American Staffordshire Terrier

A recently recognized breed, the American Staffordshire Terrier is strong and athletic for its size, yet retains its gracefulness without being long legged or racy. Formerly called the 'Pit Bull Terrier', its current popularity is testament to how breeders have ensured that both its good looks and temperament meet the current social expectations of modern society.

History of the American Staffordshire Terrier

Old Type Bulldog

In the early 1800s, old type Bulldogs like the one pictured on the left, accompanied immigrants who traveled to America from the English coal mining district of Staffordshire. Because the English coal mines were often referred to as coal pits, the name 'Pit Bull' was given to dogs that accompanied these miners. It is interesting to note that at that time, the name 'Pit Pony' was also given to the ponies that worked in the coal mines or pits.

Some of these dogs were used for dog fighting. However, in 1835, this practice became banned in England. It was precisely 100 years later the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized as a pure breed by the Kennel Club (UK).

The American Staffordshire Terrier becomes a Pure Breed

Dual Registered Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terrier 1987

In 1936, after the Staffordshire Bull Terrier became recognised by the Kennel Club (UK), the Americans began developing their Staffords a larger and more graceful breed than their English counterpart. At first these were named 'Pit Bull Terriers' by the United Kennel Club.This is a different organization to the internationally recognized American Kennel Club (AKC).

In 1987 when we were in the USA, we met the dog pictured. He was dual registered with the American Kennel Club as an American Staffordshire Terrier as well as with the United Kennel Club an American Pit Bull Terrier. This practice was in place until 1991 when American Kennel Club only recognized one name 'American Staffordshire Terrier'.

History of the American Staffordshire Terrier in Australia

Ka-Hanahou Lei O Makana (imp USA)

In 1984, after almost a decade of involvement with Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bob and Ruth Murdoch decided to introduce the American Staffordshire Terriers into Australia. Because of quarantine complications from mainland USA at that time, the easiest route was through Hawaii. This foundation pair were a bitch Rockisland's Ho'Omua O Hawaii (imp USA) and a dog, Ka-Hanahou Lei O Makana (imp USA).

Ka-Hanahou's Rojo's Sam (imp USA)

On January 1st 1987 American Staffordshire Terriers were finally ANKC recognised. When the foundation dog became a Terrier Group winner, it put the American Staffordshire Terrier on the map here. The Murdochs then bred other Champions under the 'Amstaff' prefix. Later they imported a second dog, Ka-Hanahou's Rojo's Sam (imp USA).^[1]

Comparison between the Staffordshire Bull and American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Originating from the same source, almost a century of development has separated these two different breeds which, at first might appear similar. But a closer examination reveals the difference in the general build of these two breeds. Although the Staffordshire Bull Terrier should be obviously smaller, the American Staffordshire has a far more graceful build with his longer neck and slightly sloping topline.

Oops-Undesirable Colour!

The allowable colours of the two breeds have remained remarkably similar, with the exception of colour where white is restricted in the American Stafford.Black and tan is restricted in both breeds because those who first developed the breed believed these colours indicated cross-breeding. However, it is amazing how these colours can suddenly crop up in the best of litters as evidenced by the attached picture of quite a nicely conformed modern Staffordshire Bull Terrier with the typical black and tan marking pattern.

Comparison between Staffordshire Bull and American Staffordshire Terrier

	Staffordshire Bull Terrier	American Staffordshire Terrier
General Appearance	Muscular and agile with great strength for its size	Muscular and agile with great strength for its size but graceful without being long legged or racy
Size	Desirable height at withers 36-41 cms (14 to 16 ins), these heights being related to the weights. Weight: dogs: 13-17 kgs (28-38 lbs); bitches 11-15.4 kgs.	Bearing in mind the height and weight should be in proportion, the height for dogs is around 46 - 48 cms (18 - 19 inches) at the shoulder with bitches 43 - 46 cm (17 - 18 inches)
Colour	Any of the following colours either whole or mixed with white: red, fawn, white, black or blue or of the brindle colours. Black and tan or liver highly undesirable.	Any solid, patched or parti-colour is permissible. However all white or more than 80% white or black and tan or liver not to be encouraged.
	Staffordshire Bull Terrier	Am Staff Terrier
Head	Short through and deep through with broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles and distinct stop. The nose is black but the foreface should be short.	Medium length and deep through with broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles and distinct stop. The nose is black but the foreface should be of medium length and fall away under the eyes.
Eyes	Dark and round, of medium size and set to look straight ahead.	Dark and round, set low in skull and far apart
Ears	Rose-shaped or semi-erect but not large	Small, rose-shaped or semi-erect
Mouth	Lips tight, perfect scissors bite	Lips tight, perfect scissors bite
Neck	Rather short, muscular with no dewlap	Medium length, heavy and slightly arched with no dewlap
	Staffordshire Bull Terrier	Am Staff Terrier
Forequarters	Forelegs straight, set wide apart with upright pasterns, but front feet may turn out a little (for balance).	Forelegs straight, large with round bone, with upright pasterns. The forelegs are set wide apart (to allow chest development).
Topline	Level	Sloping slightly from withers to rump with a gentle short slope at rump to base of tail.
Body	Balanced, well sprung ribs with chest deep and wide	Fairly short, well sprung ribs with chest deep and broad
Hindquarters	Well muscled with a good turn of stifle and short hocks that neither turn in nor out	Well muscled with a good turn of stifle and short hocks that neither turn in nor out
Feet	Medium sized with well arched toes	Medium sized, well padded feet with black nails in solid coloured dogs
Tail	Medium length, set low and tapering to a point and carried low. The tail's shape and carriage may be likened to an old fashioned pump handle.	Short compared with the size of the dog, set low and tapering to a point. The tail should be fairly straight and never curled or carried over the back.
	Staffordshire Bull Terrier	American Staffordshire Terrier
Gait	Free, with discernible power derived from its hindquarters. With economy of effort, the legs should be parallel when viewed from the front or rear.	Springy without roll or pace.
Coat	Smooth, short and close.	Short, close and glossy feels stiff to touch.

References and Further Reading

BREAKING NEWS.

We have now published a unique Terrier book 'Terriers Unveiled' Available at our sister site: https://rangeairevision.com/terriers-unveiled/

^[1] Information supplied by Ruth and Bob Murdoch

See also our DVD 'Terriers Then & Now' contains more about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier