Overall Impression

The american staffordshire terrier should give the impression of great strength for a dog his size is well put together dog,muscular, but agile and graceful, keenly alive to his surroundings. He should be stocky, not to long legged or racy in outline. His courage is proverbial.

Head:
Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, ears set high.His muzzle is medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below his eyes. Jaws well defined. The under jaw is strong and have biting power. Lips close and even. No looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside 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 sloping.

Back:
Fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to romp with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Lions slightly tucked.

Body:
Well sprung ribs, close together, deep in rear. Fore legs set wide. Chest deep and broad.

Tail:
short in comparison to size, low set, tap ring to fine point. Not curled or carried over the back.

Legs:
Front legs straight, with large well formed bones and upright pasterns. Hindquarters well muscled, let down at hocks, turning either in or out. Feet of moderate size, well arched and compact. Gait springy but without roll of space.

Coat:
Short, close, stiff to the touch and glossy.

Color:
Any color, solid, party or patched is permissible, but more that 80% white,black and tan and liver should not be encouraged.

Size:
Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about eighteen ore nineteen inches at the shoulders for a male and seventeen for female be considered preferable.

Fault:
Faults to be penalized are dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail to long or badly carried, undershort or overshort mouths