Temperament:

A well bred AmStaff is outgoing, extensively friendly with people/kids, alert, and confidant in everything he or she does. Responsible breeders will not breed any shy/nervous or human aggressive dogs. The breed is highly devoted to his or her family and is usually quite easy to train (with a gentle but firm hand and plenty of patience and praise). Though fearless and strong-willed they are highly dedicated to their owners, very responsive, affectionate (especially with chidlren), willing and attentive, and generally quite lively and robust. Some are very active and enthusiastic, the AmStaff is ALWAYS a spirited breed. Most make decent watchdogs, but don't expect an attack dog, as previously stated, the breed is absolutely NOT supposed to be human aggressive. A good AmStaff will detect friend from foe and will defend his or her family when in need - the AmStaff is a great judge of character!

Size:

Size can range anywhere from 16"-22"+ inches tall at the withers (shoulders), but the standard calls for Dogs (males) to be from 18"-19" inches tall, and Bitches (females) to be from 17"-18" inches tall, which are the sizes we strive for with each breeding. Please note that a dog's height is measured (with the dog standing) from the ground up to the withers (shoulders). Weight is usually around 45-80lbs (males generally larger than females), sometimes a little more or less, depending on the dogs decent. The AmStaff is a powerful, MEIDUM sized breed - not a large breed. Therefore we strive with our breedings for dog's within the standard's size range.

Color & Markings:

Any solid (black, blue fawn, blue, brown, fawn, liver, red, red sable and white) or brindled (blue brindle, brown brindle, fawn brindle, red brindle, black brindle, liver brindle and blue fawn brindle) color. The color blue is a dilution of black and is NOT a "rare" color - not by any means. Markings - black masking, blue masking, white masking, white markings, spotted, tan pointed, patched, and brindle points. Merle - a color pattern which does NOT appear in either the pure-bred AmStaff or APBT - some dogs are being crossed intentionally with Catahoula Leopard Dogs (a hound dog used for hunting deer which carries the merle gene) in order to produce dogs that have the merle color pattern - most of the puppies from such a cross do resemble a pure-bred AmStaff or APBT but are far from it) . Eyes should never be blue in this breed, the majority of dogs who posses this trait are also deaf or partially deaf - obviouslly an undesireable trait.

Exercise:

Activity level is moderate-high. The breed requires at the very least one walk a day (with two or three long walks being ideal), and are not appropriate for most apartment dwellers (though they can do very well if sufficiently exercised).

Health Issues:

All pure-bred dogs have health problems of one kind or another. The most prominate health problems in the AmStaff and APBT are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and congenital heart disease and ataxia. Be sure that both the sire and dam of any puppy you purchase are both certified normal for hips (with OFA or PennHIP), elbows and heart, are ataxia tested and insist that you view their certificates for verification. Never simply take a breeders word that their dogs have been screened with OFA/PennHIP or for ataxia, or that "health problems do not run in their line."

Life Expectancy:

Generally 10-15+ years.

Grooming:

The short, harsh and bristly coat is very easy to maintain, a weekly brushing is sufficient and really isn't even neccessary. Bathing dries out the skin, and should only be done as neccisary, or at monthly intervals. The AmStaff is a low-medium shedder, which is good news for furniture.

Children:

This breed is excellent and gentle with children, but they do need to learn manners around very small children (no jumping up etc.).

Other Animals:

It is never a wise decision to leave this breed alone with other dogs or animals. Dog aggression is common, and should never be looked down upon in this breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier was developed from the American Pit Bull Terrier which was used for dog fighting (until it was banned in the 1900's), and some still retain natural aggression towards other dogs, including other animals. There are some that are not dog or animal aggressive at all - but that is not very common in the breed. Early socialization to other dogs and animals usually curbs, or greatly lessens, any chace of animal aggression. One thing that must be realized is that human aggression and dog or animal aggression are NOT the same thing. A dog who is aggressive towards other dogs or animals is not automatically a dog that will display human aggression.