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American Staffordshire Terrier vs Brittany Spaniel: Which Suits Your Home?

American Staffordshire Terrier or Brittany Spaniel? On paper they differ most on good with other dogs, and on the scales American Staffordshire Terrier is the heavier at 40–70 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to American Staffordshire Terrier and Brittany Spaniel and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 3/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.

Quick verdict

Between American Staffordshire Terrier and Brittany Spaniel, good with other dogs is what separates them, and American Staffordshire Terrier is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose american staffordshire terrier if...

Choose American Staffordshire Terrier if you do not want a standing grooming appointment and the dog will be alone during the working day.

Choose brittany if...

Choose Brittany Spaniel if this is your first dog, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	american staffordshire terrier	brittany	Winner
Size class	medium	medium	Equal
Weight	40–70 lbs	30–40 lbs	Equal
Height	17–19 in	17–20 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–16 years	12–15 years	american staffordshire terrier
Exercise need	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Grooming need	Very low (1/5)	Low (2/5)	american staffordshire terrier
Shedding	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Energy level	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Good for first-time owners	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	brittany
Tolerates being alone	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	american staffordshire terrier
Trainability	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	brittany
Good with kids	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	brittany
Good with other dogs	Low (2/5)	Very high (5/5)	brittany
Friendly to strangers	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Coat	Short, stiff and glossy	Medium, wavy coat	Equal
Origin	Various	France	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$100–$200	$90–$180	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,400–$2,900	$1,300–$2,500	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Put these two side by side and the difference is modest: the Brittany runs 30 to 40 pounds and 17 to 20 inches, the AmStaff 40 to 70 pounds and 17 to 19 inches. Height is nearly identical; the real gap is mass -- a fully grown AmStaff can outweigh a Brittany by 30 pounds or more, even though both stand at roughly the same height.

Energy and exercise

Don't let the Brittany's smaller frame fool you -- it matches the AmStaff stride for stride here, both rating high (4/5) on exercise need and energy level. Brittanys were bred as bird dogs and carry that same need for sustained daily movement, not just a stroll. If you're hoping the smaller breed means less exercise, this isn't the pairing for that.

Grooming and shedding

The AmStaff has the lower-maintenance coat, rating very low (1/5) on grooming against the Brittany's low (2/5) -- the Brittany's wavy medium coat needs occasional brushing to stay tidy. Shedding ties at moderate (3/5) for both, so neither is a great fit if hair on furniture bothers you, but the AmStaff asks less of your time at home.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Apartment suitability and barking both tie at moderate (3/5) and low (2/5) respectively, so neither breed has a clear edge in a small space. The one difference worth noting: the AmStaff tolerates being left alone slightly better, at moderate (3/5) versus the Brittany's low (2/5) -- and the Brittany's health list even flags separation anxiety as a known issue in the breed.

Training and owner experience

The Brittany rates very high (5/5) on trainability against the AmStaff's high (4/5), and it also scores better for first-time owners (4/5 versus 3/5). Both are intelligent, responsive breeds, but the Brittany's bird-dog heritage makes it especially eager to work with a handler, which tends to smooth out the learning curve for someone new to dog ownership.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

This is where the Brittany pulls ahead clearly: very high (5/5) with kids and, more strikingly, very high (5/5) with other dogs -- against the AmStaff's 4/5 and 2/5 in those same categories. If you're building a multi-dog household or expect frequent playdates, the Brittany's numbers make the decision easier. Both breeds rate high (4/5) with strangers.

Health and lifespan

Lifespans are close -- 12 to 16 years for the AmStaff, 12 to 15 for the Brittany -- so this isn't a dramatic split. The health lists diverge more: the Brittany's ten-item list includes progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, heart murmurs, bloat, and separation anxiety, while the AmStaff's shorter list centers on hip dysplasia, cerebellar ataxia, skin allergies, heart disease, and cruciate ligament tears.

Cost to keep

Costs land close together: $100 to $200 monthly for the AmStaff versus $90 to $180 for the Brittany, and $1,400-$2,900 versus $1,300-$2,500 in year one. Neither breed's dollar figures should be a deciding factor here -- the gap is a few hundred dollars a year at most, smaller than the gap in most other categories.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs Brittany Spaniel at a glance

American Staffordshire Terrier weighs 40–70 lbs and lives 12–16 years; Brittany Spaniel weighs 30–40 lbs and lives 12–15 years. The two diverge most on good with other dogs. They are level on apartment suitability, barking and cost level, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.

Frequently asked questions

Is the AmStaff or Brittany bigger?

The AmStaff, by weight -- 40 to 70 pounds against the Brittany's 30 to 40. Heights are close, 17-19 inches versus 17-20, so the AmStaff's extra size is mostly in bulk and build rather than height.

Which breed does better with other dogs?

The Brittany, by a wide margin -- it rates very high (5/5) for compatibility with other dogs, while the AmStaff rates low (2/5). If you already have dogs at home or visit dog parks often, that gap matters more than almost anything else in the comparison.

Which is easier to train?

The Brittany edges out the AmStaff, rating very high (5/5) on trainability versus high (4/5). Both are responsive to consistent handling, but the Brittany's working-dog background gives it a slight edge in eagerness to please.

Does either breed shed a lot?

Both shed a moderate amount (3/5), so plan on regular brushing and some hair on furniture either way. Neither is a heavy shedder like a double-coated breed, but neither is low-shed either.

What should I budget for either breed?

Roughly $100 to $200 a month for an AmStaff and $90 to $180 for a Brittany, with first-year totals of about $1,400-$2,900 and $1,300-$2,500 respectively. The gap is small enough that it shouldn't drive the decision on its own.

Do these breeds share health risks?

Only partially -- hip dysplasia shows up on both lists. Beyond that they diverge: the Brittany's list leans toward epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, heart murmurs, and separation anxiety, while the AmStaff's leans toward skin allergies, cerebellar ataxia, and cruciate ligament tears.

Which breed handles being left alone better?

The AmStaff, rating moderate (3/5) for alone tolerance against the Brittany's low (2/5). This tracks with the Brittany's health data, which specifically lists separation anxiety as a known concern in the breed.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Which breed fits more households?

The Brittany, mainly because of its very high other-dogs and kids scores (5/5 each) and easier trainability. The AmStaff is still a fine family dog, just one that needs more careful dog-to-dog introductions.

Costs

Is one breed notably cheaper to keep?

Not really -- first-year costs run $1,300-$2,500 for the Brittany and $1,400-$2,900 for the AmStaff, a gap of a few hundred dollars, not thousands.

Behavior

How much exercise does each breed need?

The same amount -- both rate high (4/5) on exercise need and energy level. Expect to commit to daily vigorous activity for either breed.

Health

Which breed is expected to live longer?

The AmStaff, slightly -- 12 to 16 years versus the Brittany's 12 to 15. It's a narrow gap, not a deciding factor on its own.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

American Staffordshire Terrier breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of American Staffordshire Terrier before deciding.
Brittany Spaniel breed guide – The same for Brittany Spaniel, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier – American Pit Bull Terrier is the closest breed to American Staffordshire Terrier on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Brittany Spaniel vs Beagle – Beagle sits closest to Brittany Spaniel, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What American Staffordshire Terrier costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Brittany Spaniel health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

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Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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