American Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, (more commonly referred to as Pit Bulls and Staffies) –
the two names are often used interchangeably, but are the two breeds the same thing?
Are Staffies Pit Bulls?
It depends on who you ask.
- Some people will tell you that both are the same breed.
- Others will tell you that the two dogs are very distinct breeds.
So why the confusion??
To understand why there is so much confusion between Pit Bulls and Staffies, we must take a look back into their history.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Are Pit Bulls And Staffies Related?
- Nineteenth-Century Dog Registration
- How To Tell A Staff From A Pit Bull
- Temperaments:
- Pit Bull vs Staffy Physical Features:
- Staffy vs Pit Bull Height & Weight Comparison
- Color:
- Head Comparison:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Pitbull Differences Chart
- American Staffordshire Terrier vs Pitbull Differences Chart
- Conclusion:
Are Pit Bulls And Staffies Related?
One of the main reasons that Pit Bulls and Staffies share so many similarities is because both breeds can be traced back to the same bloodline.
In the late 1700s, the British crossbred Bulldogs and Black & Tan Terriers, and the result were the Staffordshire Bull Terriers[1].
During the 19th century, again, the Brits began breeding Old English bulldogs with Old English Terriers in hopes of creating a breed that had the power and athletic abilities of bulldogs and the “gameness” of terriers.
The result was a new breed of dogs referred to as “Bull and Terrier[2]”
Bull and Terrier breed, 1863
Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to America, and through selective breeding, they were able to increase their height and leaner than their counterparts. They were later called the American Pit Bull Terriers[3].
These Bull and Terrier breeds also became the ancestors of Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier.
So, Yes, they are related.
In a simpler definition, you could think of the two breeds as relatives with the same bloodline, with the Bulldog as their grandfather.
But wait, there’s more.
Nineteenth-Century Dog Registration
Pit Bulls and Staffies were once bred for their dogfighting capabilities. But as time progressed, so did feelings about dogfighting.
As people began to become more and more aware of the harshness of such a “sport,” it eventually became abandoned and condemned by the UKC (United Kennel Club).
Unfortunately, the reputation of the American Pit Bull Terrier never recovered. It was one that was continuously associated with dogfighting.
In return, the AKC (American Kennel Club) would not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed. They were, however, willing to accept the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
So two dogs that were essentially the same breed just obtained different names.
How To Tell A Staff From A Pit Bull
Temperaments:
When it comes to temperament, all dogs are going to have their personality, even if they are the same breed.
With that being said, the United Kennel Club & American Kennel Club does lay out some temperament traits for Pit Bulls and Staffies:
- Pit Bulls are considered to be strong, confident, zesty, and eager to please their owners. Many animal shelter workers said that they are more volatile than Staffies.
- Staffies are tenacious, intelligent, trustworthy, courageous, and loving to their family. They are much more even-tempered than Pit bulls.
- Both breeds are very loving towards people but do require effective training and socialization in early life.
- Both breeds have a bad reputation for their history in dogfighting.
When improperly cared for, these dogs can both live up to their bad reputations. This is because they are both so eager to please their owners.
In other words, if the owners train the breeds to be vicious and dangerous, that is how they will grow to be.
But when trained to be loving and playful, Pit Bulls and Staffies can make some of the friendliest and affectionate pets in the world.
Both the Pit Bull and the Staffy make excellent family pets when loved and appropriately trained.
Yes, both breeds can make great pets but require an ideal type of owner to care for them.
Owners Best Suited For These Dogs Will Be:
1. Family Oriented And Loving.
They will be someone who wants a dog for companionship, not for protection.
Despite their rough and tough reputation, Staffies and Pitbulls often make horrible guard dogs.
This is because they are extremely loving and affectionate, even to strangers.
2. Experienced Owner.
Pit Bulls and Staffies can be very strong-willed, so they need an owner who is even more strong-willed and experienced in dog training.
3. Available.
As we mentioned before, Pit Bulls and Staffies require extensive training as puppies.
If you are extremely busy, these might not be the best breeds for you.
Both Staffies and Pit Bulls require someone who has plenty of time for training, socialization, and love.
Pit Bull vs Staffy Physical Features:
There is no doubt that Pit Bulls and Staffies are very similar in appearance.
- Both breeds are strong, muscular, and solid in build. (see image above)
- They are both athletic, energetic, and playful.
- Both Pit Bulls and Staffies love to play and train at the park, but can also work hard.
- They are incredible diggers and can pull heavy loads when necessary.
- They are incredible athletes who are easy to train in sports like rally, flyable, and weight-pulls.
Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very energetic and require daily exercise to help them burn their energy.
