American Staffordshire Terrier

{{Infobox dog breed

| name = American Staffordshire Terrier

| image = AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER, Zican’s Bz Ez Dragon (24208348891).2.jpg

| caption = American Staffordshire Terrier at a dog show

| image_alt = (2) Ch Rowdytowns Hardrock Cafe - AmStaff.jpg

| nickname = {{hlist|AmStaff

}}

| country = United States

|stock = Bull and terrier

|weight = about {{convert|50|-|80|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

|height = {{convert|16.9|-|18.8|in|cm|abbr=on}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/286g03-en.pdf|title = American Staffordshire Breed Standard|access-date = July 27, 2019|publisher = Fédération Cynologique Internationale|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181223045556/http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/286g03-en.pdf|archive-date = December 23, 2018|url-status = live}}

|coat = Smooth

|color = black, fawn, red, white, blue, solid, part or patched, brindle
(All-white, 80%+ white, black and tan, and liver are not encouraged). Must have black nose and not red. Note there is also no such thing as a "blue nose Amstaff" or Merle colored Amstaff

| kc_name = American Kennel Club

| kc_std = http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/breed_standard.cfm

| fcistd = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/286g03-en.pdf

}}

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the AmStaff, is a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed{{cite web | url= http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/index.cfm | title = American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information | publisher = American Kennel Club | website = AKC.org | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20051004003207/http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/index.cfm |archivedate=October 4, 2005 |accessdate= February 14, 2020}}{{cite journal |last=Campbell |first=Dana |title=Pit Bull Bans: The State of Breed–Specific Legislation |journal=GP-Solo |volume=26 |issue=5 |publisher= American Bar Association |date=July–August 2009 |url= http://www.abanet.org/genpractice/magazine/2009/jul_aug/pitbull.html |access-date=July 30, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090802143641/http://www.abanet.org/genpractice/magazine/2009/jul_aug/pitbull.html |archive-date=August 2, 2009 |url-status= live }}{{cite web| url= http://www.pbrc.net/faq.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions| publisher=Pit Bull Rescue Central| website = PBRC.net |access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150623185447/http://www.pbrc.net/faq.html|archive-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.aspca.org/adopt/truth-about-pit-bulls|title = The Truth about Pitbulls| website = ASPCA.org |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150308165558/http://www.aspca.org/adopt/truth-about-pit-bulls|archive-date = March 8, 2015|url-status = live}} recognized by the American Kennel Club, but not the United Kennel Club, which instead allows American Staffordshire Terriers to be registered under the American Pit Bull Terrier breed.{{Citation| publisher = United Kennel Club| title = UKC APPLICATION FOR AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER SINGLE REGISTRATION| url = https://www.ukcdogs.com/docs/registration-forms/single-registration-american-pit-bull-terrier.pdf| access-date = April 17, 2023| archive-date = June 26, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220626175537/https://www.ukcdogs.com/docs/registration-forms/single-registration-american-pit-bull-terrier.pdf| url-status = live}}

The height of an American Staffordshire Terrier is {{cvt|18|–|19|in|cm}} tall and weighs between {{cvt|40|–|70|lb}}. The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes the breed as "confident, smart and good-natured". American Staffordshire Terriers are not to be confused with American Pit Bull Terriers, though the American Pit Bull Terrier has similar ancestry they are two distinct breeds. It also should not be confused with the "Staffy" Staffordshire Bull Terrier of the United Kingdom.

History

Image:AKC CHAMPION KIRBY OF INDIANA 1940.jpg

Some varieties of the extinct bull-and-terrier dog from the British Isles began to find their way into America as early as 1850. This varieties became a breed recognized by the United Kennel Club as American Pit Bull Terrier in 1898. In 1936 the American Kennel Club accepted to recognized the breed with a different name and registered a some individuals in the stud book. The name Staffordshire Terrier was approved because the ancestors of the breed was claimed to originally came from Staffordshire, England, a statement inspired by the recognition in 1935 of the related counterpart breed in England as the british Staffordshire Bull Terrier by the british Kennel Club. The name of the american AKC registered breed was revised on January 1st 1969 and changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to distinguish it from the british Staffordshire Bull Terrier.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T90JBgAAQBAJ&q=Staffordshire+Bull+Terrier+Por+Jane+Hogg+Frome|title=Staffordshire Bull Terrier|last=Frome|first=Jane Hogg|date=March 13, 2012|publisher=i5 Publishing|isbn=9781593789879|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417055117/https://books.google.com/books?id=T90JBgAAQBAJ&q=Staffordshire+Bull+Terrier+Por+Jane+Hogg+Frome|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1snaIEaAwMC&q=Staffordshire+Bull+Terrier|title=Staffordshire Bull Terrier|last1=Smith|first1=Alison|last2=Smith|first2=Lecturer in Contrinetal European Cinema Alison|date=2009|publisher=Collins|isbn=9780007274284|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417055145/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1snaIEaAwMC&q=Staffordshire+Bull+Terrier|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americanpitbullt00joes|url-access=registration|quote=ISBN9781438081410.|title=American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook|first=Joe|last=Stahlkuppe|date=April 2, 2000|publisher=Barron's Educational Series|via=Internet Archive|isbn=0764147447}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/09/19/archives/a-breed-that-came-up-the-hard-way.html|title=A Breed That Came Up the Hard Way|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 19, 1971|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226135605/http://www.nytimes.com/1971/09/19/archives/a-breed-that-came-up-the-hard-way.html|archive-date=December 26, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@neylorz/the-so-called-modern-bloodlines-9ad44ea6553|title=The so-called "modern" bloodlines|last=Zaurisio|first=Neylor|date=May 16, 2019|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=July 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728032057/https://medium.com/@neylorz/the-so-called-modern-bloodlines-9ad44ea6553|archive-date=July 28, 2019|url-status=live}}

