American Staffordshire Terrier Information

Breed Group: Terrier and Molosser
Weight: 40- 77 lbs (18 to 35kg)
Height: 18 to 19 inches (45.7 cm-48.3 cm)
Color(s): Any color but more than 80 per cent white, black and tan.

The American Staffordshire terrier is a breed of medium-sized, short-coated dog whose early ancestors came from England. In the early part of the twentieth century, the breed gained respectability, and it was accepted by the American Kennel Club as Staffordshire Terrier.The Temperament of American Staffordshire terrier is a very intelligient, human-oriented, active dog and an affectionate family pet. This dog wants nothing more then to please its master.Over the past 50 years, careful breeding has produced this friendly, trustworthy, dog who is an especially good dog for children. One of the characteristic that most owners and breeders talked and look for particular in this breed is gameness. Gameness refers to perseverance, spirited, readyness of a dog to put all out to accomplish a task given. The American Staffordshire terrier is Very intelligent, bold and confident, generally very good with children when properly reared. With other pets they can be good but as a Terrier will have a tendency toward viewing smaller animals as vermin and thus prey. Also AmStaff can be aggressive toward other same-sex dogs.

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 white, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.

Energy Level: Moderately low to very high.