n.
A strong muscular terrier of an American breed with powerful jaws, a broad skull, and short hair, originally developed for dogfighting. Also called pit bull, pit bull terrier, Also called Staffordshire terrier.
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American Heritage Dictionary:
American Staffordshire terrier |
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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:
pit bull terrier |
For more information on pit bull terrier, visit Britannica.com.
Saunders Veterinary Dictionary:
American Staffordshire terrier |
A medium-size, muscular dog, similar to the staffordshire bull terrier, but larger. It has a powerful head, well-muscled body, short tail and a short, colored haircoat.
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
American Staffordshire Terrier |
| Nicknames | AmStaff | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country of origin | United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The American Staffordshire terrier is a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed. In the early part of the twentieth century the breed gained social stature and was accepted by the American Kennel Club as the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1936.[2] The name was changed to reflect difference from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England.
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The early ancestors of this breed came from England, where applications included farm use, guarding, dog fighting, and companionship. Until the first part of the 19th century, the Bulldog was bred in England for the purpose of baiting bulls. 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 Terrier; all three breeds shared many traits, the greatest differences being in color, aggressiveness, and spirit. The cross of Bulldog and Terrier was called by several names, including Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half, and Pit Dog or Pit Bull terrier. Later, it assumed the name of Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England. These dogs began to find their way into America as early as 1870, where they became known as the Pit Dog and Pit Bull Terrier, then the American Bull Terrier, and still later as the Yankee Terrier.[2]
American Staffordshire terriers gained in popularity in the 1920s with “Pete the Pup's” appearances in the Our Gang (The Little Rascals) comedies, contributing to the spread of the breed.
In 1936, they were accepted for registration in the AKC Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers, belonging to the terrier and molosser groups. The name of the breed was revised January 1, 1972 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.[2]
The breed's popularity began to decline in the United States following World War II.
Images of the breed were used to represent the US during the 1900s as a depiction of strength and dignity.[citation needed]
According to the American Kennel Club:
The Am Staff is a people-oriented dog that thrives when he is made part of the family and given a job to do. Although friendly, this breed is loyal to his family and will protect them from any threat.—[3]
American Staffordshire Terrier pups should not be bought weaned before they are 8–10 weeks old. Their life expectancy is generally 12 to 16 years with good care. Notable issues related to health and wellbeing include:
The breed may be vulnerable to skin allergies, urinary tract infections (UTI), and autoimmune diseases. Spondylosis and osteoarthritis are common in older dogs.
Worldwide, the American Staffordshire Terrier has been subject to breed bans that target the Bull and Terrier family in response to well-publicized incidents involving pit bulls or similar dog breeds. This legislation ranges from outright bans on possession to restrictions and conditions of ownership.[6] The appropriateness and effectiveness of breed-specific legislation in preventing dog-related fatalities and injuries is disputed.[7] Many animal-related organizations oppose breed-specific legislation:
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American Staffordshire terrier |
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![]() | American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
![]() | Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 1994-2012 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Saunders Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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![]() | Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article American Staffordshire Terrier. Read more |