Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Concerned that a seal has moved into your neighborhood and you might need to call a wildlife rescue? Don’t worry—if they were a medium-sized short stack with four legs, it was just a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, aka a “land seal.”

Staffordshire Bull Terriers may be smaller than their relatives, the American Staffordshire Terrier, but they’re just as athletic and agile. Staffies have a wide grin that makes them look like the happiest dogs on the planet, and their bright, eager eyes reflect their curiosity and kindness.

Their feathered coats may be various shades of gold, from light to dark. As they age, some Golden Retrievers even develop a wise white-golden hue across their face.

1. Ears These dogs have small- to medium-size ears that are either alert and folded slightly back (known as a rose shape) or alert and folded forward at the top (known as half-pricked).
2. Eyes Staffies have dark, round, medium-size eyes with a bright, intelligent expression.
3. Nose They have a relatively short muzzle with a black nose.
4. Coat Length They have a sleek, short coat that’s close to the skin. It’s often called glossy or velvet.
5. Coat Color Staffy colors might be black, blue, red, fawn, red, brindle (faint tiger-like stripes), or any of these colors with or without white patterns.
6. Tail Their tail is usually medium-length and low-set.

If you’re looking for a best friend who thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread, well, you’ve found them. The Staffy is a loyal, devoted pal who wiggles their whole body when wagging their tail.

Staffy dogs are extremely bright and buzzy with energy. Although they’ll definitely enjoy their couch time, they also enjoy being part of an active family—whether it’s hikes, walks, fun games, scent work, or dog sports like agility trials.

These canines love people, so they’re often delighted to be introduced to someone new. But for them to be their best self, a Staffy needs early (and consistent!) socialization when they’re younger so they grow into a calm and open adult.

When it comes to other pets, some Staffies might want to be your one and only. But each dog’s an individual, and others might enjoy two- and four-legged siblings, especially when introductions are made properly.

In fact, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often called The Nanny Dog because of how much they enjoy the company of children.

These clever canines don’t require a lot of grooming time . But a Staffy’s smarts mean lots of mental stimulation is a must , and they’ll love put ting their brain to work during obedience training sessions.

Grooming

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Bathing: Staffordshire Bull Terriers do a good job of staying clean. They need to be bathed every month or so, as long as they don’t take a spill in the mud. Brushing: They shed lightly in the spring and fall, and they have a short, glossy coat that doesn’t need regular brushing. But they might enjoy a nice brush-out with a curry brush every now and then. Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily . It’s a good idea to start when your Staffy’s a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails every couple of weeks. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time to pull out the clippers .

Training

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When it comes to training, Staffordshire Bull Terriers need a confident pup to teach them various skills. S tart with cues like sit , stay , and come , then moving into how to walk nicely on a leash . Always use positive reinforcement —praise, special treats , and toys—to teach your pup how to be on their very best behavior. A certified dog trainer is never a bad idea, and your pup will probably enjoy their special training sessions. Puppy school might also be a good choice for your Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy. Regular socialization with other dogs and people , as well as introducing your Staffy to new places (think public parks, dog parks, and hiking trails), is essential and will help your pup acclimate to polite society. These social interactions give your dog a chance to explore a variety of environments and situations, all of which they’ll probably come to love. (Just make sure your dog is fully vaccinated before hanging out with new friends.) Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very smart dogs who are eager to please, so training usually goes well. They learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient with their lessons.

Diet

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Staffordshire Bull Terriers typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage ( puppy , adult , or senior ). If you have questions about the best kibble or diet for your dog, your vet can advise you which food to choose. Remember that treat calories count, too. And while treats are important for motivating your dog during training, extra weight can lead to health issues, so know when to say when. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.

Exercise

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When you were a kid, all you wanted to do was get out of the house, run around the neighborhood, and see the world. Your Staffy feels the same way. These dogs are big fans of the outdoors, and they need an outlet for their vibrant, playful personality. Make sure your Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets at least 30 minutes of exercise twice a day. Like many dogs, if these pups see a squirrel, they could take off after it—so keep them on a leash when you’re not in a fenced area. These smart pups also need daily mental stimulation. They’ll probably love interactive toys and games, and they may also enjoy dog sports, like flyball or agility trials . Scent work can be a fun way to get their mind active, too.

Environment

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Staffies are happy to call anywhere home, as long as you’re there and they feel loved and pampered. They’ll do fine in an apartment if you don’t leave them alone too long and make sure they get their daily exercise. If you ignore this very reasonable request, you might not appreciate the ways they decide to entertain themself (these dogs love to chew ). They fit in well with any family, and if there are children around, they’ll be particularly devoted to the younger ones. If Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are properly socialized when they’re young, they can do well with other animals in the house. But sometimes these canines would prefer to be your one and only pet. Every dog is an individual!

The typical Staffordshire Bull Terrier lifespan is 12–14 years. Here are a few health issues to be aware of.

Be familiar with potential health problems so you can recognize and treat them quickly.

1. Cataracts Cataracts are a common eye problem and can be hereditary in Staffy puppies. Surgery is the go-to treatment.
2. Degenerative myelopathy This is a neurological disease that affects the spinal cord, causing problems with breathing, vocalizing, and eating. DM it slowly weakens and then paralyzes the back legs. There is no treatment to reverse it, but physical therapy may help.
3. Elbow and hip dysplasia: Elbow and hip dysplasia are genetic conditions that develop during puppyhood when the joints don’t align well and become looser than normal. Signs include limping, and treatment might involve weight loss, reduced activity, joint supplements , physical therapy, pain meds, or, in severe cases, surgery .
4. L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria A rare, genetic metabolic condition , this disorder may cause seizures , a wobbly gait ( ataxia ), dementia, and tremors. There’s no cure, but anticonvulsants may be used to treat it.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has an admittedly sad origin story. They were first bred in England to be used in dog sports. People would bet on these events, and breeds from Staffordshire Bull Terriers toEnglish Bulldogswere used for things like bull baiting, which was outlawed in 1835.

Sadly, though, the law just drove any activity underground, and dogfighting became popular.

To be clear: Dogs like Staffies andPit Bullswere often used in fighting not because they are naturally mean—on the contrary, their loyalty and desire to please their human made them very malleable.

However, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and related breeds were unfoundedly weremaligned by the media, which caused a drop in their popularity. There is still prejudice against the dogs, includingbreed-specific legislation, in which certain cities ban dog breeds deemed “aggressive.”

Despite being recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1974, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, along with other Pit Bull-type dogs, are regularlyoverlooked in sheltersdue to the breed’s stigma.

So if you’re looking to adopt a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, there are many of these misunderstood dogs patiently waiting for their forever homes. Look into a Staffy rescue likeStaffie Smiles Rescue,make a visit to your local animal shelter, or searchChewy’s database of adoptable dogsin your area.