American Staffordshire Terrier. Joseph Janish

strong self-confidence. Rarely does this dog feel threatened and, though the AmStaff loves a challenge, he has too much self-conviction to feel overchallenged.

      Physically, there are few breeds that can match the American Staffordshire Terrier. The AmStaff is carved from hard muscle and wrapped tightly in tough skin. A large head and dense skull provide the first impression of the AmStaff, whose huge and friendly smile seems perpetually present. The big head, connected by a thick neck, is perched atop muscular shoulders and a broad chest. Rippling muscles represent the rest of the AmStaff’s physique, giving the dog enormous strength. This breed has been known to weight-pull over 3,000 pounds in competition, to give you an idea of the dog’s strength capability.

       When properly socialized, AmStaffs get along well with each other as well as with other family pets.

      In addition to strength, the AmStaff also is incredibly agile, especially considering its size. This trait was developed during its previous existence as a fighting dog, and today it is useful in a variety of tasks and competitive events, such as agility trials and Schutzhund work. Combine this strength and agility with excellent speed, quickness and a never-saydie tenacity and you have quite an incredible dog.

      Though the breed is not well known for its scenting ability, the AmStaff is, in fact, a great tracker. The American Staffordshire Terrier’s acute sense of smell, probably inherited from his terrier ancestors, enables him to be used for hunting, tracking and myriad other duties. In the United States, the AmStaff is used extensively in search and rescue, assisting authorities in finding lost persons. This same trait is used by police for, literally, “sniffing out” and apprehending criminals, and for identifying narcotics hidden in luggage and clothing. Combined with his strength and speed, the scenting ability of the AmStaff also makes him an ideal complement to the hunter in pursuing game.

      With such an amazing combination of skills and abilities, the American Staffordshire Terrier is the ultimate companion for many different people for many different reasons.

       THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER IN THE HOME

      Your AmStaff puppy will likely be a boisterous, active and, above all else, happy puppy as he investigates his new home. He will find fun in exploring beyond set boundaries, toying with items that may or may not be meant to be toys and eating just about anything that will fit in his mouth. Obviously, you will need to keep a close eye on your new puppy and be sure that electrical wires and other possible dangers are not accessible to the curious new family member. Eventually, with proper guidance from you, your puppy will understand the rules and find comfort in his new home.

       MAKING THE RULES

      The strongest personality trait of the AmStaff is his willingness to please. This makes training fairly easy compared to other breeds, but nonetheless a task that must be taken seriously by the AmStaff owner. Early on, make it clear to the dog where he is and is not allowed to be. Establishing boundaries, both inside the home and out, is important for both you and the dog. You may not want the dog jumping on your bed; moreover, the dog needs to know where he belongs. This is an instinctual need for canines, and the earlier you can provide a place for the dog to call his own, the easier it will be for both of you.

      While learning the boundaries, your AmStaff can also start learning the rules of the home. Be consistent and firm with your direction, and always use excessive praise when the dog does well. Avoid using negativity as a means of training; dogs respond much more quickly to positive methods. You can begin to teach the dog simple obedience right away. The basic commands such as sit, stay and come are essential and can be learned in a relatively short time by the very intelligent American Staffordshire Terrier.

      The AmStaff’s ability to learn is a unique trait that is above and beyond the normal learning curve for most other breeds. This is due mainly to the breed’s inherent desire to please. The dog wants so badly to make you happy he will learn just about anything so long as you reward him with a smile on your face. At the same time, it is absolutely necessary to spend time with your AmStaff and to teach him a variety of tasks. You will be impressed to find out that the AmStaff can execute a variety of tasks around the home, and in fact he will feel more accepted and valued when he feels he has specific jobs to accomplish. Start with simple tasks, such as retrieving the newspaper or your slippers in the morning, and continue assigning small jobs. Be creative; remember, this is a dog that is used throughout the world for jobs ranging from sheep-herding to narcotics detection. There is no end to the amount of assistance an AmStaff can provide to you, so take advantage. The more your AmStaff can do for you, the happier he, and you, will be.

       OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS: CHILDREN AND ANIMALS

      Contrary to popular belief, the American Staffordshire Terrier can get along quite well with other animals. Due to its previous status as a fighting dog in the pits, the misconception developed that the AmStaff could not be trusted around other animals because of its intrinsic aggressiveness. This is not the truth! The AmStaff is generally a passive animal, moved to fight only when attacked or instructed to do so. That said, you can feel comfortable introducing your current pets to their new AmStaff friend. AmStaffs have been known to coexist quite happily with other dogs, cats, birds and rabbits, to name a few. Unlike most other breeds, the AmStaff does not necessarily need to be introduced to other family pets as a puppy, so it is equally safe to bring another pet into the AmStaff’s home. Of course, you will not want to bring an AmStaff (or any animal, for that matter) into a situation that already houses an aggressive animal.

      With children, an American Staffordshire Terrier is equally affable and usually protective. Children love dogs, and AmStaffs love children. Whereas an aggressive pet may instigate a major row with an AmStaff, a child’s horseplay will rarely evoke even a defensive nip from the dog. Good sense says always to supervise small children with dogs, and, while usually this is mainly necessary for the safety of the children, the supervision is more important for the safety of the dog in the case of the AmStaff. Small children have a tendency to tease, pull and poke animals in ways and places that are dangerous to the pet. Most ordinary animals will respond with defensive techniques, such as biting, but the AmStaff is no ordinary animal. A dog of everlasting patience and understanding, the AmStaff will endure the teasing of children without response, and because this breed has such a high threshold of pain, the dog can be seriously injured. Teach your children to play lovingly with their pet; make sure they understand that the dog can be hurt by certain actions and they will mature into fine, respectful adults.

       Although the AmStaff can be a trusted babysitter, it is never advisable to leave any dog unattended with a child. It’s safe to say that this child is well protected by his brawny nanny.

       THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

      General Impression: The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put-together dog, muscular, but agile and graceful, keenly alive to his surroundings. He should be stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline. His courage is proverbial.

       The AmStaff’s expression denotes strength, assurance and courage.

       Rose ear.