The American Staffordshire Terrier gives off an impression of incomparable power. This medium-sized dog has essential physical characteristics, the result of crossing Bulldog and Terrier breeds. In everyday life, the American Staffordshire Terrier is an excellent companion dog provided you have educated him correctly. He is then soft, tender, affectionate with his owner. He is patient and receptive. He also has great intelligence.
Breed History
The American Staffordshire Terrier or the Amstaff comes from crosses of dogs originally made for fighting. He is not from Great Britain, but from Canada. It comes more precisely from the cross between the Bull-and-Terrier and the Blue Paul Terrier, 2 breeds that no longer exist today. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that American breeders developed his lineage by mixing breeds. The latter also made a greater variety of it, notably with the essential Pitbull (used as a fighting dog at the time).
The Amstaff was notably used at the beginning of the 19th century in traditional dog fights across the Channel, before they were banned. At the beginning of the 20th century, his breed was on the verge of extinction when he was brought back to the fore in the United States, where American breeders developed him along with Pitbulls. He was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936, but was then called Staffordshire Terrier. The term American will only be attributed to it in 1972. They appear in France in 1987.
Physical peculiarities
His hair: hard, short, it must be tight and shiny.
Its color: all colors, single-coloured, variegated or even multi-coloured. However, the current FCI standard does not accept coats with more than 80% white or being black and tan are not encouraged.
Its head: it is of medium length. The skull is broad and the muzzle is of medium length, rounded in its upper part. The cheek muscles are very pronounced.
His ears: drooping ears are prohibited from the standard. The ears are usually uncropped, set high, short and semi-erect.
His eyes: dark, round and set well apart.
Its body: the back is short and gently sloping to the base of the tail. The chest is well let down and very muscular. His frame is strong.
Its tail: short and attached low, it is neither rolled up nor carried above the back but rather horizontal
Feed
The American Staffordshire Terrier should ingest around 300 grams of food per day. Its food should not be too important. However, it must be sufficiently rich in protein. Thus, in addition to high quality croquettes, red meat can be given to him sparingly.
