Tuesday, September 3, 2013

American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire terrier also known as Amstaff 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.

History

Origins

Colby's Pincher

One of the earliest AKC Champion American Staffordshire Terriers.

Pup shortly after birth

The Staffordshire Terrier was first bred in the nineteenth century in the English region of Staffordshire. The early ancestors of this breed came from England, where until the first part of the 19th century, the Bulldog was bred in England. 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, and spirit. The cross of Bulldog and Terrier was called by several names, including Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Pit Bull, or Half and Half. 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, then the American Bull Terrier, and still later as the Yankee Terrier.^[2]

Popularity

In 1936, Amstaffs were accepted for registration in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers, belonging to the terrier and molosser groups. The name of the breed was revised January 1, 1969 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.

Temperament

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]

The American Temperament Test Society conducts tests every year on thousands of dogs to determine the soundness of their temperament. These tests measure various aspects of temperament such as aggressiveness, friendliness, stability, as well as the dog’s protectiveness toward its owner. ATTS breed statistics show that American Staffordshire Terriers consistently score above average for all breeds tested. However, Schaffner notes in this book that "This, of course, must be taken with a grain of salt, as the numbers tested of each breed varied widely. ^[4]

Duffy et al. (2008) investigated dog breed temperament via an online survey. They found that the breed group represented by American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull terriers had an above average level of aggression directed toward other dogs and a below average level of aggression toward humans. Also, as this was a voluntary study the authors admit that their results may be influenced by self-selection bias.^[5]