The AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
Possesses a unique heritage of COURAGE, DETERMINATION, INTELLIGENCE, AND RELIABILITY.
He is of medium size, comes in a variety of colors, and RADIATES POWER, AGILITY, and CONFIDENCE.
He has been used for generations as a general purpose farm dog, a catch dog for semi-wild pigs in parts of the South, a guard and protection dog, and as a companion dog. The STAFF'S reliability around children is one of his most endearing and consistent qualities. The appeal of the STAFF to the true dog lover is through his combination of intelligence, courage and physical soundness. In short, an overall toughness combined with reliability that is seldom equaled in the canine world. He has the senses, intelligence and strength to do many different jobs.
THE AKC STANDARD
The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put together dog, muscular, but agile and graceful, keenly alive to his surroundings. He should be stocky, not long legged or racy in outline. His courage is proverbial.
"IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE, HOWEVER, TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO RUSH OUT AND BUY A STAFF. THIS IS NOT A BREED TO BE TURNED LOOSE, UNTRAINED, IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. MOST STAFFS ARE NOT ESPECIALLY AGGRESSIVE, BUT NON-THE LESS WILL NOT BACK DOWN IF CHALLENGED TO FIGHT. THE DAMAGE AN AVERAGE STAF CAN DO TO ANOTHER DOG, IN EVEN A FEW MINUTES IS CONSIDERABLE. A PROSPECTIVE BUYER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF THIS BREED. AS IS OFTEN THE CASE IN LIFE, THE BEST REQUIRES SOME WORK. IF THE OWNER IS WILLING TO PUT IN A LITTLE EFFORT IN TRAINING HIS STAF PUPPY, HE WILL BE AMPLY REWARDED WITH ONE OF THE FINEST OF ALL DOGS AND A WONDERFUL COMPANION THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER. "
H. RICHARD PASCOE- 1977.