Breed of the Month: American Staffordshire Terrier
Doomed to disappear?
Based on the article "Rashond van de maand: American Staffordshire Terrier", published in Hondenmanieren magazine, year 5, number 8-9, 2001.
There is currently a great deal of discussion about the American Staffordshire. It appears that the breed, together with three other breeds, is being condemned to extinction by the Dutch government. Given the Am Staff’s eventful past, we therefore hesitated about making this dog breed of the month. The last thing we want is to add fuel to the fire. However, the American Staffordshire Terrier has a wide range of very positive qualities that you never read about in the newspapers. The breed is playful, easy to train, very sociable with people and extremely loyal to its owner. And those are points that deserve attention as well.
Text: Jolien Schat
Photo's: Mr. Wil de Veer
History
The American Staffordshire Terrier has two completely different types of dogs at its foundation. On the one hand, descendants of the early molossers: large, strong, controlled dogs whose tasks varied from draft dog to war dog. On the other hand, the various members of the terrier group: almost all fierce and very persistent hunters, used both above and below ground.
From the molossers arose in England the bull-baiters or Bulldogs. These dogs were used, for the instruction and entertainment of both nobility and common people, among other things in fights against bulls. These four-legged animals were known for their tenacity. Once they had bitten into a bull, they would under no circumstances let go.
This ‘sport’ came to an end when the British parliament decided in 1935 to ban fighting with dogs. Not only dog-versus-bull fights, but also dog-versus-dog fights. However, the public was not willing to give up its amusements just like that. The sport went underground and increasingly shifted toward fights between dogs themselves.
However, the Bulldog was not the most suitable dog for this; it was too heavy and not agile enough. That is why people eventually began crossing these dogs with various types of terriers. The aim was to obtain faster, slimmer dogs that showed more action. Which terriers were used to achieve this goal is not entirely clear. It is assumed that the Black and Tan Terrier, the Fox Terrier and the English White Terrier (a breed that has since disappeared) all contributed. The crosses that resulted from this were known for a long time under all kinds of names, but eventually received the name Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
From about the year 1850, English and Irish emigrants brought these Bull and Terrier crosses with them to the United States, and there people began giving their own twist to breeding these dogs. A difference in type emerged; the dogs became heavier and stood higher on their legs. This resulted in the fact that in 1898 a certain Mr. Bennett was able to show the first examples of a new breed. However, there was not yet any real uniformity, and the dogs were once again given different names. Among others, they were known as the American Pit-Bull Terrier and Yankee Terrier. Even in the land of unlimited possibilities, these dogs were at first still widely misused in the fighting ring, but in addition they were assigned tasks such as herding cattle and guarding home and property. Just before the beginning of the twentieth century, a number of breeders increasingly began to focus on breeding dogs with a uniform appearance, while fighting qualities were pushed more and more into the background.
For some time there was confusion surrounding the breed, arising from the fact that there were different registering bodies in America. For example, the United Kennel Club registered the breed under the name Pit Bull Terrier. Clarity did not come until 1936. Following the British Kennel Club, which had recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1935, the Staffordshire Terrier was recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club on June 10, 1937. At the same time, the breed standard was also approved. The first dog to be registered was the dog “Pete,” known from the old black-and-white television series “The Little Rascals,” where he was the pet of a group of street kids. Later, in 1972, the name Staffordshire Terrier was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier, because there was often confusion with its English counterpart, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The first American Staffordshire Terrier did not appear in the Netherlands until 1983.
That the American Staffordshire Terrier - or Am Staff, as enthusiasts call him - has an eventful past does not mean that he is an aggressive fighter. Since 1935 these dogs have no longer been used for dog fighting and breeding has focused on selecting good and more peaceable traits. In addition, the dog, even in the past, was never bred for aggression toward people. On the contrary, because people in the pit (fighting ring) had to be able to stand next to the dogs, the Am Staff has always been highly social toward people. After all, one could not risk receiving a few serious bites oneself. Unfortunately, the Dutch government, apparently entirely unhindered by any real knowledge of the matter, applies the principle once a thief, always a thief. They want the American Staffordshire Terrier, together with three other breeds, to gradually disappear. Until then, the remaining living examples must be kept on a short leash and muzzled. The children must pay for the sins of the fathers, even if those sins were committed long ago. But that too is not an unfamiliar phenomenon in the Netherlands. Just ask the crown prince.
Health and care
Although they do not really become extremely old, American Staffordshires generally belong to a healthy breed. Conditions that occur include hip dysplasia and, increasingly, problems with the knees and knee joints. The Am Staff does not place high demands on grooming. He has a smooth, close-fitting coat that is satisfied with regular brushing using a rubber curry brush. During the shedding period he will of course need to be brushed a few extra times, because the stiff hairs of the Am Staff can cause skin irritation in some people. To make the dog shine nicely, he can be rubbed down with a damp chamois cloth.
Appearance
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a tough, robust dog with an athletic, muscular body. The general impression the dog gives is one of great strength and determination. A kind of bodybuilder among dogs, in other words. The breed is somewhat compactly built and should under no circumstances have long legs and a too slender silhouette. Height at the withers is 45.7 to 48.3 cm for males and 43.2 to 45.7 cm for females. Weight is around twenty kilos. American Staffordshire Terriers can occur in almost every color, although most are dark brindle, white with black patches, and yellow or red with white markings. There are, however, colors that are less desired, such as black and tan and completely white. The coat is short and close-fitting. The most striking feature of the head is the very clearly visible cheek muscles and the ears, which do not entirely seem to know whether they should stand up or hang down, a so-called (half) rose ear or prick ear.
