APBT vs. AmStaff (simplified)
The first pitbull Tony and I ever owned was a white/buckskin cow print female American Staffordshire Terrier named C-4 (call name Cici). After breeding her with a red nose and producing our first litter of pups, we became interested in the “Pitbull” breed in general. I understand that some states will not provide home owner’s insurance to owners of “Pitbulls”, but it will permit the ownership of an “American Staffordshire Terrier.” Okay, now what is the difference???
In the 1890s, Chancey Bennett founded the UKC, [United Kennel Club~the second largest all-breed dog registry in the country], and made his APBT "Bennetts Ring" the first registered APBT. The UKC grew extremely fast and was soon noticed by the AKC as healthy competition.
In the late 1930s, the AKC recognized the APBT as a breed (due to the overwhelming popularity of the APBT by Americans) and developed a “show” standard (bred for looks) based upon a few Colby dogs. Therefore the AKC "AmStaff" is merely a strain of the APBT. The AKC (for political reasons) changed the name from the UKC American Pitbull Terrier, to American Staffordshire Terriers. CONFUSED? Let me break it down for you: the APBT is recognized as a breed and registered by the UKC, while the AmStaff (AST) is registered and recognized by the AKC.
Basically, both breeds share the same origins and history, however at a certain point in time, the two started being bred for two different reasons - one for show/looks, the other for performance/game. This is why the AmStaff of today looks similar to the APBT, but has many different characteristics and traits.
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