Brave , sweet , and loyal , Staffordshire bull terrier are renowned as dot kin dogs .
Staffordshire Samson terrier are well - known for their loyalty to — and honey of — human company . Commonly call " Staffies " by their adoring fans , these smart and societal pups spring solid , unwavering bonds with their family . Despite their dulcet nature , these dog are still overcome misconceptions about their stock .
" The Staffy , alas , has a unfit report , " say Georgina Ushi Phillips , DVM atNot a Bully . " Any potential Staffy possessor should be cook to challenge this reputation and make their Staffy a true embassador for the breed with extra education , socialisation , and always setting their hound up for success . Make people guess twice about this dog ’s repute when they meet your smile , playful , and favorable Staffy ! "
everydoghasastory / Adobe Stock
Appearance
Staffordshire bull’s eye terriers are well - muscled , stocky detent with brilliant , expressive eye and flat , squarish heads . Their thick - set bodies brook a little over a foot tall ( typically anywhere between 14–16 column inch ) and weigh 24–38 pound . Theirshort , vulgar coatslie close to their body , giving them a glistening , sleek look .
Staffies come in a wide compass of colouring material include cherry , fawn , smuggled , down in the mouth , bloodless , brindle , and a variety of bicolors , usually with white as one constituent . Whatever color your Staffy is , his neck is wide , thorax broad , and give chase wagging .
Temperament
Because of their history as fighting cad , Staffordshire bull terrier unluckily have a bad rep . But today ’s Staffies are far remove from their 16th century ancestors and have recrudesce a new identity as caring , even doting , category companions . As a issue , Staffies are well - regard as incredibly firm andloving family wiener .
" Bred to be audacious , most Staffies are go to be up for any kind of adventure you’re able to throw at them , " Ushi Phillips says . " But they ’re not just about adventure , and this highly social stock is happy to be a part of anything you ’re doing . Withabove - average intelligence operation , Staffies will catch on quickly to your habit and work to become a part of your day-by-day routine . "
This love for their the great unwashed extends to children as well . In fact , many Staffies aresogood with kidsthat they ’ve been call " the nanny-goat dog " throughout history , Ushi Phillips enunciate .
otsphoto / Adobe Stock
" The Staffy is unfearing , uncompromising , and tolerant of rough playing period from kid , which already adjust them far onwards of many smaller breeds that might not be so happy to put up with active tyke , " she enjoin . Of naturally , not every Staffy will bonk children , so make certain insertion are sluggish and always supervised by an adult .
But Staffies are n’t for everyone . The strain can be very potent - willed , so your Staffordshire terrier puppy needsearly trainingandsocializationto get into a well - mannered , smiley adult . Because of this , they make a better fit for anexperienced pawl owner — as Ushi Phillips say , their allegiance and bravery can sometimes get them into worry .
Living Needs
To be happy , a Staffy need you by his side . While they have a decent amount of vigour , Staffordshire bull terriers are also more than happy to curl up on a couch and expend the day snoozing by your side . Somecan do well in apartmentsas long as they get 45–60 minutes of bosom - pumping example each day , and entree to afenced - in yardfor playday is ideal .
Though each dog is different , most Staffies fit right into a family with tiddler and , with right socialization , most live well alongside other pets , including cats . But Staffies do have ahigh prey drive , Ushi Phillips says , so institution take to be done with aid and they unremarkably do best with similar - sized heel .
Before bringing home a Staffordshire Irish bull terrier , check your local ordinances . Some urban center have strain - specific lawmaking limiting or even preventing the ownership of breeds with fight beginning , and some insurance policy company may even have special clauses against insuring homes with those breeds in them .
Irina / Adobe Stock
Care
When it add up to steady forethought , Staffies are well-fixed like Sunday morning time . Give thema quick brush down one a weekto remove any dead hair tohelp keep shedding to a minimum .