With proper care, both the Pit Bull and that Staffordshire Bull Terriers have long lifespans of up to 14 years.
With that being said, they are both at increased risk of mange, heart disease, and elbow and hip dysplasia.
So, these are the answers you will get from people who think that Staffies and Pit Bulls are the same.
But what about those who say they are two different breeds?
Staffy vs Pit Bull Height & Weight Comparison
Many people will tell you that there are clear distinctions between these dogs.
Let’s take a look:
One of the main differences is the height.
According to the AKC, Staffies should stand between 14-16 inches in height. American Pit Bull Terriers, on the other hand, should stand between 17-21 inches tall.
As for weight, the ideal weight for a Staffy is considered to be between 24-38 pounds, whereas the ideal weight of a Pit Bull is between 27-60 pounds.
In other words, the Pit Bull is generally considered to be larger and heavier than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Color:
Their color and the coat are often very similar. Both breeds have short, smooth coats.
According to the AKC, the only coat colors allowed for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are blue, fawn, red, white, black, or brindle.
Pit Bulls, on the other hand, can be any color except for merle.
With that being said, Pit Bulls come in more colors than Staffies.
Head Comparison:
When it comes to the head size, the difference is a little more evident. The UKC breed standards state that both Pit Bulls and Staffies should have broad, straight, tapering muzzles.
“The American Pit Bull Terrier’s head is of medium length, flat, broadest at the ears skull, and a long muzzle.”
“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier’s head is short, with broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, and a short muzzle.”
– United Kennel Club
The difference is in the length of the muzzle & width of the skull.
According to breed standards, Pit Bulls should have a muzzle that is 2:3 the length of their head.
For Staffordshire Bull Terriers, there are no such regulations. Muzzles for Staffies can be longer or shorter than the 2:3 ratio given to Pit Bulls.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Pitbull Differences Chart
Comparison | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | American Pitbull Terrier |
Origin | England | United States |
Size | 33–41 cm | 43-53 cm |
Weight | 11–17 kg | 14-30 kg |
Color | White, Black, Brindle, Fawn, Black & White, Blue, Brindle & White, Fawn & White, Red & White, Red, Blue & White | White, Brindle, Fawn, Tan, Blue, Grey, Brown, Red |
Temperament | Affectionate, friendly, loyal | Affectionate, friendly, loyal |
Lifespan | 12 – 14 years | 8 – 15 years |
Child-Friendly | Yes | Good, if trained and socialized appropriately |
Dog Friendly | Good With Supervision | No |
Trainability | Can be stubborn | highly trainable |
Shedding | occasional | heavy shedders |
Coat Length | short and smooth | short and smooth |
Grooming | Weekly brushing | Brushing twice a week |
Activity Level | Highly energetic | Average, moderate daily exercise |
Barking | Medium | low |
American Staffordshire Terrier vs Pitbull Differences Chart
Comparison | American Staffordshire Terrier | American Pitbull Terrier |
Origin | United States | United States |
Size | 43-48 cm | 43-53 cm |
Weight | 28-40 kg | 14-30 kg |
Color | Black, Brindle, Fawn, Sable, Blue, Brown | White, Brindle, Fawn, Tan, Blue, Grey, Brown, Red |
Temperament | Friendly, loyal, caring | Affectionate, friendly, loyal |
Lifespan | 12 – 16 years | 8 – 15 years |
Child-Friendly | Yes | Good, if trained and socialized appropriately |
Dog Friendly | Good, Better with Supervision | No |
Trainability | highly trainable | highly trainable |
Shedding | occasional | heavy shedders |
Coat Length | short and smooth | short and smooth |
Grooming | Occasional brushing | Brushing twice a week |
Activity Level | High. Needs regular Exercise | Average, moderate daily exercise |
Barking | Medium | low |
Conclusion:
So back to our original question, are Pit Bulls and Staffies the same?
Some people will tell you YES.
They are the same breed who, because of their rough history, have just obtained different names.
Others will tell you NO.
While the two are very similar, they are more like cousins than siblings, and they do have some very distinct differences.
Today the AKC and the UKC do recognize the Staffies and Pit Bulls as two separate breeds, and their differences are outlined above.
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References:
1. [^] “Staffordshire Bull Terrier.” Breed Standards: Staffordshire Bull Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC), //www.ukcdogs.com/staffordshire-bull-terrier.
2. [^] “Bull and Terrier.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Sept. 2019, //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_and_Terrier.
3. [^] “American Pit Bull Terrier.” Breed Standards: American Pit Bull Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC), //www.ukcdogs.com/american-pit-bull-terrier.