Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Facts & Information

With a lovable mug and muscles to spare, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are curious, energetic, and overjoyed to join the family. Though this breed has a complicated past, they’re now considered a playful companion for kids, and an enthusiastic partner in everything you do – just give them plenty of love, training, and socialization to ensure they truly shine.

Is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

• Low
• Medium
• High

• Origin: Britain
• Size:
• Weight: 25-40 pounds
• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
• Breed group: Terrier
• Activity level:
• Barking/howling level:
• Good with dogs: yes
• Good with kids: yes
• Good with cats:
• Shedding:
• Easy to groom:
• Easy to train:
• Protective:

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Appearance

These medium-sized dogs are definitely the kind to stand out in a crowd, and with their broad shoulders and well-defined muscles, they’re a handsome bunch.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers have heads that are short and broad, along with pronounced cheekbones and sleek coats that come in a variety of colors. The most common coat hues include red, fawn, black, white, or blue, a combination of those colors, or brindle and brindle with white.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Personality

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are an enthusiastic bunch, with loads of energy, endless curiosity, and a people-loving personality that makes them a popular pet choice.

This breed tends to be very attentive and protective of “their people”, but not as interested in guarding the home or property – though they are likely to let you know if someone new is approaching (which can be a plus!). They usually get along just fine with children, so long as the kids know how to behave around pets. Just make sure they’re supervised when they’re together to ensure that the dogs don’t accidentally knock over the little ones.

However, it is important that you socialize them often with other pets, or even better, raise them with other canines. Sometimes this breed doesn’t get along with dogs, which means that training them from a young age to interact with other pups is even more imperative for success in the long run. The same is true for cats – though Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a strong prey drive to chase things, if they’re socialized with kitties early on they’re likely to get along just fine.

This breed is known to be a bit on the stubborn side, but their playfulness and charisma will undoubtedly win you over.

Ideal Environment for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are able to live in a variety of environments, so long as they’re given the proper amount of exercise and attention. This means that they’ll happily settle into an apartment or a big house with a yard – they just need to be somewhere where they’re able to stay active, comfortable, and mentally stimulated.

It’s also good to note that they don’t do well in extremely hot environments, and they should never be “outdoor dogs” because of their sensitivity to the weather, and their affinity for human interaction.

Ideal Human for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

This breed is known to be social and people-centric, which means they really need to be part of a family that is committed to their growth and training. The best human for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one that has the time and ability to spend time with them – whether that’s training them, socializing them, or just giving them a nice, cozy cuddle. These pups are looking for a partner to do things with, so anyone accepting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier into their family needs to understand that commitment, and be dedicated to making them a big part of their life.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Training

The earlier you begin training this breed, the better, since they aren’t always the most motivated learners. That’s not to say they aren’t smart (they definitely are), they can just be a little stubborn, and easily distracted. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are also “free thinkers”, which means they’ll sometimes do as they please, which isn’t always what you want them to do.

Just remember to be consistent with your training, and make sure your sessions are short and entertaining in order to keep your dog interested and enthusiastic.

It’s also imperative to socialize this breed early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Grooming

Luckily these dogs are a breeze to groom, considering they’re rocking smooth, sleek coats they don’t shed all that much. Keep them looking their best by brushing their hair weekly to make them shine, and giving them the occasional bath (though they never really smell that bad).

You’ll also want to keep their nails trimmed up so they aren’t uncomfortable, brush their teeth a couple of times a week, and check their ears every few weeks to ensure that they’re clean, healthy, and free of debris.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health

Though generally a healthy breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers often suffer from allergies, which your vet can help manage, along with juvenile cataracts. Because of their size, they’re also susceptible to hip displacia and luxating patella, though this isn’t as common as it is in larger breeds.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers generally live from 12 to 14 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed History

The history of this breed is a bit murky, but it’s believed that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a cross of Old English Bulldog and the black and tan terrier, and were created to be a quick, feisty canine used for dog fights.

Getting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter. 

To find breeders who have to meet stringent requirements, use the American Kennel Club (AKC) search tool to find a reputable breeder near you. When you visit, be sure to ask about any health issues in the dog’s bloodline, and discuss any genetic tests you might want to run.

Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Staffordshire Bull Terrier 

As with many highly popular breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health. 

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search. 

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

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