American Staffordshire Terrier Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

American Staffordshire terriers are fun-loving, loyal, and docile dogs. From their adorable size, gentle disposition, and limitless intelligence, this breed has it all. These pups love mental and physical stimulation so if you’re up for a canine that will challenge your mind while keeping you physically fit, you may have met your match. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the progression of your American Staffordshire terrier, including a useful growth chart, milestones, and training tips.

American Staffordshire Summary 

“Amstaffs” grow to be nearly 2 feet tall and weigh about 40 to 70 pounds. These terriers are muscular and smaller in comparison to their pitbull cousins. They are also easy to train. However, they can be stubborn at times, so an owner who can stay on a consistent training schedule is highly recommended.

American Staffordshire Growth and Weight Chart by Age

When Will My American Staffordshire Stop Growing?

Your pooch will stop growing at 18 months old. Some American Staffordshire may not stop growing until 24 months of age. However, to ensure your dog is growing at a healthy progression rate, be sure to take them to their annual vet exams. 

Another way to ensure your puppy is growing correctly is to make sure you are feeding them the right diet. Ideally, American Staffordshire pups should be fed high-quality puppy food at least three times per day. For adult American Staffordshires, feeding them once in the morning and once at night will be sufficient for the breed’s nutritional needs. You may also wish to consult your veterinarian for brand-specific suggestions.

If you wish to steer clear of commercial pet foods, you can also research home-cooked dog recipes. You must be careful to make sure all home ingredients benefit your pooch.

How Big Will My American Staffordshire Be When Fully Grown?

Your American Staffordshire will be fully grown when they reach the one-year mark. They should be about 2 feet long and weigh about 40-70 pounds. Keep in consideration that genetics and diet play a role in the growth of your American Staffordshire

When Should My American Staffordshire Be Spayed or Neutered?

Most veterinary professionals will suggest that spaying, or neutering your American Staffordshire is best done around 6 months of age. But, depending on the way they are growing, you may need to wait a bit longer.

When Should My American Staffordshire Be House Broken?

If you bring home an American Staffordshire puppy, you can begin training at 8 weeks old. Keep in mind that a constant schedule, patience, and understanding make the house training process run smoother. 

It is best to get your puppy into a routine of going potty every morning, afternoon, and night. 

Potty training an adult American Staffordshire is not much different compared to a puppy. The only difference is age. Therefore, staying consistent and patient while training an adult Staffordshire will make all of the difference.

It’s important to remember that accidents may happen. If they have an accident do not yell, or act out in frustration. Clean up the mess and continue with training.

When Should My American Staffordshire Stop Eating Puppy Food?

Your puppy can be safely weaned off puppy food once they turn 1 year old. Do not try to take them off of puppy food before this age otherwise, it could stunt their development. If you are looking for a breed-specific food, consult your local vet for recommendations. 

When Will My American Staffordshire Start Losing Teeth?

At four months old, your puppy will start to lose their puppy teeth to make room for adult chompers. If you notice your canine displaying signs of discomfort there are a few things that you can try such as:

• Provide chew toys for when your puppy tries to nibble on you or guests. 
• Use healthy treats such as frozen teething rings.
• Put playtime to a halt if they try to nibble on you or your children. This will teach them to use other sources such as safe-chewing toys to soothe mouth pain.
• Invest in vet-approved puppy chew toys.

When Should I Start Training My American Staffordshire?

Many veterinary professionals agree that training your puppy should start around 7-8-weeks-old. The earlier that you can safely start training, the sooner your puppy will develop healthy habits that will take them into their adult years. Early training, also helps prevent behavioral issues such as aggression, and other fear-induced behaviors.

What Cues Should I Teach My American Staffordshire First?

Week One Training

During the first week of training, you can begin to teach your dog cues such as:

• Their name.
• Sit.
• Retrieval of toys.

In addition, you can begin to provide the following training:

• Learning to stay in their crate.
• Going potty outside.
• Learning to spend time alone.

Week Two Training

During week two you can continue teaching them training from week one plus:

• Getting them acquainted with sounds, fireworks, etc.
• Beginning leash training. 
• Getting them used to being groomed.
• Fetch.
• Dropping items when you ask them to.

Week Three Training

Now that you have combined training from weeks one and two, it is time to work on week three. In week three, you can train your American Staffy to:

• Socialize with guests.
• Training them not to jump on people.
• Introduce them to car rides.
• Teaching them “down”.
• Continuing with alone time, potty training, and grooming.
• Continuing on with leash training.

Week Four Training

When you’ve reached the fourth week, you can teach them to:

• Socialize with people and puppies.
• Learn to safely observe dogs from a distance.
• Teach them to safely lie down on a mat.
• Introducing them to grooming around private areas.

No matter what training you are teaching your puppy, positive reinforcement is the best way to train.

When Will My Staffordshire Terrier Calm Down?

Your American Staffordshire will calm down when they are 2 years old. To help them calm down, take them on walks three times a day at 45 minutes per walk. They should also receive some playtime for mental stimulation. Constant training as a puppy and even into the adult stages of their life is important to make sure that they are less hyper when they reach adulthood.

Common Health Issues Your American Staffordshire Might Experience

As with any breed, there are health issues to consider. On the other hand, keeping up with annual veterinary exams and vaccines will help eliminate most risk issues. In this section, you’ll be provided with a few health issues to look out for.

1. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition in which your pup’s hips and joints do not align correctly. Misalignment causes pain and makes it harder for your dog to move. If your pup develops dysplasia the first thing your vet will do is suggest lifestyle changes. If that doesn’t work surgery, and medications may be suggested to help you be as pain-free as possible.

2. Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Another genetic predisposition that your pup may be subjected to is a condition called progressive retinal atrophy. This condition begins when your dog is a pup. Eventually, by the time they are an adult, they are completely blind. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this condition. However, you will need to change your dog’s lifestyle around to compensate for their vision loss.

3. Hypothyroidism

Just like humans, your dog’s thyroid gland can fail to work properly by failing to produce the hormone called “thyroxine”. This condition starts at 4-10 years of age. Luckily, it can be managed by medication. The medication helps your dog enjoy a normal, healthy, life.

In conclusion, American Staffordshires can be a great dog for beginners to expert owners. They are silly, sweet, and easy-to-train. With the right diet, annual exams, and vaccines your American Staffordshire will live for a long time.

Pictures of American Staffordshires as Puppies

Pictures of American Staffordshire Terriers at 6 Months

Pictures of Fully Grown American Staffordshire Terriers

The photo featured at the top of this post is © State Farm, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original