American Staffordshire History Discussions

The origins of the AST is the same as that of the APBT as they descended from pit stock. I will give here some historic information on the conception of the AST and the birth of the AKC dogs.

There is debate about whether the AST and the APBT should be considered the same breed or different breeds. There really isn't a right or wrong answer. Breeds are recognized as being of like type from common ancestors so they could be considered different types within the same breed since they are genetically the same. However &new& breeds have been recognized even when no crossing has occurred and/or separating a single breed into 2 breeds based only on a trait or two. So it is up to your own opinion what you consider them. Regardless I will give simple information about the AmStaff specifically, but include relevant APBT info.

Pit dogs (APBT) have been in this country for some time, at least since the 1850s if not longer. Brought here primarily from the UK. These dogs became known as American Pit Bull Terriers. The AKC did not want to recognize this breed, largely due to the stigma associated with dog fighting. Yet they did accept the Bull Terrier even though they are said to have similar origins they were considered a gentleman's dog by some and don't seem to have faced the same prejudice. So initially Pit Bulls were registered as Bull Terriers with the AKC and even shown in conformation under Bull Terrier. They were known as Pit Bulls at that time but being registered as Bull Terriers they were simultaneously referred to as Sporting, Game or American Bull Terriers. The UKC had been founded in 1898 to register Pit Bulls and shortly after the PBTBA was also founded for the same purpose. Some in this club still sought for AKC recognition but not everyone agreed. They even suggested changing the name, this was decades before their acceptance but some did not agree with this either. As they were always known as Pit Bulls and they did not feel that changing the name would result in better public perception. For they still are what they are regardless of name and were also considered to be great people and family dogs despite their use in dog fighting. Eventually due to this the PBTBA split into two clubs competing and taking opposing sides. Guy McCord left the original to lead his own and eventually stopped using the near identical club name to form the ADBA. His association was founded in 1909, decades still before the &AST& and AKC acceptance. As you can see it was a hard fought battle to gain such acceptance for the breed. One name suggested to use for AKC recognition was American Bull Terrier but the Bull Terrier club was very against this and having their dogs associated with the &vicious& lot of dogs. Even though they were already registered along side their dogs and again they boast of their Bull Terrier dogs pit origins. It's really silly.

Finally though in 1936 the AKC recognized Pit Bulls under the name Staffordshire Terrier. Colby's Primo was AKC and used as the basis of the AKC breed standard. Only 66 dogs were registered the initial year. Though the stud book wasn't immediately closed still overall numbers were low. The AST has come from a small gene pool developing a distinct phenotype. In 1972 the name was changed to American Staffordshire Terrier.

The breeders sought to eliminate red nose from their dogs, though blue nose became prevalent quickly. Which is the exact opposite of the APBT. Over time breeders also shifted towards heavier built dogs lending to a bulkier dog as compared to the APBT. There are still classic AmStaffs in existence today however those leaner built dogs are not near as popular it seems. There are primarily two major lines in the AST X-pert and Ruffian, most modern lines would be created from these or crosses of these. The Tacoma line which isn't very common (and probably no longer existing in pure form) seems to generally be true to their roots.


Colby's Primo, born 1935 the AKC standard was based on this dog.
Colby's Brandy x Colby's Mabel


Champion Kirby Of Indiana born 1935, one of the 1st AKC champions


X-Pert Black Shine born 1935 one of the earliest registered AmStaff

Son and daughter of Black Shine

X-Pert Black Ace


X-Pert Black Daisy


X-Pert Pack A Wow
1942 National Specialty Winner


Champion Rip Rock Irish Mike 1961 Dog World magazine cover dog
An X-Pert bred dog

Brother & sister

Champion Ruffian Headlight Hal


Champion Ruffian Our Teenie


Champion Ruffian Dreadnaught daughter of Our Teenie


Champion Jollycamp Blueguard a Ruffian bred dog, inbred on Headlight Hal & Our Teenie

Now I'm curious Sophie appears to be what the internet considers to be American Staffordshire...

Then again people have added Boxer and GSD to the mix, what do you think?
PS Her legs are much longer than appear in the photo, she can jump a park bench in one leap...

@lovemybull

I haven't seen any on net which have that appearance. Boxers are not red nose and that's very rare in AST.

You can refer to previous conversations
http://www.forum.breedia.com/threads/apbt-ish.15030/#post-193900
Post #6

http://www.forum.breedia.com/threads/wheres-my-breeds-section.12984/page-2#post-194902
Last Post #36