American Staffordshire Terrier

Introduction

The American Staffordshire Terrier, at one time called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, pitbull, Half-and-Half, Pit Dog or Pit Bullterrier and now commonly known as the "Am Staff," is a well-balanced dog whose tremendous strength is unusual for its moderate size. This is the modern version of the so-called "Pit Bull." Am Staffs are stocky, powerful yet agile, well-muscled and highly intelligent members of the American Kennel Club's Terrier Group. Although descended from dogs bred for bull baiting and pit fighting, and unfortunately still used by unscrupulous owners in illegal dog fighting circles, American Staffordshire Terriers have many remarkable qualities, including their gameness, trainability, loyalty and affection. The Staffordshire Terrier was accepted for registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1936. The name of the breed was revised in 1972 to the American Staffordshire Terrier, to distinguish it from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England, which is much lighter in weight. The American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier are virtually the same animal, with just different club registrations.
Most Am Staffs are between 17 and 19 inches at the withers and weigh on average between 60 and 80 pounds. Their short, stiff, glossy coat can be of any color or color combination, although white, black-and-tan and liver are not preferred in the show ring. Am Staffs require minimal grooming; brushing with a firm-bristled brush and an occasional bath should suffice.

History & Health

History

The American Staffordshire Terrier was developed in England from a cross between old-style English Bulldogs and assorted terriers. The exact terrier breeds used to create this cross are the subject of debate, but current opinion suggests the White English Terrier, the Black-and-Tan Terrier and/or the Fox Terrier. The combination became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which originally were used by butchers to manage bulls and by hunters to help hold wild boar and other game. Eventually, the breed was used for the blood-sports of bull- and bear-baiting. After these "sports" were outlawed in England in or around 1835, dog fighting took their place. Dogs were forced to fight one another to the death in hidden arenas called "pits." The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was highly successful in the fighting ring because of its tenacity, courage, stamina, strength and intelligence. Equally important was its loyal, non-aggressive and responsive nature with people; fighting dogs were expected to be obedient, trustworthy and easily handled by their owners at all times.
Am Staffs came to the United States in the mid-1800's, and became known as the Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier and later the Yankee Terrier. The breed was accepted for registration into the American Kennel Club in 1936 as the Staffordshire Terrier. The name of the breed was revised effective January 1, 1972, to the American Staffordshire Terrier. By this time, American breeders had developed a much larger and heavier animal than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England, and many wanted to distinguish their dog as a separate breed from the AKC's newly-recognized Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Other breeders preferred to keep the original name of American Pit Bull Terrier; their dogs were recognized by the United Kennel Club and have been bred independently from the Am Staff for more than 50 years.
Today's Am Staffs are docile and intelligent and make excellent guardians as well as wonderful family pets. They have a keen knack for quickly discriminating between people who mean well and those who do not. The current reputation of the "Pit Bull" in the United States reflects upon the Am Staff as well, since they share a common history and in this country are only known by separate names because they are accepted by separate purebred dog registries. Flamed by poorly-researched, inflammatory media reports, the Pit Bull's (and thus the Am Staff's) reputation as a vicious, unmanageable and dangerous breed is undeserved. Well-bred and well-raised Am Staffs are bright, kind, highly trainable and exceptionally gentle with children, family and other animals. The occasional dog that harms people probably was poorly bred, poorly socialized and poorly trained; it also probably was chained, illegally fought or otherwise abused by an unscrupulous owner.

Health

The average life span of the American Staffordshire Terrier ranges from 10 to 13 years. Health concerns associated with this breed include allergies, cancer, cataracts, congenital heart disease, cranial crutiate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia, hives, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia.

Temperament & Personality

Personality

Loyal, fun-loving, fearless and affectionate, American Staffordshire Terriers (sometimes called Amstaffs) bring great joy to their families. Often confused with Pit Bull Terriers, the two breeds share an ancestral bloodline and were originally bred to fight, but the American Staffordshire line has become much more gentle in the last 100 years. Despite their reputation as an aggressive breed, the Amstaff is a true family dog. Loving and playful, this breed will play with children in the yard, then happily snuggle with mom and dad on the couch.

Activity Requirements

American Staffordshire Terriers require daily exercise to maintain their muscle tone. They enjoy long walks and playing in the yard. Because of their need for activity, they are best suited for a home with a fenced-in yard with plenty of room to run and play fetch. If raised alongside other animals, a well-bred American Staffordshire Terrier will do fine, but if adopting an older dog, it's best the family not have other pets. Even the most gentle Staffordshire can attack if challenged by another animal, or if he fears his owner is in danger.
Because of the stigma against the breed, some homeowners insurance policies will not cover American Staffordshire Terriers, so potential owners should consult their insurance companies before committing to this dog.

Trainability

Amstaffs are strong-willed dogs, so training requires a lot of confidence and patience. They should be trained and socialized as early as possible – every well behaved American Staffordshire Terrier is a goodwill ambassador for the breed. Positive reinforcement should be employed as the training method for an Amstaff, as harsh discipline can lead to mistrust.

Socialization should also be done early. Amstaffs should be taught to be friendly to people, and that children are fun playmates, and non-threatening.

Behavioral Traits

A bored American Staffordshire Terrier is a destructive American Staffodshire Terrier. Plenty of exercise and stimulation is key to maintaining the integrity of a home's furnishings. This breed loves to chew, so leaving plenty of bones or rawhide around the house can also protect shoes, sofas, and table legs from a bored Amstaff.
Aggression towards other animals is the biggest issue with the Amstaff. As long as the dog comes from a reputable breeder with a gentle bloodline, the Amstaff will not be aggressive toward people. Because they were bred to fight, and because they are loyal to their families, if the Amstaff feels threatened by another dog, he may become aggressive.
This breed should be treated as a family member, and never left tied up alone, outside. Serious behavioral problems and aggression can develop if an Amstaff is neglected and left without the company of loving humans.

Breed Standard

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 white, 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.

At allaboutpets.pk we offer everything your dog's needs such as dog food, huge variety of dog clothes, Steel and plastic bowls & feeders, collars & leashes, dog training equipment, vitamins & supplements, high quality durable grooming products, treats, fun and interactive toys, carrier bags & jet boxes, tick & flea control, deworming liquids and tablets and delivery across the country.