Alaskan Pit Bull vs American Staffordshire Terrier vs Shetland Sheepdog Comparison

Quick Verdict

Who wins in each category?

Best for Apartments

🤝 Tie

Easiest Grooming

American Staffordshire Terrier

1/5 · Low maintenance

Longest Lifespan

🤝 Tie

Easiest to Train

Shetland Sheepdog

5/5 · Easy

Most Active

Alaskan Pit Bull

5/5 · Active

Best for First-Time Owners

🤝 Tie

4/6

67%

Alaskan Pit Bull

4/6

67%

American Staffordshire Terrier

4/6

67%

Shetland Sheepdog

* This summary is based on data from our database. Always make your final decision based on your individual needs.

Basic Info

Origin
United S
United S
Scotland
Popularity
#650
#83
#24
Common Names & Aliases
Not available
StaffordStaffyAmstaff
Dwarf Scotch ShepherdSheltieShetland CollieToonie DogMiniature Collie
Breed Classification
Cross Breed
Purebred
Purebred
Size Classification
LargeMedium
Medium
Medium
Weight Statistics
Male: 36-43 kg, Female: 32-38 kg
25-30 kg
6-12 kg
Average Weight
Male: 36-43 kg, Female: 32-38 kg
28.1 kg
9.3 kg
Height
Male: 61-66 cm, Female: 56-61 cm
Male: 43-48 cm, Female: 41-46 cm
33-41 cm
Average Height
Male: 61-66 cm, Female: 56-61 cm
Male: 45.5 cm, Female: 43.5 cm
37 cm
Intelligence Rating
3/5
4/5
5/5
Watchdog Rating
4/5
3/5
4/5
Training Difficulty
4/5
4/5
3/5
Territorial Protection
4/5
3/5
5/5
Price Range
$500-$700
$800-$1000
$800-$1000
Availability
3/5
5/5
5/5
Personality Traits
AffectionateDignifiedLoyalDevotedFriendlyPlayfulClownishStrongWilledAggressiveCourageousIntelligentObedientStubborn
AttentiveDevotedLoyalIntelligentCourageousFriendlyTenacious
AffectionateGentleLivelyResponsiveFriendlyIntelligentPlayful
Sensitivity Level
4/5
3/5
5/5
Impulse to Wander or Roam
5/5
3/5
2/5
Prey Drive
4/5
3/5
3/5
Affection Level
4/5
5/5
5/5
Social Needs
4/5
4/5
4/5
Barking Frequency
3/5
3/5
5/5
Playful Nature
4/5
4/5
3/5
Apartment Adaptability
2/5
2/5
2/5
Lifestyle Adaptability
3/5
3/5
5/5
Alone Time Tolerance
Low
Low
Low
Bite Risk Assessment
Low
Low
Low
Mouthing Tendency
4/5
5/5
1/5
Bite Strength Rating
Between 200 and 400 PSI
Between 200 and 400 PSI
Between 200 and 400 PSI
Average Lifespan
11-15 years
12-14 years
12-14 years
Climate Tolerance
Prefers cold weather
Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
Health Concerns
3/5
3/5
3/5
Health Problems
CataractsChondrodysplasiaHemeralopiaHip DysplasiaHypothyroidismInherited PolyneuropathyDemodectic MangeSkin Allergies
Not available
CancerCataractsCollie Eye AnomalyDrug SensitivityElbow DysplasiaEpilepsyHaemophiliaHeart ProblemsHip DysplasiaHypothyroidismPatellar LuxationProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA)TrichiasisVon Willebrand's Disease
Vet Care Frequency
Average
Average
Average
Energy Rating
5/5
3/5
4/5
Sleeping Need
2/5
3/5
2/5
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
4/5
4/5
3/5
Obesity Tendency
3/5
2/5
3/5
Food Consumption
Recommended daily amount: 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Allergy Friendliness
No
No
No
Coat Colors
RedGrayWhiteBlackBlueTanBrownYellow
BrownBlueWhiteBlack
WhiteBlueMerleSableTanBlack
Grooming Requirements
2/5
1/5
5/5
Shedding Level
4/5
1/5
3/5
Drooling Tendency
1/5
3/5
1/5
Stinkiness Rating
Low
Medium
Medium
Coat Characteristics
DenseThickWeather-resistantRoughFine
Fine
Dense
Bathing Needs
6-8 weeks
3-4 weeks
4-6 weeks
Cat Friendly
1/5
1/5
5/5
Child Compatibility
4/5
4/5
4/5
Dog Friendly
3/5
1/5
4/5
Stranger Friendly
4/5
4/5
2/5
Office Friendly
No
Yes
No
Senior Citizens Friendly
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Pet Compatibility
Not Good
Not Good
Excellent
Good For First Time Owners
Yes
Yes
Yes
Service Dog Capability
Not really
Yes
Not really
Therapy Work Suitability
Not really
Not really
Yes
Scent Detection Ability
Yes
Not really
Not really
Search & Rescue Potential
Not really
Not really
Not really
Maritime Work Ability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Draft Work Capability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Military Service Background
Not really
Yes
Not really
Puppy Litter Size
4-10 puppies
5-10 puppies
4-6 puppies
Pregnancy Duration
60-64 days
60-64 days
60-64 days
Breeding Frequency
Once a year.
Once a year.
Once a year.
AKC Classification
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as a Terrier breed.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification
Not recognized by FCI.
Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Bull type Terriers section.
Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition
Not recognized by any clubs.
Not available
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryAustralian National Kennel CouncilCanadian Canine RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubContinental Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.United Kennel ClubAmerican Canine Association, Inc.
Winner / Best value