Staffordshire Bull Terrier: photo and description of the breed

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* Here is a photo of a typical representative of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog breed . You can send us photos of your animals by email, and we will post them on the website. Don't forget to send your pet's name.

Other breed names:

English Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Staffordshire Bull Terrier looks like.

History of the origin of Staffordshire bull terriers

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often called a Staffy Bull or Staffy. Dogs owe their origin not to any trends of the times or certain needs, but to the search for profit. In the first half of the 19th century, poor Englishmen found such entertainment as dog fighting, which began to gain not only popularity, but also generate income. The dogs fought for a reason, but for money in the form of bets. The presence of money stakes further interested the crowd in this brutal competition.

Initially, bulldogs took part in the fights, then they began to use various terriers. Gradually, fighting became commonplace and was no longer of much interest to the poor, so dog owners began to think about creating a dog color that would stir up unprecedented interest in fighting and enrich them.

Experiments began, during which bull and terriers appeared. They were the result of crossing bulldogs with English terriers. Such dogs fought more skillfully, were much more resourceful, more passionate and had lightning-fast high-speed reactions. In addition, the four-legged animals had an excellent mouse-catching ability, which is why a new show in the form of rat baiting became popular.

Further improvement and experimentation with the bull and terrier breed proceeded spontaneously; the breeders had no restrictions in this regard.

The result was the emergence of three types of staffies:

• The Warlaston type was distinguished by its small size, optimal fatness and short limbs, like a bulldog;
• The cradle type was compact, but strong, had a developed and powerful backbone;
• The Varsol type is more similar to terriers, distinguished by long legs and a lean figure.

Staffies acquired their current appearance, characteristic of modern dogs, closer to the second half of the 19th century. The breed standard was established only in 1935, when dog fighting became illegal. The standard for the appearance of these dogs was the Cradley type, in which stockiness and power were visible.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier - description of the breed

Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be called smooth-haired, stocky, big guys with a powerful chest and a highly intelligent gaze that monitors everything around. Outwardly, Staffies are similar to pit bulls, but they also have their own characteristics that are unique to this breed.

Interesting fact: Among the obvious differences, it is worth noting that the Staffie is smiling, which he owes to his developed cheek muscles and wide skull, and the dog is shorter in stature than a pit bull. The height of a Staffie at the withers can reach 40 cm, the weight of males varies from 17 to 20 kg, and females - about 15 kg.

The shape of the Staffie's skull is quite wide, but at the same time it is compact, the stop is clearly visible, and the muzzle itself is short compared to the entire head. The presence of powerful and developed jaws is immediately noticeable, because dogs have an outstanding grip. The bite should be full and correct. The tip of the dog's nose (lobe) is of medium size and rich black in color. Dog eyes that are round, straight and dark in color are considered ideal for a Staff Bull. But in life there are often dogs with a light iris color, which is in complete harmony with the coat color.

The staffbull's ears are shaped like a flower petal, are semi-erect and not very large. A unique feature of the dog is its neck, which looks quite dense and short, making the physique stocky, strong and squat. The whole figure of the Staffie is quite well-built, powerful, the dog's body is slightly elongated, has a perfectly straight back, a deep and solid chest, spreading out in width.

The front limbs of a dog are slender, have shoulder blades laid back, fairly powerful, strong wrists and paws that look outward. The hind legs are more muscular, with sloping shins and low hocks. The dog's tail is not particularly long; it is short, straight and set low.

Breed characteristics

Popular colors of Staffordshire bull terriers

Staffbulls are classified as short-haired dogs; they have a fairly tough coat in tandem with rough animal skin, perfectly adapted to protect the body during fights and fights. These dogs do not have undercoat.

Popular (most typical) colors include:

• Amber;
• Reddish;
• Light dominant;
• Gray (blue);
• Black.

It is worth noting that a two-tone color combination is acceptable; previous markings in the color are not considered a fault. Let's try to describe in more detail some dog colors.

