Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Information

Some people consider these dogs to be real monsters. Previously, they were participants in fierce dog fights. And how many legends there are, according to which animals can just attack even a defenseless child. But here it is worth understanding. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has indeed been used as a fighter for many years. These dogs were specially trained and raised to be aggressive. But if a puppy is socialized from an early age, raised in love and attention, then not a trace of anger will remain. The dog, engaged, grows up obedient, kind, it is an excellent companion for the family.

Such a pet is hardly suitable for inexperienced dog breeders. Taking him to the family, you need to understand that the dog requires special care and conditions. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires daily training, exercise and long walks. Therefore, you must clearly understand that you have time to deal with your pet. This is not a decorative dog, but a real fighting dog. If left to himself, he will grow out of control.

Brief Information

• Breed name: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Country of origin: UK
• Weight: males 12.7-17 kg, females 11-15.4 kg
• Height (height at the withers): 35.5-40.5 cm, height is proportional to weight
• Life Expectancy: 12-14 Years

Key Facts

• The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has several alternative names. For example, representatives of this breed are often referred to as Staffbulls or simply Staffies.
• Hunting instinct in dogs is poorly developed, as well as guarding abilities, therefore, scaring burglars with the help of a staff full is a waste of work.
• The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been the living mascot of the Prince of Wales’ Staffordshire Regiment for several decades.
• The Staffbull is not the kind of dog that will watch TV shows with you for days, although sometimes these energetic stalwarts are not averse to relaxing. The breed lives at a dynamic, if not accelerated pace, and will always prefer a good run or a good game to pleasant idleness.
• Dogs of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are more aggressive and prone to rivalry, so keeping two “boys” in one apartment will require patience and endurance from the owner.
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers are dogs whose intelligence and intelligence must be constantly trained and developed. In addition, they need early socialization.
• Representatives of this breed have high pain tolerance, so the staffs endure even serious injuries relatively calmly.
• Both severe hypothermia and overheating are contraindicated for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, which is why the animals are recommended for home and apartment maintenance.
• Staffbulls are very athletic and, with timely training, demonstrate high results in dog frisbee, agility, freestyle, and sometimes in coursing.

History

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a breed whose birth was dictated not by practical necessity, but by the desire for profit. At the beginning of the 19th century, a new form of entertainment became fashionable among the English poor – dogfighting. Every weekend, crowds of onlookers flocked to some patch, where they watched with delight as the owners of the animals pitted their wards against each other. Here, bets were made on the victory, which only fueled interest in the wild, but such an exciting “sport”.

At first, mostly bulldogs performed in the ring, later joined by representatives of the terrier group. However, the animals managed to keep the audience’s attention with difficulty. Fed up with the standard bullying, the people thirsted for a brutal show and received another dog showdown with the techniques studied up and down. In order not to lose the viewer, and with it a stable income, the owners of the four-footed fighters had to dodge and experiment with the genetic base. This is how a hitherto unknown variety of dogs called Bull and Terriers began to appear on the playgrounds.

Representatives of the new breed, born in the course of crossing a bulldog with an English terrier, surpassed their ancestors in the art of fighting, and in general in everything related to resourcefulness, passion, and speed of reaction. In addition to outstanding fighting qualities, the animals also showed a mouse talent, so the demonstrative rat-baiting with the participation of the Bull and Terrier quickly turned into a favorite show of the English lower classes. Particularly successful in this matter was a dog named Billy, who in 1823 swung a world record. In less than five minutes, the dog strangled 100 rats, which in turn also did not waste time and fiercely attacked the enemy.

Further breeding of Bull and Terriers proceeded spontaneously. In the “creative experiments” of the breeders, no one limited, so soon three intra-breed types of Staffordshire Bull Terrier were formed in England:

• cradles are compact, strong animals with a developed bone;
• varlaston – medium-sized, moderately well-fed dogs with short bulldog legs;
• varsol is the type closest to terriers with long limbs and a dry constitution.

The Staffordshire Bull Terriers acquired their modern ones only in the second half of the 19th century, and they managed to acquire a standard only in 1935 after dogfighting in Great Britain was outlawed. By the way, the standard of the breed’s appearance was the same Cradley-type, who endowed its representatives with a stocky constitution and characteristic bone structure.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed standard

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth-haired, stocky, robust fellow with a broad chest and an intelligent, scanning gaze. You don’t need to be a supercinematologist to notice the external similarity of representatives of this family with pit bulls and staff. At the same time, the English staffy cannot be called an exact copy of the overseas “colleagues”. There are not so few of the breed’s own distinctive features, therefore, having seen a staff ball at least once and having talked with him for half an hour, in the future you are unlikely to confuse him with anyone. In particular, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is much more smiling than the same Amstaffs and Pit Bulls (developed cheek muscles + skull stretched in width). And he is significantly inferior to them in height.

