Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Behavior

Staffordshire Bull Terriers bear a strong resemblance to other tough Bull Terrier breeds and for good reason. These dogs are rugged, tough and sturdy but do not let the looks fool you. Anyone who owns one of these dogs will tell you that they also have a lot of love and affection to give their families. This breed would much rather be out in the yard running around and playing then standing around looking tough and getting ready for a fight. They are definitely people dogs and love to have company whether it out in the yard or laying around on the couch for a nap. They are most suited for a lifestyle where there is someone home a lot so they are not by themselves much.

As much as they love to lounge, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier also loves to run, which means they need to be exercised regularly in order to stay happy. Hiking, walking and running are all activities they thrive on and even just enjoy a simple game of catch in the yard. They can live well in an apartment or a home with property and adapt to their environment easily, but you need to make sure you make time to be with them and exercise.

As is the case with many terrier breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can be very tough to train. They tend to be stubborn and may not necessarily do what they are told. Early training in life is the best way to help your cause and plenty of positive reinforcement and praise goes a long way to making learning better.  Many people actually have their dogs professionally trained to ensure the dog will listen. Socialization is also important because this breed can be aggressive with other dogs if it thinks it is being challenged. Staffordshire Bull Terriers also have a tendency to chew, so if you want to save your furniture, plenty of sturdy chew toys should be kept on hand.

Appearance

Staffordshire Bull Terriers project the image of strength and power just on their looks. Their head is very broad and they have extremely strong jaws. They have a short neck that is always thick and very muscular to fit the rest of their physique. They have a broad chest and sturdy and thick legs to help them with running and digging. Most stand between fourteen and sixteen inches tall and can weigh twenty-four to thirty-eight pounds depending on the sex of the dog when they are fully grown. They are known to have a smooth and very short coat that is very close to the skin. They can be a wide variety of solid colors and are also seen in a brindle.

Grooming

Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed all throughout the year and once a year will shed their entire coat. Performing regular brushing on your dog will help to control loose hairs and distribute essential skin oils to keep the coat healthy. This breed does not have any real odor to it so it rarely needs to be bathed. Most owners will only bathe the dog as it is needed.

History

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are originally from England and have been around for hundreds of years. They were originally bred for fighting other animals such as bulls or bears and gradually went to dog fighting in the late 1800s when other sports were outlawed. It is a cross between a Bulldog and a Manchester Terrier and took on the name of Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the early twentieth century. When dogfighting was outlawed in Britain in the 1930s, the practice was kept up in underground territories and still continues this day in Britain and the United States with this breed. They came to the United States after World War II and have remained popular ever since.