American Staffordshire Terrier
A Loyal and Affectionate Companion!

---

Background and Description

Contrary to the bad press they often get, it is not the American Staffordshire Terrier who should be receiving the criticism, but rather those who have been irresponsible in their training.

The American Staffordshire Terrier, is a stocky, muscular and agile dog that is related to its cousin, the English Staffordshire Terrier. The English line was most likely developed by crossing the bulldog with various terriers, including the Fox Terrier.

Originally this breed was trained for the bloody sport of bull baiting and later, dog fighting. Unfortunately this breed line is sometimes negatively associated with this early history. If you want to get the true facts about Staffies, I have recommended a book at the end of this page, written by an expert.

After arriving in the United States, the breed was differentiated by its American name and developed into two strains of the breed - one for show and one for fighting, the latter being give the name American Pitbull Terrier. Today, while responsible owners are breeding and socializing these dogs for their positive traits and to subdue dog-aggressive traits, sadly there are still some who are not.

Don't bypass this wonderful breed because of media sensationalism. Any breed can go haywire if it has been subjected to detrimental training by irresponsible owners. If you're interested in the breed, seek out reputable breeders and learn the dog's history.

Appearance:

Height: 17-19 inches Weight: 40-50 lbs
Color variations: Red, fawn, white, black or blue, with white, any shade of brindle

Coat and Care:

The Staffie has a smooth coat that is both short and dense.

Grooming needs are moderate - brushing and rubbing down with damp chamois will keep the coat healthy, and bathing need only be done as necessary.

Personality and Traits:

Contrary to some harsh criticism, the majority of American Staffordshire Terriers are not aggressive to humans, but are affectionate, obedient, loyal and intelligent companions with a devotion to their families. They are without doubt a strong and powerful dog and early socialization and training is a must, preferably with an experienced owner who can establish firm, but not harsh, leadership.

They are also noted for their fun loving high spirits a nd unswerving protection to owners. It is a sad situation that the few victimized dogs that have been aggressively trained and mishandled, have maligned many dogs associated with this breed line.

Activity Level:

This is a very active dog and is best suited for a family that enjoys an energetic lifestyle. The Staffie needs a family that has sufficient time for regular daily exercise.

Space Needs:

It should be no surprise that this active breed is best suited to a house with securely fenced yard and room to run. Although, in addition, it still needs plenty of exercise outside of the yard.

Children:

The American Staffordshire Terrier is considered good with older considerate children, mainly for the reason that they are very strong dogs and could accidentally knock over a small child. As always any play between children and dogs should always be supervised by an adult.

Elderly:

This breed would be too active for a sedentary environment even though they are wonderful protectors.

E-Book Recommendation:

Don't be mislead by the media. Learn the true facts about this wonderful breed from an expert and throw out the myths. CLICK here for instant access to a downloadable e-book guide about Pit Bull Terriers and get an honest and complete understanding of the breed, including inside information about...

• History of the American Pit Bull Terrier
• A discussion about which popular Pit Bull myths have no merit
• Locating and selecting the best breeders
• How to avoid common pitfalls when purchasing your Pit Bull puppy
• How to properly care for your dog
• Pit Bull Terrier exercises - 7 essential ones for maximum fun
• How to better understand your Pit
• Puppy housebreaking secrets
• Obedience training and correction mistakes to avoid

Share Your Staffie Pictures

Visit Smilebox.com and create amazing greetings with your photos, videos, and music. Email them free.

I know you have some great pictures of your American Staffordshire Terrier - Staffie owners are very proud of their dogs. Now you can make amazing creations with your pics using a state of the art system and email them to family and friends.

Visit Smilebox.com and try this amazing free service today!

With this system you'll create amazing dog ecards greetings or invitations, announce a new dog with a slideshow or e-postcard, make dog e-scrapbooks, send dog e-birthday cards, thank you cards, and much, much more. Use it for family photos and occasions as well.

Go on, give it a try - you'll be glad you did!

---

Return from American Staffordshire Terrier, to Terriers - Main Page

Return to dog-spoiling-made-easy HOME