About American Staffordshire Terriers

By Christie Leman

Instructions

History

Step 1:
The predecessor of the American Staffordshire Terrier was bred in Britain in the early 1800s by combining English Bulldogs with different terrier breeds, including Fox Terriers, Black-and-Tans, and English Terriers to create an powerful, courageous dog that was still agile and spirited.
Immigrants to the United States brought the breed to the United States after the Civil War, where they were used as fighting dogs and for their ability to hunt. At that time the American Staffordshire Terriers were known as Pit Dogs or Pit Bull Terriers, later acquiring the names American Bull Terrier and Yankee Terrier, and finally becoming known as the American Staffordshire Terrier. The breed was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as the Staffordshire Terrier, later amended in 1972 to American Staffordshire Terriers.

Features

Step 1:
American Staffordshire Terriers are a medium to large breed with weight ranging between 60 to 88 pounds and a height between 17 to 20 inches. This breed gives the appearance of having great strength, with an overall stocky look, broad heads with a strong, defined jaw, heavy necks, muscular shoulders, short backs, and deep, broad chests. The tail of American Staffordshire Terriers is short and low and should not be docked.
The coloring of American Staffordshire Terriers can be quite varied, and most are either solidly or partially colored or patched. A dog with a predominantly white, black and tan, or liver coloring is not highly recommended by AKC standards. The nose of American Staffordshire Terriers, regardless of coat coloring, should be completely black, and the coat should be short, glossy, and stiff-feeling.

Considerations

Step 1:
American Staffordshire Terriers have evolved to become a distinct breed from their ancestors, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England. In the past century the American Staffordshire Terriers have been bred to weigh more and be heavier in appearance than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
This particular breed of dog tends to pick up on even the most subtle of human behaviors, making them very easy and quick to train. It is recommended that training American Staffordshire Terriers for different good behavior qualities begin as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age.

Misconceptions

Step 1:
Pit Bulls are related to American Staffordshire Terriers, and in areas where Pit Bulls are banned, it is often the case that the American Staffordshire Terriers are also banned due to their similar appearance. However, American Staffordshire Terriers are not naturally aggressive to humans and when placed in loving homes can be the most devoted and protective of pets.

Potential

Step 1:
American Staffordshire Terriers have the potential to be smart, skilled guardians with happy, stable personalities. This makes them suitable, and even ideal, pets for families with children. These dogs do need a considerable amount of rough play or hard exercising, but when trained and raised with families will come to protect and defend their owners, especially children. American Staffordshire Terriers love to play with kids and can even be harnessed (with the correct equipment) to pull children on skateboards or roller skates. The only thing that will dampen the spirits of American Staffordshire Terriers, or cause them to act out, is being ignored and neglected by their owners.

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