American Staffordshire terrier

June 9, 2022 June 30, 2022

The American Staffordshire terrier (or AmStaff) is a popular dog in his home country, thanks to this being an intelligent, confident, lovable and very ‘game’ breed. He trains easily, has a big personality and is keen on plenty of mental and physical activity to meet his intellectual and energy needs. He also craves attention and affection from his humans.

Do not confuse the AKC- and KUSA-recognised AmStaff with the (unrecognised) American pitbull terrier, as these are two very different dog breeds. They may have similar early histories, but their modern histories and breeding are vastly different.

History

It’s an accepted part of the AmStaff’s history that he originated in England and that bull and bear baiting as well as dog blood sports are part of his shadowy heritage (since before the 1800s). The Staffordshire bull terrier was the happy by-product of this terrible time in dog breeding history, but such was his reputation as a companion dog and a working animal that he was shipped across to the USA in around the mid-nineteenth century.

Dog breeders in the States were keen on the Staffie’s nature and personality, but they bred the dog to be a larger, taller version than the original Staffordshire bull terrier. The American Staffordshire terrier was eventually recognised and accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a breed separate from the Staffie, in 1936.

AmStaffs have performed well in conformation shows, been trained as TV stars, and the most decorated war dog in America was Sgt. Stubby – an AmStaff from World War I. These days, however, they are generally kept as confident, mellow and lovable family companions, as well as working breeds who do police work and participate in competitive dog sports.

AmStaffs have, unfortunately, been lumped together with the American pitbull terrier, and have an undeserved reputation as a dangerous bully breed, but the two breeds are very distinct from one another.

Temperament

The American Staffordshire terrier – with conscientious breeding, good socialisation and consistent training – has a wonderful temperament. He is walking confidence, has keen intelligence and possesses a calm and good-natured personality. He exudes courage and loyalty, and will display a winning personality when he is made part of the family.

Unscrupulous breeders – whose greed fills the gap for the demand of a ‘dangerous looking bully breed’ – do not care for breeding for temperament and health, and they do serious damage to the already fragile reputation of the American Staffordshire terrier. Well-bred AmStaffs are difficult to find and should come with all the necessary health certificates and proof of breeder registration with (at least) the Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA).

Health

Conscientious breeders do not just breed for money, but take care of the health of their bloodlines, which means screening their American Staffordshire terriers for common health problems found in their breed. AmStaffs are generally healthy, strong dogs, but sometimes genetic problems do arise. These can include:

Cerebellar ataxia – This is a neurological disorder that results in poor muscle coordination
Hip dysplasia
Osteoarthritis and/or spondylosis
Heart problems
Skin allergies
Urinary tract infections

Exercise Requirements

The American Staffordshire terrier is athletic and muscular and needs a stimulating outlet for his physical and mental energy. He can’t simply run around in an empty yard all day – he needs human interaction and needs to be part of his family pack. The AmStaff gets better exercise through engaging play sessions with his people – whether it be fetch, tug-of-war, hide n seek, or any interaction where he can exercise his body and mind. He’s an excellent candidate for canine sports like agility and dock diving, and he performs well on duty as a police dog or search-and-rescue hero. This comes from his willingness to work with his human.

The AmStaff can be a very wilful dog, so he needs socialisation and puppy training from the get-go so that his owner can keep him under control. It’s an all-too-common sight to see an owner being pulled around on the other end of the leash of a strong and eager AmStaff, so it’s important to foster his obedience from the start. Fortunately, this is an intelligent dog who is eager to stay on his owner’s good side, so training will be fun for dog and human.

The AmStaff can be naturally dog-aggressive, no matter how well socialised he is. This is just part of his breed, so owners need to take steps to make sure he’s not left alone with another dog.

Grooming Requirements

The AmStaff’s short, smooth coat makes for very easy grooming – it needs just a weekly once-over with a grooming mitt to remove dirt, dust and loose hairs and to spread his natural skin oils through his coat. He does not need regular baths as he is a low-odour dog.

Keep the AmStaff’s nails trimmed short; check his ears for any signs of infection (like redness or odour) and brush his teeth daily to keep his dental hygiene in check.