American Staffordshire Terrier

Search Staffordshire Terrier Info by Google® Staffordshire Terriers: American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Over 250 color photos as well as a gallery of historical black and white photos photos depict the past and present of the staffordshire Terriers. This book will prove invaluable to active members of the breed fancies and pet owners alike, as it offers information concerning history, breed conformation, management, and health care.

Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier aka Amstaff is a short-coated, medium-sized dog breed. It is one of several breeds that fall under the umbrella of Pit Bulls. Early in the 20th century, Staffordshire terriers were accepted by the American Kennel Club and gained some popularity among the population. The AKC changed their name to American Staffordshire Terriers so as not to confuse them with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.

Personality
Staffordshire terriers are a breed that loves people. Once they are part of a family and given a role within the family unit, they will be loyal, friendly and hardworking forever. Their loyalty to their family has caused a few cases of Staffordshire terriers protecting their family, which has contributed to this breed being known as a “bully breed.” However, as long as this breed is trained to be accepting of other dogs and non-family members, they are as friendly and loving as any other breed. They are also excellent with child, often treating their owner's offspring as one of their own and providing children with a best friend from birth.

History
Staffordshire terriers were first bread in Birmingham, England, but later breeding took place in Staffordshire where the name comes from. As early as 1850, the Stafford terrier was in America. However, these were the Staffordshire Terriers that England calls the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It wasn’t until 1969 when the name was changed to represent this new breed. During the time of arrival and this name change, American breeders had begun breeding heavier dogs then the English version, and so the name change was used to distinguish between the older breed and the new breed of Staffordshire terriers.

Height/Weight
Staffordshire terriers range from 40-60 lbs and are about 17-19 inches in height. So, Staffordshire terriers are on the smaller side of the “bully breeds” when compared to American bulldogs and pit bulls.

Food/Diet/Health Issues
Staffordshire terriers should give the impression that they have great strength for their size. A healthy Staffordshire terrier should be muscular, but agile, lively, but graceful. This breed can be vulnerable to urinary tract infections, skin allergies, osteoarthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and spondylolysis.

A Staffordshire terriers diet should consist of a healthy balance of meat and vegetables with all of the vitamins they need to keep their muscles and bones healthy. As long as their diet is of the best quality, the conditions mentioned above shouldn’t be an issue.

Life Expectancy
With good care and plenty of exercise, a Staffordshire Terrier can live life up to 12 years.

Interesting Traits Staffordshire terriers are known for being very lively. Some see this as a bad side as it can be quite a challenge to subdue what is basically a bag of muscle. However, this lively nature and their loyalty makes them a great playmate for children. They also make great companions for the working men and women thanks to their massive amount of energy.


Staffordshire Terriers Breed Standard
Official Standard of the American Staffordshire Terrier that was approved by the American Kennel Association in 1936.

General Impression : The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put - together dog, muscular, but agile and graceful, keenly alive to his surroundings. He should be stocky, not long - legged or racy in outline.

His courage is proverbial.

Head : Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set high.

Ears - Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized. Eyes - Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids. Muzzle - Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Underjaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Nose definitely black.

Neck : Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.

Shoulders : Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. Back : Fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.

Body : Well - sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Chest deep and broad.

Tail : Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.

Legs : The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pastern upright. No semblance of bend in front.

Hindquarters well - muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out. Feet of moderate size, well - arched and compact. Gait must be springy but without roll or pace.

Coat : Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.

Color : Any color, solid, parti, or patched is permissible, but all whit e, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.

Size : Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches for the female is to be considered preferable.

Faults : Faults to be penalized are: Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or overshot mouths.

Approved June 10, 1936