Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Chow Chow: Introduction
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow: Overview
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow
- The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow
- Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
- Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
- Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the American Staffordshire Terrier
- Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Chow Chow
- The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Chow Chow
- Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Chow Chow
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Chow Chows?
- Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow?
- Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chow Chow?
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Chow Chows?
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Chow Chow
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow?
- Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Chow Chows?
- How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Chow Chows?
- Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Chow Chow?
- Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Chow Chow: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow better suits you.We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Staffordshire Terrier and for the Chow Chow. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow.
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow: Overview
A very important difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Chow Chow is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the Chow Chow belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier to the Chow Chow based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow
| Factor | American Staffordshire Terrier | Chow Chow |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 10 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 16 to 19 inches | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 60 pounds | 40 to 70 pounds |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1340 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $575 – $2000 | $1000 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 85.5 percent | 71.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 34 | 76 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Staffordshire Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Chow Chow. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the American Staffordshire Terrier is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Chow Chow is 69 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a better pet than the Chow Chow. So, you should get the American Staffordshire Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow
Below is a list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are most different:
- American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone. However, Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
- American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Chow Chows can tolerate cold weather.
- American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
- American Staffordshire Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Chow Chows are not very friendly towards strangers.
- American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
- American Staffordshire Terriers are highly intelligent. However, Chow Chows not very intelligent.
- American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Chow Chows are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
- American Staffordshire Terriers are very playful. However, Chow Chows not very playful.
- American Staffordshire Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Chow Chows do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow
The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are most similar:
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow do not get along well with other dogs.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are prone to nip and chew at things.
Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow.
American Staffordshire Terriers weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Staffordshire Terriers are 16 to 19 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
The lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is 12.5 years.
The lifespan of Chow Chows is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chow Chows is 13.5 years.
Chow Chows live longer than American Staffordshire Terriers.
Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Chow Chow.
This is because the temperament score for the American Staffordshire Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the American Staffordshire Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow by measuring the temperaments of 743 American Staffordshire Terriers and 99 Chow Chows.
Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Chow Chow
The average price of the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is $1340. The price of the American Staffordshire Terrier typically ranges from $575 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 125 American Staffordshire Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1810. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 117 Chow Chow puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chow Chow is more expensive than the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Staffordshire Terrier and Chow Chow. For different price points, the charts show how many American Staffordshire Terrier puppies or how many Chow Chow puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of American Staffordshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy or the Chow Chow puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Chow Chow
`| American Staffordshire Terrier | Chow Chow | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 34 out of 130 dog breeds | 76 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:- Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the American Staffordshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that American Staffordshire Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Chow Chow has an obedience intelligence rank of 76 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chow Chow belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chow Chows tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Chow Chow.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Chow Chow
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Staffordshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chow Chow.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Staffordshire Terrier than for the Chow Chow.
7 health tests are recommended for American Staffordshire Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Chow Chow.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Staffordshire Terriers and in Chow Chows.
American Staffordshire Terrier Health Problems
American Staffordshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Staffordshire Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a American Staffordshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Staffordshire Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Staffordshire Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Staffordshire Terriers here.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows here.
Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow
American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Chow Chows?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow
American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.
Chow Chows drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Chow Chows?
American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Chow Chow
American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Chow Chows do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Chow Chows?
American Staffordshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Chow Chows?
American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Chow Chow?
American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Chow Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Chow Chow better suits you and your family.