Staffordshire Bull Terrier

From his brawling past, the muscular but agile Staffordshire Bull Terrier retains the traits of courage and tenacity.

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

The Stafford has a short, smooth coat and his grooming needs are modest. Brush the coat a couple of times a week to keep shedding to a minimum. Bathe him every three or four months or as needed if he’s dirty.
Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally.

Exercise Tips

Like any other dog, regular exercise is key here. But given the breed we’re talking about, you’ll want to make sure the Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets enough exercise that it can actually be tired out. It will make a much better companion indoors if it doesn’t get antsy and instead gets its fill of mouth-related activities (think Frisbees and chew toys) as well as running around and generally being a dog.
Because they are such intelligent dogs, they also need to be given lots of mental stimulation for them to be truly happy, relaxed and well-balanced dogs. After a good amount of physical exercise and playing lots of interactive games, a Staffie likes nothing more than to relax on a couch with their owner, tired, but an extremely happy dog.

Feeding Tips

With a voracious thirst for exercise and activity comes an equally voracious appetite, but as always it’s important to remember the size of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and feed it accordingly. It’s easy for a 150-pound human to overestimate just how much food a dog needs, even if many dogs intimate that they can eat whatever you throw at them.
Staff puppies need to be fed a good quality diet that provides them with all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. Ideally, puppies need to be at least 3 to 4 times day. If you are just about to get a puppy from a breeder, they would recommend you feed them the same diet as they have been on and to gradually change this over a period of a few weeks to avoid the puppy developing a tummy upset.
However, adult Staffies can also be fed a small breakfast and then another meal in the evening, but again their diet needs to be higher in protein because they are such energetic dogs and need the extra nutrients to meet their daily needs.
Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The average life span of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 12 to 14 years. Breed health concerns may includecataracts, congenitaldeafness, follicular dysplasia, pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, cystine urolithiasis,cataracts, elbow andhip dysplasia,heart problems,hypothyroidism, L-2-hydroxuglutaric aciduria, patellar luxation andskin allergies.SBTs can develop several forms of skin allergies, some of which may be genetic. The DNA test for L-2-HGA, a metabolic condition, allows breeders to identify carriers and avoid producing affected offspring. Be an informed owner, and discuss any health questions or concerns with your dog’s breeder and your veterinarian.

Trainability

Staffords can be a handful to train. They are stubborn and willful and though they love you to pieces, don’t particularly care about doing what they are told. Novice dog owners should consult with a professional trainer who understands the nuances of the Stafford personality. Experienced dog owners should be able to handle this breed just fine. They need confident leadership, a bit of firmness (they can handle the criticism), and 100% consistency. Some trainers recommend letting your Stafford run for a bit before conducting training sessions to help calm his mind and keep him focused.
However, remember that they were originally bred to fight other dogs, and most have retained a strong prey drive. They must be trained to control their temperament traits to truly become a perfect pet. It is imperative that from the beginning a Stafford puppy have clear and consistent training. They should not only learn the rules, but also accept that they must always follow them.

History

Originating in Staffordshire, England over a hundred years ago, the dog was originally bred out of Bulldogs and smaller terriers like the Manchester Terrier – thus giving the dog its entirely appropriate name of “Staffordshire Bull Terrier.” As Bulldogs could not be used for dog fighting in those days, a new breed with similar tenacity was required, but after dog fighting was made illegal outright, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lived on as an excellent worker and companion dog.
The Staffords evolved from those early bull and terrier crosses. They were popular with working men, in particular, coal miners in Staffordshire, England, who enjoyed pitting them against each other. That association with fighting meant that breed recognition did not come quickly for them, even though dog fighting had been outlawed in 1835. It wasn’t until a century later that England’s Kennel Club recognized the breed. The American Kennel Club recognized the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1975.