Differences and Similarities between American Staffordshire Terrier And Pitbull Terrier

Is it time to get a dog yet? What type of dog is best for you? Do you want to choose between American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier? When it comes to choosing your next canine companion, there are many important things to consider. Consider the differences and similarities between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier as you make your decision. Let’s take a look at some basic differences between the breeds that may help you choose which breed is right for you.

The two are very similar in many ways, but their size difference makes them fundamentally different animals. Both share the same general physical features, which include a wide head, large muscular jaws and necks, short coats, and blocky bodies.

The main difference between American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier

History

The word “Terrier” comes from the Latin term “terra,” which refers to the earth. All Terriers were bred to go underground and hunt vermin. They were developed to scare animals away from their holes so that their owner could eliminate them or perform the task himself. As a result, they tended to be tiny.

When you think of a terrier, you probably do not imagine anything larger than a small dog. The “terrier” in the American Pitbull Terrier means this breed is descended from the original English bulldogs. These dogs were bred to bait bulls and bears in England, but they came to America with immigrants during the 1800s and became known as the American Pitbull Terrier.

These dogs were used for more than just baiting and fighting. They were also known to be family pets and companions, especially in families who had farms and needed a strong dog to protect their property and chase away predators. The American Staffordshire Terrier, on the other hand, was bred specifically for intelligence and companionship. Their intelligence made them a popular breed amongst families who owned their own businesses or stores because they were known to be fiercely protective of the property and people they cared for while remaining obedient to their owners.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Pitbull as its first dog in 1898. The Am Staff may be registered by the United Kennel Club. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes the Am Staff, but not the Pitbull. The AKC does not recognize any breed that was developed for dogfighting.

Many people are confused by the many name changes and political squabbles among kennel clubs, which has led to a lot of uncertainty in the canine world as to whether these two breeds are the same. While some believe them to be the same breed due on account of their nearly identical appearance, with Pitbulls being the larger and more athletic version of the American Staffordshire Terrier, others believe that there are significant differences between the two breeds.

The Pitbull is a close relative to the American Staffordshire Terrier and shares a common ancestry with a few other well-known breeds such as the Bull Terriers and Bulldogs. The Am Staff, on the other hand, is an older breed that has little in common with the Pitbull. According to the UKC, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed of dog derived from crossing several breeds such as English Bulldogs and terriers like the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Manchester Terrier. The former was used for fighting while the latter were bred to go into small burrows and chase out foxes, badgers, rabbits, and other animals that preyed on the former’s owner’s livestock.

Appearance

The Am Staff and the Pitbull are quite similar in appearance. They are both medium-built canines and look gorgeous. The Pitbull is a little taller, standing 17 to 21 inches tall. The Am Staff is shorter, measuring 17 to 19 inches in height.

The Pitbull’s coat is short, and it can be any color. It also has a short and smooth tail. The coat of the Am Staff, on the other hand, is long and glossy. Its tail is either straight or screwed but never docked.

Both breeds have muscular torsos that are blocky in shape with strong necks and backs. Their heads and jaws can also be blocky and large, giving them a formidable presence when they are not smiling or wagging their tails.

Pitbulls tend to be larger than American Staffordshire Terriers, so this could give the impression that they would weigh more. The Am Staff should weigh 30 to 50 pounds while the Pitbull could weigh 30 to 70 pounds.

For more details on their appearance, the complete Pitbull breed standards are provided by the UKC, and the complete Am Staff breed standards are supplied by the AKC.

Temperament

The most frequent question asked by those unfamiliar with either breed is, “Are they aggressive?” The answer is no, they are not inherently aggressive. A dog is just as good as its owner, according to the famous adage. The Pitbull and the Am Staff are actually no more aggressive than a Chihuahua. It is entirely dependent on how they were raised and treated.

Every year, the American Temperament Test Society administers temperament tests on a wide range of dogs. The most recent data show that Am Staff passed with 86 percent. Pitbulls also passed with a rate of 87%. On the contrary, a popular dog, Collie, scored only 81% in the temperament test.

The American Staffordshire Terrier was bred to be the perfect companion. They are easygoing, affectionate, and loyal in nature, making them good family dogs that enjoy being carried in arms or riding in open cars. Not only that, but they also have a laid-back attitude, regardless if the person is a stranger or an owner.

The Pitbull, on the other hand, was bred to be battle-ready so it could fight in organized battles with other dogs without any signs of fear. This dog breed has lots of energy and endurance because they were made to work for long periods of time. They are also brave, which means they are very protective of their owners. They are athletic and love being involved in activities, so long as the activity involves chasing or running around.

Pitbulls have a strong tendency to be aggressive if they feel threatened. This does not mean that Pitbulls do not get along with strangers or kids, but total strangers may be given a hostile welcome because of their suspicious nature. They are more territorial, so they might see any new person as an intruder. If you have very little time to socialize your Pitbull, then it may be best not to look into adopting one.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is good with children and strangers once they are familiarized with them. If properly socialized, American Staffordshire Terriers can be great family dogs. They have a patient temperament and love being the center of attention, so they are very sociable around kids as well as other dogs.

The Am Staffs should follow their owner’s commands as soon as possible to avoid any problems with their training. These dogs are very intelligent, which means they can get bored quickly. This will result in them acting out their boredom through destructive behavior.

