History

The American Staffordshire Terrier is not a new breed.  Although it gained

American Kennel Club registration in 1936, it has been developed since early 1800's as a

result of crosses between the bulldogs of that time and game terriers.

One of the early and very famous American Kennel Club registered staffs was

Pete the Pup, ( real name Lucenay's Peter ), dog star of the original Our Gang comedies

of the 1930's ( Rakkeungerne på norsk ).

Although the early ancestors of the breed came from England, the development of the

American Staffordshire Terrier is the story of a truly American breed. This tybe of

dog was instrumental in the succes of farmers and settelers

who developed America. They were used for general farm work, hunting

wild pigs, bears and other large game, guarding the homested and general 

companionship.

A number of the early ancestors were also devoloped for the "sport" of

dog fighting. The extraordenary vitality of the breed is a

direct result of  breeding for successfull fighting dogs.  This now illegal activity is

unfortunately more often cited as the early purpose of the dogs rather than

the general work.

Although ancestore of the American Staffordshire Terriere were fighting dogs, the

selective breeding since 1930's has been away from the fighting heritage.

The American Staffordshire Terrier of today is a companion and

showdog, rather than a gladiator. Although more rarely used on the farm now,

the talents that made him a good all purpose dog are still

to be.