• Head
  The animal’s skull gives the impression of being compact and wide, the stop is clearly drawn. The staffbull’s muzzle is noticeably shorter than the head.
• Jaws and teeth
  The strong, developed jaws of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have an outstanding grip. The dog’s teeth are white, very large. The bite is correct, full.
• Nose
  The lobe is of normal size, painted in a rich black shade.
• Eyes
  Ideally, the eyes of the animal should be rounded, straight-set, as dark as possible. But in reality, individuals with a lighter shade of iris in harmony with the color of the coat are not so rare.
• Ears
  The small, semi-erect ears of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier resemble a flower petal in shape.
• Neck
  One of the distinctive features of the breed is a short, dense neck, which makes the silhouette of the dog even more solid and squat.
• Housing
  The body of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is somewhat stretched, well knocked down. The back is perfectly straight, the rib cage is deep, strongly extended in breadth.
• Limbs
  The forelegs are slender, with the shoulder blades laid back, strong wrists, and outward-facing paws. The hindquarters of the dog are more muscular, with markedly sloping legs and low hocks.
• Tail
  The tail of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is relatively short, not curled, and set low.
• Wool
  The coat is glossy, very dense, and short.
• Color
  – Solid black or combined with white.
  – Auburn: Solid or with white spots.
  – Solid fawn or diluted with white.
  – Solid blue or combined with white.
  – Tiger or brindle with white.
  – White: solid, also with black, red, fawn, blue spots, and brindle.
• Defects and defects of the breed
  Often among Staffordshire Bull Terriers, you can find such external flaws as a flat chest, overly light eyes, a dewlap on the neck, light clubfoot or leg marks, hanging ears. Depending on the severity, the listed defects can be a reason for a decrease in the assessment of an animal at an exhibition or a reason for a ban on participation in it. At the same time, cryptorchidism, bite defects (undershot, undershot with retardation, misalignment of the lower jaw), liver and black and tan colors, and amble remain the main disqualifying defects for Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Personality

The fighting past of the breed, if it affected the character of its modern representatives, is not as significant as one might expect, therefore today’s Staffordshire Bull Terriers are quite peaceful and benevolent creatures. Moreover, this is one of the most human-oriented dogs, although its appearance hints at completely opposite qualities. A mentally healthy and well-mannered staff bull values ​​nothing as much as friendship with the owner, considering communication with him as the highest reward. Whether you’re shopping, going on a picnic, or heading to the city beach, the staff is happy to accompany you everywhere. Figuratively speaking, this is the dog that will gladly become the shadow of its own owner. Accordingly, if you are not ready to swim in such an ocean of attention and value personal space, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not your breed.

Staffbulls do not squeak with delight at the sight of dogs or cats, which does not turn them into bloodthirsty and uncontrollable aggressors. Naturally, they are always ready to chase a gaping cat or give back to a presumptuous four-legged enemy, but almost all representatives of the terrier group sin like that. Often, a dog agrees to share territory with another meowing, barking, and squeaking pets, but only if their society has been imposed on the animal since childhood. In general, the manifestation of fighting qualities in relation to any living creatures for Staffordshire Terriers is atypical, although there have been and will be exceptions to the rule. If you come across that rare type of Staffordshire Bull Terrier who measures up against everything that moves, accept it. You won’t be able to mold a good-natured mattress out of a hereditary aggressor, no matter how hard you try.

In whom the Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not see rivals, it is in children. With them, animals are invariably affectionate and prudent. It is especially interesting to observe the transformations of the pet’s behavior when another toddler is encountered on its way. A minute ago, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier selflessly ruffled the skin of a mongrel who happened to be turned up, and now he is already lying on the playground, waiting for some kid to scratch his belly. Of course, the communication between the animal and the child is better controlled, since in the art of provocation the young generation has reached unprecedented heights. And yet, experience shows that conflicts between Staffordshire Bull Terrier and sandbox patrons are exceptional.

Education and Training

 

Keeping a dog with a fighting background imposes a number of obligations on its owner. In particular, teaching a pet the basics of behavior and its socialization are tasks that cannot be evaded with all the desire since an ill-mannered staff bull who does not understand commands is always a threat. Yes, the level of aggression towards humans and our smaller brothers is reduced in this breed, but this does not mean that its representatives are completely harmless.

