Description

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium sized
short coated dog of great strength and agility. His
determination and indomitable spirit are part of his terrier
ancestry. His love of family and reliability with children
are part of his considerable charm. The working character
of this breed combined with his high intelligence and
moderate, powerful athletic structure makes him ideally
suited for many dog sports.
Typically, he is not a nervous dog, but is quite active,
always ready for a bit of fun, or a job to do. His size and
clean habits make him an excellent house dog, as long
as his need for a physical challenge is regularly met.
The Am Staff comes in all colors - brindles, parti,
patched or any combination of colors. In this breed, it is
easy to find a color that suits you. His appearance is
flashy, and he will immediately win the admiration of
observers. His well developed musculature shows off
his unusual strength. His short coat requires little
grooming and is easy to keep clean.
This is a very people oriented dog, who delights in
contact with his family. He has a finely developed sense
of humor. He needs a very interactive owner, who wants
to spend time with his pet; a firm and loving owner who
will give him the training required to bring his great
abilities to their full potential.
Although not the best choice for a watch dog because of
his generally friendly nature, the Am Staff will protect
his family. His courage is proverbial. His loyalty is
unwavering.

Choosing This Breed

This breed will make a great companion for an owner who
plans to spend a lot of time with his dog and wants a close
companion. He is not a good choice for a pet who will
receive little or no attention. He is a strong, determined
and intelligent animal. If left to his own amusement and
untrained, a bored Am Staff can do great damage to house
or yard and can be hard to keep fenced. He may not be
allowed to run loose because he will get into much trouble.
Be sure that you are ready to devote the time and energy to
this dog that it requires. This dog demands and thrives on
a great deal of attention. Your relationship will benefit
greatly from obedience training your dog.
Due to his inquisitive intelligence and great strength for
his size, this breed may require a more secure environment
than some other breeds. If in doubt ask your breeder for
advice. Do not keep this dog on a chain or tether.
Because of anti-dog legislation in recent years, it would
be wise to check the county or municipality in which you
will live with this dog to make sure there are no laws or
ordinances prohibiting ownership or limiting the
maintenance of this breed.
The life expectancy of this breed may be 12 - 16 years
with good care. Take this into consideration when
purchasing a dog. Generally, health of an Am Staff is good,
and the dogs have exceptionally strong constitutions.
Never purchase an Am Staff from a pet retailer. Buy from
a breeder. Contact reputable breeders by attending dog
shows, asking at your local dog clubs, reading breed or
all-breed dog magazines. Visit more than one breeder if
possible and compare their dogs rather than buying the
first puppy you find. The right dog will be with you for a
long time. Consider an adult or rescued dog - they may
make a fine pet and are often available.
Some possible problems to watch for would be hip dysplasia,
skin allergies, thyroid dysfunction, heart murmurs,
and cancers. Ask your breeder what health screening they
do on their breeding stock, and the results of that screening.

American Staffordshire Terrier History
Born in the 19th century, The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are the result of crosses between Bulldogs and terriers, though there is some debate as to exactly which terrier that was. Some believe that the White English Terrier or Black and Tan Terrier was used, but most experts say it was the English Smooth Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed in England for the purpose of dog fighting, and was introduced to America during the late 19th century to compete in the same sport. The Americans bred a larger Pit Bull than the English, and the American Staffordshire Terrier quickly took shape as a distinct breed. Though the breed was often employed as an all purpose farm dog during the early 20th century, its legacy has always been that of a gladiator.

The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936 as the Staffordshire Terrier; in 1972 the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to more clearly distinguish the dog from its English cousin. So-called Pit Bulls, and especially American Staffordshire Terriers, have been the most popular target of breed specific legislation both in the United States and abroad. Many people feel that the naturally docile and affectionate Pit Bull’s bad rap is undeserved, and largely the result of improper or unscrupulous training. However, in spite of its less than sterling reputation with some, the American Staffordshire Terrier is one of the more popular breeds.

TEMPERAMENT
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a happy, outgoing, stable, and confident dog. Gentle and loving towards people. Good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet. It is good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, this dog wants nothing more then to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very full of life. Over the past 50 years, careful breeding has produced this friendly, trustworthy, dog who is an especially good dog for children. Courageous and a persistent fighter if provoked. Highly protective of his owners and the owner''s property, it will fight an enemy to the death if the enemy traps the dog in a corner and threatens its loved ones. This breed has a very high tolerance for pain. Some un-socialized Staffs may be dog aggressive. Socialize very thoroughly when young to curve any dog aggressive tendencies. This breed can be difficult to housebreak. It has given outstanding results as a guardian of property, but is at the same time esteemed as a companion dog. When properly trained and socialized, the Staff makes a great family companion. This breed is not for the passive owner who does not understand that all dogs have an instinct to have a pack order. They need a firm, confident, consistent owner who understands how to display the proper leadership. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success.