Emerald Creek American Staffordshire Terriers
American
Staffordshire Terrier
AKC Approved June 10,
1936
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.
Head: Medium length, deep through,
broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set
high. Ears - Cropped or
uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears
should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized. Eyes -
Dark and round,
low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids. Muzzle
- Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes.
Jaws
well defined. Underjaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close
and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth
in
front. Nose definitely black.
Neck:
Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull. No looseness
of skin. Medium length.
Shoulders:
Strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping.
Back: Fairly short. Slight sloping from
withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly
tucked.
Body: Well-sprung ribs, deep
in rear. All ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest
development. Chest deep and
broad.
Tail: Short in comparison to size, low set,
tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.
Legs: The
front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pastern upright. No
resemblance of bend in front. Hindquarters well-muscled,
let down at hocks,
turning neither in nor out. Feet of moderate size, well-arched and compact. Gait
must be springy but without roll or pace.
Coat: Short, close, stiff to the touch, and
glossy.
Color: Any color, solid,
parti, or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80 percent white,
black and tan, and liver not to be
encouraged.
Size: Height and weight should be in
proportion. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at shoulders for the male and 17
to 18 inches for the
female is to be considered preferable.
Faults: Faults to be penalized are:
Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or
overshot mouths.