Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
- American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier Versus the Shetland Sheepdog
- Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
- Adopting the American Staffordshire Terrier versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
- The Popularity of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
- Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Shetland Sheepdog
- Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs?
- Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog? 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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
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 Shetland Sheepdog.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/american-staffordshire-terrier-vs-shetland-sheepdog-which-is-better.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-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 Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog
Factor | American Staffordshire Terrier | Shetland Sheepdog |
---|---|---|
Life Span | 10 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
Height | 16 to 19 inches | 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 2/5 |
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 | 4/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Weight | 40 to 60 pounds | Starts at 20 pounds |
Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 5/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 13.5 years |
Average Price | $1220 | $1590 |
Price Range | $500 – $1900 | $1000 – $2000 |
Temperament Score | 85.5 percent | 68.9 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 81 | 23 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 34 | 6 |
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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the American Staffordshire Terrier. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!
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 Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/similarities-between-american-staffordshire-terrier-and-shetland-sheepdog.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog
The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog.
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, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.
Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than American Staffordshire Terriers.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/breed-comparison-american-staffordshire-terrier-versus-shetland-sheepdog.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Temperament of the American Staffordshire Terrier Versus the Shetland Sheepdog
The American Staffordshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the temperament score for the American Staffordshire Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 743 American Staffordshire Terriers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.
Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog
The average price of the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is $1220. The price of the American Staffordshire Terrier typically ranges from $500 – $1900. However, the price of a American Staffordshire Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 183 American Staffordshire Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the American Staffordshire Terrier.
American Staffordshire Terrier | Shetland Sheepdog | |
---|---|---|
Average Price | $1220 | $1590 |
Price Range | $500 to $1900 | $1000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Staffordshire Terrier and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many American Staffordshire Terrier puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog 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.](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/american-staffordshire-terrier-prices-average-range.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
A breakdown of the prices of American Staffordshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
![A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/shetland-sheepdog-prices-average-range.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog 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.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/american-staffordshire-terrier-versus-shetland-sheepdog.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Adopting the American Staffordshire Terrier versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Staffordshire Terriers and many Shetland Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male American Staffordshire Terrier named Percy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Staffordshire Terriers like Percy on pefinder.com.
Also, like American Staffordshire Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Nash (In Foster) is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like Nash (In Foster) that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/American-Staffordshire-Terrier-versus-Shetland-Sheepdog-adoption-cost.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Flint is the name of another American Staffordshire Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Cj & Brodie is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
![](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/American-Staffordshire-Terrier-versus-Shetland-Sheepdog-cost-adoption.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
You can find more American Staffordshire Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog
American Staffordshire Terrier | Shetland Sheepdog | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 34 out of 130 dog breeds | 6 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
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:
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 Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the American Staffordshire Terrier.
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.
The Popularity of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the American Staffordshire Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Staffordshire Terrier is 81 out of about 200 dog breeds.
![Popularity of American Staffordshire Terrier](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/how-popular-american-staffordshire-terrier-puppies-years.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Popularity of American Staffordshire Terrier
![Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog](https://i0.wp.com/pupvs.com/wp-content/uploads/images/how-popular-shetland-sheepdog-puppies-years.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog
Year | American Staffordshire Terrier Popularity Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 76 | 21 |
2014 | 84 | 21 |
2015 | 77 | 23 |
2016 | 81 | 24 |
2017 | 83 | 24 |
2018 | 85 | 25 |
2019 | 85 | 25 |
2020 | 82 | 27 |
Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog
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 Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Staffordshire Terrier than for the Shetland Sheepdog.
7 health tests are recommended for American Staffordshire Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Staffordshire Terriers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.
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.
Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems
Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in American Staffordshire Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Staffordshire Terrier Breed is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
This is because the American Staffordshire Terrier ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 709 American Staffordshire Terriers, 7 of them had Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Staffordshire Terriers, and how common these diseases are in American Staffordshire Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in American Staffordshire Terrier and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Shetland Sheepdog:
Disease | American Staffordshire Terrier Rank | Shetland Sheepdog Rank |
---|---|---|
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems | 1 out of 3 dog breeds | Not Common |
Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 18 out of 70 dog breeds | 46 out of 70 dog breeds |
Congenital Cardiac problems | 21 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
Elbow problems | 23 out of 144 dog breeds | 101 out of 144 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 24 out of 198 dog breeds | 166 out of 198 dog breeds |
Advanced Cardiac problems | 28 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
Thyroid problems | 34 out of 115 dog breeds | 5 out of 115 dog breeds |
Patella problems | 117 out of 145 dog breeds | 89 out of 145 dog breeds |
Collie Eye Anomaly problems | Not Common | 3 out of 7 dog breeds |
Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | Not Common | 4 out of 7 dog breeds |
Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 6 out of 49 dog breeds |
Von Willebrands problems | Not Common | 6 out of 15 dog breeds |
Eyes problems | Not Common | 122 out of 182 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog
American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.
Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Shetland Sheepdog
American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Staffordshire Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?
American Staffordshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs?
American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.
Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Shetland Sheepdog?
American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Staffordshire Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shetland Sheepdog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the American Staffordshire Terrier and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Staffordshire Terrier and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:
American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
American Staffordshire Terrier versus Saluki American Staffordshire Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel American Staffordshire Terrier versus Australian Kelpie American Staffordshire Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog American Staffordshire Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund American Staffordshire Terrier versus Silky Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese American Staffordshire Terrier versus Bullmastiff American Staffordshire Terrier versus Pomsky American Staffordshire Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound American Staffordshire Terrier versus Basenji American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shiba Inu American Staffordshire Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo American Staffordshire Terrier versus Papipoo American Staffordshire Terrier versus Bolognese American Staffordshire Terrier versus Havanese American Staffordshire Terrier versus Bracco Italiano American Staffordshire Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog American Staffordshire Terrier versus French Spaniel American Staffordshire Terrier versus Dachshund American Staffordshire Terrier versus Collie American Staffordshire Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog American Staffordshire Terrier versus King Shepherd American Staffordshire Terrier versus Aussiedoodle American Staffordshire Terrier versus Pomchi
Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shetland Sheepdog versus Doberman Pinscher Shetland Sheepdog versus American Staffordshire Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Shetland Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog Shetland Sheepdog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Shetland Sheepdog versus Bolognese Shetland Sheepdog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Shetland Sheepdog versus Italian Greyhound Shetland Sheepdog versus Standard Poodle Shetland Sheepdog versus Lhasapoo Shetland Sheepdog versus Goldador Shetland Sheepdog versus Cavapoo Shetland Sheepdog versus Mountain Cur Shetland Sheepdog versus Redbone Coonhound Shetland Sheepdog versus Carolina Dog Shetland Sheepdog versus Chinese Crested Shetland Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Irish Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Australian Shepherd Shetland Sheepdog versus Border Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund Shetland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai Shetland Sheepdog versus Australian Terrier Shetland Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher
Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.