How long does a American Staffordshire Terrier live?

The listed lifespan for a American Staffordshire Terrier is 12–16 years.

How tall is a American Staffordshire Terrier?

The listed height for a American Staffordshire Terrier is 18–19 in (male), 17–18 in (female).

Is a American Staffordshire Terrier good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a American Staffordshire Terrier is 3 out of 5.

When is a American Staffordshire Terrier full grown?

The growth size band for a American Staffordshire Terrier is up to 24 months.

Terrier Group

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier is a large dog in the Terrier Group. Adult weight is 55–70 lb (male), 40–55 lb (female), height is 18–19 in (male), 17–18 in (female), and the listed lifespan is 12–16 years. AKC describes the temperament as Good-natured, Confident, Smart.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

American Staffordshire Terrier dog — Photo: Jagseer S Sidhu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–16 years

Weight55–70 lb (male), 40–55 lb (female)

SizeLarge GroupTerrier Group

Height

18–19 in (male), 17–18 in (female)

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

2 / 5

Grooming

1 / 5

Trainability

3 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 14 years is about 1.4 years longer than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 55 lb is about 4.2 lb lighter than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is United States. The coat is described as smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.6 points below the group average of 3.6 for the Terrier Group. Shedding scores 2 out of 5, so loose hair is limited. Grooming scores 1 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 3 out of 5. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 97 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Thyroid Evaluation, and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 4A (NCL, NCL4A) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

Frequently asked