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; and ears are set high. Ears - Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized. Eyes - Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids. Muzzle - Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Underjaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower 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 and sloping.
Back Fairly short. Slight sloping from withers to rump with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Loins slightly tucked.
Body Well-sprung ribs, deep in rear. All ribs close together. Forelegs set rather wide apart to permit chest development. Chest deep and broad.
Tail Short in comparison to size, low set, tapering to a fine point; not curled or held over back. Not docked.
Legs The front legs should be straight, large or round bones, pastern upright. No semblance of bend in front. Hindquarters well-muscled, let down at hocks, turning neither in nor out. Feet of moderate size, well-arched and compact. Gait must be springy but without roll or pace.
Coat Short, close, stiff to the touch, and glossy.
Color Any color, solid, parti, or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver not to be encouraged.
Size Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about 18 to 19 inches at shoulders for the male and 17 to 18 inches for the female is 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
AMERICAN AKITA BREED STANDARD
Akita Akita Breed StandardLast updated: 22 Feb 2017
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. Kennel Club, London 1994
Group: Group 6 (Utility)
History:
General Appearance: Large, powerful alert, with much substance and heavy bone.
Characteristics: Large, broad head, with relatively small eyes and erect ears carried forward in line with back of neck; large, curled tail, in balance with head.
Temperament: Dignified, courageous, aloof, tends to show dominance over other dogs, though the trait is not encouraged.
Head And Skull: Large, in balance with body, skull flat, forehead broad, defined stop and clear furrow. Head forms blunt triangle when viewed from above, free from wrinkle. Muzzle broad and strong, cheeks well developed. Nose large and black, bridge straight. Lips tight and black. In white dogs flesh coloured pigmentation is permissible on nose and lips. Length from nose to stop is to length from stop to occiput as 2 is to 3.
Eyes: Relatively small, almond shaped, clean, moderately set apart and dark brown. Eye rims dark and tight.
Ears: Strongly erect, relatively small, thick, triangular, not low set, carried forward over eyes in line with back of neck when viewed in profile. Moderately set apart; slightly rounded at tips.
Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck: Thick and muscular, comparatively short, widening gradually toward shoulders. Pronounced crest blends with back of skull.
Forequarters: Shoulders strong and powerful, moderately laid back. Elbows very tight. Forelegs well boned and straight when viewed from front. Pasterns inclining at approximately 15 degrees.
Body: Longer than high, as 10 is to 9 in males, 11 to 9 in bitches. Chest wide and deep, depth of brisket is one half height of dog at shoulder. Well developed forechest. Level back, firmly muscled loin, moderate tuck up. Skin pliant but not loose.
Hindquarters: Strong and muscular. With only moderate angulation and stifle. Well-developed thighs, strong hocks. Well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Feet: Thick, well knuckled, very tight, turning neither in nor out. Pads hard. Nails hard.
Tail: Large and full, set high, carried over back, full or double curl, always dipping to or below level of back. On a three-quarter curl tail, tip dips down flank. Root large and strong. Hair coarse, straight and full with no appearance of plume. Sickle or uncurled tail highly undesirable.
Gait/Movement: Vigorous, powerful and fluent with strides of moderate length. Back remains firm and level. Hindlegs move in line with front legs, whilst gaiting may single track.
Coat: Outer coat coarse, straight, and standing off body. Undercoat soft and dense. Coat at withers and rump is approximately 5 cms (2 ins), slightly longer than on rest of body, more profuse on tail. No indication of ruff or feathering.
Colour: Any colour, except merle, including white brindle or pinto. Colours are brilliant and clear. Markings are well defined with or without mask or blaze.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.