The AKC closed and opened the AmStaff Stud Book to UKC registered American Pit Bull Terrier dogs a few more times until the 1970s. Since then both sire and dam had to be AKC registered dogs in order to register its offspring as American Staffordshire Terriers. The breed selection was based entirely on conformation and established breed standards that for decades has transformed the American Staffordshire Terrier into a much different breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Temperament

According to the American Kennel Club, these dogs are "smart, confident, good-natured companions. Their courage is proverbial. A responsibly bred, well-socialized AmStaff is a loyal, trustworthy friend to the end."

The official breed club of America points out that dog aggression can occur even if the dogs have been well-socialized and that therefore they should not be left alone with other dogs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Breed Info |url=https://amstaff.org/breed-info |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240716205003/https://amstaff.org/breed-info |archive-date=2024-07-16 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Amstaff.org |publisher=Staffordshire Terrier Club of America (STCA) |language=en-US |quote="In general, an AmStaff should not be left alone with other dogs. Dog aggression is something that can develop in even well-socialized dogs. "}}

Description

File:(2) Ch Rowdytowns Hardrock Cafe - AmStaff.jpg champion ]]

File:Male White and Brindle American Staffordshire Terrier.jpg

According to AKC's published breed standard which was approved June 10, 1936, the "American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put-together dog, muscular, but agile and graceful, keenly alive to his surroundings. He should be stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline. His courage is proverbial." The head should be medium in length with a broad skull, a distinct stop, and pronounced muscles in the cheek. The ears should be set high on their head and can be cropped or uncropped, but the latter is preferred. Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about {{convert|18|to|19|in|cm|abbr=out}} at shoulders for the male and {{convert|17|to|18|in|cm|abbr=out}} for the female is to be considered preferable. The nose should always be black. Many coat colors are accepted. However, dogs with liver or black-and-tan coat, and dogs with more than 80% white are discouraged.{{Cite web |title=American Staffordshire Terrier Standard |url=http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanStaffordshireTerrier.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203011913/http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanStaffordshireTerrier.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2019 |publisher=American Kennel Club}}

Health

File:American Staffordshire Terrier(Cleo).JPG

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.5 years compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}

The breed is predisposed to allergic skin disease and demodicosis.{{cite book | last1=Hnilica | first1=Keith A. | last2=Patterson | first2=Adam P. | title=Small Animal Dermatology | publisher=Saunders | publication-place=St. Louis (Miss.) | date=2016-09-19 | isbn=978-0-323-37651-8 | page=}} An American study found 20% of juvenile (under the age of two) American Staffordshire Terriers to suffer from demodicosis compared to 0.58% overall.{{cite journal | last1=Plant | first1=Jon D. | last2=Lund | first2=Elizabeth M. | last3=Yang | first3=Mingyin | title=A case–control study of the risk factors for canine juvenile-onset generalized demodicosis in the USA | journal=Veterinary Dermatology | volume=22 | issue=1 | date=2011 | issn=0959-4493 | doi=10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00922.x | pages=95–99| pmid=20707860 }}

A North American study of 1,000,000 and 250,000 hip and elbow scans found 24.4% American Staffordshire Terriers to have hip dysplasia and 16.1% to have elbow dysplasia.{{cite journal | last1=Oberbauer | first1=A. M. | last2=Keller | first2=G. G. | last3=Famula | first3=T. R. | title=Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=12 | issue=2 | date=2017-02-24 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0172918 | doi-access=free | page=e0172918| pmid=28234985 | pmc=5325577 | bibcode=2017PLoSO..1272918O }} Another North American study found 1.84% of American Staffordshire Terriers to have the condition, half of the overall rate of 3.52%.{{cite journal | last1=Witsberger | first1=Tige H. | last2=Villamil | first2=J. Armando | last3=Schultz | first3=Loren G. | last4=Hahn | first4=Allen W. | last5=Cook | first5=James L. | title=Prevalence of and risk factors for hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs | journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) | volume=232 | issue=12 | date=2008-06-15 | issn=0003-1488 | doi=10.2460/javma.232.12.1818 | pages=1818–1824| pmid=18598150 }}

