breed standard
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.
Temperament: Keenly alive to his surroundings. His courage is proverbial
Head And Skull: Head medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop. 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. Nose definitely black, Dudley nose undesirable.
Ears: Set high. Ears should be short and held rose or half pricked. Full drop to be penalised.
Eyes: Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids.
Mouth: Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Undershot or overshot mouths undesirable.
Neck: Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.
Forequarters: Shoulders strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pasterns upright. No resemblance of bend in front. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Body: Back fairly short. Slightly sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Well sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Chest deep and broad. Loins slightly tucked.
Tail: Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked. Tail too long or badly carried undesirable.
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.
Gait/Movement: Must be springy but without roll or pace.
Feet: Of moderate in size, well arched and compact.
Coat: Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Colour: 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.
Size: Height and weight should be in proportion
Height:
Dogs approx 46-48 cms (18-19 ins) at shoulders
Bitches approx 43-46 cms (17-18 ins) at shoulders is considered preferable.
Faults: Faults to be penalized are: Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or overshot mouths.
Temperament: Keenly alive to his surroundings. His courage is proverbial
Head And Skull: Head medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop. 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. Nose definitely black, Dudley nose undesirable.
Ears: Set high. Ears should be short and held rose or half pricked. Full drop to be penalised.
Eyes: Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids.
Mouth: Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Undershot or overshot mouths undesirable.
Neck: Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.
Forequarters: Shoulders strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pasterns upright. No resemblance of bend in front. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Body: Back fairly short. Slightly sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Well sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Chest deep and broad. Loins slightly tucked.
Tail: Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked. Tail too long or badly carried undesirable.
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.
Gait/Movement: Must be springy but without roll or pace.
Feet: Of moderate in size, well arched and compact.
Coat: Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Colour: 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.
Size: Height and weight should be in proportion
Height:
Dogs approx 46-48 cms (18-19 ins) at shoulders
Bitches approx 43-46 cms (17-18 ins) at shoulders is considered preferable.
Faults: Faults to be penalized are: Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or overshot mouths.