[Orwell]

All these breeds....

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanstaffordshire.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/irishstaffordshirebullterrier.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/staffordshirebullterrier.htm

I am confused as to how to differentiate between them. As a layman, is there a distinguishing feature to look for? Weight? Size? Different looking faces? Eyes? Ears? Anything?

And what are the temperaments like between them? I know the site says is all, but I've been told that that site isn't the most accurate one around. And I heard here once that APBT were essentially the same as AST because something about the AKC didn't want a fighting breed they made a nonfighting breed kinda. I don't know I'm confused...

Thanks all....

 

[blackrose]

American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers stem from the same bloodlines. Pitties are registered by the UKC, AmStaffs by the AKC. Basically the same breed with the same temperment. To make it easy to understand, you can view Pitties as a "working" dog and AmStaffs as a "bench" dog. Field English Setters and bench English Setters are the same "breed", and yet different. You could also compare working Border Collies to bench Border Collies - same breed, yet different.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a completely different breed with a different standard. They are often very short and stocky, wheres Pitties are tall and lanky and AmStaffs are bit and stocky. lol I've met three of them and I would never mistake them for a Pittie or an AmStaff.

I have never heard of an Irish Staffordshire Terrier before...I wonder if it is like an "American" or "Japanese" Akita. Same breed, different standard? *shrugs*

Check out this link for a bit more info: http://www.workingpitbull.com/amstaffpit.htm

 

[Orwell]

(DISCLAIMER):
I've gotten myself into trouble with forum members here before talking about Pitbulls because I asked a stupid question. I realize where I went wrong there. I am just trying to get things straight, based on an article I was advised to read. If what I picked up was wrong, feel free to correct, but please don't be mad at me! My understanding of dogs is by no means set in stone and I'm willing and hoping to learn more. So please don't yell at me! Just explain to me why I'm wrong and I'll take that new information into account!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
A-HA!!!

Okay now I get it. Great article.

It raises an interesting question though, which I think applies to the ownership of any of "pure bred" dog. That is, how to choose whether you want a working line (Pit bull), or a pet/show line which might be more laid back and less intense (AmStaff)?

I think I enjoy the idea of owning a pit bull/Amstaff because I like the idea of a dog that is really eager to please their owner (or leader). I've read on this site and others that the dogs LOOOOVE to perform for their owners. I saw this in the "DogTown" episode where they were working with an old toothless female Pit bull rescued from Michael Vick's fighting ring. The trainer was getting her to run around and then to jump up on these stands and sit then he worked on stay. You could see the excitement and eagerness in the old girls eyes as she stared intently at the trainers face looking hard for direction and almost quivering with energy to complete the tasks given to her. I think that was utterly awesome.

The trouble here is, I don't know if I'd have the energy to keep up with a working purpose-bred dog. I like to think I do, but as this will be my first dog, ever, I would like the option of opting for the "tamer" show bred AmStaff who might be a little more laid back. But I'd definitly want that energy and drive to please and perform.

So, is this true of the AmStaff? Do they possess the drive I want but with a little more of a tameness about them? Or am I wrong? I would imagine that both "breeds" of this terrier are challenging for any owner, let alone a newbie like I will be. But I definitly want to challenge myself, learn more and make sure I socialize the heck out of him/her and stimulate the dog with lots of the exercise he/she wants. So, either way I think I'd be okay, but I just would like to know from some people who know their pits.

And by "tame" I mean like laid back, as in not so eager to constantly be exercised. I know I should have chosen a more neutral word, but I just realized that it might have connotations. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply ANYTHING about the pit bulls unfortunate, falsely applied reputation.

 

[blackrose]

(DISCLAIMER):
I've gotten myself into trouble with forum members here before talking about Pitbulls because I asked a stupid question. I realize where I went wrong there. I am just trying to get things straight, based on an article I was advised to read. If what I picked up was wrong, feel free to correct, but please don't be mad at me! My understanding of dogs is by no means set in stone and I'm willing and hoping to learn more. So please don't yell at me! Just explain to me why I'm wrong and I'll take that new information into account!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
A-HA!!!

Okay now I get it. Great article.

It raises an interesting question though, which I think applies to the ownership of any of "pure bred" dog. That is, how to choose whether you want a working line (Pit bull), or a pet/show line which might be more laid back and less intense (AmStaff)?

I think I enjoy the idea of owning a pit bull/Amstaff because I like the idea of a dog that is really eager to please their owner (or leader). I've read on this site and others that the dogs LOOOOVE to perform for their owners. I saw this in the "DogTown" episode where they were working with an old toothless female Pit bull rescued from Michael Vick's fighting ring. The trainer was getting her to run around and then to jump up on these stands and sit then he worked on stay. You could see the excitement and eagerness in the old girls eyes as she stared intently at the trainers face looking hard for direction and almost quivering with energy to complete the tasks given to her. I think that was utterly awesome.

The trouble here is, I don't know if I'd have the energy to keep up with a working purpose-bred dog. I like to think I do, but as this will be my first dog, ever, I would like the option of opting for the "tamer" show bred AmStaff who might be a little more laid back. But I'd definitly want that energy and drive to please and perform.

So, is this true of the AmStaff? Do they possess the drive I want but with a little more of a tameness about them? Or am I wrong? I would imagine that both "breeds" of this terrier are challenging for any owner, let alone a newbie like I will be. But I definitly want to challenge myself, learn more and make sure I socialize the heck out of him/her and stimulate the dog with lots of the exercise he/she wants. So, either way I think I'd be okay, but I just would like to know from some people who know their pits.

And by "tame" I mean like laid back, as in not so eager to constantly be exercised. I know I should have chosen a more neutral word, but I just realized that it might have connotations. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply ANYTHING about the pit bulls unfortunate, falsely applied reputation.

I would talk to Spicy - he's the one to talk to concerning all things Pittie!

From what I know of Amstaffs, they would definitally posess the drive you want. All of the bullies I have met have been *very* people oriented. I love that about them.

If you want a more laid back (aka, less entergetic) dog, I don't think the question is "Pit Bull" or "AmStaff", I think the question would be what lines you choose to purchase from. I'm sure there are very drivey AmStaffs, just as their are bound to be mellow Pitties. Research individual breeders, their dogs, and what they are being bred for and that should help you pick a dog with a bit less "drive".

 

[HersheyBear]

I highly suggest rescuing a pit bull from a shelter or rescue facility. Pit bulls are often times passed over for adoption because of the stigma associated with them, and it is estimated that millions of pit bulls are euthanized every year solely because they are pit bulls. These dogs already have their temperament set, and you can see right away what sort of dog they are in terms of activity level, interaction with other dogs, etc.

Check out Petfinder, which has loads of dogs available for adoption:

www.petfinder.com

As for the Amstaff vs. APBT question, both breeds derived from the original bull and terrier. When the AKC was formed, they created the "Am. Staff" designation because they did not want the negative connotation of dog fighting. The UKC was developed at the same time to register APBT's so they'd keep the "pit bull" name as their identity. There is also the ADBA (American Dog Breeders Association), which also registers the APBT.

Over the years, there have become three very distinct dogs:

The AKC standard American Staffordshire Terrier, a stocky, muscular dog bred for physical appearance.
The UKC standard American Staffordshire Terrier, a stocky, muscular dog bred for physical appearance, though not as large as the AST.
The ADBA standard American Pit Bull Terrier, which has pretty much stayed the same in the many years since the AKC created the Am. Staff designation.

The UKC standard has gotten closer and closer to the AKC's Am. Staff standard, which is why some APBT's look very similar to Am. Staffs.

For a dramatic comparison, here are some pictures:

ADBA American Pit Bull Terrier on the Left, UKC American Pit Bull Terrier in the center, and AKC American Staffordshire Terrier on the right.

 

[HersheyBear]

(These two wouldn't fit)