American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Guide and Pet Insurance

Table of Contents

Introduction to American Staffordshire Terriers

The confident and good-natured American Staffordshire terrier is a dog breed that is very trainable and lovable. The breed does have a problematic dog-fighting history but is currently better known for being courageous, muscular, stocky, agile, and quick on their feet. Properly socialized, they are wonderful dogs to have around children and eager to please their family members. However, they also need a fair amount of mental stimulation throughout the day or they could dig and chew household items out of boredom. It’s important to give these dogs a job to do so they feel content and satisfied with their lives.

If you are thinking of adopting or purchasing an American Staffordshire terrier, read this Healthy Paws breed guide to learn about what to expect with your new pup’s size, temperament, care, health, and history.

Size of American Staffordshire Terriers

A fully grown American Staffordshire terrier male should weigh 55 – 70 pounds and stand 18 – 19 inches tall. A healthy adult female will weigh 40 – 55 pounds and stand 17 to 18 inches tall. Puppies typically stop growing between 12 and 18 months of age.

Here’s a chart detailing how big you can expect your American Staffordshire terrier to get as the dog grows from puppyhood to adulthood:

Weight Chart	3 months	6 months	9 months	12-18 months
Male American Staffordshire terriers	15 – 28 lbs.	44 – 56 lbs.	50 – 62 lbs.	55 – 70 lbs.
Female American Staffordshire terriers	15 – 25 lbs.	32 – 44 lbs.	36 – 50 lbs.	40 – 55 lbs.

Characteristics of American Staffordshire Terriers

Some of the first characteristics that you will notice about American Staffordshire terriers are how affectionate, intelligent, and hardworking they are. There are certain stigmas and stereotypes associated with “pit bull type dogs,” but with responsible breeding, early and frequent socialization, and plenty of tender loving care, these dogs make fabulous additions to a family.

American Staffordshire terriers are not always tolerant of other animals, but they love cuddling with family members and running around in a yard. They are especially fond of children, make great exercise partners, and can be helpful watchdogs, too.

As you get to know an American Staffordshire terrier’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on his or her breed characteristics.

Breed Characteristic	Level (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with People	High
Good with Kids	High
Good with Pets	Low
Need for Exercise	Medium
Energy Level	Medium
Intelligence Level	High
Able to Be Trained	High
Amount of Barking	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Low

History of American Staffordshire Terriers

Unfortunately, the history of the American Staffordshire terrier is tied to dog fighting and blood sports in Great Britain many years ago. Although these dogs got their start in life as fighting and baiting dogs in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, they have evolved to become lovable family companions today. Staffordshire bull terriers (a related breed) arrived in America in the mid-1800s, and breeders soon began developing the taller and heavier American Staffordshire terrier. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the American Staffordshire terrier as a breed for registration in 1936.

When the dogs come from a responsible breeder, American Staffordshire terriers are much mellower and affectionate than their fighting dog ancestors. They are often miscategorized as aggressive dogs and included in discriminatory breed-specific bans that affect people’s housing and travel lodging options. American Staffordshire terrier pet parents tend to be championing advocates for the breed and are on a mission to show the world how gentle and amazing their dogs really are. In fact, they are often used in the entertainment business, to help with police work; and excel at agility and weight-pulling competitions.

American Staffordshire Terrier Standard Information

American Staffordshire terriers are impressively strong dogs that are graceful, alert, and courageous. When these dogs are judged at shows, there are specific standards by which they are compared to other American Staffordshire terriers in terms of physical appearance, temperament, and movement.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for American Staffordshire terriers:

Head:

Broad skull
Pronounced cheek muscles
Ears are set high, and uncropped is preferred
Dark and round eyes
Medium length muzzle
Black nose

Neck, Shoulder, Back, Body:

Heavy neck that is slightly arched
No looseness of skin
Strong and muscular shoulders
Fairly short back with loins slightly tucked
Well-sprung ribs that are close together
Deep and broad chest

Tail:

Short in comparison to size
Tapers to a fine point
Not docked or curled

Legs:

Front legs straight with large or round bones
Hindquarters are well-muscled and let down at hocks
Feet are moderate size, compact, and well-arched

Coat:

Short, close, stiff, and glossy

Color:

Any color is permissible
All white or more than 80 percent of white, black and tan, or liver is not encouraged

Gait:

Springy but without roll or pace

Caring for American Staffordshire Terriers

Caring for one of these dogs is a lot of fun because of their energetic and loving personalities. They have moderate exercise needs and love tagging along with you on any adventures you take. You’ll need to keep your American Staffordshire terrier mentally stimulated to prevent destructive behavior.

Here are some general tips for taking the best care of an American Staffordshire terrier:

Best Living Environments:

Households with active family members
Moderate climates that aren’t too hot or cold
Homes with older children

Type of Exercise:

Jogging with family members
Hiking
Long daily walks
Playtime in a fenced yard

Mental Enrichment:

Non-destructive outlets to chew and dig
Dog sports and athletic competitions
Agility and search and rescue training
Cuddle time on the couch with family members

Training Strategies:

Resilient dogs that are easygoing
Generally easy to train
Positive training techniques only
Start socialization early to avoid confrontations with dogs and other pets

Grooming Tips:

Minimal grooming is required due to the short coat
Overall, a low-maintenance dog
Brush teeth daily
Trim nails as needed
Check ears for wax build-up and infection

Common Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terriers

The average life span of an American Staffordshire terrier is 12 to 16 years. They are sturdy and robust dogs that are generally easy to take care of; however, there are still certain health issues that pet parents of American Staffordshire terriers should be aware of.

These are some of the most common health issues that arise with American Staffordshire terriers:

Skin allergies, itching, and demodectic mange
Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease
Elbow and hip dysplasia
Heart diseases, including murmurs and cardiomyopathy
Eye problems, including cataracts
Hypothyroidism
Cerebellar ataxia, a neurological disorder

Diet and Nutrition for American Staffordshire Terriers

Most adult American Staffordshire terriers will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced adult dog food. Puppies should eat large-breed puppy food until they are around 12 to 18 months old. If you feed your American Staffordshire terrier homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and that is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status.

Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your American Staffordshire terrier’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. Divide the total amount of food for the day into at least two meals for adults and three to four meals for puppies.

Good nutrition is very important for American Staffordshire terriers to live long and happy lives. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s diet or health.

Where to Adopt or Purchase American Staffordshire Terriers

The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America is the breed club for this type of dog and has a rescue organization to help homeless pups find loving families. Also, the American Kennel Club Marketplace is a resource for puppies from registered litters.

However, this is a dog breed that is readily available in many animal shelters because of misconceptions about the breed and irresponsible breeding practices from the past. There are local and regional rescue groups that focus specifically on this breed and helping dogs get adopted into safe environments.

Related Breeds

If you like what you have read so far about the American Staffordshire terrier, then you may also be interested to learn more about these similar and related breeds of dogs:

Pet Insurance for American Staffordshire Terriers

Once you invite an American Staffordshire terrier into your family, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to do everything in your power to take the best care of your pup. Pet insurance can help you afford expensive vet bills whenever your pet gets into an accident or becomes sick.

Our top-rated pet health insurance plan features flexible premium and deductible options with no enrollment or administrative fees. You’ll have peace of mind that you can afford the care your American Staffordshire terrier needs at all times, whether your vet recommends alternative care, delivers a devastating cancer diagnosis, or begins treatment for a genetic or breed-specific condition.

Visit our website today for your American Staffordshire terrier insurance quote and enjoy more incredible days with your canine companion!