American Staffordshire Terrier is one unique breed that has evolved with time. With frequent name changes and changes in characteristic features, American Staffordshire Terrier has slowly but surely come of age and has gradually been inducted and later popularized as a breed to reckon with. The history of these dogs is also pretty interesting and is indeed worth knowing.

Bulldogs and terriers were breeds of dogs that were popular for centuries. But bulldogs were mainly used for several derogatory purposes like bull baiting. Bull baiting was immensely popular in those days and referred to as the glory game of baiting bulls by bulldogs. Later on some Britishers bred bull dogs with terriers so as to come up with a combination of agility and tenacity. What they gave rise to, came to be known as Staffordshire Terrier. The breed had other popular names as well namely Bull-and-Terrier Dog and Pit Dog. After the Human Ethics Act was passed in the 1830s, bull baiting was banned and people resorted to dog fighting and other aberrations of the game. These games required dogs of smaller size. So people started breeding bull dogs with white terriers and other breeds known for their aggressiveness and drive for catching prey.

In 1870s Staffordshire Terriers were exported to America. Once in America they came to be known as Pit dog and Pit Bull Terrier. Their agility and courage caught the fancy of many and this breed became very popular in America. Its name was later changed to American Bull Terrier and consequently to Yankee Terrier.

The Staffordshire Terrier, as it is still at times referred to, is a breed that is perfectly suitable as a watch dog. With unparalleled courage and strong physical features, along with its medium size, the Bull Terrier is a very good bet as a guard dog. Apart from that, they serve as good catch dogs as well. They are exceptionally good at closing games of hogs. They enable their masters to rope a hog since they attack the ears of the hogs or even jowls at times. They are aggressive and truly tenacious. Yet they can be tamed and are known to be pets that are loved and taken care of by all the members of the family. Their medium size is another advantage that helps keep them not only at homes but also in small apartments. And what is best is that their short coat saves the master from taking excessive care.

The Bull Terriers are a unique species that combine rare features of courage, tenacity and agility. Their medium size and strength makes them useful for various tasks and at the same time unlike quite a few other breeds they do not have to be kept under utmost care. On top of that, their history is a truly colorful one that has not only changed its name or its continent i.e. residence but also its physical features in course of time. All these unique facts and features make the American Staffordshire Terrier a conspicuous breed.

In 1898 C.B. Bennett came up with a stud book named United Kennel Club with the intention of registering this breed formally. This book registered the breed as Pit Bull Terrier of all the names available to the author. The wide pool of names that were used to refer to this breed include many and some of them are Pit Dog, Half – and - Half and American Bull Terrier.

This breed was further ratified much later in America under a lot of different names. In 1936 the American Kennel Club recognized this breed as Staffordshire Terrier. Their name was changed and deliberately separated from their English counterpart to point out to the fact that the American breeds are a little heavier than the English ones. So when it was finally given its current name, it was named American Staffordshire Terrier while its English counterpart was named Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The name American Staffordshire Terrier was made effective from 1^st January 1972. 

Just like the uniqueness of its name, the American Staffordshire Terrier’s physical features are also unique. Its strength is way too much compared to its size. It has a well toned, muscular body and a powerful head. Another striking feature of this breed is its courage. The American Staffordshire Terrier is known for its undaunted courage and the dog is sound and balanced from all ends.

Content written and provided by www.Virtualpedigrees.com

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