Breed Priorities – American Staffordshire Terrier

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290 – August, 2023

By Nikki Riggsbee

The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of several bull-and-terrier breeds recognized by AKC. Early in the 19th century, the Bulldog (as it was two centuries ago) was mixed with some terriers to get a dog with the courage and tenacity of the Bulldog and the spirt and agility of Terriers. One result of the crosses was the Staffordshire Terrier.

As with other breeds, they came to the United States later in the 19th century and were called by a variety of different names. AKC recognized the breed in 1936 under the name Staffordshire Terrier. In 1972, the name was revised to American Staffordshire Terrier. The breed’s parent club, however, retained the earlier name–Staffordshire Terrier Club of America.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was recognized by AKC in 1974, decades later than the AmStaff was recognized. Their parent club name is Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America. I thought it interesting that the two related breeds would have parent clubs with names that are so similar.

We found eleven breeder-judges to invite to take a survey prioritizing different features of the breed called for in their standard. We also invited eleven other experts–some breed mentors and those with twenty or more years of experience with the breed.

We received fourteen completed surveys. The individuals participating have been in AmStaffs nearly twenty-nine years. Those who judge have been doing so for over twelve years. Many have judged their national specialty and most have judged other AmStaff specialties.

American Staffordshire Terrier Virtues

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290 – August, 2023

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