The American Staffordshire Terrier a.k.a ‘American Staffy,’ is a medium-sized, short-coated dog originating from the United States. American Staffies are known for their loyalty, courage, and companionship.
Known as a ‘bully breed,’ generally muscular and strong, Staffies are an affectionate breed that usually thrive in a family environment. Staffies are often confused with their cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. While Staffies and Staffordshire Bull Terriers have some similarities, they are different dog breeds.
Want to learn more about this courageous but gentle breed? Read our guide below to see if American Staffordshire Terriers are the pet for you.
If you’d like to get to know the breed a little more closely, here are a few key traits and facts about the American Staffordshire Terrier:
American Staffordshire Terriers have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
American Staffordshire Terriers usually reach their full weight and height by 12- 18 months old. Healthy male and female American Stafford Terriers are between 45.7 - 48.4 cm tall and weigh between 25 - 30 kgs.
American Staffordshire Terriers are a short-haired breed and shed a low to moderate amount of fur.
Want an intelligent companion that is alert, vigilant, and a whole lot of fun? The American Staffy might be the perfect fit for you. Suited to families, American Staffordshire Terriers can be protective and eager to please their humans. In fact, they could fit into the "nanny dog" class, along with Newfoundlands, as they usually love to play with and protect all members of the family.
American Staffies are generally a very trainable breed and should be socialised from an early age. Taking your puppy to meet other dogs and people can be a great way to instill positive behaviours and ensure they're comfortable in a variety of settings.
Families living in larger spaces can be the ideal place for an American Staffy to live. It’s a plus if someone is home throughout the day, as staffies can get lonely and tend to chew things out of boredom.
Don’t let their tough exterior fool you. American Staffordshire Terriers can be big sooks that crave attention and pats from their owners. They are a smart breed and need a stimulating environment to roam, play games or even work.
As staffies are strong (and sometimes stubborn), they need a firm and experienced owner that knows how to set boundaries. Obedience training from an early age is a great way to curb these behaviours.
American Staffordshire Terriers have short-haired, shiny coats that come in a variety of colours including - red, fawn, black, white, and blue. Brushing your American Staffy once a week is usually enough to keep their coats healthy. Unfortunately, they are prone to bad breath, so brushing their teeth once a week can help stop tartar and food buildup.
American Staffies have moderate exercise needs, so aim for around 60 minutes per day. Playing, walking, and running are great ways to keep your Staffy stimulated.
Like most dogs, the American Staffordshire Terrier needs a well-balanced diet made up of protein, fats, and vitamins. Staffies are medium-sized with moderate energy levels, so you can incorporate lean meat and vegetables into their meals to keep them healthy. Scheduled feeding over free feeding is a way to ensure your American Staffy doesn’t overeat and gain unnecessary weight.
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary skeletal condition seen in medium to large dog breeds. The condition creates a deformity in a dog’s hips as they grow, leading to reduced mobility and range of motion. American Staffies can have a higher chance of developing hip dysplasia because of their genes. Early signs of hip dysplasia in a dog can be limping, abnormal walking patterns, and loss of muscle in the hind legs.
Follicular dysplasia is a genetic skin disorder that causes alopecia and hair loss in dogs. This condition occurs when hair follicles have structural abnormalities. Signs of follicular dysplasia in American Staffordshire Terriers are scratching, bald patches across the fur, and red skin. If your American Staffy suffers from this condition, make sure you put sunscreen on the affected patches if they’re going outside.
If you’re thinking about getting pet insurance for your American Staffy, factors like age and location could affect the cost of your premium. Everyday Pet Insurance offers Basic, Standard, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus cover that helps protect you and your furry friend. Check what each insurance cover includes.
Claim up to $30,000 a year
Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills
Your pet is covered from 8 weeks old for life
Claim your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap on eligible claims=
# Policy Terms and Conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Benefit limit amounts vary by level of cover.
* Exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply.
‡ Cover is available for the life of your pet provided you renew your policy each year without any break, lapse or change in the level of Cover. This means once your pet is insured with us and as long as we continue to offer the product, you will be able to renew your policy for that pet for life provided you continuously maintain the cover. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of your renewing policy. See details in your PDS.
= The gap is defined as the difference between the vet's invoice and the claim benefit under your policy. Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating Vets. Please visit GapOnly® to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).
Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard), arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by Hollard’s Authorised Representative (AR) Woolworths Group Limited ABN 88 000 014 675, AR 245476 (Woolworths). Everyday Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 17 July 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, Woolworths. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at insurance.everyday.com.au/pet-insurance.
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