Amstaff - Fun Facts

The American Staffordshire Terrier is often misunderstood and people tend to think these dogs are aggressive and unfriendly. They have a mean look and are commonly mistaken for Pit Bulls which is yet another breed with a bloody and violent history.

This dog breed was indeed developed and created with a fighting purpose in mind. They are most likely a descendant of the original English Bulldog and the Manchester Terrier because the creators of this breed wanted a fierce, agile, brave, and physically strong dog that could easily win fights. With that in mind, it is no wonder that a lot of people are afraid of these dogs.

Their reputation usually gets the best of people even before they meet the dog in question. Most of us get frightened and won’t even consider getting an Amstaff and we base our opinion on their mean reputation.

What is the actual truth about these dogs? Are they mean biting machines? Are they aggressive? Is it safe for them to be around children?

amstaff puppies playing

Here are some of the facts about the American Staffordshire Terrier you might have not known.

They are brave

This is true about this breed. From their beginning, these dogs were selectively bred for fighting purposes. As such, they had to be fearless and brave. That remains true to this day and these dogs rarely get scared. Most of the dog breeds can get scared of unknown sounds, sights, or strangers but this breed can only try and defend you. They will never run away or react in a fearsome fashion.

They have a long life

The Molossian dog breeds usually have a shorter lifespan, around 10-11 years. These dogs usually live between 12 and 14 years. Before getting one, it is a good idea to know exactly how long they could live and be your companion.

Amstaffs are generally very healthy dogs

All dog breeds are prone to some sorts of hereditary diseases. In general, the Amstaff is much healthier than other dog breeds. They have the privilege of staying active and healthy even when they reach very old age. For some reason, there are extremely little cases of illnesses that other breeds have a problem when they reach old age such as arthritis, fatigue, blindness, deafness, or cardiovascular problems. That makes them easy to “maintain” and will certainly keep the Vet bills low.

Loyal to the bone

These dogs love their owners. It is not that other dogs do not, but Amstaff’s loyalty is legendary. Some people choose their dogs based on their loyalty and affection towards their one owner and you cannot choose a dog more loyal than the Amstaff. This doesn’t mean that they are aggressive towards others it is just that they think of their owners as their God. No matter what happens in your life this dog will remain by your side.

They are very calm

Some people might find this surprising but this breed has quite a calm demeanor. Sure, they can be active and love to have a job but most of the time they are calm and docile. Owners who are familiar with this breed know exactly how these dogs behave and quite contrary to their reputation, they are not vicious at all. They are powerful dogs that are certainly able to do a lot of damage but usually, they don’t get too excited about too many things.

Jaw locking

It is a long-standing belief that this dog breed is capable of “locking their jaw”. However, that is only misinformation. No dog breed can lock their jaw. These dogs have incredibly powerful jaws and as we already said, they can do a lot of damage.

Not the best guard dog

Amstaffs have a dangerous look and that is the only thing why someone might reconsider coming to your property. They are quite friendly and are most likely to greet strangers rather than to chase someone off your land.

Great family dogs

Despite their look and reputation, these dogs are great pets. They are energetic and calm and love all sorts of family activities. They can be a great playing partner for the children and they have the energy to play with them for hours. Since they are very loyal they will do anything to please their owners which makes them excellent and obedient dogs. They are not aggressive towards strangers but they will do anything to protect their family if they feel like they are in danger. That means you can have a dog you can take anywhere with you and you can be sure they will behave in a good manner and they will keep an eye on the children.

amstaff puppy

Intelligence

Amstaffs are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They have a strong will to please their owner which means they will try their hardest to what they are told. They also form an incredibly strong bond with their owner and that just adds to their willingness to learn. That is the reason these dogs do so well in dog sports such as obedience, agility, and flyball. They are also great service dogs as well as military or police dogs.

Barking

It is believed that these dogs are loud and constant barkers which isn’t exactly true. They bark just as much as any other dog breed. By barking, they may try and express themselves. If they are bored or unhappy they will bark but in normal situations, they are not going to bark for no reason. They can also bark from excitement or when they are in a playing mood and are feeling happy.

Amstaff is a truly great dog breed that has a bit of a reputation problem. They are not vicious dogs that will try to attack anyone who comes close to them, on the contrary, they are loving, carrying, playful, extremely loyal family pets that will love their family life. Hopefully, now you know a little bit more about this breed and you can make sure you are making an informed decision about getting your own American Staffordshire Terrier.

World Dog Finder team

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