So I got my first run-in with the police for my AmStaff

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a different breed than the American Staffordshire Terrier. They are shorter, stockier, have a different head shape, different faults, different colors, never have the ears cropped. There is no breed just referred to as the Staffordshire Terrier anymore. (That used to be the AmStaff's designation.)

Pedigree may not be based on opinion, but the interpretation of it can most definitely be. That's why one person will look at a pedigree and call it a so-and-so dog while the next person will say it looks scatterbred. A pedigree could be too tight for viewer A and just right for viewer B. A CH in a pedigree could be a UKC CH, an ADBA CH, an AADR CH, a [] CH, a made-up CH, all of which mean different things to different people. A dog could have a few AmStaffs in the 8th gen and be considered an AmStaff by some, an APBT by others, or a pit-or-staff by a third party. So I fully agree that pedigree interpretation is based on the person looking at it.

How do you interpret your own dog's pedigree? Were you not originally figuring he was a Pit Bull? Others said they thought he was an AmStaff, or a UKC show-type APBT. Now you're saying he's an AmStaff, while others are saying he's not because of his coloring. So which is it? Matter of opinion maybe?

 

That's your opinion, and many other's as well ...but I could find just as many people that would disagree.

To me, it's like saying a Border Collie isn't a Border Collie just because it can't herd. It may have lost it's working ability but that doesn't change it's lineage. Same with Greyhounds. Some are bred for performance, others for looks and temperament. It doesn't change what breed the dog is.
Now, just because I'm saying this, doesn't mean I don't think it's sad when a breed loses its true form as a working dog. I find it very sad, in fact.



asilaydyingxxx, see Baha's post. I had hoped she'd post since I know her stance on this subject.

 

Good post CrazyK9! The next ? I ask is if you have APBT, show APBT, and Amstaff how and what are the determining factors of each. I have been around these dogs a long time and its very hard to tell just by looks.

 

couldn't have said it better my self

 

No offense, but if I saw your dog running loose, I'd request that you leash him immediately and no do it again. If you refuse, you better believe I'll call animal control.

Why? Because a loose dog is a nuisance. Sure..not the owner who is letting him roam loose, but rather to those of us who must pick up poop out of our yards that we know our dogs didn't leave and more importantly because I don't want to be holed up in my house unable to take my LEASHED dog out for a walk because your dog is off a leash which is the equivalent of out of control.

And so what if your dog is friendly? I had a female that would've HAPPILY done her best to break his bones if he got close enough. I don't appreciate "friendly" dogs rushing me and my leashed dogs.

Not to mention that it is the law and NO ONE is above that law.

 

The AST is NOT an APBT.

And I wonder if you even know someone who owns a true working Border Collie. My gues is "no", because if so, you wouldn't be so quick to speak for them. Last time I talked to people with actual working herding dogs, they have no love for the bred-for-show version of their breed and few describe them as one-in-the-same. By name? Maybe. But not to those who truly love the breed and work the breed.

 

Actually Mia, your guess would be wrong. I have a working BC breeder right down the road from me. They firmly believe that BCs should be bred for herding ability first and are also saddened by their breed's demise as a show and pet dog, just as with us.
That being said, it doesn't change the fact that non-working dogs of this breed are still called Border Collies. (Also, I never spoke for anyone but myself so I don't appreciate the accusations.)

Since this topic has been discussed a million times and I've said pretty much all I have to say on the matter, I think I'm done with this thread.
Mac, if you want to, you can PM me. Same for anyone else.