AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

In 1870 English emigrant took some of their country’s Staffordshire bullterrier specimens to the United Sates, with the objective of using it in cruel dog fights, which were very popular. In North America, they were subject to new crossings to add size and the fighting continued, which made the breed almost disappear due to the great number of sacrificed dogs in the fights. At last, in 1974 it was officially acknowledged and the first standard was set. For the prestigious United Kennel Club, this American Staffordshire is the same dog as the pit bull. However, there are other associations defend the differences between the two breeds. This opinion dichotomy has complicated official dog registry quite a bit.

The ease of its education makes it a fantastic apartment companion.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
This muscular, active and agile dog, has great strength in relationship to the size. It has a compact body whose ideal height is 47 cm in the males and 2 cm less in the females. The head is large, especially if watched from the sides. It has potent jaws, prominent cheeks, and medium muzzle with an always black nose. The eyes are small, very dark and separate, and the ears are short and semi erect. The fur is short, hard, dense and shiny. Except for brown and fire with black, every color is allowed, be it uniform, bicolor or harlequin, as long as white is not over 80%.

It has a very solid neck, slightly arched and without a double chin, which makes it thicker toward the shoulders.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
It is brave and intrepid, trust worthy and a friend of the family. Its training needs to be precocious, firm but also affectionate. Well educated, is an excellent guard and company dog and, despite its bad fame, the aggressive instinct only appears when facing other dogs, especially if they are a threat to the people that live with it.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
The same as those of the English variety, without adding anything different or specific.