History
Until the
early part of the 19th century; the Bulldog was bred with great care in England
for the purpose of baiting bulls. The Bulldog of that day was vastly different
from our present-day "sourmug." Pictures from as late as 1870 represent the
Bulldog as agile and as standing straight on his legs-his front legs in
particular. In some cases he was even possessed of a muzzle, and long rat tails
were not uncommon. The Bulldog of that day, with the exception of the head,
looked more like the present-day American Staffordshire Terrier than like the
present-day Bulldog.
Some writers
contend it was the white English Terrier, or the Black-and-Tan Terrier, that was
used as a cross with the Bulldog to perfect the Staffordshire Terrier. It seems
easier to believe that any game terrier, such as the Fox Terrier of the early
1800s, was used in this cross, since some of the foremost authorities on dogs of
that time state that the Black-and-Tan and the white English Terrier were none
too game, but these same authorities go on to stress the gameness of the Fox
Terrier. It is reasonable to believe that breeders who were attempting to
perfect a dog that would combine the spirit and agility of the terrier with the
courage and tenacity of the Bulldog, would not use a terrier that was not game.
In analyzing the three above-mentioned terriers at that time, we find that there
was not a great deal of difference in body conformation, the greatest
differences being in color, aggressiveness, and spirit.
In any event,
it was the cross between the Bulldog and the terrier that resulted in the
Staffordshire Terrier, which was originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog,
Half and Half, and at times Pit Dog or Pit Bullterrier. Later, it assumed the
name in England of Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
These dogs
began to find their way into America as early as 1870, where they became known
as Pit Dog, Pit Bull Terrier ( like famous Loyd’s Pilot ) , later American Bull
Terrier, and still later as Yankee Terrier.
In 1936, they
were accepted for registration in the AKC
Stud Book
as Staffordshire Terriers. The name of the breed was revised effective January
1, 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier. Breeders in this country had
developed a type which is heavier in weight than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
of England and the name change was to distinguish them as separate breeds.
The American
Staffordshire Terrier's standard allows a variance in weight, but it should be
in proportion to size. The dog's chief requisites should be strength unusual for
his size, soundness, balance, a strong powerful head, a well-muscled body, and
courage that is proverbial. The dog which was used to set the standard for the
AmStaff was Colby’s Primo, some breeders should remember…
To clarify the
confusion that may exist, even in the minds of dog fanciers, as to the
difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier, a
comment on the latter may be helpful. The Bull Terrier was introduced by James
Hinks of Birmingham, who had been experimenting for several years with the old
bull-and-terrier dog, now known as Staffordshire. It is generally conceded that
he used the Staffordshire, crossed with the white English Terrier, and some
writers contend that a dash of Pointer and Dalmatian blood was also used to help
perfect the all-white Bull Terrier.
In mentioning
the gameness of the Staffordshire, it is not the intention to tag him as a
fighting machine, or to praise this characteristic. These points are discussed
because they are necessary in giving the correct origin and history of the
breed. The good qualities of the dogs are many, and it would be difficult for
anyone to overstress them.
Some good
literature about this breed.
American
Staffordshire ,, Sein wahres Gesicht “ by H.-D. Schaller and Rita Lacis
Colby’s Book
of the American Pit Bull Terrier by Louis B. Colby
American
Staffordshire Terrier by Jaqueline Fraser
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