About Staffies
Staffordshire bull terriers, or Staffies, should grow to about 14 to 16 inches in height and weigh 24 to 34 pounds, according to PBRC. They are quite stocky in build and have a big head with a powerful jaw. They may look “mean,” but these dogs are actually very loving and clever.
Providing Safe, Convenient Exercise for Your Bestie
- Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
- Origin: England
- Temperament: Fearless, Reliable, Intelligent, Affectionate, Bold, Loyal, Courageous.
- Colours: Black, White, Brindle, Fawn, Black & White, Brindle & White, Blue, Fawn & White, Red & White, Red, Blue & White.
- Weight: Female: 11–15 kg, Male: 13–17 kg
- Height: Female: 33–38 cm, Male: 36–41 cm
Characteristics
The Stafford is a stocky, muscular and unusually strong, small- to medium-sized dog that stands 14 to 16 in (36 to 41 cm) at the shoulder. The dogs weigh 29 to 37 lb (13 to 17 kg) and the bitches 24 to 34 lb (11 to 15 kg).
It has a broad chest, strong shoulders, well boned wide set legs, a medium length tail that is carried low and a broad head with a short muzzle; its ears fold over at the tips and are not cropped. The Stafford’s coat is short, stiff and close. Base colours can be red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of the aforementioned with white, any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white.
StaffORDS
The Stafford is a descendant of the now extinct Bull and Terrier cross, an ancestry developed in England in the early 19th century. The Bull Terrier, founded by James Hinks of Birmingham, England, the Stafford, the American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier all trace back to the bull-type terrier breeds with the common component being the Bulldog.
After the banning of blood sports and pit fighting in 1835, attitudes changed which, over the course of centuries, resulted in generations of responsible breeding and further breed refinement of the Stafford as a popular family pet and companion dog. The Stafford’s association in early 19th century as a fighting dog made it difficult to gain recognition by the Kennel Club (KC) in the United Kingdom (UK) but was eventually added to their purebred registry in 1935. Staffords first arrived in North America in the mid to late 1880s but it was not until 1974 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the Staffordshire Bull Terrier into their purebred registry.
Temperament & Health
Staffies are considered loyal, courageous and affectionate, and are among the dog breeds recommended by the KC as suitable for families. They have a reputation for pugnaciousness, and when challenged by another dog it is characteristic of them to not back away.
It is often recommended that Staffords receive early socialisation, preferably beginning when they are still puppies.
Staffords are healthy and robust dogs with a life expectancy of 12—14 years. The KC mandates visual eye testing, and DNA testing for hereditary cataracts and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria for all breeding stock. They further recommend DHA testing for primary hyperparathyroidism
