Breed information

Breed Standard

AKC Official Standard for the American Staffordshire Terrier which was established in 1936. In the Dutch version on this website you will find the standard of the am staff according to the rules of the F.C.I.

 

General impression

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.

 

Head

Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set high.

Breed information images of AmStaff heads

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Breed information images of AmStaff denture
Breed information images of AmStaff ears

Muzzle

Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Underjaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front.

 

Nose

Definitely black

Ears

Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized.

 

Eyes

Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids.

Neck

Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.

 

Shoulders

Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping.

 

Back

Fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.

 

Body

Well-sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Chest deep and broad.

Breed information images of AmStaff front and hind quarters
Breed information images of AmStaff side and topline

Legs

The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pastern upright. No semblance of bend in front. Hindquarters well-muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out. Feet of moderate size, well-arched and compact. Gait must be springy but without roll or pace.

 

Tail

Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.

 

Coat

Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.

 

Color

Any color, solid, parti, or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.

Breed information images of AmStaff tails

Size

Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches for the female is to be considered preferable.

 

Faults

Faults to be penalized are: Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or overshot mouths.

Approved June 10, 1936

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