Wolfdog vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison

Wolfdog vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed ComparisonWolfdog is originated from Germany but American Staffordshire Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Wolfdog may grow 28 cm / 12 inches higher than American Staffordshire Terrier. Wolfdog may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than American Staffordshire Terrier. Wolfdog may live 4 years less than American Staffordshire Terrier. Both Wolfdog and American Staffordshire Terrier has same litter size. Wolfdog requires Moderate maintenance. But American Staffordshire Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

wolfdog - historyThe Wolfdog was brought about when domestic dogs were mated with a variety of wolves so as to produce a hybrid.

People who want to own these hybrids have to be careful because they find that the unpredictable behavior of their pets makes it difficult for them to care for them.

Then they want to get rid of it. Every year, heaps of these hybrids are abandoned due to humans interfering with nature.

The wolfdog has been bred with a number of dogs but we think about it more in terms of wolf and German shepherd.

american staffordshire terrier - historyThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a part of all the confusion surrounding the group of “pit bulls”. The American Staffordshire Terrier is directly related to the English Bull Terrier and English Terrier. The breed of the English Staffordshire Terrier was bred in the early 19th century in the West Midlands. It was not until later that the breed came from Staffordshire. These English Staffordshire Terriers are also the source of contention by breeders who insist it was the Fox Terrier, White English Terrier, Tan and Black Terrier that are the ancestors of the English Staffordshire Terrier.

These terriers (AKA pit bull terrier) came to the United States in the mid 1800’s. By the late 1890’s they were accepted by the United Kennel Club (UKC)as the American Pit Bull Terrier – a new and distinct breed. There were also some that were accepted into the AKC as the Staffordshire Terrier. In England they were still known as the American Staffordshire Terrier. When the AKC accepted the breed in 1936 they were given a new standard, new purpose and new group – the terrier. In 1969 the American Kennel Club recognized these dogs as American Staffordshire Terriers and refused to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. The name was changed to move the breed away from its characterization as a bull fighter and to distinguish it from the smaller English Staffordshire Terrier. All American Staffordshire Terriers are directly related to the American Pit Bull Terriers.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Terrier dog
Origin:
Germany
United Kingdom
Height Male:
70 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
70 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
40 - 47 cm
15 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
15 - 23 kg
33 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
5 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
None
Staffy • Staffie • Stafford • Staff • Am Staff • Amstaff • American Staffy
Colors Available:
white, dark brown and black. , Grey, cream, red
BlackBlueBrindleBrownWhiteYellow
Coat:
Medium length, thick
smooth, Single
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

wolfdog puppy - descriptionPeople mesmerized by the wolf long to bring some of that wildness home, and the wolfdog is supposed to do this.

Their looks differ a lot, even those that come from the same litter. You can’t have a predictable looking wolf dog because it could be any domestic dog bred with a wolf so they display a large variety of appearances.

Most Wolfdogs seem to have smaller heads than pure wolves. The ears seem to be bigger and more pointy.

A popular wolfdog mix is a German Shepherd mixed with the wolf. These dogs can be between 70 to 76cm in height and weigh between 40 and 45kg.

Their coat is thick and can be in colors of grey, cream, red, white, dark brown and black.

Temperament:

While the wolfdog can be trained to become quite a friendly kind of dog, it is not suitable for the first time dog owner. It can show bouts of aggressiveness around strangers and be highly protective of its family.

However, this can be helped with early socialization and training. It is illegal to own the wolfdog in some states. You don’t want to leave a wolfdog alone with your children even though the dog is capable of love and loyalty towards his human family.

american staffordshire terrier puppy - descriptionThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a strong, powerful dog – stocky, muscular and graceful. At one point in time the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier were considered to be the same breed. Even today there are those that make that argument, but they have been recognized outside the AKC as separate breeds. The AKC only recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier and not the APBT. However – even though there have been decades of separation in breeding the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are the very same dogs genetically.

The American Staffordshire Terrier has a broad skull, high set ears and pronounced cheek bones. Their ears should not be cropped by AKC standards and their eyes are far apart, round and dark. With a medium sized muzzle and a heavy muscular back, they are as powerful as they look, if not more so. Most have black noses. The AmStaff has a broad, deep chest with wide set forelegs and compact feet. The tail is short and tapered and it should not be docked.

Characteristics

wolfdog dog - characteristicsWhen you add the genes of a wild animal to the pool, you get a crossbreed and when its an animal from the wild, its nature is unpredictable.

Many people don’t think about the consequences of what they do when they interfere with nature and the wolfdog gets put down when it behaves like a wild animal and attacks or bites out of defense.

Yes, they can be loyal, loving pets but always you will have the shadow of the dog or wolf’s unpredictable behavior.

There is a reason why these dogs are banned in a number of states. This dog-type-wolf breed is not recommended as a pet at all – take a look at animal shelters and the number of wolf dogs there and ask yourself why.

american staffordshire terrier dog - characteristicsThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a loving, gentle dog that wants nothing more than to be with and please his people. Contrary to his reputation as a “killer”, this dog is actually a lover. They are great with children and want to be a part of the family. They even think they are lap dogs, regardless of their size. They are never going to be aggressive toward people and even though they are not one-person dogs, they are loyal, and they are devoted to the family and the “leader of the pack”.

