Italian Greyhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison

Italian Greyhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed ComparisonItalian Greyhound is originated from Italy but American Staffordshire Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Italian Greyhound may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than American Staffordshire Terrier. Italian Greyhound may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than American Staffordshire Terrier. Both Italian Greyhound and American Staffordshire Terrier has almost same life span. Italian Greyhound may have less litter size than American Staffordshire Terrier. Both Italian Greyhound and American Staffordshire Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

italian greyhound - historyThe Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed, a purebred originating in Italy but with evidence to suggest it was also to be found in Turkey and Greece.

It's a small breed dog that became popular with Italian royalty in the 16th century. Over the centuries, the dog's appearance has remain unchanged, although breeders tried to make it even smaller, leading to problems with the health of the dog.

Towards the end of the 1800s, it was fortunate that breed fanciers implemented breeding programs to restore the dog's look's and strength. The American Kennel Club registered the Italian Greyhound in 1886. Today the dog is a wonderful companion dog.

american staffordshire terrier - historyThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a part of all the confusion surrounding the group of “pit bulls”. The American Staffordshire Terrier is directly related to the English Bull Terrier and English Terrier. The breed of the English Staffordshire Terrier was bred in the early 19th century in the West Midlands. It was not until later that the breed came from Staffordshire. These English Staffordshire Terriers are also the source of contention by breeders who insist it was the Fox Terrier, White English Terrier, Tan and Black Terrier that are the ancestors of the English Staffordshire Terrier.

These terriers (AKA pit bull terrier) came to the United States in the mid 1800’s. By the late 1890’s they were accepted by the United Kennel Club (UKC)as the American Pit Bull Terrier – a new and distinct breed. There were also some that were accepted into the AKC as the Staffordshire Terrier. In England they were still known as the American Staffordshire Terrier. When the AKC accepted the breed in 1936 they were given a new standard, new purpose and new group – the terrier. In 1969 the American Kennel Club recognized these dogs as American Staffordshire Terriers and refused to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. The name was changed to move the breed away from its characterization as a bull fighter and to distinguish it from the smaller English Staffordshire Terrier. All American Staffordshire Terriers are directly related to the American Pit Bull Terriers.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Italy
United Kingdom
Height Male:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
40 - 47 cm
15 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
15 - 23 kg
33 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
5 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
IG, Iggy
Staffy • Staffie • Stafford • Staff • Am Staff • Amstaff • American Staffy
Colors Available:
grey, tan, Fawn, chocolate and black., reddish
BlackBlueBrindleBrownWhiteYellow
Coat:
Short and smooth
smooth, Single
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

italian greyhound puppy - descriptionThe sweet Italian Greyhound is much like the regular Greyhound, just smaller but every bit as sleek, elegant and fine-boned. He stands at between 33 and 38cm at the withers and weighs just 3 to 7kg. He is slender and elegant.

He has long, fine-boned legs and his short, smooth coat makes him easy to groom too. The coat comes in a number of colors such as fawn, tan, grey, reddish, chocolate and black.

Temperament.

Described as sweet, intelligent and playful, the Italian Greyhound adapts easily to life in the city or to country life.

He is easy to train too, and even though he is small and amicable, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as he is just a simple pleasure to have around then. He just loves the company of his human family and becomes a gentle friend to other dogs, to children in the home and to the elderly.

He is a frail toy dog, and he needs to be constantly watched over that he isn’t handled roughly by disrespectful children or from bigger pets. He is an active breed and will love to be played with and join you on your walks. Even though he is such a frail, fragile looking dog, he has a feisty, stubborn, defiant side to him and that is why training and socialization becomes important. He will be reserved around strangers.

american staffordshire terrier puppy - descriptionThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a strong, powerful dog – stocky, muscular and graceful. At one point in time the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier were considered to be the same breed. Even today there are those that make that argument, but they have been recognized outside the AKC as separate breeds. The AKC only recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier and not the APBT. However – even though there have been decades of separation in breeding the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are the very same dogs genetically.

The American Staffordshire Terrier has a broad skull, high set ears and pronounced cheek bones. Their ears should not be cropped by AKC standards and their eyes are far apart, round and dark. With a medium sized muzzle and a heavy muscular back, they are as powerful as they look, if not more so. Most have black noses. The AmStaff has a broad, deep chest with wide set forelegs and compact feet. The tail is short and tapered and it should not be docked.

Characteristics

italian greyhound dog - characteristicsIf you’re looking for a sweet, gentle canine friend, the Italian Greyhound promises to be just that. They just crave human companionship and are eager to please.

He isn’t the ideal playmate for children, simply because he is frail and can get hurt easily in rough play.

Small he may be, but he is intelligent and alert, and he will bark to warn you of strangers. They are essentially indoor dogs, and when you bring one of them into your home, you’ll be rewarded with a devoted, loving and loyal canine friend.

american staffordshire terrier dog - characteristicsThe American Staffordshire Terrier is a loving, gentle dog that wants nothing more than to be with and please his people. Contrary to his reputation as a “killer”, this dog is actually a lover. They are great with children and want to be a part of the family. They even think they are lap dogs, regardless of their size. They are never going to be aggressive toward people and even though they are not one-person dogs, they are loyal, and they are devoted to the family and the “leader of the pack”.

This breed can tell who is their friend and who is not. They are not aggressive, but they will protect their own. They are courageous, confident, attentive, bold and strong-willed. The AmStaff gets along with other dogs most of the time, but they will never back down from a challenge and should never be left unsupervised with another dog. They should not be loose in a neighborhood or at a dog park. No matter how much you trust your American Staffordshire Terrier they can be killers in any fight with another dog.

