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The American Staffordshire terrier is a breed of medium-sized, short-coated dog. In the early part of the twentieth century, the breed gained social stature and was accepted by the American Kennel Club as the American Staffordshire Terrier. They are not to be confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The early ancestors of this breed come from England, where applications included farm use, guarding, dog fighting, and companionship. Until the first part of the 19th century, the Bulldog was bred in England for the purpose of baiting bulls. Bulldogs pictured as late as 1870 resemble contemporary American Staffordshire Terriers to a greater degree than present-day Bulldogs. Some writers contend it was the White English Terrier, Fox Terrier, or the Black and Tan Terrier that was crossed with the Bulldog to develop the Staffordshire Terrier; all three breeds shared many traits, the greatest differences being in color, aggressiveness, and spirit. The cross of Bulldog and Terrier was called by several names, including Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half, and Pit Dog or Pit Bull terrier. Later, it assumed the name of Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England. These dogs began to find their way into America as early as 1870, where they became known as the Pit Dog and Pit Bull Terrier, then the American Bull Terrier, and still later as the Yankee Terrier.

American Staffordshire terriers gained in popularity in the 1920s with “Pete the Pup’s” appearances in the Our Gang (The Little Rascals) comedies, contributing to the spread of the breed.

In 1936, they were accepted for registration in the AKC Stud Book as Staffordshire Terriers, belonging to the terrier and molosser groups. The name of the breed was revised January 1, 1972 to American Staffordshire Terrier; breeders in the United States had developed a variety which was heavier in weight than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England – the name change was to distinguish them as separate breeds.

The breed’s popularity began to decline in the United States following World War II.

Images of the breed were used to represent the US during the 1900s as a depiction of strength and dignity (info from Wikipedia).

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