Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
In this post, we share insights from almost 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective American Staffordshire Terrier owners. Whether you’re considering owning or rescuing an American Staffordshire Terrier yourself or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a Playful American Staffordshire Terrier.
As Sniffspot user Kassie says, "I love how she has endless energy and love."
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
According to 452 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their American Staffordshire Terrier, we learned these dogs are playful, friendly, and loyal.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is very friendly and social with strangers and very friendly and social with children. When living with an American Staffordshire Terrier, 81% of our owners said a large house with a fenced yard is the best environment. Additionally, 32% of owners said an apartment or condominium with regular walks is also acceptable.
This dog is moderately trainable and learns commands with consistent training. Owners say the American Staffordshire Terrier learns best with positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards), consistent daily training routines, and the use of training aids (e.g., harnesses, leashes, training collars).
When it comes to exercise, 46% of Sniffspot owners say their American Staffordshire Terrier benefits from moderate amounts of exercise, like regular walks and play sessions. The Sniffspot American Staffordshire Terrier community would recommend this dog breed to first-time dog owners.
Originally bred in England for blood sports like bull-baiting, these dogs were crossed with terriers to enhance their agility and fighting prowess. Despite their fighting origins, they were selectively bred to be human-friendly, as dogs that harmed people during fights were eliminated. When these dogs arrived in the United States, they were used for fighting but also found roles as versatile working dogs on the new American frontier.
The divide between the American Staffordshire Terriers and the American Pit Bull Terrier breeds became formalized in the early 20th century. While the American Kennel Club (AKC) initially rejected the pit bull for registration due to its association with fighting, it eventually recognized the breed under the name "American Staffordshire Terrier" in 1936.
This name change was meant to distance the breed from its fighting past. Over time, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier diverged, with the AKC officially distinguishing them by adding "American" to the name. Today, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a recognized breed with a distinct lineage, while the term "Pit Bull" remains more general and sometimes includes American Staffordshire Terriers in non-AKC registries.
While pit bulls were bred for gameness and vary greatly in appearance, Staffies were selectively bred for a consistent appearance and overall soundness. Despite their different paths, Staffies have retained their deep affection for humans, a trait rooted in their history with people.
We compiled almost 10,000 Sniffspot community submissions on their own dog breeds to determine these American Staffordshire Terrier dog traits and characteristics.
As an American Staffordshire Terrier owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips as well as expectations from current American Staffordshire Terrier owners.
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs require low-maintenance grooming. This means American Staffordshire Terrier owners should expect minimal grooming, like occasional brushing and baths. American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have a short and smooth coat, ideal for easy maintenance. Their short and smooth coat is considered moderate shed.
To keep your American Staffordshire Terrier's coat healthy and up to breed standards, commit to occasional baths and weekly brushing. Of the coat types for common breeds in the terrier group, the coat grooming needs for American Staffordshire Terrier are considered low maintenance.
American Staffordshire Terriers require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Staffies are considered a relatively athletic, high-energy breed, requiring a great deal of exercise.
Staffies make great pets, and they thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Staffies report their dogs especially love playing with squeaky toys, chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee, and tug-of-war.
When medium breeds like Staffies don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out on undesirable behaviors like barking, reactivity, and chewing. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular moderate exercise to avoid falling into bad habits.
What should you feed your American Staffordshire Terrier to keep him healthy? As a Moderate energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 59% of our community feed their Staffie commercial dry kibble.
With moderate exercise, Staffies should eat up to 2 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 40 - 70 lbs. However, your American Staffordshire Terrier's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed is most prone to skin conditions (e.g., allergies, dermatitis) and digestive issues (e.g., bloating, sensitive stomach). Above all, a reported 65% of our American Staffordshire Terrier owners reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Your dog's risk for these challenges increase as they age.
Similarly, 33% reported digestive issues like constipation and lack of appetite. Lastly, 32% of American Staffordshire Terrier owners claim their dog struggles with joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma — a common Staffie health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your Staffie's vet.
Another important thing to consider when adopting a Staffie is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers compared to other medium-sized breeds?
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
With moderate training, you can hone your Staffie's protective instinct into loving and playful family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like reactivity and anxiety. Our community American Staffordshire Terrier owners comment on their pet's friendliness:
Whether you're adopting a Staffie puppy or a grown American Staffordshire Terrier adult, training is a large part of owning a medium breed. When you fail to train your Staffie properly, they're more likely to display undesirable behaviors like reactivity, anxiety, and so on. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Staffie.
As a terrier breed, American Staffordshire Terriers benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Staffie community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:
As dogs bred for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting, Staffies are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.
We asked Sniffspot Staffie dog owners what they love the most about their American Staffordshire Terrier pups, and here's what they had to say:
Similarly, Staffie owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with an American Staffordshire Terrier:
Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey
According to 58% of our Sniffspot community, American Staffordshire Terriers are a great first-time dog. This comes from their needs and moderate exercise needs.
American Staffordshire Terrier owners say it best:
Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Staffie owners. These American Staffordshire Terrier breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:
Make sure this is the right breed for you.
The average lifespan of an American Staffordshire Terrier is typically between 12 - 15 years years.
An adult American Staffordshire Terrier weighs between 40 - 70 lbs pounds and stands between 18 -23 in tall.
American Staffordshire Terrier dogs require moderate maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. American Staffordshire Terrier dogs have a short coat, which is well-suited for protection from the elements. They are considered moderate shedders.
To maintain your American Staffordshire Terrier's coat, it's important to bathe regularly and consider professional grooming once a year.
American Staffordshire Terriers require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Staffies are classified as a moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.
Staffies are excellent companions and flourish with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Staffies note that their dogs particularly enjoy chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee, playing with squeaky toys, and tug-of-war.
If medium breeds like Staffies don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.
According to our data, American Staffordshire Terriers are very friendly and social with children.
Our research indicates that American Staffordshire Terriers are very friendly with other pets with other pets.
As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your Staffie is crucial. A significant 66% of our community feeds their Staffie commercial dry kibble.
For optimal health, Staffies should consume 1 to 3 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 40 - 70 lbs pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your American Staffordshire Terrier's sex, activity level, and age.
The American Staffordshire Terrier breed is particularly prone to digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite and skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Our data shows that 28% of American Staffordshire Terrier owners reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Staffie's risk for these health issues increases as they age.
Additionally, 22% reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Finally, 20% of American Staffordshire Terrier owners indicated their dog struggles with joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma, which are common Staffie health concerns.
Whether you're a current American Staffordshire Terrier dog owner or you're considering adopting a Staffie, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for American Staffordshire Terrier owners.
Sources:
"American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Information." (American Kennel Club)
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
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Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
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