my wife wants to take on an american staffordshire pup which she has come across. as i don't know anything about this breed, or even that it existed, i assume that it is like a normal staffie but bigger ? does anyone have any knowledgeof this breed, what are its characteristics, how is it likely to react to our two boxers, etc etc. ? any information will be appreciated before she buys it anyway !!

Hmmm not heard of american staffies but I HAVE heard the term used as an alias for pit bull terrier, so check it out more.

There is an american bull dog breed which is a big strong-minded dog breed and not for the novice dog owner* - best person to ask is ICENBULLDOG (I've probably got that name wrong, sorry!), who knows all there needs to know about bulldogs and related breeds and is involved in rescue.

* Not trying to put you off with that statement,by the way- I own a doberman and the dobe is another breed which is not recommended for new dog owners because it is strong-minded, can be quite willful in the wrong hands.

In Liverpool quite a few were taken and destroyed under the DDA earlier this year.

I fostered a an american bulldog for a while he was huge he must have been 10st and was solid muscle. Very sweet dog though.

Hmmm not heard of american staffies but I HAVE heard the term used as an alias for pit bull terrier, so check it out more.

Not just an alias. The breed defined by the American Kennel Club as the 'American Staffordshire Bull Terrier' is defined as the 'American Pit Bull Terrier' in the UK. So, I'd advise not to go there unless you want the police tracing you through the forum now you've publicly announced you're thinking of getting one!

Personally if you say she has 'come across' this dog. I would question how? did she find it? I would contact the dog warden if that is the case but I certainly wouldnt introduce it to your 2 boxers. :)

I fostered a an american bulldog for a while he was huge he must have been 10st and was solid muscle. Very sweet dog though.

This one's 64kg and great with people and other animals

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/fifeway/HPIM0343.jpg

This one's 64kg and great with people and other animals

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/fifeway/HPIM0343.jpg

Nice dog, but completely different breed to that referred to by the OP!

Nice dog, but completely different breed to that referred to by the OP!

I was replying to carpetviper and as for being a different breed perhaps and perhaps not after all they used to be called american pit bulldog

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/fifeway/scott.jpg

I do think the names get mixed and jumbled up purposely I personally think its wrong to label a breed as a dangerous dog as its how they are brought up I have prooved that with poppy my dog her brother was put down for attacking 4 people but poppy is more likely to lick you to death

i have a staffie in fact my family have had them for years i have heard of the american and it is not a pitbull.
just checked it out in my book it says not to be confused with the pitbull breed! it is the same as a typical staffie but a few centimetres taller. we have got to give these dogs a break we are ruining thier reputation more than the few we hear of.
my advice never buy unless registered with kennel club. always see both parents, ask the owners for both pedigres and check no in breeding.
too many people have these dogs as trophy dogs it winds me up so much i wish the goverment would licence every dog and there should be a register to stop people having dogs that are not looked after right.

This is what i know of the breed .

The American Stafforshire Bull terrier is a cousin breed to the English and Irish Staffordshire bull terrier and also American Pit bull terrier .

Their registered with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB as a PURE breed . the breed are best i can describe it identical to a english staffordshire Bull in every way aprt from size , their roughly two or three times as big , sort of pitbull sized or english bull terrier but more stocky with larger heads ....

I have friends in Michagan and Detroit with the breed that swear by them an d breed sho winners if you require a bigger picture of the breed ?

negatives to breed In my opion are ;

-To 95% of the uk population theyd be classed as a pitbul (this also includes vets , dog wardens and police !

- The uk law states that pitbulls are banned OR PITBULL TYPE well the American staffordshire bull terrier is certainly pitbull type!

-Over the years ive heard of ppl saying and seen so called American Staffordshire Bull terriers 90% of them turned out to be IRISH Staffordshire bulls , pitbulls or pit crosses NOT pure american staffords , th e person above was correct some use them as code for pitbulls .



IF I was to own one MAKE SURE 110% that the dog is regsitered again someone said that above good advice ! THE DOG SHOULD HAVE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB papers ie A.K.C
http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/index.cfm

Finally as Id never own one as Imo the english staffordshire bull terrier is far better imo having owned them for 12 years ! and the pain in losing a dog through uneducated authoritys would be too much .....


Hope that helps

Steve m. I see where your coming from with american pitbull and american pitbulldog (which is a old american name for the bulldogs) both sound the same , and the standard type /strain of american bulldog like the one you posted are sometimes slightly simalar looking as aposed to the big johnson dogs .......but a completey differnt breed all together !



Here is a good test may have posted something simalar before ?

http://members.aol.com/radogz/find.html

And heres a few breed photos;

This is a Full certified johnson american bulldog regisered with 4 clubs
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/116_1627.jpg

This is a pure bred with certs american pitbull terrier (owned by a good friend that lives in detroit )
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/PANDA.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/GATOR.jpg

This a a IRISH staffordshire bull terrier
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/P1010442.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/P1010447.jpg

This is a english staffordshire bull terrier
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/100_0008-3.jpg

and finally a AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/1130395112025643909S425x425Q85.jpg

As you can see the staffords are very simalar and without paperwork and certificates you have no proof of breed or origen and even then the law can over rule that

Big difference appearance wise between the johnson american bulldog and the pitbull

agreed . but here is the other strain of american bulldog the standard or hines

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/100_0040-1.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h84/icenibulldogs/100_0035.jpg

confusing im sure youl agree

I can see *some* differences but unless you had the other breeds to compare against it does look like it'd bepretty difficult

An ex rspca inspector tried to tell me my standard AB was to type in regards to the DDA

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/fifeway/Picture097.jpg
the photo was taken at 5 months old I told her what she could do with her opinion but TBH I read on another forum that a DEFRA expert told a well know police officer who owns a AB that all non Johnson type AB were libel to seizure as was all American, Irish staffs and Dorset to boot

So as suggested, the best thing to do is to ensure you check and receive full papers and pedigree to be sure the breed IS an American Staffie and not a pit bull or pit bull type, but it sounds like there could be a whole lot of hassle with the authorities not having a clear idea of what does and does not constitute pitbull...

Might be better sticking with a recognised breed- bulldog, staffie or similar. I would hate to have my dog siezed and destrpyed just because it may or may not be a particular breed. I still cant believe Ireland is considering banning GSDs, rotties, akitas, dobes and the like purely because a few thugs are using them as trophy dogs.

"DEFRA expert told a well know police officer who owns a AB that all non Johnson type AB were libel to seizure as was all American, Irish staffs and Dorset to boot "

This makes sense and ive also heard this , the thing is though what makes up TYPE its a very bandy word ie can cover alot of sizes , colours , structures etc etc ....its unfair i think !

Papers - pedigrees are no help whatsoever it's _type_ as defined by the D.D.A. that counts.

Locking this thread now. Steve if you continue to be rude I shall report you to the mods let them deal with you