The American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed

The American Staffordshire Terrier dog breed is a member of the Terrier Dog Breed group. It is also called an AmStaff and is regarded as a pit bull.

This breed was bred for the purpose of dog fighting. They have gained a reputation as an overly aggressive dog (more on their personality below) and many areas have banned them or placed restrictions on their ownership. My personal belief (not having owned one, but having met many), is that the problem lies primarily with irresponsible owners and backyard breeders. Any dog that is not well trained and socialized can be a problem (but it is magnified by a dog as powerful as this). And backyard breeders give little to no thought to important ethical considerations (such as not breeding dogs with poor temperaments and not selling dogs to irresponsible owners).

Size and Appearance

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium sized but powerful breed of dog. AmStaffs stand 17 to 19 inches tall and weigh up to 75 pounds. They have a broad head with a strong muzzle and wide cheeks. Their ears are set high (sometimes cropped – depending on local custom and laws) and their tail is short and carried low.

They stand in a wide stance and have a thick chest.

Their coats can be any color and are usually two colors with white undersides. Their coats are smooth and short. They require very little grooming.

Personality and Temperament

The Amstaff is a very loyal and devoted dog. They have an average energy level and they are affectionate towards their owners and other people. They do enjoy playing.

Overall they are quite easy to train. Their biggest problem is socialization with other dogs with can be difficult due to their overall breeding over many years. They can be aggressive if not well trained and socialized. This is why buying from a Reputable Dog Breeder is so important. A good breeder will make sure that your dog is from parents that were not overly aggressive. And a good breeder will want to make sure that you properly train your dog.

If well bred and well trained this is an excellent pet. They are playful, affectionate and devoted to the point where they could be considered “clingy”.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is among the Most Popular Dog Breeds.

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