| In the days when pit fighting was an accepted | | | | close relationship both in appearance and |
| "sport" in the country of Great Britain and later in | | | | temperament to the "Pitbull terrier", which has been |
| America, Pitbulls of various origins were the dogs of | | | | labeled as a "vicious dog" in many municipalities and |
| choice for this activity. To a large extent, the original | | | | has even been banned or placed on the list of |
| "bulldog" was one of the foundation breeds of dogs | | | | aggressive dogs by Insurance Companies, who will |
| of this type. One of the functions of the of the | | | | not even grant home ownership policies to persons |
| "bulldog" was to hang onto the bull, to worry the bull | | | | with this type of dog in their household. |
| and not let go once the dog bit. Thus the jaws have | | | | Unfortunately most of these problems with |
| great strength and power. When the Pitbull became a | | | | aggression have been brought about by humankind. |
| part of the scene of fighting dogs, the function was | | | | Responsible owners are not as numerous as |
| that of fighting other dogs rather than the bull. | | | | irresponsible owners. As the Pitbull variety has |
| From these dogs descended the American | | | | developed in this country it has become a breed that |
| Staffordshire Terrier, bred to be a great fighting | | | | is much admired by teenage gang members as a |
| machine with punishing jaws and formidable strength | | | | "status symbol" and has been used also in illegal dog |
| but without viciousness. The Amstaff, as it is known | | | | fighting. Thus a great deal of over breeding has |
| by the shortened version of its name and its close | | | | produced a dog that can be a formidable fighting |
| cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are both of the | | | | machine with little regard being paid to stability of |
| general description of a dog that was bred to fight | | | | temperament. |
| other dogs. Blended into this function in the case of | | | | The temperament of dogs is definitely an inherited |
| both of these breeds was an admirable temperament | | | | condition. All breeders should be aware of this fact. |
| that combined devotion to human family and | | | | Irresponsible breeding combined with irresponsible |
| gentleness with children. The dog makes an | | | | ownership have contributed to this reputation. The |
| outstanding guard dog. When it is a true Amstaff it | | | | American Staffordshire Terrier as seen in the show |
| will posses a stable temperament combining these | | | | ring is a dog that for the most part has been bred |
| qualities. | | | | responsibly and will not exhibit the unstable |
| The American Staffordshire Terrier was admitted to | | | | temperament associated with the Pitbull. The general |
| the registry of the American Kennel Club in 1972. | | | | public is not aware of the differences between the |
| Since then it has become a dog that is quite popular | | | | true Amstaff and the Pitbull. The fact remains that |
| in the show ring. It should have "punishing" jaws of | | | | the two breeds are separate and distinct. However, |
| great strength, a muscular appearance, with a deep | | | | this does not make a difference when newspaper |
| rib cage and a general appearance of great power. | | | | accounts of "pitbull attacks" are heavily publicized. |
| The temperament however if bred correctly and if | | | | This problem is not going to go away and |
| trained responsibly should be that of courage and | | | | unfortunately it may become a possibility that the |
| strong guarding tendencies mixed with a devotion | | | | American Staffordshire Terrier will become a breed |
| and loyalty to its human family members. | | | | that will be banned also. |
| The reputation of the breed has suffered due to the | | | | |