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
the outline. His courage is proverbial.
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
the 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. Under jaw 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.
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. Under jaw 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
Shoulders
Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of
skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.
skull. No looseness of skin. Medium length.
Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping.
Back
Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine
point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.
point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.
Well-sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together.
Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Chest deep and broad.
Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Chest deep and broad.
Body
Fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to rump with
gentle short slop at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.
gentle short slop at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.
Tail
Any color, solid, parti, or patched is permissible, but all
white, more than 80% white, black and tan, and liver are
not to be encouraged.
white, more than 80% white, black and tan, and liver are
not to be encouraged.
Coat
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.
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.
Legs
Color
Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of
about 18 to 19 inches at the shoulders for the male and 17
to 18 inches for the female is to be considered preferable.
about 18 to 19 inches at the shoulders for the male and 17
to 18 inches for the female is to be considered preferable.
Size
Faults
Faults to be penalized are: Dudley nose, light or pink
eyes, tail to long or badly carried, undershot or overshot
mouths.
eyes, tail to long or badly carried, undershot or overshot
mouths.
Approved June 10, 1936
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