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American Staffordshire Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about American Staffordshire Terrier personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the American Staffordshire Terrier, including these excerpts: "It often surprises people to learn that this extremely muscular dog with the impressive, confident presence is so easygoing. A well-bred American Staffordshire Terrier is a dependable, good-natured, loyal companion. Athletic and agile, with finely tuned reflexes, he must have moderate daily exercise to maintain his splendid muscle tone. Companionship is even more important, and extensive ongoing socialization is paramount. His attitude toward strangers varies from exuberant face kissing to polite reserve. Guarding instincts vary from high to nil, with some lines being much stronger tempered than others. His attitude toward other canines, however, is another story. His ancestry dictates a strong-willed, no-nonsense kind of dog who does not take kindly to being challenged by other assertive dogs. If confronted, he will readily engage. Though some individuals live peacefully in a house full of pets, there is always the risk that dormant animal prey instincts may suddenly flare into deadly combat. The American Staffordshire Terrier can be stubborn, yet he responds well to confident owners who know how to establish and enforce rules of expected behavior. Because of public/media prejudice, he should be trained through at least basic obedience and always leashed outside of his yard. Every well-behaved AmStaff seen on the street can help counteract anti-breed sentiment." History A cross of tough working terriers and old-style bulldogs, he was first called the American Pit Bull Terrier and used for dogfighting. AKC breeders decided to focus on a more mellow temperament, and developed a show version of the APBT that has become known as the American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff. Size 17-19 inches and 55-75 lbs

American Staffordshire Terriers What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Looks like a Pit Bull, but has been steered by show breeders toward a more laid-back and mellow temperament Is medium to large, muscular and powerful Looks imposing, so makes an effective deterrent, but is usually non-aggressive with people Thrives on vigorous athletic activities Has a sleek, easy-groom coat that comes in many colors An American Staffordshire Terrier may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits) Providing extra amounts of socialization and training to make sure your dog turns out well and counteracts the bad press Aggression toward other animals Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young Destructiveness when bored Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge Shedding An American Staffordshire may not be right for you. If I were considering an American Staffordshire Terrier... My major concerns would be: Extreme animal aggression. Most American Staffordshire Terriers are aggressive toward other dogs. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures, including deer and livestock. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. To keep your AmStaff in, and to keep other animals out, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks. Providing enough socialization. Most American Staffordshire Terriers are friendly, but some have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they could become suspicious of everyone, which could lead to aggression toward people. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. American Staffordshire Terriers are powerful dogs who MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored AmStaffs are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in weight-pulling, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or schutzhund (protection), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Bounciness Young American Staffordshire Terriers (up to about two years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend American Staffordshire Terrier puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Staffordshires. The strong temperament. American Staffordshire Terriers are not Golden Retrievers. The best AmStaffs are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and many are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your AmStaff to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My American Staffordshire Training Page discusses the program you need. Spillover from the Pit Bull reputation. American Staffordshire Terriers "branched off" from American Pit Bull Terriers some time ago and are considered their own separate breed. But most people aren't aware of that, and will lump them both together as potentially dangerous dogs. Legal liabilities. American Staffordshire Terriers may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas. Homeowners' insurance policies may be refused or revoked if you are discovered to own an American Staffordshire Terrier. Your friends and neighbors may be very uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a fighting heritage should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. Frankly, most American Staffordshire Terriers are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the type of activities that keep him satisfied. Not all American Staffordshires are alike! There are energetic AmStaffs, and placid AmStaffs. Hard-headed AmStaffs, and sweet-natured AmStaffs. Serious AmStaffs, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted AmStaffs, and AmStaffs who love everyone. If you acquire an American Staffordshire puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult AmStaff... There are plenty of adult American Staffordshire Terriers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americanstaffordshireterriers.html">American Staffordshire Terriers: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. 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