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The character
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a terrier of the bulldog type. By nature they are watchdogs and family dogs.
The American Staffordshire Terriers are brave, loyal to the family, persistent and tough. They are good watchdogs, affectionate, boisterous, and domineering and have very great stamina.
American Staffordshire Terriers are excellently suited as family dogs, provided the family can deal well and consistently with such a strong, boisterous dog. As a rule the dogs are nice to children, will guard home and hearth well. They will accept cats and other pets without difficulty, if they are familiarized with them early on.
American Staffordshire Terriers need a lot of exercise. They like to run alongside a bicycle and always enjoy ballgames. Normally they are dogs that like to fetch.
At an early age they need to be taught not to pull on the chain, as, when adult, they are extremely strong. By good and consistent upbringing the American Staffordshire Terrier can learn an awful lot and they can even pass obedience tests.
De American Staffordshire Terriër is een terriër van het buldogtype. In aanleg zijn het waak- en gezinshonden. American Staffordshire Terriërs zijn moedig, trouw aan het gezin, vasthoudend en hard voor zichzelf. Het zijn goede waakhonden, aanhankelijk, onstuimig, dominant en hebben een erg groot uithoudingsvermogen.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a terrier of the bulldog type. By nature they are watchdogs and family dogs.
The American Staffordshire Terriers are brave, loyal to the family, persistent and tough. They are good watchdogs, affectionate, boisterous, and domineering and have very great stamina.
American Staffordshire Terriers are excellently suited as family dogs, provided the family can deal well and consistently with such a strong, boisterous dog. As a rule the dogs are nice to children, will guard home and hearth well. They will accept cats and other pets without difficulty, if they are familiarized with them early on.
American Staffordshire Terriers need a lot of exercise. They like to run alongside a bicycle and always enjoy ballgames. Normally they are dogs that like to fetch.
At an early age they need to be taught not to pull on the chain, as, when adult, they are extremely strong. By good and consistent upbringing the American Staffordshire Terrier can learn an awful lot and they can even pass obedience tests.
De American Staffordshire Terriër is een terriër van het buldogtype. In aanleg zijn het waak- en gezinshonden. American Staffordshire Terriërs zijn moedig, trouw aan het gezin, vasthoudend en hard voor zichzelf. Het zijn goede waakhonden, aanhankelijk, onstuimig, dominant en hebben een erg groot uithoudingsvermogen.
The features
The distinguishing features An American Staffordshire Terrier should radiate strength proportionate to its size. It is a strongly built dog, muscular, but at the same time agile and graceful. It is square and should absolutely not have long legs.
The shoulder height of he-dogs is usually between 45.7 and 48.4cm. For bitches this is between 43.2 and 45.7cm. More importantly, its weight must be proportionate to its height.
American Staffordshire Terriers have a short, shining coat. Essentially all colours are permitted, but black tan, liver or plain white are less popular colours. The most usual colours are smooth red and beige, with or without white spots.
The distinguishing features An American Staffordshire Terrier should radiate strength proportionate to its size. It is a strongly built dog, muscular, but at the same time agile and graceful. It is square and should absolutely not have long legs.
The shoulder height of he-dogs is usually between 45.7 and 48.4cm. For bitches this is between 43.2 and 45.7cm. More importantly, its weight must be proportionate to its height.
American Staffordshire Terriers have a short, shining coat. Essentially all colours are permitted, but black tan, liver or plain white are less popular colours. The most usual colours are smooth red and beige, with or without white spots.
In our society
When English immigrants settled in the United States after the American Civil War (1861-1865), they brought with them their own dogs. Among the many different breeds there were several breeds of Bulls and Terriers. These lively and intelligent dogs were used as farm dogs, watchdogs, cattle dogs, but also to hunt wild boars and bears. To equip their dogs even better to carry out these tasks, big specimens of Bull and Terrier dogs were crossbred. Over the years, this special American breed became bigger, heavier and stronger than its English cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. To supplement the often-meagre income of the owners, the dogs were also used in dogfights. In a ring, the Pit, the dogs fought each other and bets were taken on the outcome.
