Breed comparison

Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier: Which breed should you choose?

Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier are two dog breeds often compared by prospective owners. Here’s a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Medium10–17 kg€1,300 – €1,800
+5
+4

Key takeaways

  • American Staffordshire Terrier is larger: 25–30 kg compared with 10–17 kg for Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
  • American Staffordshire Terrier costs less to buy: €500 – €1,000 compared with €1,300 – €1,800 for Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
  • The monthly budget is similar for both breeds: about €119 per month.
  • Both breeds need a similar level of daily activity (4/5).
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier scores higher for “Families and children”: 4/5 compared with 3/5 for American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • For “Apartment living,” both breeds are tied (3/5).
  • American Staffordshire Terrier scores higher for “First-time owners”: 2/5 compared with 1/5 for Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
  • Both breeds have a similar life expectancy: 12–14 years.

Our verdict

Choose Staffordshire Bull Terrier if you’re looking for…

  • Active owners: He thrives with people capable of ensuring outings, games, and regular training.
  • Committed families: Well supervised, he can become a very close and playful companion on a daily basis.
  • Adopters already familiar with dog training: A household familiar with socialization and managing the dog's strength starts with a clear advantage.

Choose American Staffordshire Terrier if you’re looking for…

  • Experienced owners: They will know how to manage its strength with consistency, calmness and positive methods.
  • Active households: It enjoys long outings, games and suitable sporting activities.
  • Responsible families: Good organization and attentive supervision help bring out its affectionate temperament.
  • People with plenty of time: Regular presence facilitates its education, socialization and daily exercise.

Detailed comparison

General information
Origin United KingdomUnited States
FCI group 33
Build MediumMedium
Height at the withers 33–40 cm43–48 cm
Weight 10–17 kg25–30 kg
Coat Short, smoothShort, hard, close and glossy
Life expectancy 12–14 years12–14 years
Average price €1,300 – €1,800€500 – €1,000
Monthly budget ≈ €119≈ €119
Compatibility
Families and children
Very good
Good
Daily exercise needs
High
High
Apartment living
Good
Good
First-time owners
Limited
Fair
Other pets
Good
Good
Tolerance of being alone
Fair
Fair
Guarding instinct
Very good
Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
  • Low risk of running away
  • Robust health
  • Easy to care for
  • Sheds very little
  • Not very obedient
  • High exercise needs
  • Not very adaptable
  • Prone to destructive behavior
  • Barks a lot
  • Drools a lot
  • Obedient
  • Low risk of running away
  • Robust health
  • Easy to care for
  • Rarely drools
  • High exercise needs
  • Not very adaptable
  • Prone to destructive behavior
  • Barks a lot
  • Sheds a lot