What's the difference between an AmStaff and a Pit Bull?

?
Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
Report

Could someone explain EXACTLY what the difference is between a Pit Bull and an American Staff, if there even is one... I'm fed up with hearing so much rubbish about it...

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

162 answers
Sort by:
  • Show previous comments
    • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    A Staffy with defects is actually a Pit Bull. Basically, Pit Bulls are just Staffies with faults, so they shouldn't be bred because the pups won't be Kennel Club registered. Pit Bulls can also just be Staffies without papers, so yeah, Staffies are Pit Bulls.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    As for the story about an unregistered Amstaff turning into a "pit bull"—that’s absolute rubbish and just isn’t true. It’s simply the way French law reclassifies the dog, plain and simple. An Amstaff without papers is still an Amstaff, and you can always use DNA testing to prove its lineage and get its registration sorted. French law is a total mess when it comes to these breeds because it doesn't make any distinction; it's just discrimination. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a fantastic, loyal working dog that provides a massive amount of help to many people with certain jobs... whereas the Amstaff is a show dog and a poor worker compared to the APBT. They are two distinct breeds, so please don't go mixing everything up. Even with a DNA test, it’s impossible to get the dog’s papers (we’re talking about the pedigree certificate which proves the dog was born to parents registered and approved by the Kennel Club, meaning the pups are provisionally registered and the breeder declared the litter to the SCC [the French Kennel Club]). If the breeder didn't declare the litter within the required timeframe, it’s too late—the dog is automatically put into "Category 1" (the restricted list for banned types). But yes, I agree. In France, they assume a Pit Bull is just a Staffy cross or a Staffy without papers, which is wrong. The American Pit Bull is a breed in its own right, but it’s not recognised in France, so they just play on people's prejudices to make the whole thing easier to swallow.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    As for the story about a non-pedigree Amstaff "becoming" a Pitbull, it’s absolute rubbish and completely false. It’s simply the French law redefining the dog, nothing more. An unregistered Amstaff is still an Amstaff, and you can always use DNA testing to prove the lineage and get its papers sorted. The law in France is a total mess regarding these breeds; it doesn't distinguish between them, it’s just pure discrimination. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a brilliant, loyal working dog that provides a huge amount of help to people with certain jobs, whereas the Amstaff is a show dog and a poor worker compared to the APBT. They are two different breeds, so please don't lump them together and talk nonsense.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    LOL, I love it when people talk about things they don’t understand... The American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier are two distinct breeds, but the APBT isn't recognised in France (simply due to fear of the breed and the French ban). It is, however, recognised by the UKC and ADBA... just like the AmStaff. Basically, they are both recognised breeds, and the reason AmStaffs are allowed in France is because their temperament isn't as intense as their cousin, the Pit Bull, so they're seen as less "dangerous".

    Del Mantos Dogs produces the absolute best of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed – go have a look and you’ll see the difference between them, an AmStaff, and their new cousin, the American Bully (except for the XL, which is bred from Cane Corsos and other mastiffs with a bit of AmStaff mixed in to keep the whole thing consistent).

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi everyone, I was just wondering if an Amstaff is the same thing as an American Staffy?
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi, I just wanted to know if an Amstaff is the same thing as an American Staffy?
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    A Pit Bull is just an American Staffy crossed with any other terrier. I think it might actually be with any other dog, but I’m not sure. Anyway, a Pit Bull is definitely a crossbred American Staffy.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    NO, Pit Bulls and Staffies are NOT the same thing!!! I’m in a good position to say so as I’ve got two Pit Bulls (they're very rare in France, most of the ones you see are usually just Staffies)!! French law says that a Staffie-type dog without pedigree papers is a Pit Bull... but in America, the Pit Bull is a recognised breed and is different from the AmStaff... even though they’re cousins, there are physical differences; the Staffie is generally stockier whereas the Pit Bull is more athletic and slender... a Pit ranges from about 37lbs to 88lbs (roughly 2st 9lb to 6st 4lb) and a Staffie from 55lbs to 88lbs (around 4st to 6st 4lb), so a Pit can actually be lighter than a Staffie... anyway, all that just to say that people over here will tell you they're the same, but they're not at all. Hope that helps! 😋

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi, I’ve got three Amstaffs who keep trying to escape, even when I’m right there and even after they’ve had a bone or a treat they enjoy. Does anyone have any advice or an explanation for why they’re doing this?
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Alright, you can talk it over with your vet, but they’re the only one who can judge his physical traits... As Solenneb mentioned, you aren't normally allowed to buy or rehome a dog that falls under the banned breeds list (which will likely be the case for this pup). You're leaving yourself open to a fine... but at the end of the day, it's your choice. Regarding the law: - Registration (Index of Exempted Dogs), - Third-party liability insurance, - Applying for a Certificate of Exemption (often involves a day of assessment/training), - Neutering/Spaying, - Muzzling in public, - Prohibited on public transport and in certain public places (must be kept on a lead and muzzled on the street), - Behavioural assessment between 8 and 12 months, - Microchipping (though that’s mandatory for all dogs anyway). I don't want to scare you, but as you can see, there’s quite a lot of red tape and plenty of rules to follow. At least now you’re clued up on the requirements for keeping one. Thanks, I’ll check with the vet first thing tomorrow.
    Translated from French

  • 30 comments out of 162

    See more
    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more