In addition to this you must socialize and train your AmStaff. You need to be the pack leader and be in control. The AmStaff wants to please you so for a strong leader they will respond positively to positive training. They are intelligent and pick up quickly on what you want them to do. However, they are incredibly strong physically so training them to heel and walk with you obediently is a must. A well trained and exercised American Staffordshire Terrier is a happy dog and a loyal family dog.

Health Problems

italian greyhound puppies - health problemsYour small Italian Greyhound isn’t a sickly dog breed, and in fact, with the right care, he can live to be between 10 to 14 years of age.

As with any dog breed however, there will be some more common conditions to watch for in the Italian Greyhound. Some of these are epilepsy, hyperthyroidism and periodontal disease.

Epilepsy:

There are different types and causes of seizures, and there are actually no definitive tests for epilepsy. One seizure isn’t enough to make a diagnosis and more than one seizure is usually recorded before a diagnosis can be made and treatment prescribed.

These treatments don’t cure Epilepsy but rather control the symptoms and keep the dog seizure-free so that they can have a normal life.

Seizures are not all the same – some are life-threatening and advice from the internet can’t be looked upon as adequate. With a dangerous disease such as epilepsy, excellent and qualified veterinary help will be required.

Periodontal Disease:

Gum disease can be terrible for your pet. Apart from bone loss and loss of teeth, your pet will experience pain. Periodontal disease may well be common in dogs, but it can be prevented.

Once an animal has eaten food, particles of food, saliva and bacteria form plaque over the teeth and this doesn’t only cause damage to the teeth but to the entire immune system.

This disease can cause inflamed gums and loss of teeth. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

The truth is, periodontal disease can cause more problems than just tooth pain which is bad enough. Dogs with gum inflammation may be at higher risk for heart- and kidney disease too. If you’re worried about your dog, take him in to your vet for an oral examination and teeth cleaning.

american staffordshire terrier puppies - health problemsFor the most part the American Staffordshire Terrier, like most of the “pit bulls” is a hearty, healthy dog. They have a few tendencies that breeders should test for including hip dysplasia, allergies, and heart issues. They can test for Cerebellar ataxia, which has affected the AmStaff with a progressive decline in their ability to control their muscles and coordination.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

italian greyhound dogs - caringThe Italian Greyhound has a short, smooth, satin-type coat which is easy to maintain. Gently brush him once or twice a week, being careful not to press down hard as he has frail, bambi-like legs.

He also sheds little, making him a low maintenance breed. Because of the short coat, take particular care of him in the Winter and don’t allow him to become overly cold.

Diet:

Your Italian Greyhound will require a diet rich in nutritional value, and if your particular dog is quite active you will need to feed him about 450 calories a day and sometimes more.

Each dog is an individual and will have different dietary needs. If you feed your pet a top quality commercially manufactured food, read the packaging for guidance on food portion sizes.

Speak to your vet if you are unsure how to feed your dog so that his food and the amounts you feed him contribute to his good health. He must always have access to fresh, cool water.

american staffordshire terrier dogs - caringfeed You can feed your American Staffordshire Terrier either commercially purchased food or food you make yourself if the quality is high, nutrition is good, and the amount eaten is determined by the owner. Do not free feed. The AmStaff has the tendency to become obese. Its ok to use treats for training and rewards, as long as its use is controlled.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American AmStaff Terrier has a tendency toward a few health issues. Hip Dysplasia – this condition causes a lot of pain and disability. It leads to different types of arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Cardiac Issues – Congenital heart disease consists of vessel malformation and lesions.

Allergies

Thyroid Issues

The AmStaff can be susceptible to Autoimmune Thyroiditis. This is a form of hypothyroidism developed by dogs. It is usually seen between 2 and 5 years of age. Continual retesting is recommended.

Cerebellar Ataxia

This is the most dangerous disease possibility that the American Staffordshire Terrier faces. There is a test for this condition which causes the AmStaff to display an inability to control their muscles and a loss of balance, to the point of falling. This is a progressive disease that often leads to euthanasia. The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America suggests that AmStaffs carrying the NCL genes should never be bred.

Exercise and games

The American Staffordshire Terrier is an energetic, and athletic dog that loves to play and needs plenty of exercise. This breed is oriented to people and should never be left alone in the yard all day as a way for her to exercise. She needs you to play with her. If you cannot do this, then you should not own this breed of dog. This breed also loves to play canine sports. They thrive on games like dock diving, agility and obedience competitions. They excel at search and rescue. These are competitive dogs that want nothing more then to please their people.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Labradoodle vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Cane Corso vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Alaskan Malamute vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Mixed vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Bullmastiff vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Dogue De Bordeaux vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. German Shorthaired Pointer vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Bloodhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Great Pyrenees vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. American Staffordshire Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  14. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  15. American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  17. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  18. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  19. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  20. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  22. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  23. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  24. American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  25. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Papillon vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Japanese Chin vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature English Bulldog vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Italian Greyhound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  34. Italian Greyhound vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  35. Italian Greyhound vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  36. Italian Greyhound vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  37. Italian Greyhound vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Italian Greyhound vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  40. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Italian Greyhound vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  42. Italian Greyhound vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  43. Italian Greyhound vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  44. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  45. Italian Greyhound vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  46. Italian Greyhound vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Italian Greyhound vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  48. Italian Greyhound vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison
  49. Italian Greyhound vs Doxiepom - Breed Comparison
  50. Jug vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds