American Staffordshire Terrier Price

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Purebred dogs have different characteristics that influence their price. If you are currently thinking of buying a dog, you might be curious about the American Staffordshire price. In addition to their cost of ownership, and other health expenses.

American Staffordshire Terrier Price

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the American Staffy is a medium-sized dog with a muscly body, broad head, and wide jaws. They are a very loyal, smart, and confident breed that has a great personality. On top of that, they enjoy playing and exercising, which makes them great for training.

American Staffordshire terrier with brown and white coating wearing a black body harness

This breed is considered one of the best for owners who enjoy doing physical activities, playing, and exercising. After all, these dogs are very agile, athletic, and have a lot of strength. Although they are very obedient, they need to be trained and exercised daily to prevent them from making a mess around the house.

When it comes to living with a family, American Staffies are very easygoing and peaceful. If they are properly socialized, they are very good around children. Of course, there should always be proper caution when leaving a dog close to many children.

Regardless of that, they have good temperaments and will always be playful.

American Staffordshire Terrier Price Factors

The American Staffy’s price ranges from $300 to $2500, and this is due to the different factors that influence their cost. For instance, the price can change a lot between the states of the US, and even more between countries.

This is because the demand for this breed is bigger in some places, which makes it more expensive.

Although there can be dogs that are more expensive than others, it is important to remember that this does not influence their personality. This means a $300 American Staffy won’t differ from a $2500 one. That being said, here are the other factors that can highly influence the American Staffordshire Terrier’s price.

Lineage

The more purebred a Staffy is, the more expensive it gets. For instance, if a breeder has certificates that prove their dogs have never been mixed with other breeds, the dog is much more expensive than others.

On the other hand, if the dog has been mixed in the past, it is not considered to be purebred, which makes it cheaper.

Pedigree

An American Staffy with a distinguished pedigree from a kennel club is much more expensive than others. This is because these clubs are known for carefully breeding their dogs for them to be top quality. The dogs can participate in shows, be judged, and win prizes.

Behavior

The behavior the Staffy has before being sold also affects its price. Some dogs might be born with a stubborn and disobedient personality. Therefore, the breeders need to train and socialize them. This takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, a well-trained and socialized dog is more expensive than others.

A black and white American Staffordshire playing with a tick on the grass field

Bredeer’s Reputation

The price of the American Staffordshire is heavily influenced by the breeder’s reputation. Some breeders, for example, are well-known for producing great show dogs. Additionally, some of them invest a significant amount of time, effort, and money to ensure that their dogs are properly bred.

Naturally, this translates into a higher price.

Vaccines and Other Medical Expenses

Potential Health ProblemsTreatment Cost
Allergies$150 – $950
Cardiomyopathy$500 – $2.000
Hypothyroidism$400 – $700

Breeders must vaccinate and test all of their dogs before selling them, which raises the price. Especially if the Staffy has been microchipped and tested for various conditions. This ensures you obtain a healthy dog who will not develop health issues later in life.

Here you can see the medical procedures your dog should have.

  • Vaccines for canine parvovirus and hepatitis, distemper, and rabies
  • Vaccines against bacteria like Borrelia Burgdorferi and Leptospira
  • Preventives for heartworms
  • Tests and preventives for kennel cough
  • Tests for Lyme disease
  • Tests for Parvovirus
  • A complete blood count, urinalysis, biochemistry profile, and fecal, and hormone tests

Trends

Although it might not sound important, the popular trends nowadays can affect the price of the AST (American Staffordshire Terrier). Since these dogs can be born with 18 different colors, some people might get fixated on certain kinds of coats.

For example, if many people want a red brindle AST, their price will go up due to high demand.

Two American Staffordshire terriers sticking their tongue out while on the grass field

Age

It is not a lie that many individuals would rather get a young puppy than an older dog. As a result, the younger the dog, the higher the price. However, the minimum age for selling an AST and other breeds is 8 weeks.

This is because they must drink their mother’s milk until they reach that age. Then, they are weaned and ready to be sold.

Also, separating a recently-born pup from its mother can affect its temperament and behavior. They can grow up anxious, fearful, and even aggressive if you do this. Therefore, it is better not to mess with them until they are 8 weeks old.

History

The history of the AST can mean a lot when it comes to selling them. If a dog who recently won many prizes in different shows has a litter of five pups, it will be sold at a higher price than others. This is due to the belief that these puppies will have the potential that their parents have.

Gender

The gender of the dog influences the price due to its physical capabilities. Female ASTs are more expensive than male ASTs because they can get pregnant and have more pups. After all, if the dog has a litter of puppies, they can be sold, which could be considered a profit.

