Picture a dog with the heart of a teddy bear and the strength of a gladiator—that is the AmStaff American Staffordshire for you. Despite being confident, these bulldog-looking dogs, along with most other breeds, tend to get misjudged. Seeing beyond the rough outward structure reveals an overly affectionate and loyal friend.
Whether you are thinking of getting an Amstaff Stafford Terrier and want to learn more about the breed or are just interested in the Amstaff, we cover pretty much everything: the temperament to the life expectancy of an American Staffordshire Terrier, how they are different from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and more.
“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.” – Mark Twain
Meet The Loyal & Brave American Staffordshire Terrier
The Amstaff or the American Staffordshire Terrier, is a powerful, medium-sized dog which was bred to be loyal. The breed was originally developed to assist with farm work, serving as dependable farm dogs, and is now considered an affectionate family pet.
Unlike the bull terrier American Staffordshire mix, purebred AmStaffs have traits that are set apart by each of the recognized kennel clubs. Their resemblance to the American Bullshire Terrier or American Bull Stafford is often mistaken, but those names are mostly used for mixed breed dogs.
Key Characteristics of the Amstaff Breed
- The height of the American Staffordshire terrier is around 17.5 inches (Male) and Range between 16.5 inches (Female)
- The weight being between 70 pounds (Male) to 40 pounds (Female)
- The coat and color specifications are short, shiny, and stiff, and the color is Black, Blue, Fawn, Red, brindle, or White American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Prehistory and The Birth of American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire’s roots start from 19th century England. Initially, bulldogs and terriers were crossbred to produce a dog that was both powerful and agile. Once these dogs reached America, the focus of breeding moved to the bulldog’s and terrier’s temperament and improved it into a distinctive line called Amstaff American Staffordshire.
The breed was recognized in 1936 by the AKC and called it Staffordshire Terrier. Later on, in 1972 the breed name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to differentiate it from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
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Temperament: Do AmStaffs Display Aggression?
American Staffords come with a thick, muscular body, and yet, they remain extremely gentle and loyal to their families. Given their deep bonds, AmStaffs remain great companions as well since they are deeply reliant on human interaction.
Key Traits
- Guarding and Loyal: With natural protective instincts, these dogs are always guarding their territory.
- Social and Lively: Balanced AmStaffs will need daily stimulation in a variety of forms, especially through exercise.
- Adaptive and Quick to Learn: An AmStaff responds greatly to motivational forms of reinforcement.
Busted Myth: American Staffordshire Terriers are not aggressive by nature. Regardless of the reason, when they act ‘out of line’ it is the result of poor upbringing. Socially predisposed issues—they encounter without care and attention—are factors that lead to disturbances in behavior. Still, with care, these can be deeply loving companions.
Being true to their stereotypes, these dogs need love and boundaries in equal measure. An American Stafford is nothing short of a true loving family member when raised right.
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American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The AmStaff is commonly mistaken for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier; however, they have some differences:
| Trait | American Staffordshire Terrier | Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| Height | Fuller figured (55-70lbs) | Leaner (24-38lbs) |
| Build | Muscular Stocky | Compact |
| Temperament | Confident Playful | Protective Clownish |
Although the two share an ancestral lineage, the AmStaff is known to be taller and more robust.
Lifespan of an American Staffordshire Terrier
An American Staffordshire Terrier lives between the age of 12 to 16 years if well taken care of. Some common health problems are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart conditions
- Skin allergies
Pro Tip: Balanced nutrition and routine vet visits will help maximize lifespan.
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Training & Exercise Needs
The AmStaff, American Staffordshire Terrier is easily trainable but requires consistency.
Tips for Training
- Start from an Early Age: Children should be friendly and welcoming toward puppies and the other pets.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: Reachable goals should be rewarded with treats.
- Harsh Treatment is Not Effective: Sweeping changes should never be used. Aggression does not lead to satisfying outcomes.
Exercise Specifications
- Walking (60+ minutes daily)
- Active play (fetch, tug-of-war)
- Mental exercise (challenge toys, obedience training)
Amstaffs may develop bad conduct, like destructive habits, without sufficient exercise.
Grooming and Care
The American Staffordshire Terrier does not require extensive grooming due to:
- Weekly brushing to manage shedding.
- Bathing them monthly unless they are dirty.
- Regular ear cleaning to avoid infections.
With low grooming requirements such as for ear cleaning, maintenance is easy, especially when stacking them up against long haired breeds.
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Is Amstaff Right For You?
Are you contemplating if an AmStaff American Staffordshire would fit your needs?
This active and loyal breed should be kept by experienced dog owners who recognize its strength and intelligence and function best with ‘active’ households. The American Staffordshire Terrier thrives in homes with securely fenced idle yards as these dogs have a keen desire to run and play.
However, it isn’t suited for owners who are first-timers and haven’t done adequate research or for those who lack physical activity. Though they can adjust to apartment living, the dogs require plenty of daily physical and psychological challenges. An AmStaff is a loving, devoted, and protective companion with the right surroundings, training, and environment.
Concluding Remarks
Loyal and energetic, the AmStaff American Staffordshire is a loving breed that flourishes in warm households. They might seem brutish to all muscles, but they are gentle giants on the inside.
If you need an actively devoted bear of a companion, the American Staffordshire might just be what you’re looking for.
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