American
Staffordshire
Terrier 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.
Head
Medium length,
deep through,
broad skull,
very pronounced
cheek muscles,
distinct stop;
and ears are set
high. Ears -
Cropped or
uncropped, the
latter preferred.
Uncropped ears
should be short
and held rose or
half prick. Full
drop to be
penalized. Eyes
- Dark and
round, low down
in skull and set
far apart. No
pink eyelids.
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. Upper
teeth to meet
tightly outside
lower teeth in
front. Nose
definitely
black.
Neck
Heavy, slightly
arched, tapering
from shoulders
to back of
skull. No
looseness of
skin. Medium
length.
Shoulders
Strong and
muscular with
blades wide and
sloping.
Back
Fairly short.
Slight sloping
from withers to
rump with gentle
short slope at
rump to base of
tail. Loins
slightly tucked.
Body
Well-sprung ribs,
deep in rear.
All ribs close
together.
Forelegs set
rather wide
apart to permit
chest
development.
Chest deep and
broad.
Tail
Short in
comparison to
size, low set,
tapering to a
fine point; not
curled or held
over back. Not
docked.
Legs
The front legs
should be
straight, large
or round bones,
pastern upright.
No resemblance
of bend in
front.
Hindquarters
well-muscled,
let down at
hocks, turning
neither in nor
out. Feet of
moderate size,
well-arched and
compact. Gait
must be springy
but without roll
or pace.
Coat
Short, close,
stiff to the
touch, and
glossy.
Color
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. A
height of about
18 to 19 inches
at shoulders for
the male and 17
to 18 inches for
the female is to
be considered
preferable.
Faults
Faults to be
penalized are:
Dudley nose,
light or pink
eyes, tail too
long or badly
carried,
undershot or
overshot mouths.
Approved June
10, 1936
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