AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed of dog. The breed is a relative of the American Pit Bull Terrier. The Staffordshire Terrier was brought to the US with the British settlers as farm dog, family pet, and guard dogs. Through the years people realized the fighting ability of the American Staffordshire Terrier. So was born the American Pitbull Terrier through breeding specific traits. Through time, the two have become considered different breeds sharing the same background. Their relationship is obvious, though many American Pitbull Terriers are much larger than an AKC registered American Staffordshire Terrier.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is of larger bone structure, head size, weight, and is short and stocky. The American Staffordshire Terrier was developed by farmers and settlers for all around farm work, hunting wild game, guarding, and companionship. The remaining dedicated owners and breeders who provide American Staffordshire Terriers with humane, responsible ownership, often training these dogs for community service tasks such as pet therapy and search and rescue.

There are also 'Amstaff' charitable organizations that rescue and rehabilitate abused, abandoned, or stray dogs, placing them into foster or adoptive homes.

Appearance
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium sized dog that ranges from 40 to 50 cm (16 to 19 inches) at the withers, and weighs from 26 to 30 kg (57 to 67 pounds).

The dog is of square build, and gives the impression of great strength, agility, and grace for their size. They should be stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline. The chest is deep and broad, but should not be too wide. The neck should be strong, and well arched.

The coat is short and glossy. 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.

Temperament
These dogs should be courageous, tenacious, friendly, extremely attentive, and extraordinarily devoted.

Bred to be extremely friendly towards humans, American Staffordshire Terriers are natural guard dogs. A overly protective and/or aggressive behavior, accompanied by fearlessness, is generally a bad sign. This dog should be protective of its family and home, knowing when to protect and knowing when to relax. These dogs are good with children and owners, can get along with dogs, cats and any other animal if raised properly and introduced through puppy years.

These dogs learn quickly from the subtlest of our behaviors. They are thus not only highly responsive during training, but also pick up good habits for example, being house-trained. This can become a problem when an owner unknowingly allows the dog to pick up bad behaviors.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a loyal companion dog.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is often categorized as an aggressive breed. This is incorrect because the temperament of a specific dog depends on the following ideas: the temperament of the owner, previous ownership, cruelty towards the individual dog, and its parents, i.e. its genetics.