Dumbo had his ears and so does the American Staffordshire Terrier. The following information profile of the American Staffordshire Terrier gives you an overview of this breed, ears and all. Prefer a simpler way to identify the best dog for your family and living situation? Visit our puppies for sale page to use our free "Find Your Best Friend" App to see your perfect matches.
Lifespan
The loyal American Staffordshire Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Origin
The American Staffordshire Terrier is believed to be a cross of the early Bulldog and a game terrier breed, perhaps the White English Terrier, Fox Terrier or Black-and-Tan Terrier. The American Staffordshire Terrier actually has their roots in England where they were developed for hunting large game, managing bulls and fighting. In the beginning, the breed was simply referred to as the Staffordshire Terrier, named after the English region in which they were created.
In the 1870s, Staffordshire Terriers made their way to America where they were popular with farmers and used for guarding, hunting and working, as well as companionship. Staffordshire Terriers were known by many names including the Pit Dog, Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Terrier and Yankee Terrier. In 1972, the breed’s name officially became the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Size
The American Staffordshire Terrier weighs 50 to 60 pounds and measures 17 to 19 inches.
Grooming Needs
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. The American Staffordshire Terrier has a short coat that sheds moderately most of the year, then heavily with the change of seasons in the spring and fall. The American Staffordshire Terrier only needs to be brushed once a week and bathed when dirty. Like all dogs, the American Staffordshire Terrier also needs basic grooming. Brush their teeth, clean their ears and trim their nails on a regular basis.
Character
The American Staffordshire Terrier is bold, reliable and friendly.
Temperament
The American Staffordshire Terrier may have been bred to hunt and fight, but is above all a loving family and has grown much gentler over the last century. The American Staffordshire Terrier is highly people oriented and quite affectionate. They like to have fun and play, and also snuggle up for a snooze at the end of the day.
Although they are much friendlier than their ancestors, American Staffordshire Terriers still retain their protective instincts. They make effective watch dogs and will act quickly to defend their family from a threat.
Training Needs
The American Staffordshire Terrier is intelligent, but can be strong willed and takes patience to train. The American Staffordshire Terrier requires a firm, but kind handler. Any harsh treatment will lead them to grow distrustful and shut down. With plenty of early socialization and consistent training, American Staffordshire Terriers can go on to participate in conformation, agility, obedience and tracking.
Activity Level
The strong, athletic American Staffordshire Terrier is very energetic and needs a long, daily walk as well as regular time outside in a secure area to run around. They especially like activities that require them to use their mind and body likes fetch and Frisbee.