Perhaps all this sounds a bit nastier than it really was. The dogs were trained to force their opponent to surrender, not to kill him. Besides, they normally lived amongst the family and were playmates for the children. This is why they developed into a sociable, strong dog breed that is not aggressive by nature and extremely friendly to humans.
In 1936 the American Staffordshire Terrier was recognised by the AKC (American Kennel Club) as a separate breed and now it is mainly a dog for shows and for the family. Its possibilities as a working dog, its athletic build and stamina are generally praised. The American Staffordshire Terrier’s friendliness towards people is used for instance by training this dog as a rescue dog, a guide-dog for the blind, a therapy dog, a tracker dog and of course as an ordinary pet dog.
Although the ancestors of the American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit bull-like dogs are the same, they have evolved in a totally different way. Unfortunately, it happens frequently that a Pit bull-like dog is wrongfully presented as an American Staffordshire Terrier.
When English immigrants settled in the United States after the American Civil War (1861-1865), they brought with them their own dogs. Among the many different breeds there were several breeds of Bulls and Terriers. These lively and intelligent dogs were used as farm dogs, watchdogs, cattle dogs, but also to hunt wild boars and bears. To equip their dogs even better to carry out these tasks, big specimens of Bull and Terrier dogs were crossbred. Over the years, this special American breed became bigger, heavier and stronger than its English cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. To supplement the often-meagre income of the owners, the dogs were also used in dogfights. In a ring, the Pit, the dogs fought each other and bets were taken on the outcome.
Perhaps all this sounds a bit nastier than it really was. The dogs were trained to force their opponent to surrender, not to kill him. Besides, they normally lived amongst the family and were playmates for the children. This is why they developed into a sociable, strong dog breed that is not aggressive by nature and extremely friendly to humans.
In 1936 the American Staffordshire Terrier was recognised by the AKC (American Kennel Club) as a separate breed and now it is mainly a dog for shows and for the family. Its possibilities as a working dog, its athletic build and stamina are generally praised. The American Staffordshire Terrier’s friendliness towards people is used for instance by training this dog as a rescue dog, a guide-dog for the blind, a therapy dog, a tracker dog and of course as an ordinary pet dog.
Although the ancestors of the American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit bull-like dogs are the same, they have evolved in a totally different way. Unfortunately, it happens frequently that a Pit bull-like dog is wrongfully presented as an American Staffordshire Terrier.
Dutch law
Regulations regarding American Staffordshire Terriers Terriërs
RAD
Despite the abolition of R.A.D. law, we will continue to breed according to the guidelines and the breeding policy of ASTCH and the Board of Management on canine area in the Netherlands. This guarantees a healthy and strong breed. Our dogs will always participate in the MAG-test and health tests.
Pedigrees: in the Netherlands the FCI pedigrees are issued by the Board of Kennel Club area. In Belgium pedigrees are provided by St. Hubertus.
When the RAD was still operative, Dirk's Amstaff's was visited by the Dutch National news. Below you can watch the broadcast of the NOS News.
Regulations regarding American Staffordshire Terriers Terriërs
RAD
Despite the abolition of R.A.D. law, we will continue to breed according to the guidelines and the breeding policy of ASTCH and the Board of Management on canine area in the Netherlands. This guarantees a healthy and strong breed. Our dogs will always participate in the MAG-test and health tests.
Pedigrees: in the Netherlands the FCI pedigrees are issued by the Board of Kennel Club area. In Belgium pedigrees are provided by St. Hubertus.
When the RAD was still operative, Dirk's Amstaff's was visited by the Dutch National news. Below you can watch the broadcast of the NOS News.
In 2005 ENJOY TV visited Dirk's Amstaff for an interview with Aafke for the program "In consultation with the vet '. In this episode Aafke talks about the breed American Stafford Terrier and the then applicable regulations. Watch the broadcast: