Difference between APBTs and AmStaffs
Q: I adopted a dog at the shelter and was told that he is a Staffordshire Terrier. Is a Staffordshire Terrier the same as a Pit Bull?
A: First it is important to know that Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull are not official breeds. They are common terms used to describe a certain type of dog. There are actually three breeds that can be easily confused. The correct designations are:
- American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) - recognized by the ADBA and UKC
- American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) - recognized by the AKC
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT) - recognized by the AKC and UKC
They are essentially the same dogs but have been bred for a different purpose and/or size standard since the mid 1930's. Some are even duel registered. Pete the Pup from "The Little Rascals" was among the first APBTs to be registered with the AKC as an AST.
How can we tell the difference? We can't really. We can only try to guess the breed based on subtle characteristics. Note that even experts can't always tell if a Pit Bull is an APBT, an AST or a SBT.
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
The APBT is bred for performance above everything else. The breeders usually focus on the working aspect of the breed, and unfortunately for many breeders that means specifically pit fighting. Therefore, many APBTs are bred primarily for their fighting abilities and for certain physical characteristics that will ensure good performance in the pit (mouth, air, stamina, etc.). Some are also bred for the characteristic called gameness (described later in the FAQ).
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| Street-Fighting
and Gamebred APBTs |
Because performance is the most important trait, less consideration is given to conformation (this refers to how closely the dog matches a set physical standard for the breed). You may see APBTs weighing as little as 30 Lbs or as much as 100 Lbs. In general though, the APBTs bred for the pit are usually less than 70 Lbs.
Not all APBT breeders breed for the pit. Some breed for conformation, temperament, weight-pulling, obedience trials, therapy work, etc. The foundation of their bloodlines however, has most likely been tested in the pit and kept the physical and mental characteristics of the pit dogs -- lean and athletic body, agility, intensity, drive, etc.
Cropped ears are not an indicator of the dog's background. Some dogs bred for the pit have cropped ears, some don't. Show dogs often have cropped ears, both with the APBT and the AST, but not always. Some dog fighters prefer cropped ears, some don't.
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| Show and Conformation Bred APBTs |
Today, you will find that a lot of people are breeding Pit Bulls for nothing in particular, or just to be pets, or for protection, or to make a quick buck. In general, these dogs are a little larger than the original APBT. Most of them have stable dispositions and make excellent companions. Unfortunately some backyard bred dogs may be born with terrible temperament and human-aggressive tendencies because unknowledgeable individuals who don't make temperament a priority, are allowed to breed dogs. This is true of any breed, not just the APBT.
The American Staffordshire Terrier (AST or Amstaff)
The AST or Amstaff used to be the same dog as the APBT but was taken out of the pit in the mid 1930s. AKC opened its stud books to a few APBTs that fit a standard they had chosen, and came up with the name Staffordshire Terrier. In early 1970s the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier, to avoid any confusion with a breed called "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" from England that was also recognized by the AKC.
Amstaffs are now primarily bred for conformation and temperament. They have a set height standard and usually weigh between 50 to 80 lbs. They may be a little stockier than the APBT, but not always.
Red noses are considered a fault with in the AST breed standard and this physical trait has been bred out of most AST lines. Red nose dogs are common in APBT lines, however. This may help you differentiate between the breeds. If the dog has a red nose, it is more likely to be an APBT lineage than an AST.
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| American Staffordshire Terriers |
Since they share the same ancestors as the APBT (some are even dual-registered), AST and APBT not only share the same look, they also have similar personalities. Dog-aggression is a potential trait in both breeds although not as strong and common in the AST as its close cousin the APBT. Amstaffs are very dominant dogs though, and just like the APBT they often have a threatening and intimidating look. That look and dominant attitude could trigger a hostile reaction from other dogs and result in a fight.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT, Staffie or Stafford)
Staffies remain very popular in England, but are a less common in the U.S. They also share the same ancestors as the APBT and AST. They are much smaller though, about 15 to 40 lbs maximum and their ears are rarely cropped. They are essentially bred for good disposition and conformation. They are often referred to as "nanny dogs" because they are excellent with children. Some people still use them in the pit in certain countries, but rarely in North America since they are so rare to obtain.
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| Staffordshire Bull Terriers |
Gameness and Disposition
Q: What is gameness, and it true it guarantees good disposition towards humans?
A: Gameness is the strong will to never quit a task (in the case of the APBT, a dog fight) despite pain and exhaustion. While gameness does not guarantee good disposition, it does not rule it out either. People should not associate one with the other. These are two very different characteristics. Some game dogs may have good dispositions, some may not. Gameness may represent determination and courage, but doesn't assure stability, good disposition, or sound temperament. If breeders want to make sure the dogs they produce have a good temperament, they must breed with that trait in mind.
Unfortunately, many breeders breed game dogs with no regard for temperament, believing naively that gameness is all it takes to ensure stable dogs. Old-time dogmen (breeders of game-dogs) didn't have as many dogs in their yard as many breeders do today. They could, therefore, recognize a man-biter and remove it from the gene pool. However, not all old-timers culled man-biters. Some famous people-aggressive dogs were bred in the past because they were devastating in the pit. Their genes still run in the blood of the most popular gamebred bloodlines.
Today, some dogmen will knowingly breed a man-biter if they think it will provide them with pit champions and, because they often have several APBTs living on chains in their yard, they don't always know what temperament these dogs will have in real pet situations.
If you plan to acquire a gamebred dog, you should research bloodlines carefully and make sure the dog you select was not bred for its fighting abilities and gameness only, but for good disposition as well. We urge you, however, not to buy a gamebred dog. To breed game dogs, the breeder must fight the breeding stock. Only the dogs that do not quit a severe dog fight are bred. The others are eliminated. If you purchase a pup from a breeder that gametests, you support this cruel activity. Click here for more information about this.
Pit Bulls as Guard Dogs
Q: I am looking for a good guard dog to protect my home when we are gone. Is a Pit Bull a good choice as a guard dog?
A: The only "guard dog" qualities of a pit bull are its formidable appearance and its name. Other than that, they are usually not very good at this job. Pit bulls were not created to perform the task of protecting someone's home or property. In many cases pit bulls are just too friendly with people to be good at this. They may bark and "look" scary, but as soon as the intruder smiles at them, most pit bulls think they have made a new friend! In fact, pit bulls are very much at risk of being stolen. Due to their friendly and trusting nature, they are often led right out of their owners' yard.
Unfortunately, in the last 10 years or so, we've seen a lot of backyard breeders producing dogs with people-aggression in mind. Since the APBT was not originally created for this purpose, the result can be dogs with serious temperament problems. The sudden injection of a new and volatile trait can create unstable and aggressive dogs. Obviously, the combination of superior physical abilities and human-aggression can have very bad consequences.
Pit bulls should not show aggression towards humans, and should NEVER be encouraged to attack strangers under any circumstances. With their looks alone, pit bulls will discourage most thieves from entering your property, provided they are not after the dog itself. Your pit bull should alert you if there is someone around your house, and will probably naturally defend you if you are personally in danger but please do not count on him/her to guard your house or property while you are away. In fact, you may want to get a good alarm system to protect your pit bull.
Remember, YOU are the leader! Your dog counts on you to protect him...
not the other way around.
Pit Bulls and Kids
Q: I heard that Pit Bulls were not good with children, is it true?
Most pit bulls are excellent with children. Since they were bred to perform in the pit, they have a high tolerance for pain, and in general will patiently endure the "abuse" young kids unintentionally dish out. However like any large, powerful dog, they must be supervised with kids at all times.
Pit bulls are enthusiastic and strong, and can easily knock over an unsteady toddler with their wagging tails. They can be quite rambunctious until they mature, which is around 2-4 years of age. Pit bulls should be taught to play gently, not jump on people, to sit and wait for a signal before going through doors, etc. Positive training methods work best.
Adding a juvenile pit bull to a home with toddlers or very young children may not be ideal since the dogs are very energetic at that age. You may want to consider adopting a mature pit bull instead, that has demonstrated he can live amicably with children. It is possible to have a young dog with toddlers or infants, but you must be diligent with your supervision. Pit bulls are great playmates for older, respectful kids.
People-Aggression
Q: Our neighbors bought a Pit Bull and now we are scared to let the kids play outside. Are these dogs really mean and vicious like the media portrays them?
A: Most pit bulls are NOT human-aggressive. In a large number of cases, when a pit bull attacks a human, it has been trained to be aggressive towards people, most likely abused, and/or seriously deprived of socialization with humans. Those dogs usually have uncaring and irresponsible owners who acquire them for the wrong reasons.
Any large dog should be supervised around children, and pit bull dogs are no exception. They can be rambunctious and play with a lot of intensity. Pit bulls can be animal-aggressive, and should be controlled around other pets, but human-aggression is NOT a normal trait of the breed.
A dog should be evaluated on its own merits, not on its breed. Most veterinarians will tell you that pit bulls are very nice dogs and not a danger in most cases. Owner responsibility, however, is a must with ANY large and powerful dog and all canines should be well-socialized with adults and kids.
Pit bulls face prejudice and misunderstanding from many people who do not understand them very well, so ownership requires a willingness to consider your neighbors' fears, and educate them about the dog. |