The red colors of Staffbulls are quite popular and are diverse, differing in some shades and range. For example, the sable color is considered to be a dog's fur coat, the main tone of the hairs of which is red, and the tips are dark.

Often dogs of this color have a kind of dark mask on their face. Many experts consider the gray (blue) color to be bleached black. Such four-legged animals often have lighter eyes and nose. The zone gray color includes dogs that have a solid gray coat, a black nose and dark eyes.

Interesting fact: Staffies also have brindle colors. It may have rare dark stripes against a general background of red or light color, but it happens the other way around - the black background is diluted with infrequent lighter streaks (stripes), this color is called dark motley.

As already noted, white spots are inherent in various colors of Staffbulls; they are not considered defects. Many dogs have rare (single) small white spots against a general monochromatic background. In other four-legged animals, on the contrary, very little dark color remains; it turns into separate spots, so the dogs look almost white. Undesirable colors of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier include tan (black and tan, brown and tan) or liver-colored coat.

Distinctive features

It is distinguished by strong bones, well-developed muscles, a wide skull, a strong jaw and a stern appearance. The format is stretched and represents a rectangle. Height: 35-40 cm at the withers. Because of this, they look more like bulldogs. The head is deep, wide, strong, short.

• muzzle . The jaws are wide, strong with a scissor bite. The lips are soft, well developed, not jagged;
• The nose is large and black;
• The eyes are medium in size, set wide, low, horizontally. The color of the iris is dark;
• The ears of English Bulls are not docked, they are either semi-erect or pink;
• The body is strong, muscular, heavy, but fit. The topline is straight. The chest is deep, descending to the middle of the elbow. The neck is strong and wide;
• The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapered towards the end, of medium length;
• Limbs straight, parallel, set wide. The paws are round and small. Movements are free, powerful;
• The coat is short, close to the body, thick, with short undercoat;
• Colors: white, black, red, blue, fawn, brindle.

Character and habits of Staffordshire bull terriers

Many people mistakenly believe that Staffbulls are too aggressive and unfriendly, apparently due to their fighting history of origin. This is not entirely true. Today's dogs can be confidently called peaceful and quite friendly animals. Experts assure that Staffies are the most people-oriented dogs, although their appearance does not confirm this.

A well-mannered and balanced bull terrier has great respect for his owner and values ​​friendship with him above all else; for him, communication with his beloved friend is the most precious reward. The four-legged dog is ready to act as an escort everywhere, so you need to understand that the staff’s attention will be constant.

Staffies do not experience great joy when they see other dogs or cats, but they are not particularly bloodthirsty towards them. Of course, running after an onlooker or teaching a dog a lesson is considered natural for them. It is possible to train a Staff Bull to live under the same roof with other pets, but this must be done diligently from the dog’s childhood.

Interesting fact: Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very friendly towards children, because... They are not considered rivals. They behave with children affectionately and prudently, trying to show care and attention. It is very interesting to watch the changing emotions of a staffie when he sees a child.

Even if a few minutes ago the dog was having a showdown with some other dog, when it sees a child, it immediately transforms and can begin to lie right on the territory of the playground, waiting for the little one to show attention and scratch the four-legged belly. Of course, you need to monitor such communication, because provocations from children can be sophisticated. But time shows that staff bulls do not enter into conflict with the inhabitants of sandboxes, showing restraint and friendliness.

A dog with a fighting history imposes certain obligations on its owner, primarily regarding training and socialization, which cannot be evaded, because an ignorant staff bull who does not know the commands is a threat to others. Yes, aggressiveness towards people and other animals in these dogs is reduced, but no one is talking about complete harmlessness. The best and optimal training program for Staffies is the General Training Course (GCC).

When training, you will have to show patience and endurance, the main thing is to assert your authority. Staffbulls are distinguished by stubbornness, a certain self-will, which results in them changing commands and acting at their own discretion. It is worth noting that putting pressure on dogs will not help matters, but will only make everything worse; staffies will not tolerate cruelty and rudeness.

Education and training

Keeping a dog with a fighting past imposes a number of obligations on its owner. In particular, teaching a pet the basics of behavior and its socialization are tasks that cannot be avoided no matter how hard you try, since an ill-mannered Staff Bull who does not understand commands is always a threat. Yes, the level of aggression towards humans and our smaller brothers is reduced in this breed, but this does not mean that its representatives are completely harmless.

Tug of War

The optimal training program for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is considered to be OKD (General Course of Training), although simplified options like UGS (Controllable City Dog) are also not excluded. Passing the ZKS (Protective Guard Service) for staff is not necessary, but in practice it does occur. At the same time, it is important to understand that a representative of this breed will not make some kind of fantastic bodyguard. Firstly, the height of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier does not make much of an impression on bullies. Secondly, after the animal undergoes training, all you can count on is barking at an approaching stranger and trying to attack an enemy who happens to be near the pet at a distance of 2-3 m. It seems not so bad, but, you must admit, that a barking Staff Bull and a teeth-clattering Caucasian Shepherd are two completely different degrees of threat.

When training and raising a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, you will have to be patient and work on establishing your own authority. Representatives of this breed are stubborn creatures who love to change the requirements placed on them and act according to their own preferences. With all this, putting pressure on a staffie will not work: these dogs cannot stand harshness and, in response to rough treatment, generally stop listening to the owner’s orders.

Grace itself

It is very important to develop the skill of obeying commands in your pet in a timely manner. You can only be confident in a Staffordshire Bull Terrier if it follows orders immediately and without hesitation, which is why experts do not recommend repeating a command twice. Staffbulls are cunning creatures who have perfectly mastered the art of manipulation. Let them "not hear" the call once, and subsequently they will force you to beg them every time you need to do something.

When raising a tiny puppy, you can and should follow the standard program. First, the baby learns a nickname to which he must respond. By the way, as in the case of commands, it is better not to overuse repetitions here. At 2.5 months, if the weather permits, you can go outside with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, developing the habit of calmly reacting to unfamiliar phenomena and sounds. After 2-3 weeks, when the puppy gets used to street noise, he needs to find company for communication. The optimal option is a small get-together of several puppies and phlegmatic adults, in which the young staffie should occupy the appropriate hierarchical niche.

Catch-up

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an enthusiastic and emotional dog, so it gets bored with monotonous lessons. To better assimilate the educational material by the pet, it is recommended to break the hour-long lesson into five-minute sessions, during the breaks between which the four-legged student is allowed to fool around and play to his heart's content. Remember also that Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies have a predominant short-term memory, thanks to which kids grasp new knowledge in a split second and forget it just as quickly. So don't try to fit a bunch of techniques into one lesson. It’s better to fully practice one skill, honing it to perfection in subsequent training. It is better to start training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy with basic dynamic skills, that is, by approaching the owner’s call, bringing a toy, moving next to a person during a walk (without pulling on the leash). When the material is mastered and practiced to the point of automatism, it can and should be supplemented, since the best method of training staff bulls was and remains the principle “from simple to complex.”

Interesting facts about Staffordshire Bull Terriers

There are different opinions about such an amazing and extraordinary dog ​​breed as the Staff Bull, but there are a number of interesting facts that take place. They characterize the image of this four-legged person, describing her from various angles.

Let’s try to cite the most interesting ones, listing them point by point:

1. The adjective “Staffordshire” was assigned to the bull terrier due to the fact that the breed appeared in the English county of Staffordshire in the 19th century;
2. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often called a “nanny dog” because of its affectionate and friendly attitude towards children;
3. The talent of a rat catcher is in the staffbulls' blood. The most famous in this regard was the dog Billy, who in 1823, in a five-minute period of time, strangled a hundred rats that were furiously attacking her;
4. For decades now, Staffbulls have been the living mascots of the Prince of Wales's Staffordshire Regiment;
5. In order to develop this particular breed, bulldogs were crossed with all kinds of terriers;
6. Recognition of the breed standard occurred in 1974, since then bull terriers have been divided into American and English;
7. Staffies have a high pain threshold, so they can endure even serious damage (injuries) very patiently;
8. Staffy bulls cannot be overcooled or overheated, so these dogs are recommended to be kept in apartments;
9. Staffies are real athletes, they can show class in such sports disciplines as: freestyle, frisbee, coursing and agility;
10. The Staff Bull is a dynamic and active breed that prefers an accelerated rhythm of life with fun and active games and grueling runs to lying on the couch.

Advantages

All Bullies adapt to their owner. If they are inadequate, then it is the person’s fault. For the most part, dogs are easygoing with people, friendly, love children and even become nannies for them.

• Dogs are very devoted to the family and can serve as protectors. Although, due to their size, Staffbulls are not very suitable for guarding objects.
• They have a balanced nervous system and a high pain threshold.
• Fighting dogs are difficult to anger, although it is still a bad idea to mock them.
• They are very strong, fast and brave, so they can protect themselves and those around them. They are wary of strangers, but not aggressive.
• They are smart, easy to train, and show good results in agility.

Flaws

1. All Bulies do not interact well with animals. If these are dogs, they strive to show leadership, to show strength, dominance.
2. If cats and small rodents live in the house, dogs consider them prey that needs to be caught and eaten.
3. They are quite stubborn and can strive to dominate the family. With proper quality upbringing, this rarely happens.
4. Training and heavy physical activity are required - also a minus, because they take up a lot of free time.
5. Bulls do not tolerate separation from their owner well and are not suitable for people who are constantly busy or working. It is vital for animals to spend all the time next to their person.

Pros and cons of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Like any other breed, Staffies have their advantages and disadvantages, although owners consider their pets simply ideal. Let's try to look at staff bulls objectively and from the outside, describing all the pros and cons of keeping them.

Staffie advantages:

• Boundless love, respect and devotion to its owner are, of course, the undeniable dignity of a dog, but it is formed through careful training and training;
• Love for children can also be considered a plus, since these powerful four-legged animals are very kind to toddlers and take care of the kids, like real nannies;
• The compact dimensions testify in favor of the breed; such a dog is convenient to keep both in a large house and in a medium-sized apartment;
• Short hair is an important advantage, because it does not require special care, and there will be no tufts lying around;
• The dog is unpretentious in maintenance, which is a tangible advantage;
• Friendliness towards others is very important, especially with such a powerful and uncompromising canine species;
• Among the advantages include having courage and fearlessness.

Disadvantages of the breed:

• The main disadvantages include human opinion, which is often negative towards this dog due to its aggressive past. People react warily to Staffies, considering them dangerous. Although, if you remember, these four-legged creatures fought only with their own kind, without attacking humans;
• The requirement of training is a disadvantage for many owners, but for a Staff Bull, training is very important, because such a dog needs to be taught communication and obedience skills from childhood;
• Excessive energy can also be considered a disadvantage; you need to do a lot with a Staffie, developing not only his intelligence, but also his motor activity, and this should take a lot of time, because The dog needs long and dynamic walks;
• Stubbornness of character is also considered a disadvantage; because of this trait, many difficulties arise during training, so you should be patient.

Breeding Staffordshire Bull Terriers

The mating of Staffbulls is not unusual; it is quite standard. Medium dimensions do not require a huge space or special conditions, but for the first mating it is better to call an experienced specialist in this matter who can help not only the dogs, but also their owners.

Staffies become sexually mature closer to ten months of age, but it is better to breed starting from 20 or 25 months, then the dogs are ready not only to conceive, but also to bear strong offspring. The most favorable period is considered to be the days from 13 to 15 from the time the third estrus began. The female these days can be either in a playful mood or slightly aggressive.

