Pugnaces Britanniae vs American Staffordshire Terrier - Breed Comparison

Both American Staffordshire Terrier and Pugnaces Britanniae are originated from United Kingdom. American Staffordshire Terrier may grow 27 cm / 10 inches shorter than Pugnaces Britanniae. American Staffordshire Terrier may weigh 83 kg / 182 pounds lesser than Pugnaces Britanniae. Both American Staffordshire Terrier and Pugnaces Britanniae has almost same life span. American Staffordshire Terrier may have less litter size than Pugnaces Britanniae. Both American Staffordshire Terrier and Pugnaces Britanniae requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
67 - 75 cm
26 - 30 inches
Height Female:
40 - 47 cm
15 - 19 inches
67 - 75 cm
26 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
52 - 110 kg
114 - 243 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 23 kg
33 - 51 pounds
52 - 110 kg
114 - 243 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
10 - 15
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Staffy • Staffie • Stafford • Staff • Am Staff • Amstaff • American Staffy
War Dog of Britannia
Colors Available:
BlackBlueBrindleBrownWhiteYellow
brindle, tan, Fawn
Coat:
smooth, Single
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

american staffordshire terrierThe 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.

Pugnaces Britanniae is a dog which is now extinct. There isn't certainty surrounding the origins of the dog but it is thought they descended from dogs brought to Britain way back in the 6th century BC already.

These are ancient dogs, and when you do research you find references dating back to centuries ago. In fact when you read of the Roman conquest of Britain you read of huge dogs, which the Romans referred to as Pugnaces Britanniae.

It is believed that the English Mastiff descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnaces Britanniae and that the dog was used as a war dog.

Description

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.

The Pugnaces Britanniae was a huge dog standing at roughly 67 to 75cm and weighing 52 to 110kg.

He was a heavily built dog, a Mastiff type dog that had a large head, broad muzzle with fairly loose skin around the mouth, brown eyes, a broad back and rump, muscular legs and floppy ears with a long tail. In fact the Mastiff, thought to have descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnaces Britanniae, gives you an idea of what the dog looked like. He no doubt has a short, smooth coat available in fawn, tan or brindle and with the black mask.

Temperament:

The Pugnaces Britannia was a naturally aggressive dog so it is to be expected that he wouldn’t automatically have been a good family dog, possibly being aggressive around children and other dogs. They were intelligent and were no doubt taught some simple commands.

They were also very territorial dogs, wanting to instinctively chase and attack unknown people and animals. They were strong minded, confident, loyal ad loving dogs towards their owners, being protective of them, wanting to please them.

Characteristics

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.

The Pugnaces Britanniae may well have been a large dog and quite imposing to look at but he was in all likelihood a good-natured pet who got on well with his family members, being loyal and loving if brought up correctly.

Long ago dog training and socialization didn’t exist but a large dog like this would have to be socialized and trained to become obedient and an amicable all-rounder.

Health Problems

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.

The Pugnaces Britanniae could live to 10, 11 or 12 years of age with good care. Large Mastiff type dogs like this would have had to watch out for common canine diseases such as hip dysplasia, cancer and bloat.

In those days, no screening tests were available for health problems like this. Gastric dilatation volvulus or bloat is a common health issue with large, deep chested dogs where the stomach fills with gas and the stomach twists. Its a life threatening disease.

Canine heart disease is another serious health issue with these mastiff type dogs. Early stages with heart disease show there may well be no symptoms at all. However, as the heart disease progresses towards congestive heart failure, the dog will have symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty with breathing, weight loss, a distended abdomen and coughing.

A dog with symptoms like this would have to see a vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

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.

Diet:

The diets of ancient dogs were different to what they are today, as in those days there were no commercially manufactured dog foods. Dog owners in all likelihood tossed scraps to them which included starch.

Today a large dog such as the extinct Pugnaces Britannia would have no doubt been fed a high quality kibble from a leading brand and packed with minerals and vitamins specially formulated for a large dog breed.

Homemade food is also important, but not any kind of food – it has to be food which doesn’t upset the dog’s digestive system. Simple but nutritious food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach is ideal for a dog, and when it is chopped up can be added twice a week to the dry kibble for a tasty, healthy treat.

Raw meat added in occasionally is also hugely beneficial. No dog should ever be without fresh, cool water constantly available.

Grooming:

As a short haired dog, the Pugnaces Britanniae would have required a brushing twice a week to rid the dog of loose hairs. Maybe in those days they didn’t check their dogs over to see that all was well, but today you would need to check the inside of the ears. If the insides were red, it could be a sign of an ear infection brought on by dampness, excess wax and dirt.

The eyes would need to be checked for discharge and the teeth checked a well. One rotten tooth can cause a lot of havoc. The nails of the dog would have had to be checked and clipped as well.

Exercise:

As a war dog, the Pugnaces Britanniae would have been fit. He is a big dog and while they require exercise such as walks and hide-and-seek type of games, he isn’t the kind of dog that would go running with you on a jog, as large, heavy dogs can overheat easily.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pugnaces Britanniae vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  5. Pugnaces Britanniae vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Pugnaces Britanniae vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  13. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  16. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
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  18. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  22. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Akita - Breed Comparison
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  24. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Pugnaces Britanniae vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. American Staffordshire Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  28. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. American Staffordshire Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. American Staffordshire Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. American Staffordshire Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. American Staffordshire Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison