Home / Breeds / American Staffordshire Terrier / Similar breeds
Shared terrier work puts the Bull Terrier first for the American Staffordshire Terrier, alongside the same family, Terrier group and medium size, matching top energy and a close weight range of 50 to 70 pounds. The Kerry Blue Terrier and Airedale Terrier follow, both sharing the terrier role and the same family and group.
The matches follow in score order, each with the traits that earned its place and the clearest difference from the American Staffordshire Terrier.
The closest overall match the records produce for the American Staffordshire Terrier is the Bull Terrier. They share the terriers and pinschers family shelf and the Terrier group label. The function lists agree on terrier work for the two of them. The size records line up: medium for both, 21 to 22 inches and 17 to 19 inches. Little separates them beyond small shifts in the numbers already noted.
Go deeper: the Bull Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Bull Terrier.
A strong second place belongs to the Kerry Blue Terrier. The two match at family level, among the terriers and pinschers, and in the Terrier group. The function lists agree on terrier work for the two of them. Height barely divides them, 18 to 20 inches against 17 to 19 inches; both are medium dogs. Little separates them beyond small shifts in the numbers already noted.
Go deeper: the Kerry Blue Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Kerry Blue Terrier.
The Airedale Terrier rounds out the closest matches. They share the terriers and pinschers family shelf and the Terrier group label. Role history overlaps, with both recorded for terrier work. Size is the divider in the end, a medium dog at 22 to 24 inches next to a medium dog at 17 to 19 inches.
Go deeper: the Airedale Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Airedale Terrier.
Another near match in the records is the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Each is filed with the terriers and pinschers and classed in the Terrier group. A shared past runs through both: terrier work. They separate most on height, 13 to 14 inches versus 17 to 19 inches.
Go deeper: the Glen of Imaal Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Glen of Imaal Terrier.
The American Pit Bull Terrier also scores near the top of the list. Each is filed with the terriers and pinschers and classed in the Terrier group. Size nearly matches, both medium: 17 to 21 inches against 17 to 19 inches. What difference there is sits in the fine print of the ranges rather than in any single trait.
Go deeper: the American Pit Bull Terrier profile or breeds similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Also high in the comparison is the Schnauzer. Both are medium dogs: 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder against 17 to 19 inches. Little separates them beyond small shifts in the numbers already noted.
Go deeper: the Schnauzer profile or breeds similar to the Schnauzer.
| Breed | Size | Height | Weight | Lifespan | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Staffordshire Terrier | Medium | 17 to 19 in | 40 to 70 lb | 12 to 16 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Bull Terrier | Medium | 21 to 22 in | 50 to 70 lb | 12 to 13 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | Medium | 18 to 20 in | 33 to 40 lb | 12 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Airedale Terrier | Medium | 22 to 24 in | 50 to 65 lb | 11 to 14 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Glen of Imaal Terrier | Medium | 13 to 14 in | 32 to 36 lb | 12 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| American Pit Bull Terrier | Medium | 17 to 21 in | 30 to 60 lb | 12 to 14 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Schnauzer | Medium | 18 to 20 in | 30 to 45 lb | 13 to 16 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
The Schnauzer is the longest lived pick here at 13 to 16 years, matching the top of the Staffordshire range, while the Glen of Imaal Terrier is by far the lightest at 32 to 36 pounds.
On the recorded traits the Bull Terrier scores highest: a shared family, the same group, a matching size class, shared working roots and a close lifespan. The Kerry Blue Terrier is next in line.
No. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is recorded at 13 to 14 inches and 32 to 36 lb, the American Staffordshire Terrier at 17 to 19 inches and 40 to 70 lb, so the American Staffordshire Terrier is the larger dog.
The Schnauzer carries the longest recorded range of the set, 13 to 16 years, where the American Staffordshire Terrier itself is recorded at 12 to 16 years.