If the dogs are breeding dogs, have a pedigree, then mating must be done through a kennel; this requires filling out a special form and obtaining a certain certificate. Owners must agree in advance on the amount and time, which are usually set by the owner of the dog. Most often, it is a percentage of the price of the entire litter or is equal to the cost of one puppy.

Interesting fact: Dogs are introduced while walking together, this takes no more than 20 minutes. Then the female is taken into the dog’s possession so that he feels confident. Many owners believe that a male dog accustomed to domestic intercourse will not look for a passion on the side.

The female allows mounting if she is satisfied with everything; during intercourse, which lasts about 15 minutes, it is recommended to hold the bitch by the head. Repeated mating is carried out a couple of days after the first one. Most often, there are from 6 to 8 puppies in a litter, and the canine life expectancy of Staffbulls is 14 years.

Caring for Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Short-haired bull terriers do not require special care for their fur coat; they can be brushed during shedding periods (spring and autumn). There is no constant need for this procedure; it rather acts as a stimulating massage. Water procedures should be carried out monthly, but only once. The Staffie should be washed with a diluted shampoo designed specifically for dogs with short hair. Dry your pet by simply blotting the towel; you can comb your pet using a rubber mitten.

Important fact: It is prohibited to take a staff bull outside when it is not dry, it is dangerous for him. In winter, the four-legged dog can be washed less often, once every 2 or 3 months.

It is imperative to inspect the dog’s ears and eyes, rinsing them with a moistened cotton pad to remove dust and accumulated wax. Watery eyes and an unpleasant smell from the ears indicate a health problem, so it is better to consult a veterinarian. The most common and burdensome procedure that a staffie needs to perform is toothbrushing. It is carried out with a brush and a special paste (powder) about four times per week.

It is also necessary to trim your bull's claws. When it’s warm, the claws are worn down from constant walking, so they need to be trimmed a little or polished with a file. In winter, haircuts are done quite often, before immersing the claws in warm water for steaming so that they soften a little.

Physical activity and constant activity are the most important life attributes of Staffbulls, but everything needs moderation. Puppies up to one year of age are not overloaded with strong training. Only older and mature dogs are offered entertainment such as chasing a cyclist, playing tug, Frisbee, etc.

You should beware of walking in intense heat, when the sun is mercilessly scorching. This breed is also afraid of severe frosts, but it reacts calmly down to minus 15 degrees, although warm overalls and special shoes will not hurt. It has been noted that males require more time for walks than females. Of course, for a successful and healthy life for pets, one should not forget about timely vaccinations and deworming measures.

Key points in training

Training is important for this breed. Dogs need to be trained from puppyhood. Bullies do not experience aggression towards humans, but they are very strong, so you need to teach your pet to use their physical abilities wisely.

Overall, these dogs are easy to train. They focus on the owner, serve him, and do not try to dominate, although a strong hand would not hurt. This does not mean that the animal should be beaten. Staffbulls will not tolerate such an attitude; to punish them, all they need is a stern look, lack of treats, or temporary isolation in an enclosure or cage. In the most critical situations, pets are pressed to the ground until they calm down.

A distinctive feature of the English Bull Terrier from the American Bull Terrier is that it is completely unsuitable for fighting. Staffbulls are kinder and smaller, they are capable of driving large game or guarding a house, but they never cause harm. Although they don't like other dogs either.

The pet must learn several important rules:

• Feeding is done only after the whole family has eaten;
• You can only enter the house after the owners;
• You can’t sleep, play, or play around on the owner’s furniture.

These simple habits will show the primacy of a person in the home.

Once the puppy remembers its name, you can begin learning commands. You can train your dog on your own or with a dog handler in a club. Boules need to know basic verbal and auditory cues and follow them flawlessly:

1. "Near";
2. "Place";
3. "It is forbidden";
4. "Sit";
5. "Voice".

An important point in education is socialization. The puppy is accustomed to noisy places, strangers and animals, and public transport. An unsocialized pet may become angry or timid.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

Diet of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Despite the fact that staffies are not large in size, they love to eat. They need this to replenish energy after walks and training sessions. For mature dogs, 500 to 700 grams of ready-made food, diluted with water, should be enough per day. Portion parameters are related to the dog’s activity, its weight and age, as well as the time of year, because in winter the need for food increases.

Puppies up to three months of age eat 5 or 6 times a day. Up to 6 months they are fed 3 or 4 times a day, and then they are transferred to twice a day feeding. When teething and changing teeth, dogs need to be given solid food, preferably in fairly large pieces. Naturally, each owner makes a choice between dry food and home-cooked food. The first option is more lightweight. But you should be careful when choosing a brand of food, having learned everything about its composition and balance.

Choosing a natural diet is more burdensome, but no less (and maybe more) beneficial. When the owner is involved in the process of preparing and buying food for the dog, he knows everything about its composition and quality, which is important.

The menu should consist of:

• Meat (beef, chicken, rabbit and lamb);
• Fish (sea, boiled and with selected bones);
• Eggs (a couple of times a week);
• Fermented milk products;
• Cereals (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal);
• Fruits and vegetables.

Fatty, salty and fried foods should be excluded; smoked, sweets and flour foods should also not be eaten. These dogs should not be given bones; they should be kept away from pork, potatoes, citrus fruits, grapes, melons, butter and legumes. Maintaining a drinking regime is considered important, so you need to make sure that there is always water in the bowl, and take bottles of water for walks in the summer.

Diseases and health problems

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are mentally stable and physically strong enough. The genetics of this breed are strong, hardy, they are not sensitive to pain, but this can also play a bad joke when the disease is detected in the very last stages. Young puppies can pick up all sorts of infections, especially before they reach one year of age, so vaccinations play a very important role here. They do not provide a complete guarantee that the pet will not catch the infection, but it will be easier for a vaccinated dog to overcome it.

Staff bulls have the following types of diseases:

• Dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints, this disease is hereditary, resulting from excessive physical activity, is expressed by the presence of acute pain, limping, deformed paws, and is considered incurable;
• Brachycephaly, which is expressed by problems with the respiratory system, can occur with varying degrees of severity;
• Epilepsy;
• Deafness;
• Cataracts;
• Frequent bloating;
• Urolithiasis;
• Tendency to volvulus;
• Food allergic reactions.

Many high-quality kennels screen dogs for the presence of dysplasia and patella, which leads to the exclusion of affected animals from participation in the breeding process. Tests that detect cataracts and epilepsy are considered desirable, because No effective treatments for these diseases have yet been found. It should be added that it is important to take care of the pet, constantly examine it, and monitor its behavior and mood. If the owner notices any deviations in time, then serious negative consequences, in most cases, can be avoided.

How to choose a puppy

Mom with puppies

• A normally developing Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy should be playful, curious and very active (the animals become calmer with age). If the baby is too phlegmatic and thoughtful, there is clearly something wrong with him.
• If a small staff bull does not make contact, becomes hysterical and tries to hide, this signals an unstable psyche. Usually, before purchasing puppies, they undergo the Campbell test, which helps determine the individual character traits of each baby.
• Males and females of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier differ both in appearance and in character. If the aesthetic characteristics of a puppy play an important role for you, it is better to choose doggies. They are larger, stronger and generally have more pronounced breed characteristics. Staffy bull females are suitable for those owners who need a more manageable pet. “Girls” are more strongly attached to the family, they are more temperamental, are not prone to leadership and are easier to train.
• Carefully inspect the nursery and the puppies' habitats. Babies and their parents should not live in cramped, dirty cages.
• Ask the breeder or nursery staff for the results of testing the litter for genetic diseases. If there are no certificates, the seller is most likely inexperienced and is engaged in breeding solely for personal enrichment.