The OKD (General Course of Training) is considered the optimal training program for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, although simplified options like the UGS (Controlled City Dog) are also possible. The passage of the ZKS (Protective Guard Service) for the staff is optional, but in practice it takes place. At the same time, it is important to understand that a representative of this breed will not leave some fantastic bodyguard. First, the growth of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier does not make much of an impression on bullies. Secondly, after the animal is trained, all you can count on is barking at an approaching stranger and attempts to attack an enemy who is near the pet at a distance of 2-3 m. It seems to be not so bad, but agree, that a barking Staffbull and a Caucasian Shepherd Dog clattering teeth are two completely different degrees of threat.

In training and raising a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you will have to be patient and work on establishing your own authority. Representatives of this breed are stubborn creatures who love to alter the demands placed on them and act according to their own preferences. For all that, it will not work to put pressure on the staff: these dogs cannot stand harshness and, in response to rough treatment, generally stop listening to the owner’s orders.

It is very important to develop the skill of obedience to commands in your pet in time. You can be confident in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier only if he obeys the order immediately and without hesitation, which is why experts do not recommend repeating the command twice. The Staffbulls are still sly ones who have perfectly mastered the art of manipulation. Let them “not hear” the call once, and then they will make you beg them whenever you need to do something.

In raising a tiny puppy, you can and should adhere to the standard program. First, they learn a nickname with the baby, to which he must respond. By the way, as in the case of commands, it is better not to overuse repetitions here. At 2.5 months, if the weather permits, you can go outside with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, developing the habit of calmly reacting to unfamiliar phenomena and sounds. After 2-3 weeks, when the puppy gets used to the street noise, he needs to find a company for communication. The best option is a small get-together of several puppies and adult phlegmatic individuals, in which the young Staffordshire Bull Terrier must occupy the appropriate hierarchical niche.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an addictive and emotional dog, so monotonous lessons bore her. For better assimilation of the educational material by the pet, it is recommended to break an hour lesson into five minutes, in the intervals between which the four-legged schoolboy is allowed to fool around and play freely. Remember that in Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy’s short-term memory predominates, thanks to which babies grasp new knowledge in a split second and forget them just as quickly. So do not try to fit a bunch of techniques into one lesson. Better to fully practice one skill, honing it to perfection in subsequent training. It is better to start training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy with elementary dynamic skills, that is, with an approach to the owner’s call, a tray of toys, and movement next to a person during a walk (without pulling the leash). When the material is mastered and worked out to automatism, it can and should be supplemented, since the best method of teaching Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been and remains the principle “from simple to complex”.

Care and Maintenance

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a sociable dog that is not adapted to our weather realities, so it’s placed in an apartment or private house. Do not worry, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, of course, is energetic and jumpy, but it is completely undemanding to spatial conditions, and in itself is quite compact. But you will have to fork out for toys for your pet: Staffordshire Bull Terriers like to chew on some elastic little thing in their spare time. In addition, in the process of training a puppy, beeper balls and other rubber accessories are very useful.

• Hygiene

There is no need to take care of the short fur of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Usually, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are combed during the seasonal molt (spring-autumn), but there is no systematic need for this. Moreover, brushing for the breed is more of a stimulating massage than a procedure to improve the appearance. The tight-fitting dog’s hair looks clean and tidy even in the off-season, which, however, does not prevent the dead hairs from falling intensively and covering the carpets.

Note: if the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives in an apartment where it is too dry, warm and there are no air humidification systems, it may fade out of season, but all year round.

Take time to bathe your dog once a month. The staff are washed using diluted shorthair shampoo, and dried without a hairdryer, blotting the wet wool with a towel and combine it with a rubber mitten. By the way, it is strictly forbidden to let out a not quite dry staff bull on the street, unless you want to ditch the animal, so 2-3 hours after taking a bath – no promenade. In winter, you can wash your dog less often, for example, once every 2-3 months.

Care for the eyes and ears of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is simple. About once a week, your pet should examine the ears and remove the accumulated wax and dirt with a damp cotton pad. An unpleasant smell from the ear funnel, as well as a rash inside it, is a reason to visit your veterinarian. You will have to set aside at least a couple of minutes a day for an eye examination to remove lumps of mucus that collect in the corners of the eyelids. In general, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye is not typical for staff bills, but if you suddenly notice that the pet periodically “cries”, you need to talk to a specialist in canine diseases.

You will have to tinker thoroughly with brushing the teeth of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier since in order to maintain the health and cleanliness of the oral cavity, it is necessary to dive with a brush into the pet’s mouth at least 3-4 times a week. Clipping the nails for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also a must. In the warm season, the claws of productive walking dogs grind off when walking, so all that remains for the owner is once a month to trim their ends with a nail clipper and file with a nail file. In winter, the procedure will have to be carried out more often, pre-soaking the claws in warm water to make the keratinous part softer and more pliable.

