Staffordshire Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier Dog Breed

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier-American Pit Bull Terrier, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed grou; both parents are terriers, though, so this crossbreed will definitely fit in that category. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' origin--but since the parent breeds are so similar, this hybrid has probably existed for a long time.

The Staffy-APBT mix is the offspring of two "pit bull" breeds, which are frowned upon by many cities, neighborhoods, and apartment associations; in fact, some ask, "Are Staffy-cross-PitBull dogs illegal?" They actually might be in certain places, so owners will need to check their local laws to see if having a pit bull type is allowed.

A few Staffy-PitBull mix facts: they're medium-sized and muscular, averaging 17 inches at the shoulders in height and 45 pounds in weight; they have short, smooth coats that shed moderately; and they're highly energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a PitBull-Staff mix:

The Staffy-PitBull cross is the offspring of two very similar breeds--in fact, some believe, their only real difference is in size. Whatever the case, both breeds descended from the bull- and bear-baiting dogs of 19th century England, so they share a lot of genetic material.

These pit bull dogs were originally developed to have a sort of "Jekyll-and-Hyde" temperament: they were trained, in other words, to be vicious to other animals but friendly to humans. This behavior has been mostly bred out of the pit bull breeds in modern times, but instinctive aggression toward animals (particularly other dogs) might still happen with these two breeds. This means your Staffy-PitBull mix will need a lot of training and socialization--starting when the dog is a puppy if possible--to teach it respectful, peaceful behavior. Ideally, a Staffy-PitBull will live in a "one-dog" (or better yet, a "one-pet"!) household. With humans, these hybrids will be friendly, playful, and protective--especially with kids.

While these dogs won't be bouncing off the walls with energy, they'll be pretty active (and incredibly strong), so they'll need some outdoor exercise on a daily basis. Without it, they can become very destructive.

A Staffy-APBT mix will be medium-sized, extremely muscular, and streamlined. These hybrids somehow pack immense power into a relatively small package.

Specifically what does a PitBull-Staffy look like? The head is fairly blocky, the ears medium-length and floppy (and sometimes cropped), and the eyes are almond-shaped in various shades of brown. The muzzle is short and wide, and the nose is usually black or brown. (A red nose PitBull-cross-Staffy is possible, but not common.) The chest is deep and wide, shoulders beefy, legs straight and muscled, and the tail is medium-length and curved (and often docked to a quarter of its natural length).

The Staffy-PitBull coat is short and smooth in a variety of colors.

Protective, friendly, energetic, intelligent, and at times dominant, the Staffy-cross-PitBull temperament is one of loyalty and activity. These hybrids will be very affectionate with their loved ones, and will instinctively defend them at all costs. They'll also be very playful and fun-loving, so they make great companions for kids; they can get along with other pets, but they may try to dominate them (especially other dogs). It's best if your Staffy-PitBull mix grows up alongside any children or household pets. It's also a good idea to keep these dogs leashed when in public to avoid confrontations with unknown people or animals.

In regards to training: a Staffy-PitBull can take well to it, but will definitely need a trainer willing to play the role of the dog's "alpha." With firm (but never harsh!) leadership, these hybrids can learn tasks, tricks, and commands fairly easily. As always, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Another great attribute of the Staffy x PitBull temperament is its excellent watch- and guard dog skills. While they don't bark too much, these courageous and powerful dogs will investigate unknown sights and sounds and have the physical ability to neutralize most potential threats.

A Staffy-APBT mix will generally have good health, but like any dog, may suffer a few naturally occurring issues. These include hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, skin allergies, and bloat.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 12-15 years.