If you don’t have or aren’t familiar with an Am Staff or a Pitbull, then Instagram is a fantastic place to observe them in action. Wesley is a Pitbull with over 97,000 followers who have joined him on his road to overcoming his stranger fear aggression and becoming a snuggle bug with his family and other dog pals. Nala is an Am Staff who looks so cute in her various moods!

Exercise

The Am Staff and the Pitbull are comparable in terms of their exercise requirements. They’re both high-energy dogs that need about 60 minutes of activity every day. Because he is a more athletic version, the Pitbull would require somewhat more exercise. The Am Staff is more inclined to take an afternoon siesta.

Both breeds can be active inside your home, but they would need to take a long walk every day. A small yard is also good enough for them because these dogs were bred to work on little space.

Pitbulls are more active than Am Staffs, so it would be ideal if you can give them a daily brisk walk and play session.

Training

The Am Staff and the Pitbull have similar needs with regards to training. Early socialization is important to avoid any guarding behaviors or fear aggression with other dogs or animals and to minimize anxiety. Many owners claim that their Am Staff and Pitbull get along well with other canines in the neighborhood dog park, but this is due to good training.

Both breeds love to please their owner, so they respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. They are quick learners and can be highly trainable if you have a firm hand.

Living Conditions

The American Staffordshire Terrier is okay with apartment living as long as it gets enough exercise. A short walk around the block will do just fine for the Am Staff.

The Pitbull is a much more energetic breed, so it would be best to have a house with a yard for them to burn out their energy. Having a fenced-in area inside your property is also good as long as they are socialized at an early age. They can adapt to apartment living if given enough exercise.

Health

The Am Staff as well as the Pitbulls have a similar lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Both breeds are prone to having genetic issues like hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy.

American Staffordshire Terriers also have heart problems and allergies.

The Pitbull is most likely to suffer from health problems involving the head and jaw, which can lead to a condition called OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). A lot of Pitbulls also have skin issues due to bad breeding practices.

The Pitbull is more prone to suffer from Cerebellar Abiotrophy, which results in the destruction of part of the brain that controls balance and coordination, thus hindering mobility. This usually occurs in later life. The Am Staff is also known to have a higher chance of cardiac failure than the Pitbull.

Grooming

The Am Staff is a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. All you need is some basic brushing, maybe using a deshedding tool, and that’s about it. You can bathe your Pitbull as frequently as needed with any good shampoo for dogs, but be sure to use a tearless shampoo if your dog has tear stains.

Both breeds don’t have to be frequently groomed, but they need to have their nails clipped so they won’t develop infections. Both are average shedders.

They are not a hypoallergenic dog breed, but being single coated, they do not shed as much as the double-coated breeds.

Nutrition

A well-balanced diet will keep both dogs healthy and active for many years. They’ll each eat around 2-1/2 cups of food every day, however, some can require more based on their exercise levels. The nutritional needs of both breeds can be appropriately met with Pitbull or Bull terrier-specific foods.

Am Staffs are more prone to bloating, so it would be helpful if their food is low in fat and high in fiber.

Both breeds may have sensitive stomachs, so both will do best on a diet that is high in omega fatty acids. You may need to look for a formula made specifically for sporting dogs that has a greater calorie count and promotes muscle growth, depending on how active your dog is. It’s worth noting that both breeds are prone to stomach issues. This is one of the reasons it’s vital to feed them twice a day.

Consider recipes that contain alternate protein sources for dogs with a history of sensitivity to chicken. Overall, both the Am Staff and the Pitbull are healthier and live longer if they eat high-quality dog food. If your budget permits, it’s always best to invest more in higher-quality dog food.

Puppy Prices

On average, a puppy from an Am Staff or Pitbull will cost $1,000 and up from a reputable breeder. If you want a pup from a specific bloodline, expect to pay considerably more.

It’s critical to do your homework and look for reputable breeders when acquiring one of these dogs. Only docile and friendly dogs will be bred by reputable breeders. They won’t sell pups who show aggressiveness. If you buy your pup from any unknown breeder, you run the risk of him being bred from active fighting dogs or worse, being of violent temperament himself.

There are certainly a lot of them up for adoption. There are several hundreds of thousands of these dogs in rescue shelters all around the United States. Rescuing is something to think about since over 93% of Pitbull-type dogs in shelters are euthanized. If you adopt him, you won’t know his background. However, he will be spayed or neutered and is likely housebroken. Moreover, if you are an experienced dog owner, you should be able to handle them beautifully.

The American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff) is a descendent of the Pitbull, so there are many similarities between the two breeds. They are both muscular dogs with a stocky build and short coat. They are both known for their strength, agility, and courage. However, there are some

Conclusions

When it comes to their reputation, the Am Staff and the Pitbull have shared the same problems. When you educate yourself or get to know either breed, you will discover that their fearsome reputation is undeserved.

In the end, they are almost identical, so for most people considering either breed, it comes down to a tiny difference in appearance. They’re both great guys who love giving out affection! They’re both extremely intelligent and loyal. They make great family dogs, especially for people with kids.

If you can bring yourself to get “Over the Hump” (over your preconceived notions), you may find that either of these breeds would be a fantastic addition to your household!

Thanks for reading!