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At a height of 14 to 16 , the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not particularly tall. But, weighing between 24 and 38 pounds, they put a gallon of dog into a quart-size container. These are rock-solid, muscular terriers. The head is short and wide with clear cheek muscles, and the tight-fitting coat comes in many colors.
The Staffordshire Bull Terriers still resemble the fiercest disputants who once ruled the battle pits of England. But responsible breeders of today are producing sweet-tempered, family-oriented dogs with a reputation for being patient with children. These are true-blue loyal companions, but the old fighting instinct is still hidden within — it is important that puppies socialize with other dogs to learn good dog manners.
The story of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is relatively brief in the grand scheme of canine history, but it can be confused at times by the many different names hung on the breed. Bull-and-terrier, patched fighting terrier, Staffordshire pit-dog and brindle bull are some of the historical nicknames of Stafford.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among AKC terriers, such as the Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, which are classified as “”bull types””. Everyone’s backstories are the same. A few centuries ago, when betting on the outcome of dog-oriented blood sports in England was all the rage, gamblers raised cruel dogs to excel in these terrible cases. The grandchildren of these breeds were bulldogs, which were made for the terrible spectacle of bull-baiting.
Blood games were banned in 1735, but pit-dog betting continued as an underground activity. In these illegal pits, usually in a cellar, away from the stinging eyes of the law, dogs would either fight against each other, gladiator-style, or be set against a sack full of mice. The gamblers took the bulldogs, became unemployed after bull-baiting by the board, and crossed them with a quick, enthusiastic terrier. The result was fighting dogs with the punitive jaws of a bulldog and the raging spirit of a terrier.
Out of the abundance of breeds created in this way, the now extinct, Staffordshire Bull Terrier emerged as one of the most successful and enduring, proven in the mid-19th century, by James Hinks, of Birmingham, England. The name of the breed that eventually came to these terrifying, broad-skull terriers is an allusion to Staffordshire County, where the breed was particularly popular.
After Staffordshire Bull’s arrival in North America in the 1880s, breeders developed a long, heavy offshoot, the American Staffordshire Terrier or Amstaff. Since then, more than a hundred years of responsible breeding have transformed both breeds from disputants to trusted family mates.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a sleek-coated dog. It should be of great strength for its size and should be active and agile despite the muscles.
This breed requires minimal grooming, they shed none to minimum and are kid friendly
This breed is prone to allergies, they are stubborn and not cat friendly
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier does not take much work to look beautiful. Occasional bathing and weekly brushing to remove dead hair will keep it in beautiful condition with horsehair mitts or hound gloves. His nails should be cut at least monthly. Avoid letting them grow too long, as extremely long nails can be quite painful for her. Clean the ear regularly to remove excess wax and debris, which can cause ear infections. Your breeder and your veterinarian can suggest a good routine and cleaning material and show you how to do it without damaging his inner ear.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is intelligent, learns easily, reacts quickly, is calmly protective, and can be a loving and fun companion. They have a strong desire to please and easily obey the requests of their owners. However, remember that they were originally bred to fight other dogs, and most have maintained a strong hunting drive. To be truly an ideal pet, they must be trained to control their temperament traits. It is imperative that, right from the beginning, a Stafford puppy has clear and consistent training. They should not only learn the rules, but also accept that they should always follow them.
This breed requires regular exercise to remain mentally and physically fit. Exercise can range from chasing a ball thrown in the backyard, riding a bike or jogging with the owner, or just a nice, hiking walk through the woods. Although a Staffordshire bull terrier can live in good physical condition with an athletic owner, they usually recover when they return home after a good exercise session. However, the breed can be heat intolerant and should never be overworked in hot or humid climates.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared at home with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight levels. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Responsible breeders examined their stocks for health conditions including elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar laxation and hereditary juvenile cataract, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), and posterior polar subcapsular cataract (PPSC). SBTs can develop many forms of skin allergy, some of which may be genetic. L-2-HGA, DNA testing for a metabolic state, allows breeders to identify carriers and avoid producing affected offspring. Be an informed owner, and discuss any health questions or concerns with your dog breeder and your vet.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: