| The Staffordshire Bull Terrier presents an incredible | | | | the UKC and later by the AKC. However, when the |
| mix of intelligence, courage, and tenacity tempered | | | | American Pit Bull Terrier was entered into the AKC |
| with a sweet affection for it's family. As a breed, it is | | | | registry, the name was changed to American |
| often shrouded in myth and misconception about it's | | | | Staffordshire Terrier, as noted by the AKC on their |
| history and origin. Read on to learn the truth about | | | | website, "As the breed moved to America the |
| where the Staffordshire Bull Terrier came from and | | | | names Pitdog and Pitbull Terrier stuck. However, |
| what the difference is between this breed and | | | | American breeders wanted an animal heavier than |
| others similar in name and appearance. | | | | the British breed, hence the name American |
| The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or "Staffie", as fans of | | | | Staffordshire Terrier. This is the breed commonly |
| the breed call it, dates back to Elizabethan England | | | | referred to as Pit Bull." |
| when an ancestor of the Bulldog was used in a | | | | Although certain breeders have pursued slightly |
| bloody sport called bullbaiting (also bearbaiting). This | | | | different goals with the American Staffordshire |
| dog was closely linked to the Mastiff and weighed in | | | | Terrier, often referred to as the AmStaff, and the |
| at between 100 and 120 pounds. | | | | American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the two remain |
| Around the 19th century, when bullbaiting was | | | | virtually indistinguishable and a single dog could |
| outlawed, dog fighting quickly gained popularity and | | | | conceivably be simultaneously registered as both an |
| the massive bullbaiting dogs were crossed with | | | | AmStaff with the AKC and as an APBT with the |
| smaller terriers and a smaller, quicker breed of dog | | | | UKC. |
| was born, weighing about 60 pounds. This dog | | | | The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, however, is a distinct |
| became known as a "Bulldog Terrier" or "Bull and | | | | breed. It's official, AKC standard states that the |
| Terrier" and was further refined by outcrosses to an | | | | Staffie stands at 14-16 inches; male dogs weigh |
| ancestor of the Manchester Terrier. This produced a | | | | 28-38 pounds and females weigh 24-34 pounds. This |
| dog of about 30-45 pounds that came to be known | | | | is in contrast to the AmStaff which has no such size |
| as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which is the father | | | | or weight limit. The Staffie's color is also restricted |
| breed out of which came the English Bull Terrier | | | | allowing red, fawn, white, black, blue, or brindle or |
| (1860), and later, when exported to North America | | | | any of these colors with white and disqualifying |
| around 1880, the American Pit Bull Terrier and the | | | | black-and-tan and liver color.. AmStaffs can be any |
| American Staffordshire Terrier. | | | | color except white (80% or more). |
| The American Staffordshire Terrier, and the | | | | Described by the AKC as a, "formost all-purpose |
| American Pit Bull Terrier appear very similar to each | | | | dog", the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be an |
| other and people often hotly debate whether or not | | | | intelligent and affectionate family dog and a |
| they are separate breeds. To clear things up a bit, | | | | courageous and tenacious protector. An all around |
| the American Pit Bull Terrier was first recognized by | | | | good dog with a rich history! |