Staffordshire Bull Terriers are small to medium-sized dogs that stand at the height of 16 inches. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be imposing to look at because of their muscular build. They are a picture of power and agility. Their short coat comes in various colors.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to be lovable and trusting dogs. They have a great desire to be with people. These dogs are a great fit in any type of household, even for families with little children.
There are some municipalities that ban households from owning this dog, so make sure to be aware of that before purchasing a Stafford. But if you manage to own one and give them the right kind of leadership, you’ll find that they’re truly great companions.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Terrier |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Height | 14-16 inches |
| Weight | 23-38 pounds (male); 24-34 pounds (female) |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier History
You can trace the history of Staffordshire Bull Terriers in England. These dogs are believed to have the same ancestors as the American Staffordshire Terriers, the American Pit Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers.
The development of Staffordshire Bull Terriers started in the early 19th century. The goal is to make smaller and faster dogs in the fighting ring, but it must also be gentle and friendly toward other people.
By 1835, the st Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club was founded in England. It was only a few years after that when the standard for the breed was written. It was only in the 1880s when the Staffordshire Bull Terriers arrived in America. But the breed wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1975.
Today, these dogs rank 80th as the most popular dog breed in the US. Although they are banned in some municipalities because they are thought to be aggressive, true lovers of the breed know that they are excellent companion dogs.
Temperament
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally described as clever, brave, and tenacious dogs. They may appear fierce, but the Staffords are never aggressive. In fact, these dogs are lovers.
They love running around and playing games. Their high energy will surely keep you running, so they are the best companions if you’re an outdoor type of person.
They are also known to be people-oriented. They crave human companionship, and they love being with their favorite humans. These dogs can even be friends with everyone, even with people they just met. But don’t worry though, they still make excellent watchdogs and bark if someone suspicious comes around.
Known as nanny dogs, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known to be extremely good with children. He is a child’s playmate and guardian. They are also peaceful with other pets at home, whether it’s a cat or a dog.
Training may come as challenging to the Staffords. They can be stubborn and headstrong, and they will test your patience. Make sure to instill confident and firm leadership always, but never be harsh to him.
Socialization is essential to keep any aggressive tendencies at bay. This will also help in making him more well-rounded.
You also need to place great supervision on these dogs. They are thought to be master escape artists – scaling a six-foot fence and can even dig his way out. As an owner, you also need to be smart and think ahead of him.
Care Requirements
- Nutrition: Staffordshire Bull Terriers don’t have special dietary needs. All you need to feed them is a high-quality and well-balanced meal. Daily meals should contain all the essential nutrients like proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Only buy high-quality ingredients if you’re giving a home-cooked meal. You can get protein from animal meat like chicken, fish, lamb, or beef. You can get fats from fish or chicken oils, carbohydrates from whole grains, and vitamins from fruits and vegetables. If you’re serving dog food, only buy the premium quality ones as they don’t contain fillers and additives that can be harmful to your dogs. You should also monitor daily food intake to ensure that they don’t get overweight.
- Grooming: Staffordshire Bull Terriers are handsome dogs covered with a short, soft coat that sheds occasionally. These dogs need weekly brushing to ensure that their coat remains healthy. This also helps in removing any loose and dead hair from their body. Baths can be given occasionally or once in a month to keep them looking nice and clean. Just make sure to clean up those ears regularly to avoid any infection. Nails should be checked and trimmed regularly too. Don’t keep it long as this can cause pain and discomfort to your Staffordshire.
- Exercise: Like other terrier breeds, the Staffordshire Bull Terriers are highly energetic. They need to be exercised regularly to keep them fit. Physical and mental exercises are something that you should be able to provide. Daily walks are great, but Staffords may also need more than that. The ideal would be jogging, running, hiking, or biking alongside you. Play sessions such as ball chasing are also great ways for him to release that excess energy. One thing to remember is not to over exercise during warm or humid weather. As Staffordshire Bull Terriers are heat intolerant, this can be dangerous for them.
- Health: Though generally healthy breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are prone to several health conditions. Most of these are bone diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation. This is why it’s essential to give them an adequate amount of exercise. Other diseases to watch out for are hereditary juvenile cataracts, L-2 hydroxyglutaric aciduria, skin allergies, and demodectic mange. Since some of these diseases are hereditary, it’s also best to meet one of your dog’s parents. This way, you would be able to figure out which conditions to watch out for. Screening tests are also available for some, and it would be great if your dog takes one.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 13-18 years.
Famous Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Tinkinswood Imperial: The first Stafford registered by the American Kennel Club
- Winstone: Vin Diesel’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Sui: The famous Staffordshire Bull Terrier that accompanies Australian conservationist Steve Irwin on his adventures
Fun Facts About Staffordshire Bull Terriers
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated from England.
- They have the same ancestors as the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull; they’re often mistaken as Pit Bulls.
- They are known as “nanny dogs” because they are extremely good with children.
- They are known to have big smiles.
- They are escape artists; they can jump a six feet tall fence.
- Their coat comes in a wide range of colors – red, fawn, white, black, or blue.
- They were officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1975.
Check Out Other Terrier Dog Breeds:
Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Cesky Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Rat Terrier, Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier