American Staffordshire Terriers are one of my favorite breeds. I first came across American Staffies back when I began working as a dog walker. The level of intelligence, affection, and confidence these dogs possess is amazing. My first time entering my clients home however was a little intimidating.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers protective. As a whole the American Staffy can be a very protective breed of dog. The Amstaff bonds very strongly with their family and will alert and act when they feel there is a threat to a member of their pack. An American Staffy will protect you at any cost.
This fact became glaringly obvious during my first visit with my new American Staffordshire Terrier client. Though the dog wasn’t aggressive towards me, it did make me aware of its presence and it’s protective nature toward the family.
Once the owner welcomed me in for the meet and great and showed her dog I was a friend, everything was great. Though wary at first, my new American Staffy friend and I soon became best buds. She would always be alerting when I first entered the home, but once realizing it was me would switch gears to happy affection mode.
In this post I will go over some of the pros and cons of having a protective breed like the American Staffordshire Terrier. The Amstaff makes an amazing family dog, but you need to know how to manage their nature to ensure you have a well balanced and reliable dog.
Are American Staffies Loyal?
American Staffies are a very loyal breed as a general rule. The American Staffy loves their family and bonds to them quickly and wholeheartedly. There is nothing an American Staffordshire Terrier wouldn’t do to earn the praise, attention, and affection of their owners.
The loyalty of the American Staffy shines through in their fun loving personality, and protective natures. Amstaffs love to engage with their family and are always keenly aware of their environment. They are never far from your side and will always alert you of potential threats or something worthy of attention.
Are American Staffies Good Guard Dogs?
American Staffies as a whole make excellent guard dogs. The protective nature and keen awareness of their environment comes natural to the American Staffordshire Terrier. Paired with their strong and muscular physique, few people would venture into an Amstaff’s territory with ill intent.
The guard dog nature of the American Staffy can be both an asset and a liability if left unchecked. Although they are generally very people friendly, and unbalanced Amstaff can become over protective.
As an owner you will need to manage your American Staffy’s on and off switch when it comes to their guard dog behavior. Alerting to someone in the yard or at the door can be a good trait, aggression towards guests in the home or friendly strangers in the street is a liability.
American Staffordshire Terriers need a strong and reliable leader they can look to for guidance. Showing your dog you have things under control and other people are a part of your circle will help ensure no unwanted guarding occurs.
Early socialization and consistent training with American Staffies is a must. This early exposure to friendly strangers will mitigate any fearful or overly cautious behaviors down the road. Demonstrating what and who is not a threat will be important for your dog to differentiate.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark A Lot?
As a whole American Staffordshire Terriers bark an average amount. They are not the most silent breed of dog, but they also don’t bark a lot. Alerting to people or other animals in their territory is a common occurrence. Excessive barking from boredom and separation anxiety can also become an issue.
Alert barking can be a wanted behavior for you and your family. Letting you know when there is someone or something in your yard, at the door, or possibly breaking into your home. Warning off potential intruders and threats can be a positive aspect of owning an American Staffy.
Barking as a result of under stimulation, anxiety, or stress however can be very unhealthy. Not to mention very annoying to everyone in the household. American Staffordshire Terriers are very intelligent dogs and when not stimulated will resort to unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking.
Exercise is also a very important part of the American Staffy’s daily routine. Daily walks, games and activities must take place with consistency to keep your dog balanced and happy. Under-exercised American Staffordshire Terriers can become restless, destructive and excessively bark.
Separation anxiety is something the American Staffy is prone to. Being left home alone can be very stressful for these family oriented dogs. Early training through use of crates and desensitization can help prevent the development of this anxiety and the resulting unwanted behaviors.
Are American Staffies Dangerous?
American Staffies will very rarely show aggressive behaviors towards people unless they perceive a legitimate threat. Because of the size and power of the American Staffy however, as a whole they can be a dangerous dog. Aggression towards other dogs and pets is more likely and can result in fatal injuries.
Many American Staffordshire Terriers live and get along with all different people and pets everyday. Socialization, training and leadership are all important components in determining your American Staffy’s disposition towards others.
That being said it would be irresponsible to claim that the American Staffy can’t be dangerous. Every dog can be dangerous when they become unbalanced and under poor leadership. The sheer power and tenacity of the American Staffordshire Terrier however places them in a more dangerous category than a French Bulldog.
Responsible ownership of these large bully breeds is essential. Not just for the welfare of your family, friends and community, but for the American Staffy community as a whole. Many owners dedicate incredible amounts of time showcasing the wonderful temperament of these dogs. It only takes one bad headline in the papers for this to be undone for all Amstaff owners.
Take the time to fully understand the needs of the American Staffordshire Terrier. Dedicate the time to socialize, train, and display strong leadership skills.
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Final Thoughts
The protective nature of the American Staffordshire Terrier can be both an asset and a potential danger to others. It is important to understand how to manage this guard dog behavior and protect against any over-protective tendencies that may develop.
American Staffies are one of the best family companion dogs you could ever own. The undying loyalty, affection, and fun loving nature of the Amstaff is second to none. Embrace these amazing traits and help your American Staffy grow into a model citizen as well as a positive representation of the breed.