Walking

Good physical relaxation is necessary for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, but in everything, you need to observe the measure. It is undesirable to load puppies up to one year old with intense training, bicycle racing, tug games, and other sports pleasures designed for adults, mature individuals. And of course, no walks under the scorching sun. Due to the fact that the faces of the Staffordshire Bull Terriers are short, their thermoregulation processes go at a somewhat slower pace, so overheating for the animal is as easy as shelling pears. In winter, the duration of walking for puppies is also better to reduce to 10-15 minutes of jogging around the yard.

Adolescents and adult dogs are taken out into the street on a leash, and it is worth walking with the male’s long since the odorous “marking of the territory” takes a certain amount of time. By weight, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are subject to the Dog Walking Act, according to which animals are prohibited from appearing in public without a muzzle. Therefore, in order not to conflict with others, it will be necessary to accustom the staff to this unpleasant subject for him.

Do not forget that inside each staff bull a typical representative of the Terrier tribe slumbers sensitively, for whom a walk is another opportunity to test their own strengths in digging out flower beds and digging pits. You should not limit your pet to this activity. It is better to look for a secluded corner outside the city or on your own personal plot where the staff can come off in full without harming the surrounding landscape.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not delighted with Russian frosts, but this is not a reason to refuse them winter walks, especially since adult dogs tolerate temperatures down to -15 ° C normally. Buy insulated overalls for your pet, put on protective slippers that will protect the paws of the animal from the effects of reagents, and you can safely go on an excursion to the park or on a Sunday run through the city streets.

Feeding

Up to 12 weeks of age, Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are fed 5-6 times a day, by the beginning of the 4th month of life, reducing the number of feeds to four. Half-year-old Staffies eat 3 times a day, but after the animals are one year old, they should be switched to two meals a day. Usually, the diet of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy consists of easily digestible proteins, the source of which is fermented baked milk and one percent kefir, chicken/turkey breast, boiled fillet of sea fish, cottage cheese. It is better for babies to cook porridge from rice and buckwheat groats, and as natural vitamin supplements, introduce boiled chicken yolk (half), vegetable oil, seasonal vegetables that have undergone heat treatment into the diet.

Adult animals are given not only poultry meat but also lean beef, as well as rabbit meat at the rate of 25 g of product per kilogram of dog weight. Offal for Staffordshire Bull Terriers is available no more than twice a week. In addition, due to their reduced nutritional value, the portion will have to be increased by a third, that is, instead of 25 g of meat, about 35 g of tripe. The industrial feed is also not prohibited, but experts do not recommend mixing “drying” with natural food. When it comes to choosing the right dry food, everything is standard here: we buy premium and super-premium varieties and refuse economy varieties from the supermarket.

Good to Know: Staffordshire Bull Terriers love to eat well. In addition to meat, apples are highly respected, as well as boiled cabbage, the abuse of which provokes increased gas production in them. Therefore, in order not to suffer from regular “gas attacks” arranged by the pet, it is better to closely monitor its diet.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier health and disease

 

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are considered one of the most mentally stable and physically strong breeds. As for genetically determined ailments, the staff is most susceptible to urolithiasis, volvulus, entropion, hip dysplasia, hyperadrenocorticism, cataracts, and cancer. Most of the promoted nurseries examine their litters for joint dysplasia and patella, which helps to identify and exclude sick individuals from further breeding. Genetic tests for HC (hereditary cataract) and L2HGA are also desirable, as effective treatments have not yet been found.

How to Choose a Puppy

• A normally developing Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy should be playful, curious, and very active (the animals become calmer with age). If the baby is too phlegmatic and thoughtful, something is clearly wrong with him.
• If the little staff bull does not make contact, is hysterical, and tries to hide, this signals an unstable psyche. Usually, before buying with puppies, they pass the Campbell test, which helps to determine the individual character traits of each baby.
• Males and females of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier differ both in appearance and in character. If the aesthetic characteristics of the puppy play an important role for you, it is better to choose dogs. They are larger, stronger, and generally have more pronounced breed features. Staffbull bitches are suitable for those owners who need a more controllable pet. “Girls” are more attached to the family, they are more temperamental, not inclined to leadership, and easier to train.
• Take a close look at the kennel and the puppies’ habitats. Babies and their parents should not huddle in tight, dirty cages.
• Ask the breeder or nursery staff for the results of a litter test for genetic diseases. If there are no certificates, the seller is most likely inexperienced and is engaged in breeding solely for personal gain.