American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Classic Amstaff female
Common nicknames	AmStaff Stafford
Origin	United States
Traits Weight 40–60 lb (18–27 kg) Height 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm) Coat Smooth Color Any color, solid, part or patched (All-white, 80%+ white, black and tan, and liver are not to be encouraged)
Classification / standards FCI Group 3, Section 3 Bull Terriers #286 standard AKC Terriers standard ANKC Group 2 - (Terriers) standard CKC Group 4 - Terrier standard NZKC Terrier standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as Amstaff (in the United States) or simply Stafford, is a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed. It is one of several breeds commonly known as pit bulls. In the early part of the twentieth century the breed gained social stature and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1936. The name was changed to reflect difference from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England.

Despite its name, the Staffordshire Terrier's ancestor (Bull and Terrier) was first bred in the nineteenth century in Birmingham, West Midlands, rather than in the English county of Staffordshire where it was then later bred. The early ancestors of this breed came from England where, until the first part of the 19th century, the Bulldog was bred. Bulldogs pictured as late as 1870 resemble contemporary American Staffordshire Terriers to a greater degree than present-day Bulldogs. Some writers contend it was the White English Terrier, Fox Terrier, or the Black and Tan Terrier that was crossed with the Bulldog to develop the Staffordshire Bull Terrier; all three breeds shared many traits, the greatest differences being in color, and spirit. The cross of Bulldog and Terrier was called by several names, including Bull-and-Terrier Dog, "Pit Bull Terrier"(Bull terrier used to fight on pit), or Half and Half. Later, it assumed the name of Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England. These dogs began to find their way into America as early as 1870. Became a new breed and was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 10 February, 1898, with the name "American pit bull terrier".

In 1936 pit bulls were accepted for registration in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers, belonging to the terrier and molosser groups. The name of the breed was revised January 1, 1969 to American Staffordshire Terrier; breeders in the United States had developed a variety which was heavier in weight than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England. The name change was to distinguish them as separate breeds.