Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier: BREED BOX Country: United Kingdom Size: 24-38lb(11-17kg),14-16in (36-41cm) Temperament: Fearless, dependable, good with children Grooming: Easy Recognition: FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC, KC(UK), NZKC

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Staffie, is an extremely intelligent, courageous and tenacious dog. They are very affectionate pets known for having a great sense of humor. Today they are known as fine family pets but the breed was originally bred by coal miners in Staffordshire, England, who wanted a small, fast dog.

Breed History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be traced all the way back to Mastiff-type dogs through the old Bulldog which was crossed with British terriers. This produced the first “Bull and Terrier” dogs. These early Bulldogs were fierce, courageous dogs used for bull and bear-baiting as far back as the 16th century. In the 19th century the “Bull and Terrier” dogs were used for dogfighting. These dogs weighed around 60 pounds, down from the 90-120 pounds of the earlier Bulldogs. Eventually some of these Bull and Terrier dogs were crossed with a small native terrier, similar to the Manchester Terrier. The result was a dog between 30 and 45 pounds which became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Around 1860 the Old Pit Bull Terrier (now known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier) made a cross and produced the all-white English Bull Terrier. This dog was recognized by the Kennel Club in England in the late 19th century but the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was not recognized because of its earlier reputation as a fighting dog.

The breed was finally recognized by the Kennel Club in England in 1935. Dogfighting had been illegal for some time and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had been bred to be an excellent family companion.

In the United States the Bull and Terrier breeds arrived in the mid-1880s. They developed somewhat differently than in the UK. The American Staffordshire Terrier is the result of those developments, a cousin to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The AKC accepted the Staffordshire Bull Terrier into their Stud Book in 1974.

Appearance

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a small to medium, stocky and strong terrier. They are smooth-coated, muscular, active and agile.

The Staffie typically stands 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh 24 to 38 pounds. In terms of proportion, their back is about as long as their height from the ground to the withers.

The Staffie’s head is short and deep, with a broad skull and very pronounced cheek muscles. There is a distinct stop and a short foreface. The breed has rose ears or half-pricked and they are not large. The neck is muscular, rather short and widens towards the shoulders. The body is close-coupled. The tail is undocked and carried low.

The coat is smooth, short and close to the skin. Colors are red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white. Any shade of brindle or brindle with white is also acceptable. Black and tan, or liver color are not acceptable.

In The Home

In the home the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a great affection for family, children and friends. They are quiet, trustworthy dogs and they have a very stable temperament. They are known as an all-purpose dog.

The dogs retain the great courage, intelligence and tenacity of their past. They are very obedient dogs and breeders spent many decades ensuring that these dogs were no longer fighting dogs. They are very affectionate and make great pets. They generally love children. The Staffordshire Bull terrier is considered to be hardy, fun-loving and fearless.

The breed may appear frightening because they are stocky and muscular but they are very friendly dogs. They do not make good guard dogs.

The Staffie does require plenty of daily exercise. In addition, they are great chewers and they need plenty of their own chew toys. Otherwise, they can start chewing on your belongings.

The Staffie is a very sweet-tempered dog but they are also very determined. They may not be the right dog for the first-time dog owner. They require an owner who can work with them in a firm but gentle way.

If you do get a Staffordshire Bull Terrier it’s important that you socialize your dog well as a puppy. Take your puppy with you to see new places and do new things. Introduce him to unfamiliar people. Encourage him to meet friendly dogs on a leash. The more socialization your dog has as a puppy, the fewer problems he will have as an adult. Socialization can help avoid behavior problems such as separation anxiety, nuisance barking and destructive chewing.

It’s also a good idea for you to enroll your Staffie puppy in some basic obedience classes. They are very intelligent dogs and they can learn very quickly. Teach them using positive reinforcement, with methods such as praise and treats, and they will learn basic obedience commands in no time.

Staffies are said to be very easy to house train.

Unfortunately, because of their heritage, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often included in Breed Specific Legislation (legislation aimed at so-called “dangerous” breeds of dogs or dogs used for dog fighting). Staffordshire Bull Terriers have not been used for dog fighting for nearly a century and breeders have worked very hard to ensure that these dogs do not have the necessary temperament for dog fighting. There have been cases where some dog attacks have been blamed on Staffies even though it was proven that some other dog or mixed breed was responsible for the attack. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not an aggressive breed of dog. Breed Specific Legislation and breed bans have been shown to be shortsighted and ineffective. The way a dog is treated and raised have more to do with how he behaves than what kind of breed he is.

Care

It’s very easy to groom a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. With a short, smooth coat you will need to brush them about once a week to avoid excess shedding. You will also need to clean their ears regularly and trim their nails regularly.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is considered a generally healthy breed of dog but, like other dogs, they can suffer from some health problems. If you are interested in getting a Staffie you should talk to a breeder about possible health problems in the breed. Ask about health testing. Health testing can often help prevent health problems from being passed along to a dog’s offspring.

Health problems that can sometimes occur in the breed include cataracts, hip dysplasia and breathing problems. L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA) and Hereditary Cataracts (HC) are also found in the breed. Melanoma can also be a problem in the breed.

Where to Find a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Finding a purebred, registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier will take a little investigation. The AKC parent breed club for Staffies in the United States is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America. They can provide you with information about Staffie breeders and give you more information about the breed. They can also give you information about Staffie rescue.

However, there are numerous bully breed rescue resources in the United States. Local animal shelters are over-run with bully breed dogs, some of which they will not adopt out. “Bully breed” refers to any of the bull terrier breeds which are often referred to as “pit bulls” or “pit bull terriers.” There is a great deal of confusion among the public about these dogs and some people think that they are all used for dogfighting or that they are all aggressive dogs. This is not the case. If you visit your local animal shelter it is possible that you will find a gentle Staffordshire Bull Terrier in among the other bully breed dogs, unrecognized and not identified by breed. Many of these dogs will make excellent pets in the right home.

If you are interested in a rescued bully breed dog and you have questions, it’s a good idea to talk to someone who does bully breed rescue. They can help you decide if a bully breed is for you and help you choose a dog.

• Other Names: Staffie, Stafford
• Coat Color: Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colors with white
• Life Expectancy: 11-12 years

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Pictures

"Staffordshire Bull Terrier Pictures Pictures": More >>

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Reviews

Number of reviews: 5