American Bull Staffy -- American Bulldog X American Staffordshire Terrier

		American Bull Staffy
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A. -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the American Bull Staffy

Not much is known about the American Bull Staffy yet, apart from the crossbreeds of this hybrid, the American Bulldog and the American Staffordshire Terrier. The American Bulldog is larger than its English counterpart, as is the American Staffordshire Terrier to its English cousin. What's more, the American Bulldog and the American Staffordshire Terrier are from the same bloodline, with no more than 200 years of breeding separating them. It's generally accepted that the American Bull Staffy gets most of its looks from the American Staffordshire Terrier, as well as its agility and temperament. This loyal hybrid was bred as a working-class watchdog, but has also proved to be a loving companion.

History of the American Bull Staffy

The American Bull Staffy is a modern hybrid with little documentation on breeding and history. The hybrid is considered a working-class dog, bred primarily as a guard dog, but is also a loving companion to people. Most of the physical characteristics of this hybrid come from the American Staffordshire Terrier, but the Bulldog lineage adds to the breed's purpose as a guard dog. Both the American Bulldog and the American Staffordshire Terrier are loyal, a personality trait that has long been built into these lines during their bloody history as pit fighters in England and the USA. The American Bull Staffy shares its name with the two breeds that contribute to the hybrid. Staffy is a nickname used to describe Staffordshire breeds, and the American Staffordshire Terrier is often called Am Staff. The lineage of the American Bull Staff can be slightly confusing, as both parent breeds have closely related English cousins of the same name but are distinct breeds. However, American breeds are larger and heavier than their English counterparts, which plays out in the American Bull Staffy hybrid. Although there is no current standard for American Bull Staffy breeding programs, this hybrid is rarely the result of a 50% purebred to 50% purebred ratio. American Bull Staff breeders generally breed multigenerational crosses to produce the hybrid. This practice will, over time, help establish the standards of this hybrid and support future documentation. Currently, the American Bull Staffy is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, which registers rare and hybrid breeds as well as purebreds.

	A little of the American Bulldog
	The American Bulldog was first used for blood sports, but then had other uses. They were eventually found on farms and, like the Dogue de Bordeaux, are adept at hunting large prey. This breed was also close to extinction and exists today only thanks to the efforts of one man in Summerville, Georgia. That man is John D. Johnson, and he's responsible for the existence of the American Bulldog because of his work to breed them. Similar to the other breed mentioned, this dog had lost most of its population after the First World War. John D. Johnson was a leading breeder of these dogs and is in fact one of the oldest. The American Bulldog runs in his family, as his father was also a popular breeder of these dogs.

	Presentation of the American Bulldog
	A little of the American Staffordshire Terrier
	The American Staffordshire Terrier was developed in the English region of Shaffordshire in the 1800s for dog fighting. It was probably a mix between an Old English Bulldog and various Terrier breeds. In fact, it was originally called the Bull and Terrier. The breed went out of fashion when dog fighting was banned. Nevertheless, some specimens made their way to the USA during the 19th century and American breeders developed an animal with more weight and a bigger head. This variation became known as the Pit Bull Terrier. It was recognized as such in 1936; however, over thirty years later, the breed was renamed the American Staffordshire Terrier.

	Standard of the American Staffordshire Terrier

Appearance of the American Bull Staffy

The American Bull Staffy is a hybrid cross between the American Bulldog and the American Staffordshire Terrier, and inherits most of its appearance from the former Staffy. The American Bull Staffy is a medium-sized dog with a stocky, muscular build and a deep, broad head. The muzzle is of medium length, rounded on the upper sides just below the eyes. The small, dark, round eyes are set low and far apart. The American Bull Staffy's ears are set high on the head and often cropped for pricking. The chest of an American Bull Staffy is broad and deep, and the front legs are strong and straight. These hybrid carriers measure between 43 and 48 centimeters and convey strength and agility in their look. Strongly muscled thighs and hind legs display great propulsive power. The tail is short, tapering and low.

Temperament of the American Bull Staffy

The American Bull Staffy is easy to train, but requires early and frequent training. This hybrid learns commands and remembers easily, but also needs behavioral training to prevent and correct any negative behavior. The American Bull Staffy is sensitive to human emotions and requires a firm, confident trainer. Shyness and frustration will not suit this breed's training program, and never remember your American Bull Staffy as a punishment. Your American Bull Staffy needs to develop a healthy respect for you as an owner. American Staffordshire Terriers contribute to this hybrid's high energy levels. They are playful and fun while exercising and are eager to please their owners. Running, fetching and pulling are among their favorite play activities and will help burn off their extra energy.

Needs and activities of the American Bull Staffy

The American Bull Staffy is a loyal, people-loving dog, but he knows very well when to protect. The American Bull Staffy was developed specifically for guarding and surveillance, but is an excellent family dog. This hybrid is patient with children and will do anything to protect them from harm. As such, this hybrid is somewhat wary of strangers as it assesses all potential threats. As for other dogs, this hybrid can be aggressive to dogs if not properly socialized at an early age. This dog's parent breeds were known and bred for their pit fighting abilities and blood sport.

Maintenance of the American Bull Staffy

The American Bull Staffy is remarkably easy to care for with only occasional grooming requirements. Their coat is short and glossy, and dirt doesn't adhere easily. Occasional use of a short, soft-bristled brush will help keep the American Bull Staffy's coat shiny and clean, and give you time to bond with your dog. Frequent trimming of toenails is also necessary, as American Bull Staffy nails are strong and grow quickly. As with all dogs, dental hygiene is important, and you should brush the outside of your dog's teeth at least once a week to prevent plaque build-up and reduce the risk of bacterial infections. When brushing your American Bull Staffy's coat and teeth, be sure to check his ears and use a vet-approved solution to gently clean out any dirt, wave or debris to prevent possible ear infections. Even if your American Bull Staffy has short hair, it will shed. Frequent brushing will help keep shedding to a minimum and prevent unpleasant doggy odor, although this hybrid is not known for having a doggy smell.