I love American Staffordshire terriers, also known as the American pit bull terrier or “pitbull.” With so many pitbulls sitting in shelters across the country (more than 9,000 on Petfinder alone), I thought I’d share how great these dogs are. My next dog just might have to be a pitbull. The guy in this photo is Matty, and he needs a home. (9/21/09 update: Matty has been adopted!)
Staffordshire terriers have a bad reputation because they have been used as fighting dogs since the 1800s when they were first bred in the United States, according to the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by D. Caroline Coile. They are known as pitbulls because they would fight other dogs in “pits.” However, be aware that the term “pitbull” refers to a group of dogs, including the American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier. Several similar breeds are often inaccurately slapped with the name pitbull such as the Cane Corso, the American bulldog and any mix resembling these breeds.
American Staffordshire terriers were bred to be affectionate to people because their owners had to handle them even in the middle of a dogfight. Because of this, Staffordshires are friendly to strangers and generally love children and make loyal family pets.
American Staffordshire terriers weigh about 55-70 pounds, larger than the Staffordshire bull terrier. American Staffordshire terriers come in colors ranging in solid or mixes of white, brown, red and black. The American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier are the same dog. The breed has two different names.
Advantages to owning an American Staffordshire terrier:
1. Staffordshires are playful and gentle around people. They love children and affection. This is why it is so sad to see a Staffordshire terrier unsocialized and tied up in a yard all the time. These dogs thrive off of human interaction and companionship.
2. Staffs require very little grooming. Their coats are short and smooth. They still shed, of course.
3. This breed is easy to train because of its desire for attention and to please its owner.
4. Staffordshires make great watchdogs and will protect their owners if threatened. Unfortunately this trait is abused when owners encourage their Staffordshires to be aggressive.
5. They are beautiful dogs to look at, with muscular bodies and a strong, sturdy appearance with smooth, shiny coats.
Disadvantages to owning an American Staffordshire terrier:
1. Staffordshire terriers require dedicated owners who will give them the training, attention and exercise they need. They are powerful dogs and need their owners to encourage the gentle side of the breed and provide positive outlets for their dogs’ energy.
2. Staffordshire terriers have an inaccurate reputation for being aggressive. Of course, this is the same as assuming one nationality of humans is aggressive. If you own a Staffordshire, some people will be afraid of your dog and you will be treated differently just for owning one. If your dog so much as growls at another dog, expect other dog owners to freak out even though the same behavior would be tolerated from a Yorkie, a golden retriever, a beagle or many other breeds.
3. Many laws ban “pitbulls,” especially apartment complexes and some cities. Be aware of the inconveniences and stereotypes you will have to deal with if you own a Staffordshire.
4. Staffordshires need to be properly socialized around other dogs and small animals. Because they were bred to fight dogs, they are fearless of other dogs and can be aggressive to other animals.
5. Because of their strength and size, Staffordshires can be difficult to handle. A pinch collar or Gentle Leader help with walking a Staff that pulls on the leash.
If you would like to write a profile of your favorite breed, send me an email at Lindsay@thatmutt.com. I’ll use pictures of your dog and link to your site. I’m happy to feature any breed! Click here to see all the breed profiles that have been done. Below is Ace hanging out with the Staffordshire we fostered for a short time last fall. He thought she was great!
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These are awesome dogs! I’ve known so many that were the sweetest animals. I hope Matty gets adopted into a nice home…what a cutie!
Several years ago a lady dumped a Staffy in front of my parent’s home. That was the sweetest, most polite dog in the world. The neighbor kids would come to the door and want him to come out and play. Eventually my parents gave the dog to the children and there was NEVER a problem.
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I love this breed! I’m sad when I hear stories about banning them, and abandoning them, etc.
I almost adopted a mix a few years back! (Good that it didn’t happen, but it still might down the road).
I recall approaching a couple on a shopping plaza who had their dog (a pitbull or mix) with them. She was a gorgeous brindle, and I wanted to pet her. They were amazed when I asked if I could. They told me that most people skirt around her and never want to pet her. I’m glad I stopped! She was sweet and just loved the attention!
Interesting, Tammy. I will make a point to stop and ask to pet more pitbulls. I think most people like it when others admire their dogs. I know I do.
This post brings up another pet peeve of mine, too – that people need to ASK PERMISSION to pet a dog before just reaching over and doing so. This is particularly true of breeds that have protective tendencies. A hand reaching out to pet, especially on the top of the head, can look just like a threatening hand that will strike or grab the scruff of the neck. So many people don’t realize this, and then when the dog reacts suspiciously, blame the dog.
ASK PERMISSION FIRST!
