The American Staffordshire Terrier should give the impression of great strength for a dog his size; a well put together dog, muscular, but agile and gracefull, 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.
Ears 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, round, low down in skull, set far apart. No pink eyelids.
Muzzle Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below the eyes. Jaws well defined. Under jaw strong and to 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 romp with gentle short slope at rump to base of tail. Lions slightly tucked.
Body Well sprung ribs; close together, deep in rear. Forelegs set wide. Chest deep and broad
Tail Short in comparison to size, low set, tap ring to fine point; Not curled or carried over back. Not docked.
Legs Front legs straight, with large bones and upright pasterns. Hindquarters well muscled, let down at hocks, turning either in or out. Feet of moderate size, well arched and compact. Gait springy but without roll of space.
Coat Short, close, stiff to the touch, glossy.
Color Any color, solid, party, or patched, is permissible; but more than 80% white, black and than, and liver not to be encouraged.
Size Height and weight should be in proportion. A height of about eighteen to nineteen inches at the shoulders for a male and seventeen to eighteen inches for a female to be considering preferable.
Fault Faults to be penalized are Dudley nose, light or pink eyes, tail too long or badly carried, undershot or overshort mounths.