American Staffordshire Terrier
Encyclopedia
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. The name was changed to reflect difference from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
of England.
The early ancestors of this breed come 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.
'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.
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.
:
s (UTI), and autoimmune diseases. Spondylosis
and osteoarthritis
are common in older dogs.
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. The appropriateness and effectiveness of breed-specific legislation in preventing dog-related fatalities and injuries is disputed.
Many animal-related organizations oppose breed-specific legislation:
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
. In the early part of the twentieth century the breed gained social stature and was accepted by the American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
as the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1936. The name was changed to reflect difference from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, short-coated, old-time breed of dog. It is an English dog, where it is the 5th most popular breed, and related to the bull terrier...
of England.
Origins
Guard dog
A guard dog, an attack dog or watch dog is a dog used to guard against, and watch for, unwanted or unexpected people or animals. The dog is discriminating so that it does not annoy or attack familiar people.-Barking:...
, dog fighting, and companionship.
Until the first part of the 19th century, the Bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
was bred in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
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
Fox Terrier
Fox Terrier refers primarily to two different breeds of the terrier dog type: the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both of these breeds originated in the 19th century from a handful of dogs who are descended from earlier varieties of British terriers, and are related to other modern...
, or the Black and Tan Terrier
Black and Tan Terrier
The English Black and Tan Terrier is the non-Kennel Club variety of dog that was drawn into The Kennel Club as the Welsh Terrier and that remains extant outside of the Kennel Club as a "Fell Terrier".-History:...
that was crossed with the Bulldog to develop the Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Terrier may refer to:*Staffordshire Bull Terrier*American 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.
Popularity
American Staffordshire terriers gained in popularity in the 1920s with “Pete the PupPete the Pup
Pete the Pup was a Pit Bull character in Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies during the 1920s and 1930s...
's” appearances in the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
(The Little Rascals) comedies, contributing to the spread of the breed.
In 1936, they were accepted for registration in the AKC
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers, belonging to the terrier and molosser
Molosser
Molosser is a category of large, solidly-built dog that includes several breeds, probably all descended from the same root stock. The name derives from Molossia, a subregion of ancient Epirus, ancient Greece, where the large shepherd dog was known as the Molossus.The proper noun "Mastiff", however,...
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.
The breed's popularity began to decline in the United States following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Images of the breed were used to represent the US during the 1900s as a depiction of strength and dignity.
Temperament
According to the American Kennel ClubAmerican Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
:
Health and well-being
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:Inherited disorders
- Congenital heart disease (OFAOrthopedic Foundation for AnimalsThe Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a not-for-profit organization based in Columbia, Missouri that aims to research and prevent orthopedic and hereditary diseases in companion animals....
rank: 11; normal 95.1%, abnormal 1.6%) - Elbow dysplasiaElbow dysplasiaElbow dysplasia is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow-joint in the dog, specifically the growth of cartilage or the structures surrounding it. These abnormalities, known as 'primary lesions', give rise to osteoarthritic processes...
(OFA rank: 12; normal 81.4%, abnormal 17.8%) - canine hip dysplasia (OFA rank: 21; normal 71.7%, abnormal 26.0%)
- Luxating patellaLuxating patellaLuxating patella is a condition in which the patella, or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location....
knee complication that imparts a bow shape to the leg (OFA rank: 72; normal 98.7%, abnormal 1.3%) - ThyroidThyroidThe thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid , in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage...
dysfunction (OFA rank: 19, normal 80.0%, abnormal 8.0%) - Minor incidence of other conditions, such as senior ataxiaAtaxiaAtaxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum...
and hereditary cataracts.
Other disorders
The breed may be vulnerable to skin allergies, urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Symptoms include frequent feeling and/or need to urinate, pain during urination, and cloudy urine. The main causal agent is Escherichia coli...
s (UTI), and autoimmune diseases. Spondylosis
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a term referring to degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints between the centra of the spinal vertebrae and/or neural foraminae. If this condition occurs in the zygapophysial joints, it can be considered facet syndrome...
and osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Symptoms may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion...
are common in older dogs.
