Last Updated on November 1, 2022 by Pets Feed
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog with a cheerful and positive character, perfect for active and dynamic people. If you are thinking of adopting a dog of these characteristics, it will be very important to inform you in advance of his education, the care he needs or the needs that we must meet so that he continues to be a happy dog for many years.
It is a muscular dog with soft fur that combines Bulldogs and Terriers with their physical appearance, and it offers an image of great strength and agility.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed is very popular. Many people mistakenly consider such dogs to be overly aggressive, dangerous to humans. In fact, they are devotees and, one might even say, affectionate animals. They show friendliness not only to family members, but also to strangers.
| Breed name | Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| Country of origin | England |
| Weight | 13-17 kg |
| Height (at the withers) | 36 – 41 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12 – 14 years |
| Size | Medium |
Not to be confused with the American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier photos
Physical characteristics of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, muscular dog with a smooth coat. It is characterized by excessive activity and agility. He is muscular and compact. Representatives of the breed have incredible strength and endurance. The height of adult males is 36-41 cm, weighs 13-17 kg. The height of females from 33 – 38 cm with a weight of 10 – 16 kg.
Distinctive features
- Head: The skull is large, broad, clearly divided from the orbits to the tip. The deep transition of the nose is clearly visible. The nostrils are black, the muzzle is shortened, the jaws are strong, strong, with pronounced muscles. The gums and tongue are pink, the lips are soft, dense, the color of truffles.
- Jaws: The mouth inside looks amazing, big teeth, white, with a perfect straight bite.
- Ears: Small, semi-circular, half upright, reminiscent of a “rose”.
- Eyes: Dark and medium eyelids, almost black. Planted deep.
- Torso: A strong neck musculature flows imperceptibly into a powerful body without fat pads. The body is stocky, with thick skin that protects against bites from enemies. The tail is low, long, not twisted in a ring.
- Legs: The limbs are muscular, strong, the knee joints have a good angle towards the back, good tendon ligaments.
- Coat: Smooth, short, without undercoat. The welcome colors are white, red, black, brindle and a mixture of these colors with white.
Behavior and character
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a harmonious and kind character, despite its past as a fighting dog. On the other hand, it is thanks to their genes that this breed can be used as a protector, although in the circle of their family these dogs in any case remain faithful and devoted friends. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier usually does not create difficulties in upbringing and training, as it is naturally endowed with obedience and disposition towards a person. You may experience some stubbornness, but this is more superficial in nature and quite easily overcome.
The breed needs socialization, like most other dogs, getting to know other people, animals, sounds and smells to broaden its horizons. Innate curiosity is one of the characteristic features of the breed of these dogs, they are interested not only in new smells on the street, but also in your acquaintances, friends, guests of your house.
With the children
It’s surprising that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is affectionately referred to as the “nanny dog” for such a terrible and powerful dog. This nickname was born from the gentle and affectionate treatment of these dogs. Being next to the baby, an alert dog will immediately take the child into his custody, although it is not recommended to leave the baby alone with him. This dog is too active and mobile, accidentally during the game he can cause harm. Games must be supervised by adults.
With other animals
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a friendly relationship with other animals. Friendship is especially evident if the animals grow up together in the same family. It should be noted that the Staffordshire should not know small animals closely (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters), he can perceive them as prey or as a living toy. Although a strong hunting instinct in STBT is not observed.
Health
These dogs have no particular health problems; by nature, they are endowed with strong immunity and a strong body. But there is a predisposition to some diseases:
- Digestive problems – bloating, volvulus, diarrhea. Most often it happens from improper nutrition and from poor quality feed. Diarrhea can be a symptom of an infection.
- Urolithiasis – stones form in the urinary tract. They can be located in the urinary tract, kidneys, ureter, or bladder, but most of the time they are found in the bladder.
- Mast cell cancer – Mast cell tumor is one of the most common skin tumors in dogs.
- Dysplasia of the hip joint – underdevelopment of the acetabulum, leading to impairment of the musculoskeletal function of the limb.
- Cataract – clouding of the crystal, if inactive can lead to complete loss of vision.
- Entropion – the volvulus of the eyelid is not treatable, it can only be dealt with surgically.
- Arthritis – accompanied by lameness, severe pain, stiffness of movements.
- Hyperadrenocorticism is a clinical syndrome that develops with an excess of corticosteroids in the body.
Life expectancy
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can live about 12-14 years with proper care.
Basic care
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog breed has a short coat that should be brushed once a week. It is also necessary to bathe the animal at least once a month. The claws are usually trimmed three times a month, the eyes are cleaned daily and the ears 2-3 times a week.
Exercise
These dogs will need at least one hour of daily exercise.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier fun facts
- In ancient times, Staffordshire Bull Terriers were prized for their ability to catch rats.
- A rat-baiting entertainment was invented. A hundred rodents were thrown into a previously prepared hole, and several Staffordshire bull terriers were placed there. Viewers placed bets on which dog would kill the most rats in a certain time (1-3 minutes).
- Breeders began to engage in serious breeding of Staffordshire Bull Terriers only in the nineteenth century.
- A trained Staffordshire bull terrier is able to jump from a spot to a height of about two meters.
Origin
The birthplace of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is England. The beginning of history is recorded in the seventeenth century. It is impossible to say exactly which dogs STBT came from, but there are two versions:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier dogs are descended from Old English Bulldogs and Mastiff dogs of Great Britain, which were used to bully bulls.
- The Staffordshire Bull Terrier came from the cross of English Terriers and Bulldogs. The most famous breeder who made a great contribution to the formation of the new breed was the Duke of Hamilton.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, STBTs began to be exported to other countries. Dogs were especially popular in America; at that time, they were called the “Bull and Terrier”. Used this type of animal for bullying rats and as participants in dog fights. Moreover, in the nineteenth century, not only in the UK, but also in other countries, bans on dog fighting and other cruel spectacles involving animals began to be introduced.
Starting in 1861, clubs for Staffordshire bull terriers began to be organized, at the same time the first exhibitions of this type of dog were held. In 1974, the breed was officially recognized and recorded in stud books as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (STBT).
When breeding, breeders put emphasis on the exterior of the dog, and not on the aggressive character of the fearless fighter. Indeed, now the staffs are not fighting in the bloody arenas. Now these are exhibition animals, participants in sports competitions, companions and excellent pets.
