American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
History:
Country/Date of origin: United States/20th Century
Originated in 19th Century England by crossing bulldogs and various terriers, the Am Staff was refined to its present looks in America. Impossible to divorce the breed from its pit-fighting past. Registered by the American Kennel Club in 1935 under the name Staffordshire Terrier. In 1972 the AKC name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to differentiate it from the smaller Staffordshire Bull Terrier from England, which was not recognized until 1975.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopAm Staff
AKC Group: Terrier
Breed Club: American Staffordshire Terrier Club of America
Rescue Club: Melanie Tierney, (216) 556-5738, Ohio
Back to TopBody Type:
- Height: 17-19 inches (at shoulder)
- Weight: 40 to 50 pounds
- Stocky and powerfully muscular body
- Head is broad with pronounced cheek muscles
- Unaltered ears preferred but can be cropped to stand upright
- Tail appears short in relation to body and is not altered
- Movement fluid and springy
Personality:
- Legendary courage and tenacity
- Not trustworthy with other dogs or cats
- Intelligent but independent personality does not make for easy trainability
- Natural protective instincts
Coat:
- Short and stiff to the touch
- Glossy sheen to hair
- Any color, solid, parti, or patched allowed
- All or more than 80% white, black and tan, and liver not desirable
Health Concerns:
- Hip dysplasia
- Juvenile cataracts
Tasty Tidbits:
|