Breed Comparison: American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Kooikerhondje

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American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Kooikerhondje: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje? 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 Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje.

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 Kooikerhondje.

American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje: Overview

Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are similar in size. The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are both medium-sized dogs.

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 Kooikerhondje belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier to the Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje

Factor American Staffordshire Terrier Kooikerhondje
Life Span 10 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 16 to 19 inches 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 60 pounds 20 to 25 pounds
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1340 No Data
Price Range $575 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NCL-A (Cerebellar Ataxia)
    		•  No Data

    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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a better pet than the Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje

    Below is a list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are most different:

    • American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train. However, Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje

    The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are most similar:

    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are highly intelligent.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje are very playful.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.

    Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Kooikerhondje.

    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, Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje

    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 Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

    Kooikerhondjes live longer than American Staffordshire Terriers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Kooikerhondjes?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Kooikerhondje

    American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Kooikerhondjes 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 Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Kooikerhondjes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Kooikerhondjes?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Kooikerhondje

    American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kooikerhondjes have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Staffordshire Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Kooikerhondjes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Kooikerhondjes?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Kooikerhondjes?

    American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Kooikerhondje?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje better suits you and your family.