How can you tell the difference between an AmStaff and an APBT?

[Dahlia]

Just wondering. I've never seen an AmStaff that I know of, but my dad says they look just alike but he can somehow tell the difference. How is that?

[Dahlia]

Oh, sorry, the reason I ask is that my dad saw a woman walking a dog at a rest area and he commented on her AmStaff, and she said he was a Pit Bull. Dad said, "Sorry, but that's an AmStaff", and she said, "I know, but we prefer to call him a pit bull."

HUH? I didn't think to ask him at the time how he knew.

[Copper'sMom]

I believe the only way to tell them apart is if they have a pedigree. IMO, they look exactly the same!

[mona_b]

Actually it dosen't have anything to do with pedigree.

The Am Staff's body is much more stalkier and the head is bigger.Where as the APBT is leaner.And the head is not as big.I see more of the APBT's then I see of the Am Staff's.Unfortunately there are "some" owners out there who don't even know the difference.There was a big rally in T.O a while ago.There was a pic and in the caption part it stated the owners name and said his dogs name and breed.It was stated that it was an Staffordshire Bull Terrier.Guess what,it wasn't.It was an APBT.Big difference there.

[Lucky Rescue]

Everyone has an opinion on this. To me, the American Staffordshire Terrier is the ACK version of the pit bull, except it does not come in red/rednose.

You may find this article enlightening (or not!)

AmStaff, Pit bull??

[greaterdane]

The American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff) is slightly taller then the staffordshire bull terrier

[Schwinn]

I think it depends what she means by "pit bull". Does she mean APBT, or just pit bull, as in what all dogs under the ban are referred to? Also, my understanding about the difference between AmStaff and APBT was who the dog was registered under.

[Dahlia]

Thank you. That does help. I looked at a website over the weekend that that showed pics of both and did not acknowledge the difference between the two. They just said that there were pictures of both and that they considered them the same breed. But, I noticed that some of them were a lot stockier and had bigger heads than others. Thanks.

[mona_b]

Originally Posted by Schwinn

Also, my understanding about the difference between AmStaff and APBT was who the dog was registered under.

True.The APBT is not a recognized breed.The Am Staff is recognized with the CKC.

[Dahlia]

I was just wondering how you could tell if you walked up to one on the street. I wouldn't know anything about who the dog was registered with, nor would I ask. I tend to keep my opinions to myself, but sometimes I will look at a dog, make my own guess about what it is, then ask the owner what breed it is, just to see if I was right. If I don't agree, I don't argue with them. This weekend I met my mom's neighbors and they have a beautiful big dog. I guessed German Shepherd/Golden mix, but it was a German Shepherd/Collie mix. Oh, well, I was half right, anyway.

[Copper'sMom]

Originally Posted by mona_b

True.The APBT is not a recognized breed.The Am Staff is recognized with the CKC.

The APBT is a recognized breed with the UKC.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier is much shorter than an Amstaff or PIt Bull.

[mona_b]

Originally Posted by Copper'sMom

The APBT is a recognized breed with the UKC.

Yup,knew that.I just didn't mention it cause I figured we were talking about the CKC....

And so true.The Staff Bull Terrier is much shorter.

[Copper'sMom]

It is all very confusing. I read and read but get confused about it all. One expert says one thing and the other expert says another! Now they say the term "Pit Bull" is a generic term and includes terriers, bullys and staffs. I guess my dog is nothing more than a mutt because he sure isn't a purebred!

[Natasa]

There is a big difference between Staffordshire Bull Terrier and APBT or AmStaff and its fairly easy to tell them apart. Aside from the height they have differently shaped head.
As for the difference between APBT and AmStaff, many dogs are dually registered as APBTs and AmStaffs.