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The ASTAO is an organization dedicated to the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and American Staffordshire Terrier (AST). These breeds of dog have recently received a bad reputation as a result of irresponsible owners, as well as misinformed media and public. We aim to restore the breed names by exposing the dog's good nature and promoting responsible and loving ownership.

Breed information: While similar in appearance, the APBT and AST are NOT the same breed of dog. The AST is the American Kennel Club's (AKC) version of the APBT, created from the United Kennel Club's (UKC) APBT, the older of the two breeds. The APBT is not registered with AKC, and AKC is the only major breed registry to register the AST. While technically two different breeds, there are still lines that are dual registered with AKC and UKC as both APBT and AST from the initial creation of the AST.

The APBT and AST were originally bred and created to be fighting dogs. To this day, a well bred dog will maintain those characteristics. It is expected and very typical of the breed to be aggressive towards animals. HOWEVER, it is NOT typical, and not tolerable, for the dog to be aggressive towards humans. It is important for owners and general public to be aware that animal aggression and human aggression are not one in the same and dogs really do have excellent discretion.

While APBT's and AST's make wonderful pets, family members, and even working dogs, they are not for everybody. An appropriate family for these dogs is extremely responsible and financially able to care for an animal. Any dog requires food, shelter, and veterinary care at a bare minimum. An APBT or AST also need a forever home, a family educated on the breed and capable of handling it, and some type of formal or informal training is preferable as well.

If you have any questions, or feel that you could benefit this organization in some way, please feel free to contact us.