AKC Breed Standard
American Staffordshire Terrier
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