Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Temperament:
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog with a special history. Dog fights and deliberately aggressively trained animals have earned it a bad reputation in Germany. With the right training, however, it is a very child-loving and affectionate family dog.
Characteristics
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a stocky, small to medium-sized dog. Its build is strong and muscular. The height at the withers is 35.5 to 40 centimeters. Females weigh up to 15.4 kilograms, males up to 17 kilograms.
Despite its heavy weight, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a fast and agile dog. At the same time, it has enormous muscular strength. Its muscles are clearly visible under its short coat. The breed's head is short and broad, the neck muscular. The back is also short and broader towards the shoulders. The jaws are very strong with large teeth.
The dogs have semi-prick ears or rose ears. In the case of rose ears, the inside of the ear is partially visible to the outside in the shape of a rose. The eyes are predominantly dark, round and medium-sized. They often have a similar color to the coat.
The chest is broad and muscular. It is deep and the ribs are clearly arched. The tail is of medium length with a deep base. It is thin and ends in a point. The paws are strong, medium sized and well padded. The solid-colored specimens have black claws.
The gait of the dogs is nimble and powerful due to the deep 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 very easy to groom. The breed comes in almost all colors. The possible colors range from black to white to red. Fawn and blue also occur. The coloring can be solid, brindle or combined with white.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a relatively low stimulus threshold. Their nature is fearless with a tendency towards dominance. These characteristics can turn them into aggressive fighting dogs if trained appropriately. At the same time, they are considered to be extremely child-friendly family dogs. In their native England, they are also known as "nanny dogs".
They are very loyal, reliable and intelligent. Their character is basically peaceful. They are friendly and loyal partners for their owners. They are adaptable and willing to learn.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very active dogs and need plenty of exercise. As watchdogs, they are very reliable and vigilant.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
Above all, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs consistent training. This starts as early as puppyhood and you as the owner are the dominant force. This hierarchy must always be clear to your dog. This breed definitely belongs in the hands of experienced dog owners. Attending a dog training school is also an absolute must. Above all, socialization with other dogs should start early.
In general, the breed needs a lot of attention and activity. Keeping them purely in a kennel is not suitable. Due to their strong guarding and protective instinct and low stimulus threshold, consistency is very important. These intelligent and active animals love dog sports and exercise. The more they can let off steam, the more balanced they are.
The dog sport of agility is ideal for these spirited animals. The dog is guided through a course with obstacles. Agility promotes communication and the bond between humans and dogs. The animals are challenged both physically and mentally.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives best in a house with a garden. Here they have space to run around and run free. A small apartment, on the other hand, is only suitable for this breed to a limited extent. Daily long walks are very important. The animals can react aggressively and must be kept on a lead in public.
When buying a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, there are a few things to consider. In many federal states, the breed is a listed dog. These are classified as dangerous dogs. Depending on where you live, different requirements apply to the animals. The regulations range from compulsory muzzling to character tests.
The import of Staffordshire Bull Terriers into Germany is generally prohibited. You should therefore buy your Staffordshire Bull Terrier from a reputable German breeder. A dog from an animal shelter is also an option.
Suitable accessories
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are generally low-maintenance and undemanding dogs. They need a suitable collar or harness. This must not be restrictive, but also not too loose.
The lead should not be too long for the daily walk. This way, you will always be in control of your staff. A length of two to three meters is ideal. Leashes are commercially available in plastic or leather.
Bowls for food and water are available in plastic, ceramic and stainless steel. It is important that the bowl is the right size for your dog. He must always be able to reach food and water easily.
There are dog blankets, dog baskets and dog beds for sleeping and resting. Easily washable materials are recommended here. At the end of the day, the dog has to like its bedding.
Other things that should not be missing from every dog's basic equipment are: Tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb or rubber curry comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It is best to ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.
Dog toys are important for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They provide stimulation and variety. Educational toys are also good. They can often be filled with treats. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have strong jaws. Accordingly, the toy should be robust and resistant.
Find out locally whether and what conditions apply to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Origin & History
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has its origins in England. Breeding of the so-called Bull and Terrier began there 250 years ago. These were small, strong dogs.
They combined the strength, courage and endurance of the pit bull and terrier. Their task was to kill rats in the English miners' dwellings. This gave rise to the so-called rat-biting competitions. The dog that killed the most rats was considered the winner, and dog fights in the arena developed a little later. The aggressive breed was ultimately regarded as a status symbol of the working class.
In 1835, animal fighting was generally banned in Great Britain. As a result, breeding focused more on the dogs' suitability for family life. The Kennel Club recognized the breed as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 1935. Staffordshire refers to the British origin. This serves to distinguish the breed from the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Since 1987, the breed has belonged to the Bull Terrier section and the Terrier group. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier's bad reputation makes it rare in Germany. In England, however, it is very popular as a family dog.