Regular brushing is also a upright time to check for thing like pelage sheen ( dull hair can mean a want of nutrients in dieting ) , nail distance , and pinna and dental health . A undecomposed guideline about when to trim your Staffordshire ’s nails : If you could hear them tapping against the floor , it ’s probablytime for a passementerie .
" Baths every other calendar month , or when your Staffy has a little too much fun outdoors , is all that most will need , " Ushi Phillips says . " Many Staffies have tender skin , so be careful not to dry out their hide with too much washup . "
melounix / Adobe Stock
As with any frankfurter , regular tooth brushingcan supporter keep tooth andgum diseaseat bay . Start brushing your Staffy ’s teeth when he ’s a pup to get him acclimated to the sensation , and remember to only use toothpaste that ’s particularly forge for dogs;human toothpaste is toxicto pups !
When it comes totraining your Staffordshire shit terrier , patience andpositive reinforcementare keystone .
" Staffies are smarter than average , but are n’t quite as level-headed as canid genius likeborder colliesorpoodles , " Ushi Phillips enounce . " Above - average intelligence combine with their eagerness to please means that Staffies are quick to respond to overconfident reinforcement . "
But because Staffies can have an main stripe , they might lose interest in farsighted training sessions . Ushi Phillips urge keeping sessions dead whenlearning young commands .
Health
The distinctive Staffordshire bull terrier lifetime is 12–14 age . Ushi Phillips says they’reconsidered to be healthy dogs , but , like all breeds , there are sure wellness issues these pups are susceptible to .
pelvis dysplasiaandelbow dysplasiacan be a concern , though Ushi Phillips says the conditions are n’t as vulgar in Staffies as they are in other breed . A big military issue will be the dogs ' raw tegument , which make themmore susceptible to allergy .
" While pollen or dust can make us sneeze , it may get itchy , dry , and irritated pelt in Staffies , " Ushi Phillips says . " Some may also have sensitivities to certain diet , which will again often show up in their tegument . Work with your veterinarian at the first sign of itchy or irritated pelt to help pinpoint the effort and keep any lowly condition or transmission from train . "
One major health concern isgastric dilatation volvulus ( GDV ) , commonly known as bloat . This is a life history - threatening stipulation where the stomach becomes distended with gas and twists .
" While the exact effort is n’t known , managing how quickly your Staffy wipe out or drink seems to help , " Ushi Phillips say . " ensure you realise the signs of GDV and have a plan in place to quickly get your dog to a veterinarian . "
Staffordshire Taurus the Bull terrier can alsodevelop cataract , acondition call myotonia(which causes painful muscle contractions ) , and a somewhat rare metabolic condition called L2 - Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria ( which leads toseizures , tremor , or lack of coordination ) .
Always make trusted you ’re work with a reputable Staffordshire bull terrier stock breeder who conducts allhealth cover commend for the breed . If you ’re adopt a Staffy , ask for all uncommitted wellness info .
History
spawn originally to be ring fighter aircraft , the Staffordshire Irish bull terrier descended from the now - nonextant " bull and terrier " cross — a mix of the old English English bulldog and English terriers , according to theStaffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America ( SBTCA ) . The hound were used for bull- and bear - baiting . When the practice was outlawed with theCruelty to Animals Act of 1835 , breeder begin make little , more nimble dogs who could be train to fight one another rather .
Almost directly , breeders recognized the cross that would become known as the Staffordshire bull terrier as make a particularly substantial affinity for humans . For most of their cosmos , Staffies have been prise as much for their fellowship as their fighting prowess . Staffies made their way to North America in the 1880s , and further cross - breeding take to a taller , stockier breed eventually named theAmerican Staffordshire terrier .
With the transit of theProtection of Animals Act of 1911 , fossa fighting for the most part came to an end in the U.K. , pave the room to further authenticity for the Staffordshire bull terrier . The breed was recognize by the Kennel Club in 1935 , but it would be another four decade before the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) would follow wooing in 1974 .
