American Staffordshire Terrier Vs Pitbull: Appearance, Activity Level and Temperament Difference

When welcoming a new dog into your home, often the hardest decision is which breed to go for! After all, different breeds have different needs and personalities, so it is essential to find a four-legged friend that matches you and your way of life. Many people are often stuck between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pitbull Terrier due to their similarities; however, plenty of differences make each breed stand out against the other. Therefore, this article sways you one way or the other and matches you with your perfect new dog! Let’s take a look…

American Pitbull Terrier vs American Staffordshire Terrier Characteristics 

	Pitbull	AmStaff
Also known as…	Pit Bull, ABPT, Pittie	Staffy, Staff, AmStaff
Height	17-21 inches	17-19 inches
Weight	30-60 pounds	45-70 pounds
Recognition	UKC	AKC (American Kennel Club)
Temperament	Playful, love to please their owners, determined	Loyal, loving, brave
Energy	High intense levels	High intense levels
Health	Good health	Good health
Grooming	Every week	Every week
Shedding	Mild shedding but frequent	Mild shedding but frequent
Lifespan	12-14 years	12-16 years
Price	$1,000 or more	$1,000 or more

What are the differences between the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier?

American Pitbull Terriers and the American Staffordshire Terrier have a lot of similarities, but there are still some distinct differences to watch out for.

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• For example, the AmStaff is usually a little smaller than the Pitbull, even though it can be heavier.
• The AmStaff also has a shorter muzzle and a wider skull than the Pitbull.
• Pitbulls are silly and goofy with their owners, while AmStaffs are loving and affectionate.
• Pitbulls are prone to destruction if they become bored, while AmStaffs resort to barking.

These two breeds also suffer from different common health problems, which we will explain in detail below.

Similarities between the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier?

There are also many similarities between the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

• They are pretty similar in size and appearance, and both also have a life expectancy of 12 years.
• They cost the same at around $1,000 and have an equivalent energy level– very high, bordering on intense.
• As such, they also have similar dietary requirements.
• Neither the Pitbull nor the AmStaff shed a huge amount, but they do shed quite often with their short single coat.
• In general, although they have slightly different health concerns, both of these breeds are healthy dogs.
• The chances are, if you are a fan of the Pitbull, you will likely be a fan of the AmStaff and vice versa.

However, looking at the differences makes sense and picking the breed that best suits your personality and lifestyle.

Appearance Comparison (and measurements)

At first glance, the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier are very similar. They are both short, stocky, and muscly-looking dog breeds; however, there are some critical differences in their appearances.

• The AmStaff is slightly smaller than the average Pitbull, although neither would exactly be described as dainty. Both breeds possess a muscular build that would have you think twice about messing with them down a dark alley. Pitbulls often grow to be around 21 inches and 60 pounds, compared to the AmStaff’s average height of 19 inches and 70 pounds.
• The AmStaff has a shorter muzzle and a broader skull than the Pitbull, with the former being described more as a blockhead dog. Both breeds also have rose or half-prick ears due to the banishment of ear cropping due to animal cruelty.

The Pitbull and AmStaff shed little fur throughout the year, having short single coats. These coats are usually black, white, blue, brindle, red, or fawn for AmStaffs and anything from brindle to blue for Pitbulls.

Temperament and Personality 

Although the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier have similar stereotypes surrounding the so-called ‘bully breeds’ – mainly based on being violent and dangerous – they also have some distinct temperament and personality differences. It is essential to mention that these stereotypes are just that, stereotypes. As long as you train and socialize your Staff or Pitbull from a young age, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Most Pitbull owners find their dogs silly and goofy around the family home. Despite their reputation, they are happy to hop onto the couch and share a nice cuddle in front of the TV. They are very affectionate and playful dogs. Having said this, Pitbulls also require a decent amount of attention, and if they become bored, they can quickly turn to destruction. Therefore, they are more suited to a busy home.

AmStaffs also only deal with being left on their own for a short period. So if you live alone and work long hours, they aren’t the best breed choice. Staffs love to spend time with their family and enjoy playtime due to their high stimulation and exercise requirements. While Pitbull is prone to destruction when they become bored, the AmStaff often turns to loud barking when they are left alone or want attention.

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Exercise and activity levels

Both dog breeds require their owners to be active people, such as their high and intense energy levels. It almost seems that Pit bulls and AmStaffs have unlimited energy, so it’s a case of how much exercise you can give them. We recommend going on hikes as a great way to show your four-legged friends the exercise and stimulation they need. Agility classes are also a good option.

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Although not every Staffy or Pitbull is a lover of water, the ones who really do love it! So if your little dog is a fan of swimming, they will likely swim until their heart’s content.

AmStaffs and Pitbulls are also great best friends for children because they have something in common, they all have lots of energy. Put one of these dogs and a child in a room together to play; fingers crossed, they will wear each other out.

We recommend giving your AmStaff or Pitbull at least one hour of exercise per day, playtime, shorter walks, and training sessions to keep them occupied between those main exercise activities.

Grooming

You should only give your Pitbull or AmStaff a bath once every two or three months. However, you can still take a damp cloth and rub their coat down more regularly to keep them nice and clean.

We recommend keeping an eye on their dental hygiene by brushing twice a day using special dog toothpaste. Believe it or not, AmStaffs and Pitbulls that suffer from periodontal disease are also more likely to suffer from heart disease.

Your dog’s active lifestyle should keep their nails nice and short anyway, but if you can hear them clicking against the floorboards in your house, you should give them a trim. Check them once per week, especially when they are a puppy, and get them used to nail-cutting. The earlier you start, the easier it will be.

Food and nutrition

The amount of food you give your Pitbull or AmStaff depends on size, age, health, and how active they are. However, on average, you should look at around two and a half cups of food per day for adults. Because they have so much energy and therefore should be getting a lot of exercise, you should opt for a sporting diet for your Pitbull or Staffy. Two meals per day usually is the best option, and you should choose a dog food that is high in nutrients and protein. Ask your vet for advice to build a more specific diet for your particular dog, as some have more individual requirements.

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Health and wellbeing

Continuing the theme of similarities, the American Pit bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier have the exact same life expectancy of between 12 and 16 years.

AmStaffs and Pitbulls are common sufferers of elbow and hip dysplasia, so you should look out for that. Offering the right care and diet from an early age can help ease any pain risk. If you are adopting a puppy, then you can also ask for information on the parents to see if they suffered from any health problems.

Before you start exercising your Pitbull or AmStaff puppy, talk with your vet about developing a plan. If you over-work them before their bones fully develop, you can cause joint issues.

Terriers in general can suffer from skin allergies, so try to keep the ingredients list in their food to a minimum. It’s always a good idea to find out what they are allergic to and then limit their overall contact with that.

Common Pitbull-specific problems include cerebellar abiotrophy, cataracts, patellar luxation, and aortic stenosis. Meanwhile, AmStaffs can commonly suffer from spondylosis, heart problems, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, and urinary tract infections.

Training

The American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Bull Terriers are almost the same regarding training. Both breeds are often used as guard dogs, so they are highly trainable. They naturally desire to please their owners and are also suckers for positive reinforcement. So as long as you are willing, patient, and use plenty of treats to reinforce positive behavior, your training should go just fine. However, some people make the mistake of thinking guard dogs should not be socialized with other dogs and humans. That is not the case at all. Socializing should be a big part of your training to ensure your Staff or Pitbull is a well-rounded dog. You should start training and socializing as early as possible, even if you welcome them into your home as a puppy.

Cost

The American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Bull Terriers are actually very similar in price, so that’s one thing the two breeds have in common. If you want to purchase a Staff or Pitbull puppy, you will likely be looking at $1,000 or slightly more. Of course, you can always look to adopt slightly older American Pitbull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier dogs from shelters, which we would always recommend as a great way to go.

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Adoption and Shelters

We always recommend adopting a Pitbull or AmStaff from a local shelter before you look to buy a puppy. There are so many adult dogs out there in need of homes, so why not welcome them into yours? Make sure to do your background checks on the dogs and their parents before committing to them. It’s always a good idea to find out about health problems and potential past trauma. Unfortunately, sometimes dogs are in the shelter for a reason and it makes sense to have all the details going in.

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