American Staffordshire

In England, during the nineteenth century, a fighting dog was created by crossing the Bulldog (for courage and tenacity) and a terrier (for spirit and agility). The new breed became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. During the 1870s, the breed was introduced to the United States. During the next century, American breeders developed a type of dog that was heavier than their English counterpart. By 1972, it was determined that there were now two separate breeds and the American version became known as the American Staffordshire Terrier.

This breed, although bred to be aggressive to other dogs, are very affectionate to people. They are highly intelligent, excellent guardians and protectors of their master's property. With a little training, they can also learn to get along well with other dogs.

The AmStaff should be stockily built with a muscular body, while at the same time, being agile and graceful. The chest should be broad and deep. The legs should be straight. The head should have a broad wedge-shaped skull, erect ears set high on the head, dark round eyes set low on the skull and a medium length jaw with strong under jaw for biting power. The coat should be short, glossy and stiff, requiring little grooming. It may be any colour, but preferably not black and tan or liver or more than 80 percent white. Typically, the AmStaff may have a white throat with possibly some white on the toes and a blaze on the face. Height ranges from eighteen to nineteen inches for males and seventeen to eighteen inches for females.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is outgoing, affectionate, stable, reliable, and an especially good dog for children and makes a wonderful family pet. It is adaptable to country or city living, the only thing that will break his spirit and his heart is lack of his owner's fond attention.

References:

American Kennel Club Inc. The Complete Dog Book. 18th ed. New York: Howell, 1992.

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