American Staffordshire Terrier Cost of Ownership

Buying an American Staffy means that you will have to take care of them and all of its necessities, including its high energy. Therefore, you must take them to the vet, feed them, play with them, and even exercise them. All of this takes a certain amount of money and of course, time.

Regarding vet visits, you must pay around $200 every time the dog needs a check or feels sick. Then, although breeders will apply all vaccines before selling them, you will need to apply booster vaccines. These will cost approximately $50 to $100, depending on the vet.

After the dog has grown enough, it can be neutered or spayed, which is a procedure that will prevent them from having pups. This generally costs between $100 to $500, depending on the vet.

Lastly, you need to buy everything that every dog needs regardless of their breed. Here you can see the most important ones.

Bowls

This is an expense only you need to do when you get your puppy. They will need a food bowl and a water bowl, which usually cost around $10 to $50. On top of that, if you realize your dog is eating too fast, you might need to buy a special food bowl that makes them eat slower. These cost between $20 to $60.

Food

The most popular food you can buy for your AST is dry food; this compiles many vitamins and proteins that help your dog grow. This kind of food often costs between $80 to $120 monthly. However, some owners rather give Staffordshire a raw diet with food like raw chicken, eggs, certain oils, raw fish, and milk.

This kind of diet often costs between $300 to $500 monthly, depending on the cost of meat in your area. Although it costs much more than dry food, it is said that the raw diet has many benefits for the dog’s stomach and teeth.

Toys

Once you get your American Staffy you will notice that it has a lot of energy. Therefore, you will need to invest in some toys for them. These often cost between $10 to $60. Of course, this depends on how many toys you buy and how often they break them.

Therefore, try to buy high-quality toys so they don’t destroy them too quickly.

Bed and Crate

Your dog will need a little bed where it can rest. If not, they might start sleeping in your bed or couches, which you might dislike. On the same line, you need to buy them a crate for when they need to be transported or when a lot of people will come into your house.

Of course, you will need to crate-train them before doing this. When it comes to costs, the bed usually costs from $30 to $150, and the crate from $35 to $160.

Leash

Walking your AST daily is needed to exercise them. Therefore,  you will need to buy Staffy the correct size harness, a good leash, and a collar. This often costs between $30 to $100, depending on the quality of each item.

Grooming and Hygiene Products

Although American Staffies don’t have a lot of hair and they don’t shed a lot, they still need to be brushed and bathed every once in a while. Therefore, you must buy a brush, a nail clipper, canine shampoo, and a canine toothbrush with dog toothpaste. All of this can cost between $60 to $100.

Remember always to clip their nails as this can affect their mobility. A good way to tell if they need their nails clipped is to hear when they walk. If you can hear their nails slapping against the floor, they must be clipped.

American Staffordshire terrier with brown and white coating sitting on the grass field

Poop Bags

Once your AST is trained to go potty outside, you must pick up the poop with a poop bag. Therefore, you will need to buy a set of them, which usually costs from $15 to $80, depending on how many bags the set has.

Also, if you don’t enjoy picking up the poop with your hands, you can buy a poop scooper. This item usually costs between $15 to $40.

Microchip

Upon picking up your AST, you can put a microchip in them. This is done to prevent them from getting lost. This microchip usually costs between $50 to $70, and you can put it in dogs that are at least 8 weeks old.

Medication

If you want to be cautious, you can buy certain medications and even a first aid kit. This usually costs from $50 to $70. Also, you can buy medications to keep your ASL away from fleas and ticks. These have a cost of approximately $50.

Health Insurance

Although this is not mandatory, you can get your AST health insurance to help afford some expenses. The cost of it depends on the plan you get. However, the average plan has a cost of $200, while the most expensive one has a cost of $500.

On top of that, there are different types of plans. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact the best pet insurance and learn about their services.

American Staffordshire Terrier Characteristics

This breed’s personality is energetic, loyal, and trustworthy. As I mentioned, there is a chance they are born with one out of 18 colors. Some are black, brown, blue, red, white, seal brown, liver, and fawn. Of course, some of these colors make some ASTs more expensive than others.

When it comes to their healthy weight, male American Staffordshire Terriers should be between 50 to 70 pounds, while females should be between 45 and 60. Unlike other breeds, this dog’s price doesn’t get influenced by its weight unless they are either below or over the recommended digit.

If that’s the case, they might be considered unhealthy dogs and be sold at a cheaper price. Lastly, this breed’s height is usually between 18 and 19 inches, regardless of gender. If an AST goes over or lower that height, they might be sold at a lower price too.

A black and white American Staffy wearing a black body harness swimming on the pond

Rarest Color

Although there is a wide variety of AST colors, there is one that is considered to be the rarest: the tan color. Since it is uncommon, it might be more expensive than others. However, it is not recognized by the AKC, due to questions about their purity and breeding.

Regardless, this color is one of the rarest to find, and if you don’t mind how pure the breed is, you can buy it. Here you can see the list of the 18 recognized colors by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

  • Black
  • Blue Fawn
  • Blue
  • Blue Brindle (A gray color with a bluish tint)
  • Brown
  • Brown Brindle
  • Fawn
  • Fawn Brindle
  • Liver
  • Red (A brown color with a reddish tint)
  • Red Brindle
  • Red Sable
  • White
  • Black Brindle
  • Liver Brindle
  • Fawn Sable
  • Seal Brown
  • Blue Fawn Brindle

Watchdogs

Due to their physical appearance, muscles, agility, and strong jaws, the AST is often trained as a watchdog. Although they have very laid-back personalities, they have a great capacity to be guard dogs for families.

This doesn’t mean they will be aggressive; it just means that if a member of his family gets attacked, they will defend them.

Of course, if you want to buy an American Staffy that has been properly trained as a watchdog, you will need to pay more money. This training takes a lot of time, effort, and special equipment. Therefore, it will cost more.

Terrier Lineage

This breed, as the name indicates, is a terrier, meaning it is a canine that was originally bred to be a hunter dog. All the breeds that have ‘’Terrier’’ on their name have hunting instincts when they see vermin, mice, rats, and other small animals. The American Staffordshire is no exception to this.

Therefore, if you live in an area with a lot of vermin, such as a farm, or a very open space, these dogs might be more expensive. After all, there might be a lot of demand for them in your area. It is also important to remember that if you have small pets in your house, you need to be careful while having an AST around them.

Where to Get an American Staffordshire Terrier

If you want to get an American Stafford, you must contact a respectable breeder in your area to get information about it. You need to research the breeder and make sure they are trustworthy. Also, remember to check how they raise their puppies. Unfortunately, some breeders don’t give them the best treatment.

This is, of course, if you want a purebred American Staffordshire Terrier. If not, you can find a shelter specializing in these dogs and adopt one. Many rescue sites in the USA offer these dogs for adoption. Before doing this, you should also ask about the dog’s history and personality.

When it comes to rescued dogs, they might have a history behind their timid or unique personality. Therefore, knowing this before adopting one will let you know what you will work with.

American Staffordshire Terrier Breeder vs Rescue

As previously mentioned, there are no meaningful differences between a rescued AST and a purebred one. The only major difference that can be pointed out is that purebreds can participate in shows and win them. However, a rescued AST will be unable to due to its lack of documentation.

Regardless, if you just want an American Staffy that keeps you company, is loyal, energetic, and has a great personality, you can adopt one. Of course, adopting doesn’t mean it will be completely free. You will still have to pay for their food, toys, and health services.

On the other hand, it is okay if you want to buy an AST so you can raise the healthiest pet possible. It is not a lie that some rescued dogs are old and might develop sicknesses. This can affect their lifestyle, and taking care of a dog like this is not for everyone.

A gray and white American Staffy wearing a brown collar walking on the grass field

Related Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the American Staffordshire Terrier

Is a Staffordshire Terrier a Pitbull?

Although American Staffordshire can be confused with pitbull due to their physical similarities, they are not the same breed. While related, pit bulls are taller and have more muscle than American Staffies. On top of that, their personalities are different, as pit bulls can be less energetic.

Do American Staffies Bark a Lot?

Yes, American Staffies can bark a lot as they are a very vocal breed. This means that they tend to communicate a lot through barks, cries, and other sounds. They do this to get your attention, or to try to communicate their feeling. For instance, if they are anxious about going on a walk, they will start barking or crying until they go out.

However, if the barking is excessive, it can be trained. You just have to apply some positive reinforcement training, and the dog will start learning not to bark in certain situations. If this doesn’t work out, you can take them to a professional trainer.

Is an American Staffy a Good Family Dog?

Yes, American Staffies are very good family dogs as they are very active, playful, and loyal. They are very gentle with children, and they have a lot of patience when playing with them, though caution is always needed. Because of that, they are great for large households.

One downside is that they might be too territorial among other dogs. Therefore, you will need to socialize them properly to avoid fights between them. If you see that your AST tends to fight too much with other dogs, you need to consider taking them to a professional trainer.

Conclusion

When it comes to breeds, there are a lot of factors that influence their price. In this case, the American Staffordshire Terrier is not a very expensive dog to get. However, you need to be aware of the cost of their ownership.