Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized British short-haired terrier breed. It originated in the English Midlands' Black Country. It is a direct descendent of the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier cross-bred.

The Stafford became more popular as a companion dog when legislation prohibiting dog fighting was passed in 1835 and again in 1911. The breed's history as a fighting dog made it difficult to get recognition from the British Kennel Club, but it did so in 1935.

(Image Will Be Uploaded Soon)

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Canis

Scientific Name:   Canis Lupus

Staffordshire Bull Terrier History and Evolution

The Staffordshire bull terrier is a descendent of the now-extinct Old English bulldog and terrier. Old-fashioned bulldogs and old-fashioned terriers are the names given by certain kennel associations to the two "lost breeds," with early cross-bred generations referred to as "bull and terriers." SBTs are classified as pit bulls due to their ancestors. 

Old English bulldogs fought in blood sports such as bull- and bear-baiting in mediaeval England and Europe, which gave way to dogfighting in the 18th century. The matches were gruesome and barbaric, and they were eventually banned in 1835. Around that time, English breeders focused on producing family-friendly pit bulls, and the Staffordshire bull terrier came into existence. In the mid-nineteenth century, Birmingham, England-based breeder James Hinks is credited with "perfecting" the breed. The Stafford quickly gained a reputation as a "working-class dog."

In the 1880s, the first Stafford arrived in the United States. At that time, North American breeders exploited the SBT to create the American Staffordshire terrier (often known as the AmStaff), a bigger and taller offshoot breed.

The Kennel Club of England recognised the breed after the first SBT standards club met in the United Kingdom in 1935. There are around 15 separate Staffordshire bull terrier clubs across the British Isles today. On the other side of the Atlantic, the American Kennel Club designated SBTs as the 120th recognised and registerable breed in 1975.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Physical Characteristics

The Stafford is a small to medium-sized dog that is stocky, muscular, and very strong. At the withers, it normally stands 36–41 cm tall. Dogs weigh 13–17 kg, whereas bitches weigh about 2 kg less. It has a broad chest, strong shoulders, well-boned wide-set legs, a medium-length tail carried low, and a broad head with a short nose; the ears are not cropped and fold over at the tips. The coat is short, stiff, and tightly fitting. Red, fawn, white, black, or blue can be the base colours or any of the aforementioned with white; any shade of brindle; or any shade of brindle with white.

It is a strong and healthy dog with a lifespan of 12–14 years. Cerebellar abiotrophy, Chiari-like malformation, myotonia congenita, and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria have all been detected in the breed; hereditary cataract has also been identified.

It has a reputation for being abrasive, and it does not back down when confronted by another dog.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Temperament

The most common qualities used to characterise Staffordshire bull terriers are clever, bold, enthusiastic, and loyal. They can play for hours if the weather isn't too hot. “As early as three to four weeks of age, a Staffy puppy would often choose human contact over that of [its biological] mother,” says Steve Eltinge, an SBT expert and author.

Staffies are intelligent and dependable. Dieter Fleig, a writer, defines the type as "a kind of everyone's man Friday." And, much to their owners' delight, SBTs aren't big barkers. Staffies, on the other hand, will imitate and "speak back" if another dog in the home likes to howl. When playing, SBTs often give forth joyful yelps.

It's crucial to remember, though, that Staffordshire bull terriers were developed to fight other dogs in the first place. Even though this inclination has deteriorated greatly over hundreds of years, they can still be hostile towards other dogs if they are not properly educated. SBTs also have a strong "prey drive" as a result of their pedigree, and will frequently chase tiny rodents that cross their path - but this isn't a widespread problem. The vast majority of staffies end up bonding with other household pets and making pals at the dog park.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Common Health Issues

Staffies are typically healthy and hearty, unlike certain breeds that have underlying health issues. L2HGA, skin allergies, and cataracts are the most frequent disorders among SBTs, all of which can be genetically checked for. Some Staffordshire bull terriers have hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, which is a painful knee joint ailment, although these issues aren't as common as they are in other breeds.

The most common Staffordshire bull terrier health problems are:

• L2HGA

• Cataracts

• Skin allergies

• Hip dysplasia

• Patellar luxation

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Food and Diet

Staffies aren't finicky eaters and aren't prone to illnesses that necessitate special diets. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, best support their dermatological functions because they can have skin allergies. SBTs also gain weight quickly. So be wary of dishes with a lot of filler. Instead, choose higher-quality ones that are high in protein.

