American Staffordshire Terrier
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - American Staffordshire Terrier
General Appearance: The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size. A well put together dog, muscular but agile and graceful. Should be stocky, not long legged or racy in outline.
Characteristics: Keenly alive to his surroundings.
Temperament: 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.
Eyes: Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. Light or pink eyes undesirable. No pink eyelids.
Ears: Should be short and held rose or half prick. Set high. Full drop to be penalised.
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.
Hindquarters: Well muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out.
Feet: Of moderate size, well:arched and compact.
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.
Gait: Must be springy but without roll or pace.
Coat: Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Colour: Any colour, solid, part, or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80% white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.
Size: Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 46:48 cms (18:19 ins) at shoulders for the male and 43:46 cms (17:18 ins) for the female is to be considered preferable.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
DNZ No 209
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
