Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Care

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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a sound breed and an excellent family dog derived from the crossing of an English Bulldog with a terrier breed some time in the 1800s. Probably the partner of the Old English Bulldog in this match was the Old English Black and Tan. Terrier, which preceded the Manchester Terrier. It is, of course, an English breed, recognized by the Kennel Club in 1935 and subsequently recognized in the United States in 1975.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in common with its close relation the Bull Terrier, is a surprisingly gentle dog beneath a somewhat fearsome exterio[ It is a good guard dog but adores its family and is utterly reliable with young children.

Origin and history

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a bloody history, for it was evolved for the purpose of the once popular sport of bull and bear baiting and later for fighting dogs. Fortunately, however, with the banning of these sports the Staffordshire was developed as a companion dog, and in the mid-1930s it was recognized by the Kennel Club as a pure breed, the standard being drawn up and a breed club formed in Cradley Heath, south Staffordshire.

Good points

Excellent guard
Fearless
Good with children

Take heed

Needs discipline in youth
Stubborn if not taken in hand while still young

Size

Weight: dog 28-381b (12.7-17.2kg); bitch 24-341b (11-15.4kg). Height (at shoulder): 14-16in (35.5-40.5cm).

Exercise

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can't resist a fight with another dog if given the chance, so keep this breed on the lead when walking on II a public thoroughfare. It is a first class ratter and a good companion in the field, but will adapt to life in a normal-sized house and garden as long as regular walks of a reasonable length are given.

General appearance
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth-coated dog. It should be of great strength for its size and, although muscular, should be active and agile.

Colour
Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white.

Head and skull
Short, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop, short foreface, black nose

Body
Close-coupled with a level topline. The front is wide, the brisket is deep and the ribs are well sprung. The loins, howeve" are rather light.

Tail
The tail should be of medium length, low set, tapering to a point and carried rather low. It should not curl much.

Feet
The feet of this breed shoud be well padded, strong and of medium size.

Grooming

This breed requires little attention other than a frequent brushing.

Feeding

Recommended would be 13-200z (369-587g) per day of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 13/4-3 cupfuls of a dry, complete food mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water.

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