| Breed Standard |
General Impression – The American Staffordshire Terrier should give general
impression of great strength for its size. It should be put together well, be muscular but
agile and graceful, and be keenly alive to its surroundings. It should be stocky, not long
legged or racy in outline. Its courage is proverbial.
Head and Skull – Head medium length, deep through, with a broad skull, very
pronounced cheek muscles and a distinct stop. 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. Nose definitely black, dudley
not desirable.
Eyes – Dark and round, low down in the skull and set far apart. Light or pink eyes
undesirable. No pink eyelids.
Ears – Set high. Ears should be short and set rose or half prick. Full drop to be
penalised.
Mouth – Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Undershot or overshot
mouths are undesirable.
Neck – Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of
skin. Medium length.
Forequarters – Shoulders strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The front
legs should be straight, large or round bones, pasterns upright. No resemblance of
bend in front. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Body – Back fairly short. Slightly sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at
rump to base of tail. Well sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Chest deep
and broad. Loins slightly tucked.
Hindquarters – Well muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out.
Feet – Of moderate size, well arched, and glossy.
Tail – Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held
over back. Not docked. Tail too long or badly carried undesirable.
Gait/Movement – Must be springy but without roll or pace.
Coat – Short, close, stiff to touch, and glossy.
Colour – Any colour, solid, parti or patched is permissible. But all white, more than 80%
white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.
Size – Height and weight should be in proportion.
Height:
Dogs approx 46-48cms (18-19inches) at shoulders.
Bitches approx 43-46cms (17-18inches) at shoulders, is considered preferable.
Faults – Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness, with which the fault should be regarded, should be in exact proportion to
its degree.
Note – Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
ANKC STANDARD AMENDED ON 05/03
impression of great strength for its size. It should be put together well, be muscular but
agile and graceful, and be keenly alive to its surroundings. It should be stocky, not long
legged or racy in outline. Its courage is proverbial.
Head and Skull – Head medium length, deep through, with a broad skull, very
pronounced cheek muscles and a distinct stop. 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. Nose definitely black, dudley
not desirable.
Eyes – Dark and round, low down in the skull and set far apart. Light or pink eyes
undesirable. No pink eyelids.
Ears – Set high. Ears should be short and set rose or half prick. Full drop to be
penalised.
Mouth – Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Undershot or overshot
mouths are undesirable.
Neck – Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness of
skin. Medium length.
Forequarters – Shoulders strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The front
legs should be straight, large or round bones, pasterns upright. No resemblance of
bend in front. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.
Body – Back fairly short. Slightly sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at
rump to base of tail. Well sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Chest deep
and broad. Loins slightly tucked.
Hindquarters – Well muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out.
Feet – Of moderate size, well arched, and glossy.
Tail – Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held
over back. Not docked. Tail too long or badly carried undesirable.
Gait/Movement – Must be springy but without roll or pace.
Coat – Short, close, stiff to touch, and glossy.
Colour – Any colour, solid, parti or patched is permissible. But all white, more than 80%
white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.
Size – Height and weight should be in proportion.
Height:
Dogs approx 46-48cms (18-19inches) at shoulders.
Bitches approx 43-46cms (17-18inches) at shoulders, is considered preferable.
Faults – Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness, with which the fault should be regarded, should be in exact proportion to
its degree.
Note – Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
ANKC STANDARD AMENDED ON 05/03
