Does an American Staffordshire Terrier Have Similar Breeds?

If you plan to own an AmStaff for the first time, you might wonder what physical and behavioral attributes to expect. Knowing the American Staffordshire terrier similar breeds can help you borrow experiences from the other related breeds, allowing you to groom and take care of the dog.

Does an American Staffordshire Terrier Have Similar Breeds?

Pitbull dogs are dog breeds that look similar to the American Staffordshire terrier. Generally, these dogs share the same ancestry, originating from terriers and bulldogs. These breeds include the Staffordshire Bull terrier, American Bully, American Bulldog, and American Pit Bull terrier.

These dogs generally have strong and muscular bodies. They also tend to be territorial and dominating and might be aggressive when provoked. However, these breeds still vary in size, temperament, diet requirements, and physical appearance attributes as follows.

General Appearance

Although pitbull dogs tend to be strong and muscular, they vary in physical appearance depending on genes. The following are some of the physical attributes of an American Staffordshire terrier and dog breeds similar to it.

• Head: The head of an AmStaff resembles that of the American pit Bull terrier. The dogs have large and broad heads proportional to their body size. They have medium-sized eyes set well apart and low in their broad skull
• Size and weight: AmStaff is a strong, stocky, and muscular dog, just like the American Bulldog. Like the American Bulldog, this dog weighs somewhere between 40 to 70 pounds. However, it has a height of 17 to 19 inches, slightly larger than the Staffordshire Bull terrier
• Coat type: AmStaffs and American Pitbulls can have similar colors of black, red, blue, brindle, and fawn. However, an AmStaff can have a coat of pure white, sable, and seal coat colors, while the American Pitbull can have blue fawn, red brindle, and fawn

Diet and Nutrition

Generally, all pitbull dog breeds, including the AmStaff, are high-energy dogs that require a balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients. Keeping in mind that these dogs are muscular, proteins are vital in the diet as they boost muscle structure and general physical development.

Considering that different pitbull dogs require different amounts of food depending on their weight and size, it is advisable that you consult your dog’s veterinarian on how much food to give your AmStaff. The portion per day might vary depending on the dog’s age, daily activities, and general health.

Grooming

Generally, the American Bully, Staffordshire Bull terrier, and American Bully are single-coated dogs just like the AmStaff. They are generally low-shedders like the Staffordshire Bull terrier and require minimal maintenance.

However, seasonal changes may affect their shedding, and you can expect more shedding during falls and springs. It is advisable to use a soft bristle brush to remove the debris and the overgrown fur from the dog.

Exercise

Generally, when you don’t involve your dog in exercise, it may develop destructive behaviors as it tries to release the excess energy. The AmStaffie, American Pitbull, American Bully, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull terriers are similarly energetic dogs with similar exercise requirements.

Usually, these dogs need between 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise to help them with physical and mental stimulation. The exercise might include jogs, walks, fetch, or controlled plays that can help them release energy.

However, it is advisable to avoid exercising these dogs during the hot hours of the day to prevent high body temperatures and possible heat strokes, especially for the AmStaff. In addition, it is important to control the dog and avoid rough plays that can put it at risk of joint problems.

Temperament

The AmStaffies are playful, friendly, intelligent, and protective dogs, especially toward family members, a personality trait that resembles the temperament of the American Pitbull Terriers. However, they might get aggressive due to injuries or illness.

An AmStaff might also get territorial, especially in the presence of other dogs and animals, making it bark aggressively. When it comes to hunting instincts, the American Bully and the American Bulldog share the same traits as the AmStuffy.

Usually, these traits can make the dog develop undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking or chasing after other pets. It’s therefore advisable to train and socialize your AmStaff from an early age to prevent bad behaviors.

Related Questions

Conclusion

An AmStaff is one of the pitbull dogs sharing similar ancestries with bulldogs and terriers. Knowing the American Staffordshire terrier similar breeds can help you know the temperament, nutrition, exercise, and grooming requirements you can expect in this category of dogs.