pack if he is not consistently put in his place. It is very important here that he learns early on to accept and respect all family members.
If there are problems with the training or behavior of the dog, the owner should not hesitate and seek professional help from an experienced dog trainer who is familiar with this breed. In many cases, the problem can be nipped in the bud before dramatic incidents occur, the dog is handed over to an animal shelter, or, in the worst case, even the dog is killed by the authorities.
Amstaffs need close contact with their caregiver or family. Kennel keeping or similar accommodation away from the pack is therefore not species-appropriate. On the other hand, they really appreciate the opportunity to run around freely in their own, well-fenced garden, especially if someone is also busy with them or there are at least interesting toys. But be careful: A garden fence that is too low does not represent a limit for the dogs, which are compact but extremely keen to jump when they are bored and it is so much more exciting beyond the fence! An enclosure should be at least 1.60 meters high and no “jumping aids” such as garbage cans or garden furniture may be placed next to it.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Suitable for Seniors?
Since the male specimens of this breed, in particular, are quite large and strong and these dogs also develop a pronounced self-confidence, one should consider whether it has to be this breed after a certain age or depending on one’s own physical strength and dog experience.
Diet of the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier does not make any special demands on its diet and can, provided that there is no medically determined intolerance in individual cases. It can be fed with any high-quality, meat-based ready-to-eat dog food (dry or wet food). BARFing (BARF = Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding), i.e. feeding with raw ingredients, is also an option. However, the owner must have good knowledge of this in order to avoid malnutrition in the dog. Prior consultation with the veterinarian is recommended here in order to determine the dog’s exact nutritional requirements and to draw up an appropriate feeding plan.
With energetically high-quality food and simultaneous lack of exercise, the weight of the dog must always be kept in mind in order to counteract excess kilos in good time. Constant access to fresh drinking water must of course always be guaranteed.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
Basically, Amstaffs have good and robust health. In some cases, knee or hip (HD) problems may occur, and heart failure may also occur but is not common. They are not sensitive to cold, rather (especially in the case of dogs with large areas of white fur) sunburn must be prevented in strong sunlight by providing shaded areas. The average life expectancy for this breed is 12 to 15 years.
How Old Do American Staffordshire Terriers Get?
A healthy and species-appropriate Amstaff has a life expectancy of about 12-15 years.
Grooming the American Staffordshire Terrier
The coat of these dogs is extremely easy to care for and only needs an occasional brushing. However, the short, relatively hard hair tends to get caught in clothing, carpets, and upholstery. So: The more often the brush or curry comb is used, the cleaner the apartment stays. And the four-legged friend is always happy about a little massage and attention from owners.
American Staffordshire Terrier Activities and Training
An Amstaff’s lively temperament, intelligence, and its great urge to move can be satisfied in particular through dog sports such as agility, mobility, or obedience, but also in training as a rescue or tracking dog. Especially for the latter, many Amstaffs show themselves to be excellently suited, since in training and when used as a rescue dog, a perfect and intimate interaction between dog and human is particularly important!
Less suitable for the dog breed is training in protection work and working dog sports. Because here a lot of value is placed on obedience and sometimes also manliness, which under certain circumstances would unintentionally promote the dominant behavior of the American Staffordshire Terrier.
After all, a well-trained and socialized dog of this breed is a grateful, intelligent, playful, and, above all, absolutely loyal family dog.
Good to Know: Special Features of the American Staffordshire Terrier
Incidentally, the first registered member of the breed, which was newly recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936, was Petey the Pit, a Pit Bull Terrier who played a leading role in the American short film series “The Little Rascals”, which was very successful in the 1920-40s. White-spotted Petey’s signature black ring alternately made up around his right and left eye made him recognizable and famous. Later, several of his descendants took over the role in the series.
How Many Puppies Does an American Staffordshire Terrier Have?
In several federal states, breeding with certain so-called list dogs (unfortunately the American Staffordshire Terrier is one of them) is prohibited by the respective state dog regulations. An Amstaff bitch will typically have five to eight puppies per litter.
Cons of the American Staffordshire Terrier
The future dog owner must definitely consider that the American Staffordshire Terrier is a so-called list dog, whose keeping in Germany and many other countries is subject to clear legal regulations. These range from precise husbandry requirements such as proof of expertise, compulsory leashes, and possibly a muzzle to general bans on keeping, breeding, or importing. Even if keeping an American Staffordshire Terrier is not strictly forbidden in your own federal state (such as Lower Saxony or Schleswig-Holstein), before traveling to another federal state or even to a neighboring country, it is essential to check in advance which legal provisions apply there to avoid nasty surprises.
For example, in Denmark, there is a ban on this breed, so a holiday trip there with a dog is almost impossible. If there is a biting incident there, the dog will be killed by official order! There are also special regulations in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands that affect the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Right for Me?
Before you decide to get a dog, no matter what breed, you should always ask yourself a few basic questions:
- Do I have enough time to look after the dog, walk it several times a day and keep it busy?
- Can I offer an Amstaff enough exercise? He is a very active dog!
- Do I want an active dog that will demand a lot of my time, or am I looking for a more laid-back lapdog?
- Am I physically a match for this breed?
- Do all family members agree to a new roommate moving in?
- Aren’t there any health problems, such as allergies, that prevent you from owning a dog?
- Who takes care of the dog if I can’t?
- What do I do with the dog on vacation?
- Do I have enough financial means not only to pay the purchase price for the puppy and the initial equipment with a leash, collar, dog bowl, and dog bed but also to pay the running costs? After all, a dog costs about the same as a small car over the course of its lifetime!
Nothing is worse for a young dog that has just gotten used to a new home and family than being given away again because its acquisition was simply not considered and was too spontaneous a decision. This particularly sensitive socialization phase often leads to extreme insecurity in dogs, which can ultimately result in behavioral problems up to increased aggressiveness. Such dogs can then often no longer be placed and eke out a sad, long dog living in an animal shelter kennel.
If you have finally decided to bring in an American Staffordshire Terrier as a new family member, you should first look for a reputable breeder. Important indications that the breeder is serious about breeding his breed are, for example, a manageable number of breeding animals and the keeping of bitches and puppies within the family and with close contact to reference persons. A good breeder will ask questions of the prospect, wanting to know how and where their puppies should be kept. If necessary, he refuses to sell a dog if he is not satisfied with the prospect’s answers. Recommendations for feeding, information about veterinary treatments such as initial vaccinations and deworming, and the offer to contact you after the purchase should be a matter of course for a good breeder. It is best to visit the breeder before you finally buy the puppy and take a look around. So you also have the opportunity to get to know the puppies in peace and to actually choose the one that really suits you!
In addition to purchasing from a breeder, it may also be worth going to an animal shelter. Purebred dogs are always waiting here to find a new and beautiful home. The so-called list dogs, in particular, are often given to animal shelters for no reason, because the owners have not thought about it in good time and responsibly whether they really want to get such a dog. You will not only find adult dogs here, some of whom have an unclear past, but also young dogs or even puppies that need a good home urgently and quickly.
How Much Does an American Staffordshire Terrier Cost?
A puppy of this breed costs around $1000 or more, depending on the breeder.