AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

Care

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The American Staffordshire Terrier is not to be confused with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which is a lighter dog with smaller bones. At one time the American Kennel Club was allowing the American Staffordshire Terrier to be shown with the Staffordshire Bull and, indeed, crossbreeding of the two was allowed. However, although the American Staffordshire's ancestry does originate in England, it has evolved as a quite independent breed.

Origin and history

The American Staffordshire Terrier is of British origin derived from the traditional English Bulldog and an English terrie[ The result was the Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the Pit Bull Terrier and later the Staffordshire Bull Terrie[ Once it found its way to the United States in 1870, it became known variously as Pit Dog, Yankee Terrier and American Bull Terrie[ The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935 under the name of Staffordshire Terrier, which was revised in January 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier.

Good points

Excellent guard
Fearless
Good with children
Docile
Adapts readily to new homes

Take heed

Needs discipline in youth
Not always comfortable with other dogs
Stubborn if not taken in hand while still young

Size

Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 18-19in (46-48cm) at shoulders for the male and 17-18in (43-46cm) for the female is to be considered preferable.

Exercise

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can't resist a fight with another dog if given the chance, so keep this breed on the lead when walking on II a public thoroughfare. It is a first class ratter and a good companion in the field, but will adapt to life in a normal-sized house and garden as long as regular walks of a reasonable length are given.

General appearance
The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for its size, a well puttogether dog, muscular but agile and graceful, keenly alive to its surroundings. It should be stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline. Its courage is proverbial.

Colour
Any colour, solid, parti, or patched, is permissible, but all white, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.

Head and skull
Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set high. Jaws well defined. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Nose definitely black.

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

Feet
Of moderate size, well arched and compact.

Grooming

This breed requires little attention other than a frequent brushing.

Feeding

Recommended would be 13-200z (369-587g) per day of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 13/4-3 cupfuls of a dry, complete food mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water.

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