There are three types of American Staffordshire Terrier: Bull, Terrier, and Moderate, a blend between the two.

American Staffordshire Terriers are from the United States. While their ancestors can be traced back to England, AmStaffs developed from crosses between bulldogs and terriers in the early 19th century in the U.S., and eventually gained recognition as a distinct breed in the late 1800s. They were recognized as a separate breed in 1936.

Yes, American Staffordshire Terriers are good with kids so long as their pet parents properly socialize and train them and parents teach their children to treat dogs respectfully. This remarkably tolerant and gentle breed is best suited as a companion for older children. As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your American Staffordshire Terrier to keep both the child and dog safe.

Yes, American Staffordshire Terriers are good family dogs. They are incredibly devoted to, affectionate with, and protective of their humans. They do need adequate daily exercise and consistent training to make sure their behavior is in line.

Yes, American Staffordshire Terriers can be easy to train. They are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be strong-willed and independent, which might present some challenges during training. However, training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement methods are essential when training American Staffordshire Terriers.

The American Staffordshire Terrier will bark to alert but is not known to be an exceedingly vocal breed.

Yes, American Staffordshire Terriers can be good with cats, but it largely depends on the individual dog’s temperament and upbringing. Some American Staffordshire Terriers may have a strong prey drive, which could lead to chasing behaviors towards smaller animals such as cats. However, many American Staffordshire Terriers can learn to coexist peacefully with cats with early socialization, proper training, and supervision.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a very sturdy, generally healthy dog, but the breed is prone to some of the same issues that plague many other breeds. American Staffordshire Terriers, including:

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an American Staffordshire terrier, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

• Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place and can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

• Cerebellar ataxia: Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological disease that affects a dog’s balance and coordination. The severity of symptoms ranges and can be as mild as a slightly odd gait or as severe as frequent falling and intense muscle tremors. Early detection and treatment are crucial for managing this condition, so it’s

  important to be aware of the symptoms and seek veterinary care if you notice any.

• Demodectic mange: This skin condition is caused by the demodex mite. All dogs are born with this tiny bug living in their hair follicles, and they do not generally cause problems. However, some immunocompromised dogs develop mange from the mite. Mange shows up on the skin as patches of red, thick scales and hair loss in the affected area.

• Eye problems: Cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness.

• Others: Hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat; allergies; heart disease; and gastric dilatation-volvulus, a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend joint and screening tests for the dog.