American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a large dog especially for the terrier breed. It can grow up to 19" tall and weigh up to 67 pounds.   

The dog is long muscular and strong, and gives the impression of great strength and agility for his size. The chest is deep and broad, and the neck is heavy. The American Staffordshire Terrier has a broad skull, pronounced cheek muscles, and strong jaws. The ears may be half prick, rose, or cropped.

The coat of this terrier is short and glossy and can be of any colour although all white, mostly white, liver, and black and tan. The nose must be black.

Typical Am Staff

Temperament of American Staffordshire Terrier

Originally, the American Staffordshire Terrier was bred as  an all-around farm dog, hunter, and family companion.

American Staffordshire Terriers are generally stable around children and other animals, such as pets and livestock.

These dogs should be courageous, tenacious, friendly, extremely attentive, and extraordinarily devoted. Characteristics that made them excellent working dogs, but which led to their adoption into the abusive practise of dog fighting. However, their adaptability, inherent friendliness, handler devotion, and fearlessness makes this an easy issue to correct, even in dogs that have previously been trained to fight.

Differences between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are closely related breeds, sharing a common ancestry.

The main physical difference between the breeds is that the American Staffordshire Terrier is not permitted to have red ("Dudley") nose leather, whereas American Pit Bull Terriers may have nose leather of any colour, including red, black and blue.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is also often of larger bone structure, head size and weight than their American Pit Bull Terrier cousins.