Hello All!

I just found this site and am looking for feedback on whether or not my dog is an AmStaffy or not?  I think she is but, maybe she's a pitbull, or something else...  I rescued her in 2013 which is why I do not know.  She is a big girl, about 75 lbs.  Here she is... what do you think?  

Hi &

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Hi and welcome from me and mine

What a beautiful dog! And well done on rescuing her, she's a lucky girl to be with you.

Guessing what's gone into a crossbreed is incredibly difficult, even DNA tests aren't reliable. Pit bull type assessment is done on measurements - literally, a trained officer turns up with a tape measure.

Did you rescue her through a reputable rescue centre? If so, what did they have her down as? If you got her through a good organisation, they will have had to be confident she's not pit bull type before rehoming her as it is illegal to do so.

I wouldn't be shouting the words 'pit bull' in public, just in case there is an idiot that reports you. From that photo, I would say that she would be assessed. Even if she's clear, it would be a horrid experience. Just make sure she's as well behaved as possible and give no one reason to report.

Hi & Welcome to the Forum from Flo and me

I'm m guessing you're in the USA where both types are fairly common. The definition between the two types are not easy to define as one can easily be called the other even by those that own the dog from my own experience.

In general terms I would say an AmStaff is a larger version of the traditional British Staffy whilst a Pit Bull will show the same relative build but leaner and more defined muscle structure. Both can make excellent pets as long as they are brought up in a loving responsible home.

To answer your question, from the picture I would say with my experience you have an AmStaff. Well done on the rescue, it's a great thing to do and I bet you've gained a loving loyal girl in to your family

Hello Liz and Ian!  Thank you for such quick replies and warm welcomes =).

Liz,  I took the poll =).  I am in the USA.  Pit-bull types cannot be re-homed in England?  How very, very sad.  A trained officer with a tape measure?  How does that happen?  OK I had to go look up the laws there... gov. uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

That is just shockingly outrageous.  I like how they plainly state it's based on a dogs looks and they don't care if it has never caused a problem.  In the US a couple states have breed specific bans as well as some counties within some states - but country wide?  Harsh!!  


Ian, I think she is an AmStaff also.  I rescued her when she was 2yrs old.  Her background was unknown and she had 10 puppies in tow.  When we met, I couldn't even touch her on her head or under her chin, she would jump back like "what is going on??!?!"  It was clear human touch was foreign to her.  Now of course she is big love cuddlebug, super sweet and super obedient.  She and my chihuahua are best friends and all three of us sleep in my bed under the covers every night...

My only point here is the breed seems to be extremely resilient.  She was not brought up in a loving, responsible home yet she is absolutely a loving and loyal family member now!  =)  

I'm happy to have found this site and look forward to learning more about the breed and how they're viewed around the world!

In the UK the Staffy earnt the nickname the "Nanny" dog due to their affection especially towards children. There are many pictures taken in the Victorian era of a loyal Staffordshire guarding the baby in its Pram (Stroller).

Staffies are quick learners and will return loyalty and affection in bucket loads if treated with humanity. It sounds like Sadie had been used for breeding purposes alone which of course is wrong and probably gives reason to why she didn't respond to humans when you first got her.

There are many stories of really horrific mistreatment yet when looked after and loved they really can have their lives turned around for the better. Sounds like Sadie fell on all 4 paws when she met you, and a pool to splash in too

Ah, I see, if you're in the US that's different It's a really tough law here, I volunteer at a rescue centre where we sadly have to have gorgeous dogs put to sleep who have done nothing other than look wrong and fit certain measurements. I can think of a couple who looked just like your girl.

I love the idea of you all sleeping together, I think I'd be worried about squashing a chihuahua!

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and the zoo xx

Hi Vikki!  Thank you!

Yeah here's the team at bedtime.  We play "Petris" ... I try to find where I can fit in lolol



I am not ashamed to admit I LOVE animals, I always have, and prefer their company to humans.

In the US, we have widespread ignorance in the southern states.  It is routine for dogs to live chained up alone in a yard.  The shelters down there are "high-kill" meaning if no one adopts you within 48 hours it's lights out, and if you look like a pitbull it is basically death upon check-in.

After I rescued Bubba in 2009, I ended up doing a lot of volunteer work for the group I adopted him from... website design/build/maintenance, correspondence, home checks, fostering, etc.  I was on email duty when a plea came in from a southern rescue group about Sadie and her pups who were inches away from being put down.  I was a very squeaky wheel for her case for some reason... I wouldn't shut up about her case.  I convinced them to transport all 11 dogs to New England for adoption.  

I am pleased to report all 10 puppies found wonderful homes while I was fostering the Mama dog (Sadie).  I had fostered before successfully but with her I failed.  I just could not bring myself to write her profile, take her pics and submit her up for adoption.  Even though I was afraid of dogs like her, and feared for my chihuahua... fate and the universe had other plans for us.  =)  

She is an inconvenient dog due to the stereotype... it was hard to find rental housing when I moved to Florida, people get the wrong idea when they see her, etc.  But, I would live in my car with her before I would ever move to a "no pets" flat without her.

She is the sweetest, most loving, gentle, intelligent, appreciative and obedient dog I have ever met.  She is protective but also very reasonable about it... she doesn't haul off and shred someone like the media would have you believe - she gives a low growl and bark as a warning and does so only when she senses a pack mate is in danger.  For example if my nephews friends jokingly push him around she does not like that and will get in between them.  Or if a non-resident walks in the house without knocking and wearing a hoodie - she stops them in their tracks.

Before Sadie I too was ignorant and brain-washed and believed they were genetically programmed to lose control, attack at will and lock their jaw etc.  It is SO not true. I just cannot say enough good things about her and the breed.  

"Petris" !!

Wow what a brilliant job you have done, credit to you ! And you are spot on about what Staffys are REALLY like !

Well done Brooke on saving Sadie & her puppies Its great to see someone putting themselves out for (the dangerous dogs) enjoy the love she will give you

Aw thanks Jen! I can't help it, it's my nature. When I was small, I wasn't allowed to bring home stray cats I found. So, I built them a make-shift shelter out of scrap wood and tarps and spent my allowance on cat food. I'd hang out in there with all the neighborhood strays lol.

My father told me he knew he was in trouble when we went shopping one day and there was a bug on the shopping cart... I was about 18 months old and pitched a full on screaming tantrum until the bug was walked outside and safely returned to nature.

I was just born this way. I wish I knew how I could turn it into a profession. I could never be a vet, I love animals but hate medical stuff...

sadie looks lovely welcome from me and mia xxxx

Thanks Crystal!!!

If anyone has read this far, I thought I'd add Sadie's "before" photo



This is where they found her after complaints from people in that area.  She weighed 38 lbs - sacrificed herself to make sure her pups were fat and healthy.  She is about double that weight now.

Hello from Duke and me she does look in a poor state with her puppies, and so thin, but you have done wonders with her as she looks amazing now.

Hiya from me and Vinnie, hard to tell but what a gorgeous dog

Welcome from Misty and I. Oh that picture is Heartbreaking, I have tears in my eyes. Thankfully Sadie found you and now has the opposite life to the one she used to have.

She is an absolutely beautiful girl, love hearing about you all sleeping together. I don't know how you do it, Misty allows me in the edge of the bed, I can't imagine sleeping with any more!

you have done amazing with.your dog xxxx best of luck for the future

Awe thanks all youre soo nice!!!

Inez Vinnie is a very handsome boy =)

Wow, how amazing. What a lucky dog to have found you. God bless you x

Hi and welcome from us and Suki