Breed-specific legislation
Worldwide, the American Staffordshire Terrier has been subject to breed bans that target the Bull and TerrierBull and Terrier
-History:The Bull and Terrier is a cross between the Old English Bulldog and a variety of Terriers. The anatomy of the Bull and Terrier is the result of selective breeding for the purpose of hunting, dog fighting and baiting.-Hunting:...
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. The appropriateness and effectiveness of breed-specific legislation in preventing dog-related fatalities and injuries is disputed.
Many animal-related organizations oppose breed-specific legislation:
- The American Veterinary Medical Association supports dangerous animal legislation by state, county, or municipal governments provided that legislation does not refer to specific breeds or classes of animals.
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association supports dangerous dog legislation provided that it does not refer to specific breeds.
- The Centers for Disease Control said that breed-specific approaches to the control of dog bites do not address the issue that many breeds are involved in the problem and that most of the factors contributing to dog bites are related to the level of responsibility exercised by dog owners. Furthermore, tethered dogs are more likely to bite than untethered dogs.
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association states that because of difficulties inherent in determining a dog’s breed with certainty, enforcement of breed-specific ordinances raises constitutional and practical issues.
- SPCA recognizes that dog bites are a serious public safety problem. Their interest in this issue relates directly to the goal of creating humane communities where people and animals enrich each other’s lives. However, the BC SPCA opposes breed banning as a strategy for achieving this goal. According to the SPCA, breed banning is a simplistic and ineffective solution to a multi-faceted problem.
Notable Staffordshire Terriers
- Pete the PupPete the PupPete the Pup was a Pit Bull character in Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies during the 1920s and 1930s...
, in several Our GangOur GangOur Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
films (later known as The Little Rascals) during the 1920s and 1930s. - Sergeant StubbySergeant StubbySergeant Stubby , was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.-Life:...
was the most decorated dog in military history and the only dog to have been promoted during battle. He fought for 18 months in the trenches for France during World War I for 17 battles. Stubby warned his fellow soldiers of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers in No Man's Land, and listened for incoming artillery rounds. He was also responsible for the capture of a German spy at Argonne. After his time in the war, Stubby met US Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. He was awarded life memberships to the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. Sergeant Stubby died on March 16, 1926. - Jack Brutus, the official mascot of Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. - Bud, the first dog in the US to take a cross-country drive in 1903 with his owner Horatio Nelson JacksonHoratio Nelson JacksonHoratio Nelson Jackson was a physician and automobile pioneer. In 1903, he and driving partner Sewall K. Crocker became the first people to drive an automobile across the United States.-Early life and medical career:...
and a bicycle mechanic, Sewall Crocker. “Bud soon became an enthusiast for motoring," Jackson bragged, especially after his masters put a pair of their gogglesGogglesGoggles or safety glasses are forms of protective eyewear that usually enclose or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to prevent particulates, water or chemicals from striking the eyes. They are used in chemistry laboratories and in woodworking. They are often used in snow sports as well,...
on him to keep the stinging, alkaliAlkaliIn chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Some authors also define an alkali as a base that dissolves in water. A solution of a soluble base has a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base,...
dust out of his eyes.
Books
- The American Staffordshire Terrier by Clifford & Alberta Ormsby, 1956
- American Staffordshire Terrier by Joseph Janish, 2003, 155 pages; ISBN 1-59378-248-9
- American Staffordshire Terrier Champions, 1988-1995 by Jan Linzy, 1998, 84 pages; ISBN 1-55893-054-X
- American Staffordshire Terrier Champions, 1996-2001 by Jan Linzy, 2002, 84 pages; ISBN 1-55893-102-3
- Staffordshire Terriers: American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier by Anna Katherine Nicholas, 1991, 256 pages; ISBN 0-86622-637-0
- The American Staffordshire Terrier: Gamester and Guardian by Sarah Foster, 1998, 139 pages; ISBN 0-87605-003-8