Staffordshire bull terrier
Temperament:
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog with a special history. Dog fights and aggressive animals caused a bad reputation in Germany. But with the right education he is a very child-loving and cuddly family dog.
Characteristics
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a stocky, small to medium sized dog. He has a beefy and muscular stature. The animals have a height at the withers of 35.5 to 40 centimeters. Females weigh up to 15.4 kilos, males up to 17 kilos.
Despite the high weight, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a fast and agile dog. At the same time, he has enormous muscular strength. Its muscles stand out clearly under the short coat. The head of the breed is short and broad, the neck muscular. This is also short and broadened to the shoulders. The jaws are very strong with large teeth.
The dogs have half prick ears or rose ears. In rose ears, the inside of the ear is partially visible outward in the shape of a rose. The eyes of the animals are predominantly dark, round and medium in size. Often they have a color relation to the hair color.
The rib cage is broad and muscular. It sits low, with clearly arched ribs. The tail is of medium length with a deep set on. It is narrow and tapers to a point. The paws of the breed are strong, medium sized and well padded. Solid colored specimens have black claws.
The gait of the dogs is nimble and powerful due to the low hocks. Front and hind legs move parallel. The thrust comes from the hindquarters. The coat of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is short, smooth and dense. It is also extremely easy to groom. The breed comes in almost every color. Possible colors range from black and white to red. Fawn and blue specimens also occur. The coloring can be solid, brindle or combined with white.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a relatively low irritation threshold. Their nature is fearless with a tendency to dominate. These traits can make them aggressive fighting dogs when properly trained. At the same time, the "Staffs" are considered to be extremely fond of children as family dogs. In their English homeland, they are also nicknamed "Nanny Dog".
They are very loyal, reliable and intelligent. Basically, their character is peaceful. To their owners they are friendly and faithful partners. Also they are adaptable and willing to learn.
Staffs are very active dogs and need a lot of exercise. As guard dogs they are very reliable and attentive.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, despite their activity, are good food eaters. They eat almost everything and sometimes tend to be overweight. Sometimes the animals have to be restrained when it comes to eating. During walks they should learn early not to eat anything lying around.
The animals tolerate best high-quality and protein-rich feed. This should contain a lot of meat and only a little grain. It should also not contain any artificial additives. Dry food and wet food are in principle equally suitable for the diet.
Feeding raw meat (so-called barfing) is also suitable for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Depending on the age, temperament and activity of the dog, the amount of food will vary. Puppies also need a special food for healthy growth.
The food in the trade reliably indicates its area of application on the packaging. The dogs are usually not picky about food. They should like to eat the food and tolerate it well. Allergies can arise due to artificial additives. High-quality food without additives, on the other hand, is well tolerated.
The right food is an important basis for the health of the animals. Spicy food from the table is absolutely taboo for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The same applies to sweets such as chocolate. Besides the normal food, you can also give treats or chews. These should also be made of high-quality meat.
If you have questions about your dog's proper diet, your veterinarian is your go-to person.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Care
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs above all a consistent education. This begins in puppyhood and you as the owner are the dominant force. This hierarchy must always be clear for your dog. The breed absolutely belongs in the hands of dog owners with experience. Visiting a dog school is also an absolute must. Above all, socialization with other dogs should begin early.
In general, the breed needs a lot of attention and employment. Pure kennel keeping is not suitable. Due to their strong guarding and protective instinct and the low stimulus threshold, consistency is very important. The intelligent and active animals love dog sports and exercise. The more they can let off steam, the more balanced they are.
The dog sport agility is super suitable for the temperamental animals. You lead your dog through a course of obstacles. Agility strengthens communication and the bond between owner and dog. The animals experience physical and mental challenges.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives best in a house with a garden. Here he has room to romp and run. A small apartment, on the other hand, is only conditionally suitable for the breed. Daily extended walks are very important. The animals can react aggressively and the leash is mandatory in public areas.
When buying a Staff, you have to consider a few things. In many federal states, the breed belongs to the list dogs. These are classified as dangerous dogs. Depending on the place of residence, different requirements apply to the animals. The regulations range from muzzle compulsory to the character test.
The import of Staffordshire Bullterriers to Germany is generally prohibited. Accordingly, you should buy your Staff from a reputable German breeder. A dog from the animal shelter is also a possibility.
Suitable accessories
Staffordshire bull terriers are basically low-maintenance and undemanding dogs. They need a suitable collar or chest harness. These must not be constricting and at the same time not too loose.
The leash should not be too long for the daily walk. So you always keep control over your Staff. A length between two and three meters is optimal. Leashes are commercially available in plastic and leather.
Bowls for food and water are available in plastic, ceramic and stainless steel. The right size bowl for your dog is important. He must always be able to easily reach food and water. A bowl stand or non-slip undersides help prevent slipping.
For sleeping and resting there are dog blankets, dog baskets and dog beds. Easily washable materials are recommended here. Ultimately, above all, the dog must like his pad.
Dog toys are important for Staffordshire Bull Terriers. It provides stimulation and variety. Educational toys are also a good thing. Often this can be filled with treats. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have strong jaws. Accordingly, the toy should be robust and resistant.
Chewables also provide employment and variety. The chews should be made of meat and not artificially treated. Products made from beef are a good choice.
Origin & History
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has its origins in England. There, 250 years ago, there was the breeding of the so-called Bull and Terrier. These were small and beefy dogs.
They combined strength, courage and tenacity of the Pit Bull and Terrier. As a task they killed rats in the English miners' dwellings. From this developed so-called Rat Bite - Competitions. The dog with the most rats killed was considered the winner.dog fights in the arena developed shortly thereafter. The aggressive breed was eventually considered a status symbol among the working class.
1835 Animal fighting was generally banned in Great Britain. As a result, breeding focused more on the family suitability of the dogs. The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1935 as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier gets the spotlight. Staffordshire indicates the British place of origin. This serves as a distinction from the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Since 1987 the breed belongs to the section Bull type terrier and to the group Terriers. The bad reputation of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier makes him rare in Germany. In England, however, the animals are very popular as family dogs.
