Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Lovers, Not Fighters

Despite a tough outer appearance, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a lover, not a fighter. With their fun-loving and gentle natures, a Staffy dog will be your best and most loyal friend. In spite of that though, they’re still trying to overcome stereotypes and misconception about their breed.

If you own one, you’re likely to become a sort-of Ambassador for Staffies all over.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or Staffie, is absolutely devoted to their humans. They adore companionship and are smart and sociable dogs who make fantastic pets. So where does the “aggressive” stereotype come from? And could a Staffy actually be a perfect pet for you?

Let’s find out.

Physical traits of Staffy dogs

Staffordshire bull terriers are well-muscled, stocky dogs. They appear big due to their broad chests and flat, square heads. In reality though, they’re not particularly tall at all, standing around 14-16 inches. Most of them weigh between 13-18 kilograms, which is in the medium dog weight range.

Staffies have beautiful short coats so they usually look sleek and shiny. Though black is a very popular colour amongst Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners, they come in a huge variety of colours. This includes red, fawn, black, white, blue, and brindle.

Origins of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The origins of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be traced back to the 1800s when bull and bear baiting was made illegal in the UK.

It was around this time that dog fighting was popularised. This ‘sport’ gave rise to plenty of today’s breeds. Bulldogs and Terriers were bred together to produce the Bull and Terrier, which is where the Staffordshire Bull Terrier descends from.

The Staffordshire bull terrier joined the English Kennel Club in 1935. Because of their fighting history, there are many misconceptions about the breed. But Staffordshire Bull Terriers generally have wonderful temperaments.

In fact, even a couple of centuries ago, Staffies were often raised in small, cramped conditions with large families. Which is why they’re often called ‘nanny dogs’ and why they tend to display a good temperament with people of all ages. Despite their fighting roots, good breeding has resulted in a dog who, for the most part, is easygoing and sociable.

Because Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bulls are often confused (thanks mostly to the shape of their faces!), here’s a video highlighting the differences between the two breeds:

Personality traits of Staffies

Any dog called a “nanny dog” is, as you’d expect, a good companion for children and an excellent addition to any family.  

A well-bred, well-socialised Staffordshire Bull Terrier typically has an exceptional temperament. Because of their fun-loving natures, they can sometimes be boisterous, so need to be supervised around toddlers or very young children. However, they’re known for having good natures around humans.

With other dogs or animals, however, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not always as reliable. Of course, this depends on their individual nature as well as early socialisation and training. It needs to be noted that they have naturally high prey drives and don’t back down to a challenge. While they make excellent pets and are good with most people, they aren’t always suitable in a home with lots of other dogs – especially smaller ones – or homes with smaller animals like birds or rabbits.

If you do have other pups, be sure to introduce them slowly and properly to ensure safety. And of course, supervised early socialisation is key.

Obedience training is possible, and they respond well to positive reinforcement. However, Staffy dogs aren’t known for their stellar displays of obedience – so while they can be worked with, they’re unlikely to be the next Crufts winner!

What a Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs in a home

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an easygoing dog and fits into many different types of homes, though there are some needs.

The first of these is close human contact. Staffies thrive on companionship and form strong bonds with their family. They are true people’s dogs and need plenty of attention and love. Petsitters or doggy daycare are an option if you’re regularly out of the home during the day.

Secondly, they’re also children at heart. They love to play and have fun, and don’t do well with being stuck inside all day with no physical stimulation. Setting aside an hour a day for playtime, walks, or other exercise will do your dog the world of good. If they’re provided with love and exercise, they’re generally well-behaved pets who’ll happily spend the day snoozing next to you on the couch.

Because some Staffordshire Bull Terriers aren’t good with other (especially unknown) dogs, they might require exercise that allows them to remain on a leash or where they won’t encounter other loose dogs.

This is an easy upkeep dog. While they benefit from an occasional bath (read about how often you should bath your dog first) and maybe a brush every now and then, they have no special grooming requirements and don’t shed huge amounts either.

Medical considerations

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally considered to be fairly healthy purebred dogs. However, there are one or two conditions they’re prone to.

Skin

Similarly to Beagles, French Bulldogs, and Labradors, they’re known for their sensitive skin. Skin conditions in dogs can be mild, or can be extreme, causing sores, bleeding, and even infections. Owners of Staffy dogs can attest to the fact they can often be seen scratching or suffering from allergies. Some of these allergies are genetic.

Eyes

They are also prone to eye problems, especially cataracts. Staffies do suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia, although not as badly as in some large breeds like the German Shepherd. Luxating patella is another one to look out for.

Bloat

Finally, one major concern with Staffies is canine bloat, which can develop quickly and be fatal.

Invest wisely in your Staffy

Aside from working with your vet to proactively look after your dog’s health, you can also help to minimise problems by buying from responsible dog breeders. If you find an ethical dog breeder, they’ll screen their pups for common conditions, such as cataracts and hip dysplasia. Some genetic tests even allow breeders to screen for certain inherited allergies.

On top of that, having a pet insurance policy means you have added protection in place. Nobody can guarantee your pet won’t ever get sick or injured, but knowing you don’t have to foot the whole vet bill yourself can put your mind more at ease.