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Must admit I have a soft spot for staffys, they just a bit short for me (but thats only personal taste) as a breed they rock (its some of the twits that own them who should be rocked! grr usual story of owners giving the whole breed a bad rap…
interesting though, in australia they are two seperate and distinct breeds.. the one in the top pic would be known as a pit bull (with its short snout)they tend to have longer legs 2, staffies (Staffordshire bull terrier) have longer muzzles… I think from memory the pitbull was/or still is, banned here
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Hello everyone, I have a 3 year old Staffordshire. He is the best dog one could ever have. He is obedient, listens very well to orders and is totally affectionate with people and children. However he is very aggresive against other male dogs. He has very unfortunately killed a neighborhood dog. It was a horrible accident how he got out of the house. We had him socialized with other dogs since he was little even with cats! However at some point he attacked our other old dog and from then on out we never let him by other dogs. It is very unfortunate and I have no idea what i could do to make him a “good dog” with other dogs. I will never be able to let him out without a leash.!!!Any advice anyone??
I think you need to have him around as many dogs as possible so he can learn to behave around them and know how to properly act around them. You should find a trainer in your area with good references to help you with this. The more you isolate your dog, the more aggressive, frustrated and energetic he will become. Muzzles are a good tool as well.
I adopted a 3 yr old female staffy a few years ago,she was used for fighting and breeding purposes & was very aggressive towards all animals due to that.I named her Scarlett (she was nameless in the shelter) she was due to be put down and i saved her but she saved me as well. Scarlett was the perfect dog,sweet,obedient,all she wanted and needed was love.Unfortunately she had Lyme’s disease and that caused her immune system to crash and this caused her to have a serious skin infection,she was in constant pain & her heath problems could only be treated moderately.The hardest thing i ever had to do was bring her to the vet that day to put her to sleep.But I’m so glad she had me there and that she didn’t have to die in a shelter surrounded by dogs that depressed her and people that walked by and didn’t care enough to give a “pitt” a chance.She was & is truly loved and will NEVER be forgotten.I will forever consider myself lucky to have had her in my life.She was the BEST dog I’ve ever had,she opened so many peoples eyes on how great her breed can be.I pray that more people will give their breed a chance.
Thanks for sharing your dog’s story, Isabella. They really are great dogs and deserve a chance just like all dogs.
I love my pitt-bull boxer terrier! She is amzing and sweet. I teach her agility, and hope to enter her in a competition, look for Abby in the Arena soon! I am sad to hear that people would be banning pitt bulls. I hope they don’t end up banning them, becaus pitt buls aren’t mean, they just have to be trained to be like that. Abby is ready to prove that in the Agility competition!
Pitt bulls can be a great family pet!
That’s awesome! Ace does agility too! Good luck with it and keep showing everyone that pitbulls are nice dogs!
Since adopting a staffordshire bull terrier 6 months ago, I get very aggravated at people referring to them as pitbulls. Please refer to http://www.aspca.org for a description of “What is a Pit Bull?”. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are NOT pit bulls.
Staffordshire bull terriers are grouped under the pitbull name. They are a separate breed from the American pit bull terrier or the Staffordshire terrier, however all of these dogs are dubbed with “pitbull.” Unfortunately a “pitbull” can be pretty much anything – American bulldog, Staffordshire bull terrier, etc.
Please see my post on “Is the pitbull a dog breed?” http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/02/05/is-the-pitbull-a-dog-breed/
At least since you own one of these breeds, you can help educate people. It’s surprising how little people know about these dogs, even experienced dog people.
American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers are NOT the same dog. The Staffordshire was bred to get a calmer dog from the original mix that created the Pit Bull – a pit bull is an American Pit Bull Terrier and an American Staffordshire Terrier is an American Staffordshire Terrier.
Also, a Blue Pit is not a pit bull, it is also an American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier are the same breed of dog. The American Staffordshire terrier is recognized by the AKC and the American pit bull terrier is recognized by the UKC. Same dogs, different clubs, different names. Both are “pitbulls.”
http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/02/05/is-the-pitbull-a-dog-breed/
i’v had many dogs of different breeds since i was a kid but i have to say my American Staffordshire terrier is the best all round dog i’v had. affectionate, playful, intelligent, athletic, great with kids, loves being part of the family etc. etc. the list goes on. but i hate the way the majority of people look at him in fear when i’m out walking with him. the media have made such hype about this breed when it has nothing to do with the breed, it about the bad owners who mistreat their dog. my dog has only ever shown aggression one and that way only to protect my two year old son. my nighbour’s dog a ‘Kerry Blue’ sometimes jump the backyard fence to play with my dog but one day my son was playing on his swing when the dog jump over, he seen my son and made a go for him, barking. my dog jumped up and sprinted towards the other dog and fought him off out of the yard. i was amazed, he saved my little boy, a hero in my eyes but you’ll never see a story like that on the news, which is sad.
Keep spreading the word about what a wonderful dog your American Staffordshire terrier is!