A Detailed Comparison of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff.

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American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

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

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 Spanish Mastiff.

American Staffordshire Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Spanish Mastiff is a giant-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 Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff

Factor American Staffordshire Terrier Spanish Mastiff
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 16 to 19 inches 26 to 35 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
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 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 60 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1340 $1050
Price Range $575 – $2000 $1000 – $1050
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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spanish Mastiff is a better pet than the American Staffordshire Terrier. So, you should get the Spanish Mastiff!

    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 Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff

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

    • American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • American Staffordshire Terriers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • American Staffordshire Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Spanish Mastiffs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff

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

    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very easy to groom.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    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, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    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 Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    American Staffordshire Terriers live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The American Staffordshire Terrier is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Staffordshire Terrier and Spanish Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many American Staffordshire Terrier puppies or how many Spanish Mastiff 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 American Staffordshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy or the Spanish Mastiff 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Spanish Mastiff

    American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Spanish Mastiff

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

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Spanish Mastiff?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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