Appearance

American Staffordshire Terriers are strong, stocky dogs with large heads, strong jaws and medium length, straight tails. The AKC describes them as, “well put-together, muscular, but agile and graceful.” They have black noses, large, round, low-set eyes and wide, round muzzles. Their chests are well-sprung, giving them an air of confidence as they move about. Amstaff's legs are short, and long, lean legs are not acceptable. They come in a rainbow of colors and patterns ranging from white to black, solid to patterned. Though muscular and very strong, they stand only between 17 to 19 inches from the ground.

Size and Weight

Amstaffs are stocky, proportionate dogs. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches for the female is preferred by AKC standards, but some may be larger or smaller. Male dogs weigh from 28 to 38 pounds; females, 24 to 34 pounds at maturity.

Coat and Color

Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a short, smooth coats that lie flat and close to the skin. They come in a variety of colors including red, fawn, white, black, or blue, or any of these colors with white, as well as brindle or brindle with white. The AKC standard prefers that the dog not be more than 80% white and a liver color is not accepted.

Grooming Needs

Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom – if the dog is taught to be handled from an early age. They can be quite stubborn and sensitive to having their feet touched, so it is important to get them used to being handled as puppies. Their short coats shed minimally throughout the year, and heavily twice a year as the seasons change. Weekly brushing can keep the coat manageable and shiny. Amstaffs don't carry much of a “dog odor” and bathing is only required a few times per year, unless the dog likes to play in the muck.

Amstaffs are prone to bad breath, so regular teeth cleaning should be part of the grooming regimen. Many owners brush teeth weekly or even more frequently too keep harmful and bad-smelling bacteria at bay.