Today, I’m gonna discuss absolutely everything that you need to know about the amazing Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Without further ado let’s take a detailed look at the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. And we’ll start off with their amazing origin.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies Information

  • Temperament: Clever, Brave, Tenacious
  • AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 80 of 197
  • Height: 14-16 inches
  • Weight: 28-38 pounds (male), 24-34 pounds (female)
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Pros

  • Affectionate with family
  • Kid-friendly
  • Friendly towards strangers
  • Easy to groom

Cons

  • Not good for novice owners
  • High sensitivity level
  • Does not tolerate being alone
  • High prey drive

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Characteristics

Here is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies breed information.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed information

Where Do Staffies Come From?

Staffies have an interesting origin. And they share many similarities with the bull terrier.

They’re like an offshoot of the breed, with Staffies breaking off and going one way. And the Bull Terriers going another.

They came about by crossing the bulldog with the black and tan terrier.

The purpose was to create the ideal bull-baiting dog in the 19th century. A combination of these breeds gave an athletic powerful and courageous dog.

The chap who founded the breed was called James Hinks. And then he continued to develop the breed and added some collie into the mix.

It made them look very different from the original Staffies. And with a very unique-looking head, the dogs remained very popular until these blood sports were outlawed.

Although the breed stuck around, this violent history made it tough for the breed to get Kennel Club recognition. Breed enthusiasts stuck at it though and they were finally recognized in the 1930s.

The breed promoted slightly smaller lines with an adaptable personality. And a real eagerness to please. It is a superb trait that we will discuss a bit later.

What’s Staffies Temperament Like?

Staffordshire Bull Terrier truly has a wonderful and interesting temperament.

Stubborn

At times they can be a little headstrong and stubborn. But deep down they have a wonderful eagerness to please their owners.

They are courageous and bold yet loving and gentle. Aloof for their intelligence and reliability. This fascinating temperament makes them truly one-of-a-kind.

They are an amazing breed to be around and work with. And it’s like they truly have a human personality of their own.

Aggression

Contrary to popular belief they are not nasty aggressive or temperamental dogs at all. And the bad reputations that they have are truly unfounded, especially in the UK.

They very well may be one of the most understood and misrepresented breeds on the entire planet.

They are far more likely to jump and bombard you with kisses and cuddles than any form of aggressive behavior.

Family Companion

They are a real pleasure to have in the home. They make excellent family companions being brilliant with children. That being said.

You should take care of smaller children. Although they would never be mean. But accidents can happen with a lively excitable dog that’s strong enough to knock over a small child.

Loyalty

Before we move into the next section I want to talk about my favorite temperament of the Staffie. And that’s that loyalty which is almost unmatched by all over breeds.

It’s shocking just how deep a bond and the sheer levels of love a Staffy will develop with their owners.

This is why many Staffordshire Bull Terrier owners would never dream of owning another breed.

Are Staffies Easy to Train?

Now let’s talk about intelligence and trainability.

I’m happy to say that the Staffie doesn’t disappoint. They’re very very smart dogs that combined with that eagerness to please that I mentioned earlier make them one of the most trainable breeds on the planet.

Feisty Lively Dogs

They are feisty lively dogs from the terrier that’s in them. Especially noticeable when they’re young. This can lead to some over excitement.

So you do have to be patient and consistent. And sometimes training sessions are more like riding out a storm. But when you do get through this you will not be disappointed with the results.

Staffies are truly a pleasure to work with. Somehow they have their own special way of making training even more fun for the trainer.

What Should Staffies Look Like?

Let’s look at what makes these dogs so easily recognizable.

Although recognizable, it’s not rare for them to be mistaken for pit bulls or Am staffs by people unfamiliar with dogs. It is although understandable.

They are very much their own breed in terms of looks. And that mainly starts with their slightly smaller size.

  • They grow up to 41 centimeters and 17 kilos or 16 inches and 37 pounds.
  • They are definitely on the smaller medium size of dog breed.
  • But despite their height and weight very muscular powerful and stocky dogs.
  • Combined with their broad unique head helps with their tenacious looks.
  • They have short coats that come in many colors including red, fawn, white, black, blue all the above colors intermixed with white. And any shade of brindle, any shade of Rindell with white markings having these such short clothesline coats.

Is Staffies Hard To Groom?

Staffie is very low maintenance on the grooming front.

And a weekly brush is all it takes to keep their coats and skin in good condition.

Are Staffies Healthy Dogs?

The average life expectancy of a Staffie is between 10 and 12 years.

Like all breeds, they do suffer from their own list of common health issues. Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, allergies, and other skin issues.

This is why I recommend a good vet plan and good insurance.

Do Staffies Need Lot of Exercise?

Staffie is a very active and lively dog that loves nothing more than to get out and about with its owners.

Without exercise, they will quickly become bored and potentially destructive. To ease their boredom they make fantastic walking and jogging companions for people that love the outdoors.

They also love being off lead and having a real chance to stretch their legs. Luckily it isn’t a big issue with Staffies. Recall work is fairly easy with them.

Recommended Exercise

In terms of actual numbers, I would recommend 45-minute walks a day with vigorous exercise including the form of running and swimming for Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

You could also do a 1-hour long walk in the morning. And then a short to 30-minute one in the evening.

They also thrive in a large back garden. They can run around in the garden and keep themselves busy during the day.

Just make sure you have high secured fences as Staffies are real athletes. And will easily scale any wall or fences if they’re not high enough.

How Much Does a Staffie Cost?

Well firstly for people in the UK, I would recommend taking a look at your local shelter.

They are unfortunately one of the most common breeds to end up in shelters. They’re so often bought by irresponsible morons looking to boost their street cred with a tough-looking dog.

These owners don’t have any intention of providing them a healthy long-term home. And as a result, Staffies end up in shelters.

But Staffies being so gentle at heart are wildly adaptable. They can easily bounce back to be loving companions in a new home. And that will cost you very little upfront.

However, if you are insistent on wanting to buy a puppy. You guys know by now I only promote puppies bred by responsible breeders. And I don’t accept any excuse really from buying from a puppy mill.

  • A well-bred Staffordshire Bull Terrier will usually set you back around 1,000 pounds in the UK or $1,300 in the US.

Should You Get a Staffy?

Let’s look at some pros and cons.

Pros

  • Firstly the pros are that you will have a confident outgoing and lively dog.
  • They are great with children.
  • They have high energy and love being in the outdoors.

Cons

But if any of the following negatives are an issue to you that maybe you want to look elsewhere. And the negatives do include.

  • Due to that deep love and bond, they are more prone to suffering from separation anxiety.

So that doesn’t make a good choice if you’re out of the house for long periods of time.

  • They require a lot of exercise.

If you want a lazy lap dog, the Staffie isn’t it. But other than that makes superb dogs.