Ava Williams
Shoulder height: 35 – 41 cm
Weight: 11 – 17 kg
Age: 12 – 14 years
Color: red, fawn, white, black, grey-blue, brindle, with or without white markings
Use: Companion dog
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, brawny dog that needs an experienced hand and clear leadership. The active powerhouse is not suitable for dog beginners or lazy people.
Origin and history
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes from Great Britain (county of Staffordshire), where it was originally used as a pied piper. At the beginning of the 19th century, this breed was also specially used for dog fighting to train and breed. Crossbreeds between terriers and bulldogs were considered particularly courageous, agile, and sharp. At the time, the breeding goal was to create death-defying and pain-resistant dogs that attacked immediately and never gave up despite their injuries. With the ban on dog fighting in the middle of the 19th century, the breeding orientation also changed. Today, intelligence and pronounced friendliness to people and children are among the primary breeding goals. While the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a listed dog in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and is increasingly found in animal shelters, it is one of the most common dog breeds in the UK.
There is a similarity in name to the American Staffordshire Terrier, which evolved from the same ancestors in the late 19th century but is slightly larger.
Appearance
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, smooth-coated dog that is very strong for its size. It has a broad skull, a powerful jaw with prominent cheek muscles, and a muscular, broad chest. The ears are relatively small, semi-erect, or rose-shaped (rose ear). The tail is of medium length, set low, and not too curved.
The coat of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is short, smooth, and dense. It comes in red, fawn, white, black, or blue, or one of these colors with white markings. It can also be any shade of brindle – with or without white markings.
Nature
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an intelligent, spirited, and confident dog. Although modern breeding goals also include a friendly and loving nature, this breed of dog is traditionally characterized by indomitable courage and tenacity. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are dominant and don’t like to tolerate other dogs in their territory. They are alert and defensive, tough and sensitive at the same time. They are generally considered people-friendly and very affectionate and lovable in the family circle.
Training a Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires consistent leadership and an experienced hand. With its strong personality and pronounced self-confidence, it will never completely subordinate itself. Puppies should be socialized early and need to learn where their place is in the hierarchy. Attending a dog school is a must with this breed.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not a dog for beginners and it is not a dog for easygoing people. While they can be kept well in an apartment, they need plenty of action, activity, and exercise. The short coat is very easy to care for.