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What should I know about American Staffordshire Terriers?

By Sorin Vasiliu5 min read

At a glance

  • Size: 17–19 inches at the shoulder (43–48 cm)
  • Weight: 40–70 pounds (18–32 kg), males heavier than females
  • Lifespan: 12–16 years, according to the AKC
  • Coat: short and stiff, a weekly brush is usually enough
  • Best with: people who want a dog in the middle of family life

AmStaff, Staffie or pit bull?

The three breeds share a past. All trace back to the bull-type terriers bred in Britain in the 1700s and 1800s. In America, breeders built a larger Staffordshire Terrier than the English one. The AKC recognised it in 1936 and later renamed it the American Staffordshire Terrier, to set it apart from the British breed.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier stayed smaller. It is a UK Kennel Club breed, and the AKC added it in 1974. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a separate breed again, first recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

BreedMain registryHeightWeight
American Staffordshire TerrierAKC17–19 in (43–48 cm)40–70 lb (18–32 kg)
Staffordshire Bull TerrierUK Kennel Club, AKC14–16 in (36–41 cm)24–38 lb (11–17 kg)
American Pit Bull TerrierUKC17–21 in (43–53 cm)30–60 lb (14–27 kg)

In practice, an AmStaff is the taller, heavier cousin of the Staffie. The AmStaff is often included in laws that target pit bull–type dogs, so check local rules before you move or travel with one.

Temperament

The AKC describes AmStaffs as smart, confident, good-natured companions. It calls their courage proverbial. A responsibly bred, well-socialised AmStaff is, in its words, "a loyal, trustworthy friend to the end."

They are people dogs. The AKC says an AmStaff left out in the garden all day isn't getting what it needs. It thrives as part of the family.

The AKC is also frank about one thing. It notes that dog aggression can develop even in well-socialised AmStaffs, and advises never leaving one alone with other dogs. The UKC standard for the American Pit Bull Terrier mentions dog aggression too. That doesn't mean your dog will be difficult. It means you supervise and plan introductions with care.

Exercise, training and socialisation

AmStaffs are athletic and energetic, and the AKC says they need a lot of exercise. Long play sessions with you matter more than time alone outside. Many AmStaffs enjoy dog sports such as obedience, agility and dock diving.

Training asks the most of you. The AKC calls early socialisation and puppy classes a necessity, given the breed's strong will, strength and exuberance. It also finds AmStaffs intelligent and keen to please, so training is usually fun.

A few things help:

  • Start puppy classes early and keep going past the first year
  • Meet many calm people, places and sounds while your puppy is young
  • Teach loose-lead walking before your dog is fully grown
  • Expect some chewing and digging, which the AKC says can be hard to stop

Grooming

The coat is easy. A soft bristle brush once a week usually lifts dirt and spreads skin oils. Bathe when your dog gets messy or starts to smell, not on a schedule. Like every breed, an AmStaff needs its nails trimmed regularly.

Health watch-outs

The AKC calls the AmStaff a robust breed, but responsible breeders screen for several conditions. Here is what reputable sources mention:

  • Hip dysplasia. The AKC reports some mild cases. The breed club recommends hip screening for breeding dogs and lists elbow checks as optional.
  • Heart disease. The AKC mentions some types of cardiac disease, and the breed club recommends a cardiologist's exam for breeding dogs.
  • Thyroid. The breed club recommends screening breeding dogs for autoimmune thyroiditis.
  • Cerebellar ataxia (NCL-A). An inherited disease that slowly affects balance and coordination. The AKC says signs usually start between 3 and 5 years old: loss of balance, trouble turning corners, falling when shaking the head. A DNA test identifies affected dogs and carriers, so ask the breeder for the parents' results.
  • Skin and coat allergies. The AKC lists these among the breed's known issues.
  • Cruciate ligament injury. A 1999 study of dogs under two years old found AmStaffs among the breeds at higher risk of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament.

The AKC advises watching your dog's weight, since too many treats can lead to obesity. If anything here worries you, ask your vet.

What to keep track of

A written record gives your vet more than a vague feeling. For an AmStaff, these are worth noting:

  • Weight, about once a month, so a slow gain shows up early
  • Skin and ears, including itching, redness or ear trouble, with dates
  • Joints, any limp, stiffness after exercise, or reluctance to jump
  • Balance, any new stumbling or trouble with corners
  • Vet visits, with what was checked and any screening results
  • Vaccinations, each with its date and next due date

If the paperwork is piling up, here is how to keep your vet records in order.

Tamadoggo was built by the owner of Frankie, a female American Staffordshire Terrier born in November 2018. The pet journal app gives each dog its own timeline, keeps weight, vaccinations and medications as separate records, and lets you set your own reminders for free.

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