Some vegans and vegetarians insist on feeding their dogs just plant-based diets, which isn't good for Staffordshire bull terriers — or any dog for that matter. Dogs aren't obligate carnivores like cats, who can't live without meat, but they are facultative carnivores, which means they eat meat most of the time.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Maintenance and Grooming

The coats of Staffordshire bull terriers are smooth and short. As a result, they don't require as much grooming as more demanding breeds such as poodles, bichon frises, and puli dogs. SBTs, on the other hand, do well with weekly brushings and the odd bath.

Ears and teeth, like all other parts of a dog, need to be groomed on a regular basis to stay in good form. Furthermore, humans who care for Staffordshires should cut their nails on a regular basis; long nails cause a lot of suffering for the breed.

SBTs are prone to fleas and ticks due to their short, drip-dry coats. During the summer months, use a flea comb on a regular basis to keep your active pet free of pests.

Staffordshire bull terriers shed a lot of hair. Not a lot, given their short coats. There may be a few hairs strewn about the house from time to time, which can be quickly swept up, but that's about it.

Staffies are ideal for allergy sufferers because they don't collect much dust and grime and aren't odour-absorbent

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Training and Exercise

Staffies are high-energy dogs, and going to puppy training school helps them socialise. Staffordshire bull terriers make wonderful complements to households of all sizes when they are trained to contain their boundless energy.

Female Staffordshire bull terriers make excellent watchdogs, but not guard dogs, with correct training. When it comes to guarding people, Staffies succeed, but when it comes to defending property, they fall short. Staffordshire bull terriers have high pain tolerances and frequently cross electric fences when it comes to marking their territory. Instead, you should put in a tall backyard fence.

Staffies are prone to become overheated, but they also enjoy playing! SBTs need to romp every day in order to be happy and healthy. Staffies enjoy being around their people, therefore folks who live sedentary lives and value alone time should pick another breed. They enjoy travelling on vehicle journeys, hiking with their owners, and spending a lot of time in the yard or indoors playing fetch. A Staffy will cuddle up close to you while you're not romping around together.

Invest in a plastic kiddie pool for your Staffy during the summer months, or if you live in a hot and humid region all year. When they're playing outside in the hot sun, they'll need to take a little dip every few minutes.

Black Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy

Basic obedience training for a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy is strongly recommended by experts. Furthermore, Staffy puppies are given oral stimulation. To save your furniture, provide plenty of chew toys for the kids. Boomer balls, nylabones, and giant Kongs are among their favourites. 

What about SBT puppies and other dogs in the family? Do they absorb information quickly? The answer is highly dependent on the age and personality of the puppy in question. Some Staffordshire bull terriers respond to new four-legged buddies right away, while others perceive them as a threat to their owners' attention.

In general, however, it is easier to put a Staffy puppy into a family with another dog than it is to bring another dog into the home of a Staffy.

It's better to buy one male and one female Staffordshire bull terrier if you want two. Furthermore, you should not bring both of them home at the same time. You run the risk of their bonding with each other and ignoring you, which could lead to insurmountable disciplinary issues in the future. So give yourself a couple of years between them.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Children

Staffies, also known as "the children's nursemaid" and "the nanny dog," are known for being excellent with — and protective of — newborns and small children. They're also quite attached to their adult human companions. When it's cold outside, Staffordshire bull terriers prefer to snuggle up, and if there's a child nearby, the staffies will usually choose that child to snuggle with.

SBTs are brave and loyal, and they are fiercely protective of their human infants and toddlers. If they feel a threat, they will not back down. Staffies, on the other hand, aren't biters, but they do snarl to keep intruders at bay!

Types of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

1. Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Blue Staffordshire Bull Terrier have a somewhat lilac(Blue) fur coat.
   
   

(Image Will Be Uploaded Soon)

2. White Staffordshire Bull Terrier: White Staffordshire Bull Terriers are usually found with patches of Black.
   
   

(Image Will Be Uploaded Soon)

3. Brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

(Image Will Be Uploaded Soon)

Dogs Similar to Staffordshire Bull Terrier

American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, bulldogs, and American bulldogs are the most similar to — and are compared to — Staffordshire bull terriers.

1. American Pit Bull Terriers: Despite their striking resemblance to Staffordshire terriers, they come in a wide range of sizes.

2. American Staffordshire Terrier: AmStaffs, the closest relative of staffies, share many characteristics with their British cousins but are larger and leggier. SBTs are a tad more serious than American Staffordshires.

3. Bull Terriers: Staffordshire bull terriers are normally larger than bull terriers.

4. Bulldogs: Bulldogs aren't as intelligent as staffies, they're red and brown instead of black, and they shed more.

5. American Bulldogs: American bulldogs, another comparable breed to SBTs, have slightly distinct head and ear forms. They're also a little more "clownish" than staffies.