Is the American Staffordshire Terrier a banned breed in the UK?

No. It is not, but the UK recommends not bringing American Staffordshire Terriers into the UK because they may be mistaken for Pit Bull Terriers. In 2003, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs published a pamphlet titled Guidance on the Recognition of Prohibited Dogs in Great Britain.

The pamphlet address American Staffordshire Terriers in two ways. First, under the heading 'Other Dogs That May Be Affected', it says:

"Remember that the characteristics are essential in deciding whether or not the dog is prohibited. Not

all Pit Bull Terriers will be described as a Pit Bull Terrier by their owner. Some owners may deliberately misrepresent the breed of their dog using terms such as American Staffordshire Terriers.

In other words, true American Staffordshire Terriers aren't actually banned, but Pit Bull Terrier called American Staffordshire Terriers are banned, which can result in a true American Staffordshire Terrier being seized under the suspicion that it is actually a Pit Bull Terrier.

The guide then addresses bringing registered breeds into the country that are not one of the four banned breeds, but may look like one of the four banned breeds. This would include American Staffordshire Terriers.

"If a person arriving in this country produces paperwork that purports to prove thatthe dog is not a prohibited type it is necessary for the authorities to be cautious.Paperwork accompanying the dog should be detailed and comprehensive. Owners should be aware that if the dog displays the defining characteristics that are represented in the prohibited types the dog could be seized and its fate decided by the courts irrespective of the paperwork. It is therefore necessary to be very cautious when buying a dog that is not Kennel Club registered particularly if you are considering bringing a dog to this country from overseas."

"If there is any doubt as to whether the dog in question could be considered to be of the prohibited type, the advice is NOT to bring it into this country."

In the FAQ section, the guide contains this specific AmStaff guidance:

Q: My dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff) and I have got the papers to prove it and I also have the necessary documentation for my dog to travel under the Pet Travel Scheme. Will it be allowed into the country?

A. Our advice is not to bring an Am Staff into this country as we cannot guarantee that it will not be seized and its fate decided by a Court."

Again, if AmStaffs are banned, the simple answer is AmStaffs are banned. That's not the answer. The answer is, 'eh, we can't guarantee that somebody won't think it's a Pit Bull Terrier.'

The Dangerous Dogs Act clearly doesn't ban ALL 'pit bull type' dogs. It doesn't ban Staffordshire Terriers, the fifth most popular dog in the UK, and considered a 'pit bull' in the US. There are movements in the UK to add Staffordshire Terriers to the banned list.

I'd be very careful about this. Strictly speaking it's NOT one of the 4 banned breeds in the UK, BUT as so many have tried to get round the Pit Bull ban by breeding with the Staffie, there's a huge grey area here now, so any dog remotely looking like a Pit Bull, might be seized as being one.

Why not adopt one of the huge number of Staffies currently in Shelters up and down the country!!

MacBryan is right.

To my understanding the American Staffordshire Terrier in known as another version of the American Pit Bull Terrier causing them both to be a banned breed. Even if they were legal, getting such a breed for a child is highly irresponsible. They require a specific owner who understands them and can control them and are not easy dogs to own and not a dog to ever expect a child to raise properly. If your child is an adult it is still a bad idea to get a dog for another person as it is up to the person wanting the dog to research thoroughly and find the right type of dog that they can handle and that fits their lifestyle. There are plenty of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their mixes up for adoption in the UK. Unless you are 100% sure you are wanting a dog as well (given your kid is a kid) then dont go getting your kid one because in the end the responsibiity will be thrown on you once the dog gets boring for the kid

The UKC (United Kennel Club) does not recognize the American Staffordshire Terrier, only the American Pit Bull Terrier which the American Staffordshire Terrier is considered being another variety of in the UK. The Amstaff may be its own breed outside of the UK, but according to the UKs national kennel club, they are one of the same

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanstaffordshire....

http://www.apbtconformation.com/standardcomparison...

Incorrect Orion, The Am Staff, isn't a banned breed in the UK!!

The Dangerous Dogs Act bans "pit bull type" dogs. The American Staffordshire Terrier fits the definition of "pit bull type" so is therefore banned. I suggest you actually read the appropriate legislation instead of relying on amateur interpretations of it. More info here:

http://ddawatch.co.uk/DDA_Detail_and_practice.html

ncorrect Orion

Amstaffs ARE pit bulls!

It is yes