Breed Information
Every website will tell you their general information on the American Staffordshire Terrier, so Hey, so am I...Just in case some of you Don't actually know.
Every website will tell you their general information on the American Staffordshire Terrier, so Hey, so am I...Just in case some of you Don't actually know.
Description
The Amstaff is very muscular, powerful and stocky built, not long legged or lanky. Yet Agile. He is extremely strong for his size! And that he is...He has a Broad and powerful head, short muzzle and very strong jaws. Very big mouth too, mind you....LOL.....The teeth should form a scissors bite. The neck should be heavy. The chest should be deep, broad. It's coat is made up of a thick, yet short (very short) shiny fur. MOST colours are admissible if you choose to 'Show' your dog, but dogs must NOT be more than 80% white, black & tan or Liver are not acceptable or encouraged. (see Show standards for more details)
The tail tapers to a point. The ears are erect. In NZ it is highly illegal to 'crop' dogs ears. Here the ears must be short and held half rose or prick. Set high.
These dogs are awesome family members, when trained properly and responsibly. They are an excellent companion for children and of course, us adults. They are excellent protectors. Very loyal to their owner, courageous, willing and very eager to please. You will so see this in your amstaff as they grow!! Although, this breed can be dog aggressive towards other breeds. It is also said they are very difficult to housebreak! I think with loads of time and patience with them from puppy stage it will be a breeze! Well with personal experience it has been.
Height
This should be in proportion with its weight. A height of about 46 - 48 cms (18-19inces) at shoulders for the male and 43 - 46cms (17 - 18inches) for the female.
Weight
24 - 35kgs according to most American Websites. No weight is actually specified for the NZKC standard
Life Expectancy
Would you believe 11 - 15 years! Yeap, ain't that awesome!!
Exercise
The Amstaff needs a daily outlet for its energy. A long walk on a leash. A vigorous game in the yard, tugging, ball chase, or just making them run around for a bit. My dogs love to chase a broom, play fetch and rope hold from trees.
Grooming and Upkeep
Loves to be sharing its family home! Although can be outside in temperate climates. Prefers warmth and will take a liking to 'sunbathing'. Grooming is easy and minimal. Not a dirty type dog, bathing is a breeze. Towel drying makes their coat gleam. Brushing isn't necessary, but they love that just as much. Coat care is minimal.
The Amstaff history has to be the most debated and in some instances "heated" conversations you could have.
After studying many websites & a few books on our breeds history, its hard to believe the slightly different angles that has been portrayed as our Amstaff's history. Taking literature from a few websites and books I am going to try and make it easy to understand from all sides....
According to the AKC in the early 19th century the Bull Dog from England was crossed with that of a "Terrier" (being that of either white or Black & Tan, this is still debated), to perfect the Staffordshire Terrier, which was originally called the "Bull-and-Terrier" dog, "Half and Half", and one time as the "Pit Dog" or "Pit Bull Terrier". Later, it assumed the name in England of the "Staffordshire Bull Terrier".
The dogs found their way to America in the early 1870's where they became known as, "Pit Dog", "Pit Bull Terrier", later "American Bull Terrier" and later still, the "Yankee Terrier".
In 1936 they were accepted and registered in the AKC Stud book as Staffordshire Terriers.
In 1972, the name of the breed was revised effective to the American Staffordshire Terrier. Breeders in the US had developed a much heavier in weight than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England and the name change was to distinguish them as seperate breeds.
The Amstaff was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers. They were used for general farm work, hunting wild pigs, bears and other large game, guarding the homestead, and general companionship. A number of the early ancestors were also developed for the "Sport" of dog fighting. This now illegal activity is, unfortunately, more often cited as the early purpose of the dogs, rather than the general purpose.
Although ancestors of the American Staffordshire Terrier were fighting dogs, the selective breeding since the 1930's has been away from the fighting heritage.
So-called Pit Bulls, and especially Amstaffs, have been the most popular target of breed specific legislation both in the US and abroad.
Now interestingly the AKC had opened its stud books again in the early 1960's. For 50 years the two registries (AKC and UKC) have two slightly different standards, and for different purposes. This accounts for the variations in type found within the two strains.
Prior to 1960, "Listed" dogs, which were UKC registered Pit Bulls that were allowed to be shown in the AKC shows but were not AKC-registable, could be shown as Amstaffs to which there were 26 Pit Bulls who won AKC Championship status as Amstaffs. Such as; "CH Knight Crusader", CH Lyland Jill of Rossmore", "CH Gallant Ruffs Susie Q", and "CH Tacoma Cherokee Rose". Between 1960 and 1962 the AKC opened its stud books to offspring of listed dogs, if they were bred to an AKC registered dog or bitch.
The listed dog had to have one AKC-registered dog in the first 3 generations and also had to have a 3-point AKC show win.
**Quoted from Colby's Book, Pg101**
"The purest Tacoma Jack blood available today is present in the "Tacoma" line of American Staffordshire Terriers, of which only a very few dogs survived. Tacoma dogs were used in the foundation of the Ruffian Line of Amstaffs. Tacoma Jacks' pedigree goes back to Colby's Pincher twice on the sire's side."
J.P.Colby's dogs and his support of the AKC are important parts of the American Staffordshire Terrier History.
Furthermore... it is said and stated...
The American Staffordshire Terrier should never be confused with the American Pit Bull Terrier. Although both originated from the same bloodline they are NOT one and same dog. The Amstaff has been bred along a different line than its predecessor. Bred more as a 'Show' dog, Amstaffs are intelligent, excellent guardians, great family dogs and will protect their masters property. They are today's "Nanny Dog" to our children.
Sadly our breed has been portrayed as vicious, aggressive fighting dogs, due to their history. Firstly, they were never HUMAN aggressive and any dog that showed this towards any human was immediately destroyed.
After careful breeding and making dog fighting illegal the Amstaff was able to shine and show their true temperament by retaining their incredible courage, loyalty and stamina.
Now how do you view our breed?
With all the name changes and how they share common ancestory but have subsequently bred emphasizing different breeding criteria. Due to this divergence, some people feel that they are now different breeds. Others choose to view them as different "Strains" of the same breed. Neither view is wrong, as it comes down to how one defines what a "Breed" is.
It is very important to understand that the Amstaff has changed considerably since the early 19th century, thanks to careful breeding standards.
GOOD TO KNOW
An Amstaff named Stubby had earned the Rank of Sergeant and was the most decorated dog of the World War 1 in America.
One of the early and famous AKC registered Staffordshire Terriers (Amstaff) was "Pete the Pup" (Lucenays' Peter). Dog star of the movie, "The Little Rascals" and "Our Gang" comedies of the 1930's.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is considered to be a "Nanny Dog" to our children
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