The Breed
Descended from a history of bull fighting, the strong yet nimble Staffordshire Bull Terrier still carries the courage and tenacity of its ancestors. Fortunately, careful breeding has turned this once fierce fighter into a gentle, fun-loving companion with a natural affection for children.
Get to Know the Stafford!
Origin
A British breed dating back some 200 years, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier may have descended from the mastiff of ancient times of which there were two types. From the smaller of the two mastiffs came the Old English Bulldog, which was crossed with one or more terriers to produce the breed known as the Bull and Terrier. With the Bulldog’s tenacity and the fire of the terrier, the Bull and Terrier was bred as a pit fighter, a job at which it excelled for more than a century. Then, the laws of the land put an end to such blood sports. The Bull and Terrier might have disappeared if not for a group of fanciers led by Joseph Dunn, who appreciated the dogs for their own sakes and persuaded The Kennel Club (England) to recognize the breed as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the name of the English county where the breed was most popular.
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Temperament
From its past, the Staffy draws his character of indomitable courage, intelligence and tenacity. This, coupled with his affection for friends and children in particular, makes him a wonderful family pet. Some may retain an antipathy toward other dogs, but generally speaking, the Staffie is an all-purpose dog.
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Activity Level
Though the Staffie enjoys activity, it is relatively quiet in his ‘off-duty’ mode. The dog should have a daily run outdoors.
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Height/Weight
Adults may range from 14-16 in (36-41 cm) in height and weigh 24-38 lb (11-17.5 kg).
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Coat
The coat is short, smooth and close to the skin.
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Colour
Colour may be solid red, fawn, white, black, blue or brindle or any of these with white.
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Grooming
A strenuous rubdown with a hound mitt is all the grooming required.
Staffy or Stafford?
Unfortunately, the term “staffy” has been gaining traction in recent years, often used to describe any blocky headed breed of dog, short-haired, muscular looking dog. Sadly, the incorrect use of "Staffy" muddies the waters when it comes to public education, advocacy, and data collection—particularly when a nickname for a specific purebred is used to describe a dog with unknown heritage.
The name “staffy” properly refers to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier—a distinct breed with clear characteristics. In fact, many owners of true Staffordshire Bull Terriers are opting to use the term “Stafford” instead, in order to distance themselves from the confusion caused by misuse.
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On the other hand, the American Staffordshire Terrier—a completely separate breed—is not commonly referred to as a “staffy” by those familiar with breed standards. The appropriate shorthand for them is “Am Staff.” Recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1936, Am Staffs are medium-sized dogs, generally 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder, and weighing anywhere from 35 to 70 pounds depending on their lineage.
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For those with a bully breed of unknown heritage, there is nothing wrong with calling your dog a Bully Breed Mix (BBM), SPCA Special, Mix Breed, Mutt, Heinz 57.
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