GENERAL IMPRESSION: The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for his size, a well put together dog, 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.

MUZZLE: Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Under jaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close and even, no looseness. Nose definitely black. Dudley nose undesirable.

EYES: Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. Light or pink eyes undesirable. No pink eyelids.

EARS: Should be short and held rose or half prick. Set high. Full drop to be penalized.

MOUTH: Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Undershot or overshot mouths undesirable.

NECK: Heavy, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to back of skull No looseness of skin. Medium length.

FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders strong and muscular with blades wide and sloping. The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pasterns upright. No resemblance of bend in front. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development.

BODY: Back fairly short. Slightly sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Well sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Chest deep and broad. Loins slightly tucked.

HINDQUARTERS: Well muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out.

FEET: Of moderate size, well arched and compact.

TAIL: Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point, nor curled nor held over back. Not docked. Tail too long or badly carried undesirable.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: Must be springy but without roll or pace.

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

COLOUR: Any colour, solid, parti or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80% white, black and tan, or liver, not to be encouraged.

SIZE: Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at the shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches for the female 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.