The American Staffordshire Terrier can trace its roots all the way back to the nineteenth century in England. The English Staffordshire Terrier was created when various terriers were crossed with the Bulldog. The crossbreeding resulted in the active and powerful breed that came to the attention of the United States public in 1870.
American breeders then focused their attention and efforts to increasing the size and weight of the American Staffordshire Terrier. These breeding efforts resulted in a Staffordshire Terrier that was recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club in 1936.
In 1972, the current name of ?American Staffordshire Terrier? was adopted. The American Staffordshire Terrier was once used primarily for fighting. That practice, however, was banned in the early 1900?s and two separate variations of the breed were gradually developed.
