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American Staffordshire Terrier
Overview
Overview of American Staffordshire Terrier
Originally called the Staffordshire Terrier - the name being too similar to their English cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier - changed to American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972. Known as AmStaff or American Staffy for short, these pups are often mistaken for the American Pit Bull Terrier due to their seemingly identical appearance - the AmStaff can be thought of as the chunkier brother! If you start to look into the history of these two breeds, however, there are some noticeable physical differences. American Pitbull Terriers were bred for their boundless tenacity or refusal to give up, even under the most excruciating pain, so breeders did not prioritize appearance. Even today, American Pitbull Terriers vary significantly in size and shape, from slight, whippet-like dogs to chonky Bulldog-looking beefcakes. American Staffordshire Terriers, by contrast, did not have the demands of the fighting pit to inform their physical evolution. Instead, their breeders focused on a uniform appearance. One thing that the AmStaff has refused to leave behind from their fighting days is their enduring love of humans; the same species that forced them into the fighting pit later rescued them from it. They come in almost every pattern and coat color and range between 40-70 lbs.
Common Health Conditions & Recommendations for American Staffordshire Terrier
Skin Allergies:
Staffordshire bull terriers, like other terrier breeds, can inherit dermatitis and suffer from skin allergies.
Recommendations for Skin Allergies in American Staffordshire Terrier Dogs:
Common Health Conditions & Recommendations for American Staffordshire Terrier
Heart Disease:
American Staffordshires are prone to developing cardiac issues, such as congestive heart failure, in their senior years.
Recommendations for Heart Disease in American Staffordshire Terrier Dogs:
Common Health Conditions & Recommendations for American Staffordshire Terrier
Elbow Dysplasia (ED):
Is a potentially inherited and/or environmentally aggravated condition that develops when there is an abnormal development of the elbow joint, where the three major bones articulate, leading to potential limb lameness (limping).
Recommendations for Elbow Dysplasia (ED) in American Staffordshire Terrier Dogs:
Personality
"Pit Bull" is not a specific breed but includes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and mixes of those breeds. Contrary to popular belief, aggression is not natural for Pit Bull type dogs, so early socialization and training are key to encouraging the sweet disposition of these dogs. They have a soft spot for children and are sometimes affectionately known as nanny dogs. Athletic and naturally energetic, American Staffordshire Terriers are very happy-go-lucky pooches that are eager to please their families. But due to their terrier ancestry, they have a strong prey drive so if you are going to let your AmStaff off-leash, make sure that they respond well to a recall command. They require at a minimum, an hour-long brisk walk combined with 15 minutes of intense fetch to satisfy their exercise needs. This could be your perfect pet if you want a loving pooch that will bond deeply to you and is built like a tank!
