The terrier breed is one of the most standard and enthusiastic dog breeds. In that case, AMSTAFF and APBT are two well-known types of Terrier breed that confuse people.
However, APBT is an American Pit Bull Terrier dog, while AMSTAFF is both an American and British-bred breed. Subsequently, AMSTAFF is an abbreviated name for American Staffordshire Terrier dogs.
Key Takeaways
- Amstaffs are a breed of dog recognized by the American Kennel Club, whereas APBTs are not recognized as a breed by the club.
- Amstaffs have a more stocky and muscular build than APBTs.
- APBTs tend to be more agile and energetic than Amstaffs.
AMSTAFF vs APBT
The difference between AMSTAFF and APBT is that AMSTAFF is the American Staffordshire Terrier breed, which is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as show dog. On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier breed is aggressive and recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as game dogs.
American Staffordshire Terrier breed is also known as AMSTAFF. These dogs are bred in the fighting pits of America and the United Kingdom for combats.
Initially, it was only a Staffordshire Terrier breed; however, after 1972, it was termed American Staffordshire Terrier to honour its dual origins (UK and America). It has a thick, shiny, and short hair coat.
On the other hand, APBT is the short form of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. These dogs are initially bred in the British Isles during the nineteenth century.
However, APBT got its recognition after being landed in America. Since then, APBT has been acknowledged as an American breed. It has a thick, soft, and short hair coat.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | AMSTAFF | APBT |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | AMSTAFF stands for American Staffordshire Terrier breed. | APBT stands for the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. |
| Origin | It is bred in America and the United Kingdom. | The breed was originally from the British Isles and landed in America in the late 19th century. |
| Features | It ranges from 17-19 inches and 40-50 pounds with a shiny, thick, and short hair coat. | It ranges from 18-22 inches and 30-90 pounds. It is fibrous and has a short, smooth hair coat. |
| Colour | Black, fawn, blue, sable, brindle, and brown. | Black, white, brindle, fawn, grey, brown, red, and blue. |
| Temperament | Tenacious, devoted, loyal, friendly, attentive, and courageous. | Stubborn, friendly, affectionate, gentle, obedient, intelligent, clownish, loyal, and courageous. |
What is AMSTAFF?
AMSTAFF is also known as Am Staff or American Staffy, an American Staffordshire Terrier breed. It is a medium-sized, short-coated American Terrier-bred dog.
American Staffordshire Bull Terriers stand between 17 and 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) and weigh between 40 and 70 lbs (18 to 32 kg).
It is bred in a way of warlike in America and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, it was initially named Staffordshire Terrier breed; however, after 1972, it was termed American Staffordshire Terrier.
The breed’s name is to acknowledge its ancestors from the Staffordshire of, UK, and America.
Subsequently, in 1936, it was accepted by AKC (American Kennel Club) to lessen confusion between American and Staffordshire Terriers of the United Kingdom.
They have a feature of short-legged, stocky, and muscular build bodies. Their head is medium in size, with ears cropped upward.
While their noses are black, AMSTAFF’s life expectancy is approximately around 12-16 years. According to the AKC description, AMSTAFF dogs are smart, confident, and good-natured breeds.
In the abstract, AMSTAFF temperament follows tenacious, loyal, devoted, friendly, attentive, courageous, and good with children personalities.
Besides, they’re vulnerable to skin allergies, UTI, osteoarthritis, or spondylosis in older dogs.
Whereas hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, demodectic mange, cerebellar ataxia, heart disease, and luxating patella are commonly seen in the breed.
What is APBT?
Meanwhile, on the other hand, APBT is an American Pit Bull Terrier breed, acknowledged by both UKC (United Kingdom Club) and ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association).
Comparably, APBT is larger than AMSTAFF. Males normally range in height from 18 to 21 inches (45 to 53 centimetres) and weigh 35 to 60 pounds (15 to 27 kilograms).
Females range from 17 to 20 inches (43 to 50 centimetres) and weigh 30 to 50 pounds (13 to 22 kilograms).
Their coat is short, polished, stiff, and smooth with a well-defined muscle outline. And their eyes are almond-shaped, and their ears are half-prick or rose-shaped.
‘By the nineteenth century, it was bred in the British Isles and titled’‘Pit and Bull’. ‘By the nineteenth century, it was bred in the British Isles and titled ‘Pit and Bull’.
Soon after, between 1845 and 1860, the APBT breed landed in America. And for this reason, it was named after the country USA. APBT is widely bred for fighting purposes.
Regarding their temperament, APBT dogs are stubborn, friendly, clownish, affectionate, intelligent, loyal, courageous, gentle, and obedient.
They are vulnerable to bone diseases, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and kneecap dislocation.
In addition to that, due to short hair coats, they are highly susceptible to numerous skin allergies and joint diseases, including thyroid and congenital heart defects.
Main Differences Between AMSTAFF and APBT
- AMSTAFF breed is less aggressive than APBT. AMSTAFF is bred as show dogs, while APBT is a game dog.
- ‘APBT is more athletic than AMSTAFF since they have more energy than the formers’. ‘APBT is more athletic than AMSTAFF since they have more energy than the formers’.
- AMSTAFF is heavier and a little taller than the muscular build APBT.
- AMSTAFF is in height of 17-19 inches and a weight of 40-50 pounds. On the other hand, APBT is in size of 18-22 inches and weight 30-90 pounds.
- The American Kennel Club recognizes American Staffordshire Terriers, while the United Kennel Club recognizes American Pit Bull Terriers.
- AMSTAFF has thick, shiny, short hair, while APBT has a thick, smooth, and short hair coat.
- AMSTAFF is much friendlier than APBT because they are bred for dog show games.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159115001240
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00220.x
Last Updated : 01 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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The detailed comparison table helped me understand the distinguishing features of AMSTAFF and APBT clearly. Well done!
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