Is the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel better for families with children?

Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Water Spaniel are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel?

The American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel shed a similar amount (medium).

Which is easier to train, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel bigger?

American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel?

American Water Spaniel tends to be the more vocal of the two, so American Staffordshire Terrier is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel?

For apartment or apartment living, American Staffordshire Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Water Spaniel

American Staffordshire Terrier vs American Water Spaniel: full comparison

Trait	American Staffordshire Terrier	American Water Spaniel
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	Very Low	Medium
Shedding	Medium	Medium
Barking	Low	Medium
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	High	Medium
Typical lifespan	13 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The American Water Spaniel has noticeably higher grooming than the American Staffordshire Terrier.

Size and living space

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a moderately built dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. By comparison, the American Water Spaniel is a moderately built dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The American Staffordshire Terrier needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The American Water Spaniel needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The American Staffordshire Terrier is about as low-effort to groom as dogs get and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The American Water Spaniel needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The American Staffordshire Terrier learns quickly and enjoys the training process, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The American Water Spaniel learns quickly and enjoys the training process, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, American Staffordshire Terrier will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas American Water Spaniel will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, American Staffordshire Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, American Staffordshire Terrier has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, American Water Spaniel has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the American Staffordshire Terrier if you prefer lower grooming upkeep, you want a more adaptable dog, or you prefer a quieter dog.

Choose the American Water Spaniel if you simply prefer the breed — it's very closely matched with the American Staffordshire Terrier on temperament, size and care.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel better for families with children?: Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Water Spaniel are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel?: The American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel shed a similar amount (medium).
Which is easier to train, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Water Spaniel?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel bigger?: American Staffordshire Terrier and American Water Spaniel are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel?: American Water Spaniel tends to be the more vocal of the two, so American Staffordshire Terrier is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, American Staffordshire Terrier or American Water Spaniel?: For apartment or apartment living, American Staffordshire Terrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.