Temperament
Let us get straight to the point: an American Staffordshire Terrier is not a dog for beginners. And certainly not for ego-trippers and macho types who only want the dog because of its supposed reputation and tough appearance. The fact that the dog was abused for fighting in the past does not at all mean that we are still dealing with a savage brute. However, it is essential to socialize Am Staffs very well from a young age. They can sometimes show dominant tendencies toward other dogs, especially the males. For that reason, it is important to raise them properly and begin training early, so that once the dogs are adults they are 200 percent under their owner’s control. At all costs, a first fight with other dogs must be avoided. Incidentally, that upbringing need not cause too many problems, because the Am Staff is intelligent enough and learns at great speed. Without immediately being harsh, it is important always to stand your ground and not allow the dog too much room to develop its own initiatives. As far as their owner is concerned they are quite sensitive: a harsh word and a stern look often already do a lot. Remain authoritative, but do not handle him harshly in a physical way. Because the dog is fairly tough on himself, this will have little effect or even the opposite effect. An Am Staff raised with care is a dog with high emotional stability, which only in exceptional cases shows nervous or fearful behavior.
In terms of training, there is a lot you can do with these dogs. They are suitable for obedience, agility and endurance work. In America there are even Am Staffs that serve as guide dogs for the blind and as therapy dogs. And closer to home, in Maastricht, there is a working guide Am Staff. Under no circumstances should an Am Staff be trained as a protection dog. Fortunately, most clubs are wise enough not to get involved in that. It is not necessary either, because the Am Staff is naturally watchful and quite territorial. Woe to the burglar who thinks of carrying off your belongings during the night….
The above does not mean that the Am Staff does not get along well with people. Quite the opposite. In his dealings with people he is a very social and pleasant dog. Especially for his own family he can be a real lapdog, who loves nothing more than relaxing on the sofa with his owner. Most also get along well with children, although they can be somewhat too boisterous for very young children. Of course, for this dog, just as for all other dogs, it remains true that there must always be supervision in interactions between dog and child and that they should never be left alone together.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a fairly active dog that needs a considerable amount of exercise. If he is well under control and does not interfere with other dogs, this can be off lead, but otherwise running next to the bicycle is a good alternative. Some Am Staffs also love swimming. In addition, virtually all of them are very playful and fond of active games. Do teach them from puppyhood that in play they may not bite people, because their jaws are far too strong for that and our delicate skin simply cannot cope with it. A better alternative is to give him a rope toy or a ball. In any case, provide sufficient chewing material, not only at a young age but later as well. Every dog has a certain need to chew, and if that need is not met, the average American Staffordshire Terrier will have no difficulty at all in turning the coffee table into a large pile of toothpicks within a few minutes. If the dog regularly spends time in the garden, keep in mind that some are enthusiastic diggers, a remnant of their terrier ancestors. It is also not a bad idea to place a properly secure fence around the garden. Not so much to protect people from the dog, but to protect the dog from ignorant people. Unfortunately, thanks to the media and the government, there are currently people who do strange things to what they see as aggressive fighting dogs. Not only to the Am Staff, but also for example to the Rottweiler, of which reports have already come in that cars were deliberately driven into dogs. If the government’s plans go ahead unchanged, then in less than two decades the American Staffordshire Terrier in the Netherlands will only be admired in photographs. Then this robust breed will no longer exist here. Then it will have been exterminated, undeservedly and unjustly. Attempts are being made on all sides to prevent this disastrous message from becoming reality. Unfortunately, the average owner cannot do a great deal about it. Except take responsibility and set an example. Do not get an Am Staff without being thoroughly informed about his nature, and provide excellent upbringing and guidance. Show the world that American Staffordshire Terriers are honest and reliable dogs! They deserve it.
Breed standard
Ears:
The ears are short and set high. They are carried as so-called prick ears. A completely hanging or completely upright ear is faulty.
Eyes:
The eyes are dark and round, set deep in the skull and wide apart.
Nose:
The nose is clearly black.
Head:
The head is medium-sized, deep and oval with a broad skull. There is a clear stop and the cheek muscles are very strongly developed.
Mouth and teeth:
Strong jaws with tight lips. The teeth form a scissor bite.
Neck:
The neck is heavy and slightly arched. It tapers from the shoulders to the back of the skull and is of medium length.
Legs:
The forelegs are straight with a great round “bone”. They are set wide apart and placed straight next to the chest. The hindquarters are well muscled and angulated and must not turn inward or outward.
Body:
The shoulders are strong, with broad and sloping shoulder blades. The back is fairly short and slightly sloping from the withers. The loins fall in slightly. The ribs are well sprung. Height at the withers is 45.7 to 48.3 cm for males and 43.2 to 45.7 cm for females.
Feet:
The feet are compact and not too large.
Tail:
The tail is short in proportion to the size of the dog. It is set low and tapers to a fine point.
Coat:
The coat is short and stiff and feels hard. Any color, solid, parti-colored or patched, is permitted. However, all white or more than 80% white, black and tan and liver color should not be encouraged.
Gait:
The gait is springy, without rolling or pacing.