| Breed group: Terrier | | | | Care |
| Weight: 57-67 lbs | | | | Seeing that the coats of these dogs are smooth and |
| Height: male: 18-19, female 17-18 inches | | | | short-haired, they are fairly easy to groom. It is |
| Overview | | | | recommended that their coats be brushed regularly |
| Not everyone is in agreement about the origin of the | | | | with a firm hair brush. These dogs can be bathed or |
| American Staffordshire terrier. Many believe the | | | | dry shampooed, but only when really necessary. The |
| American Staffordshire terrier and the American Pit | | | | American Staffordshire terrier is an average shedding |
| Bull Terrier to be one in the same breed. The show | | | | dog. |
| strain of these two is the American Staffordshire | | | | Training |
| terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier is labelled as | | | | American Staffordshire Terriers are not well suited |
| the fighting dog strain. These two dogs are also | | | | for people with no previous dog ownership |
| documented by different registries as different | | | | knowledge. These dogs are very strong, and should |
| breeds, although they are considered the same | | | | be taught from a young age onwards to not pull on |
| breed. These two breeds are bred to have the same | | | | the lead. The training environment for these dogs |
| virtues and also the same build. | | | | should be a consistent and fair one. The American |
| Temperament | | | | Staffordshire terrier also does very well in obedience |
| American Staffordshire Terriers are very even | | | | training. These dogs have a lot of energy which can |
| tempered. This characteristic makes very reliable | | | | make training rather difficult at times. Trainers of |
| companion dogs. This dog gets along very well with | | | | these dogs should also be firm and dominant; |
| children of all sizes, but they should not be left alone | | | | otherwise these dogs will try to take control. Early |
| with them as these dogs can be very dominant and | | | | socialisation is also recommended; otherwise these |
| rough. The American Staffordshire terrier also gets | | | | dogs may be aggressive later on. The American |
| along well with other dogs, but they should not be | | | | Staffordshire terrier is also difficult to housebreak. |
| placed in a home with another dog as they still have | | | | This breed does extremely well when it comes to |
| a violent strain. This breed is enormously brave and | | | | the guarding of property, but they are also highly |
| intelligent, and also very feisty. | | | | respected as companion dogs. |