Breed-specific legislation and restrictions

Worldwide, the American Staffordshire Terrier has often been included in breed bans that target pit bull–type dogs and/or fighting dog breeds. Such breed-specific legislation (BSL) may range from outright bans on possession to restrictions and conditions of ownership. Breed Specific Legislation has been enacted in various countries including Australia,{{Cite web|last=Association (AVA)|first=Australian Veterinary|title=Breed-specific legislation|url=https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/companion-animals-dog-behaviour/breed-specific-legislation/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=www.ava.com.au|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015906/https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/companion-animals-dog-behaviour/breed-specific-legislation/|url-status=live}} Austria,{{Cite web |title=Allgemeines zur Haltung von Listenhunden ("Kampfhunden") |trans-title=General information about keeping listed dogs (“fighting dogs”) |url=https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/reisen_und_freizeit/haustiere/1/2/Seite.742190.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=oesterreich.gv.at - Österreichs digitales Amt |language=de-AT}} Canada,{{Cite web|title=Information on The Dog Owners' Liability Act and Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 – Ministry of the Attorney General|url=https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.php|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108135723/https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/dola-pubsfty/dola-pubsfty.php|url-status=live}} Denmark,{{Citation |last=Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri |title=Bekendtgørelse af lov om hunde |date=2021-02-03 |url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2021/329 |access-date=2024-03-11}} France,{{Cite web |title=Avoir un chien susceptible d'être dangereux : quelles sont les règles ? |url=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1839 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=www.service-public.fr |language=Fr}} Germany,{{Cite web |last= |title=Dangerous dogs |url=https://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Restrictions/Dangerous-dogs/dangerous-dogs.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=www.zoll.de |language=en}} India,{{Cite news |date=2022-09-28 |title=Kanpur bans rearing of pitbull, rottweiler dog breeds within city limits |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/kanpur-bans-rearing-of-pit-bull-rottweiler-dog-breeds-within-city-limits/articleshow/94509289.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=The Economic Times |issn=}} Ireland,{{Cite web|last=Book (eISB)|first=electronic Irish Statute|title=electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/si/442/made/en/print|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=www.irishstatutebook.ie|language=en|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309194716/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/si/442/made/en/print|url-status=live}} Norway,{{Cite web |title=Forskrift om hunder - Lovdata |trans-title=Regulations on dogs - Legal data |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2004-08-20-1204 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=lovdata.no}} Turkey,{{cite web |url=https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/DKMP/Haber/209/Tehlike-Arz-Eden-Hayvanlara-Iliskin-Genelge |title=Tehlike Arz Eden Hayvanlara İlişkin Genelge |trans-title=Directive on Dangerous Animals |publisher=Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |language=tr |date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209103042/https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/DKMP/Haber/209/Tehlike-Arz-Eden-Hayvanlara-Iliskin-Genelge |archive-date=December 9, 2021}} and the United States.{{Cite web |last=Walden |first=Charlotte A. |date=2012 |title=Overview of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) Ordinances |url=https://www.animallaw.info/article/overview-breed-specific-legislation-bsl-ordinances |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Animal Legal & Historical Center}}

Popularity

In 2017, the breed was the eighth most popular dog according to the Australian National Kennel Council.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/pets/heres-a-list-of-the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-australia-in-2017/news-story/9fb18cee13620568228886c5ba122cda|title=What are the top 10 dog breeds in Australia 2017? Here's a list|website=www.news.com.au|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227222910/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/pets/heres-a-list-of-the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-australia-in-2017/news-story/9fb18cee13620568228886c5ba122cda|archive-date=February 27, 2019|url-status=live}} According to Société Centrale Canine, it is the sixth most popular dog in France.{{cite web|url=https://www.centrale-canine.fr/actualites/le-chien-de-race-en-2018-bousculades-dans-le-top-20-du-lof|title=Le chien de race en 2018 : Bousculades dans le Top 20 du LOF|website=www.centrale-canine.fr|access-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204230944/https://www.centrale-canine.fr/actualites/le-chien-de-race-en-2018-bousculades-dans-le-top-20-du-lof|archive-date=February 4, 2019|url-status=live}} According to the American Kennel Club, it was the 85th most popular dog in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/best-dog-breeds-most-popular/|title=The most popular dog breeds in America|website=www.cbsnews.com|access-date=July 11, 2021|archive-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717153001/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/best-dog-breeds-most-popular/|url-status=live}}

References

External links

[http://www.amstaff.org/ Staffordshire Terrier Club of America]
[https://curlie.org/Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Terrier_Group/American_Staffordshire_Terrier/ American Staffordshire Terrier] at Curlie

Category:Terriers

Category:FCI breeds

Category:Dog breeds originating in the United States