This breed can tell who is their friend and who is not. They are not aggressive, but they will protect their own. They are courageous, confident, attentive, bold and strong-willed. The AmStaff gets along with other dogs most of the time, but they will never back down from a challenge and should never be left unsupervised with another dog. They should not be loose in a neighborhood or at a dog park. No matter how much you trust your American Staffordshire Terrier they can be killers in any fight with another dog.

In addition to this you must socialize and train your AmStaff. You need to be the pack leader and be in control. The AmStaff wants to please you so for a strong leader they will respond positively to positive training. They are intelligent and pick up quickly on what you want them to do. However, they are incredibly strong physically so training them to heel and walk with you obediently is a must. A well trained and exercised American Staffordshire Terrier is a happy dog and a loyal family dog.

Health Problems

These dogs are generally healthy and aren’t prone to genetic related issues.

wolfdog puppies - health problemsThey will also be susceptible to common dog ailments such as parasites and hip dysplasia.

Like any other dog, these Wolf dogs will also possibly develop tumors. He will also need to be vaccinated against harmful diseases and you will need to have a reliable local vet who is interested in your wolf dog.

american staffordshire terrier puppies - health problemsFor the most part the American Staffordshire Terrier, like most of the “pit bulls” is a hearty, healthy dog. They have a few tendencies that breeders should test for including hip dysplasia, allergies, and heart issues. They can test for Cerebellar ataxia, which has affected the AmStaff with a progressive decline in their ability to control their muscles and coordination.

Caring The Pet

wolfdog dogs - caringIf you own a wolfdog the same care procedures would need to be followed as you would with a regular dog.

A wolfdog, however, can’t be vaccinated against rabies. It seems that the reason for this is that it is due to current legislation, and vaccine manufacturers don’t want to support wolf dogs as pets because they are considered to be dangerous.

Provide your wolfdog with highly nutritional, protein-based food. You don’t want to feed your wolfdog any of the low quality, traditional store-bought food high in carbs and artificial additives. Instead, look for a diet rich in proteins and be sure to give this dog some raw meat occasionally.

Groom the thick coat to ensure it stays shiny and healthy.

The dog is active and you will need to provide heaps of exercise for him, both mental and physical activities.

The wolfdog will require training but it will require dedication, though it can be done as the dog is very intelligent.

Even with training, the wolfdog isn’t suited to life in the city but should be kept in the countryside.

american staffordshire terrier dogs - caringfeed You can feed your American Staffordshire Terrier either commercially purchased food or food you make yourself if the quality is high, nutrition is good, and the amount eaten is determined by the owner. Do not free feed. The AmStaff has the tendency to become obese. Its ok to use treats for training and rewards, as long as its use is controlled.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American AmStaff Terrier has a tendency toward a few health issues. Hip Dysplasia – this condition causes a lot of pain and disability. It leads to different types of arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Cardiac Issues – Congenital heart disease consists of vessel malformation and lesions.

Allergies

Thyroid Issues

The AmStaff can be susceptible to Autoimmune Thyroiditis. This is a form of hypothyroidism developed by dogs. It is usually seen between 2 and 5 years of age. Continual retesting is recommended.

Cerebellar Ataxia

This is the most dangerous disease possibility that the American Staffordshire Terrier faces. There is a test for this condition which causes the AmStaff to display an inability to control their muscles and a loss of balance, to the point of falling. This is a progressive disease that often leads to euthanasia. The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America suggests that AmStaffs carrying the NCL genes should never be bred.

Exercise and games

The American Staffordshire Terrier is an energetic, and athletic dog that loves to play and needs plenty of exercise. This breed is oriented to people and should never be left alone in the yard all day as a way for her to exercise. She needs you to play with her. If you cannot do this, then you should not own this breed of dog. This breed also loves to play canine sports. They thrive on games like dock diving, agility and obedience competitions. They excel at search and rescue. These are competitive dogs that want nothing more then to please their people.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wolfdog vs Northern Inuit Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Wolfdog vs Pugnaces Britanniae - Breed Comparison
  3. Wolfdog vs Sindh Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  4. Wolfdog vs Tamaskan - Breed Comparison
  5. Wolfdog vs Tosa - Breed Comparison
  6. Wolfdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  7. Wolfdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Wolfdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  9. Wolfdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  10. Wolfdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  11. Wolfdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Wolfdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  13. Wolfdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Wolfdog vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  15. Wolfdog vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison
  16. Wolfdog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  17. Wolfdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  18. Wolfdog vs Mixed - Breed Comparison
  19. Wolfdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  20. Wolfdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  21. Wolfdog vs Dogue De Bordeaux - Breed Comparison
  22. Wolfdog vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  23. Wolfdog vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  24. Wolfdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  25. Wolfdog vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Labradoodle vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cane Corso vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Alaskan Malamute vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Mixed vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bullmastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Dogue De Bordeaux vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. German Shorthaired Pointer vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bloodhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Great Pyrenees vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  39. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  40. American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  42. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  43. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  44. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  45. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  47. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  48. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  49. American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  50. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds