What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are two breeds that are so similar that you can’t tell which one you’re breeding when you meet them in the city. It looks exactly like the physique and face, and you can’t tell at all just by looking at it. However, if you know the historical background of the birth of the breed, you can see the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics and personalities of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

History of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier

The first thing to know is the history of the birth of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. Knowing how this breed was born may reveal the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Registration as a breed

The American Staffordshire Terrier, nicknamed AmStaff, is popular in the United States and is officially registered as a breed in the AKC. On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a dog breed that has the name of the strongest dog in the world and is regarded as a dangerous dog breed and its breeding is regulated in each country. Not recognized as a breed by the AKC. Let’s take a look at the history of fighting dogs in order to understand the difference between these two breeds, which look exactly like each other but are treated completely differently.

What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

The ancestor dog is Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are said to have the same ancestry. Around the 18th century, the bulldog was the representative of the fighting dogs that were popular in England. Bulldogs at that time are said to have a very ferocious personality, unlike the current calm nature.

At that time, in England, spectacles called “bull biting” and “bear biting” were popular, in which bulls and bears larger than dogs were made to fight dogs. During this period, fighting dogs that were even stronger than bulldogs were actively produced, and there were dog breeds that were created based on bulldogs, such as the white English terrier, smooth fox terrier, and black & tan terrier, which are native to the United Kingdom and have strength. This is Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

This Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the ancestor dog of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier. However, the details of the birth of Staffordshire Bull Terrier are unknown, as the creation of a strong fighting breed was a top secret for breeders.

What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

Further improved into a strong fighting dog

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who traveled to the United States as a fighting dog, was improved as a large and strong fighting dog by Americans who prefer larger dogs. The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier was born, and the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the ancestor of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Initially, it was highly trainable and was evaluated as a breed with high abilities as both a guard dog and a domestic dog. The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become a popular breed of dog because of its bravery and strength to stand up to big animals, but it was also destined to be a fighting dog.

To be distinguished by a global dog fighting ban

In the 19th century, dog fighting was banned worldwide. The ban on fighting dogs moved them from the front stage to the backstage, creating stronger and more ferocious dogs. The more ferocious and more powerful American Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become a breed that is significantly different in nature from the breed that was originally highly trained and excellent as a guard dog. Therefore, the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier bred as a fighting dog was categorized as the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the dog with the original temperament was categorized as the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

In addition, the AKC has distinguished the Staffordshire Bull Terrier from the American Staffordshire Terrier as separate breeds to this day.

What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

Features of the American Staffordshire Terrier

A large, rugged American Staffordshire Terrier. Having been bred larger and stronger as a fighting dog, it has a muscular, sturdy body and strong jaws, and is characterized by a tough body that will not be scared by some injuries. Another characteristic of the American Staffordshire Terrier is that it has a low center of gravity and moves quickly.

His personality is obedient and wise to his owner, and he can treat small children kindly. There is also a lonely side, and long-term answering machines can be stressful. Also, since you have a past as a fighting dog, you may suddenly become aggressive due to something, so you need to be disciplined so as not to bring out the aggression.

What is the difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier?

Features of the American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized as a breed by AKC and JKC due to restrictions on breeding and ownership in various countries around the world. In the United States, the United Kennel Club (UKC), which is said to have been established for the American Pit Bull Terrier, has registered the American Staffordshire Terrier as an American Pit Bull Terrier.

Although it has the same physique and basic personality as the American Staffordshire Terrier, it is known as a dog breed with a strong fighting spirit and high aggression because it was created by drawing out its ability as a fighting dog. Recently, show-type and domestic dog-type American Pit Bull Terriers that suppress aggression as a fighting dog have also been created, but it is said that the gene has a temperament as a fighting dog, and at what stage I can’t predict if that property will appear. Therefore, it is a big feature that it is difficult to raise as a domestic dog in a general household.

What is the difference in personality between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier?

Both are dog breeds that have the same fighting dog breed called Staffordshire Terrier as their ancestor dogs, but the American Staffordshire Terrier is a dog breed specially created to suppress the temperament as a fighting dog. On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier was created to bring out the temperament of a fighting dog.

Difficulty of discipline is high

Both breeds have a strong obedience to their owners and a cheerful personality, but they are also alert. Especially in the case of the American Pit Bull Terrier, if the owner does not take the leadership and discipline to adapt to human society, the aggression will come to the fore and it will be an uncontrollable dog. It will be. That doesn’t mean that the American Staffordshire Terrier is an easy breed for everyone.

No matter how gentle the dog fighting temperament is selected and created, it is still a breed that attracts the breed of fighting dogs, so it is not a breed that can be easily kept. Let’s remember.

American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier are the same breed

These two breeds are often regarded as different breeds because the registered breed groups are different and the breeding process has a completely different past, but in reality they are the same breed. Did you understand? I can tell you that even if you meet in the city, you will not be able to tell them apart. Both have the same ancestral dog, but in the process of breeding, they have gone in the opposite direction. In particular, the American Pit Bull Terrier, who can be said to be a victim of the very sad history of fighting dogs. It is said to be a favorite breed of Americans, but it is still a breed that is often brought to shelters in the United States.

If you’re considering welcoming one of your breeds just by looking, revisit your knowledge of dogs and your ability to control them.