Dog breed – Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie)
Meet the muscular Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the dog with a huge heart and zest for life.
Staffies at a glance
Loyal, agile, affectionate
Up to 2 hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of over 12 years
Medium, between 11kg and 20kg
The personality and temperament of Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have unfairly gained a bad rep in the past – mostly due to the fact they were originally bred as fighting dogs.
But when trained and socialised right, Staffies are affectionate, loving and can make a perfect family pet!
They love to be around their family and are known for being really good with children, even earning the nickname ‘the nanny dog’. But this also means they can find it harder to be left alone for long.
They’re also highly energetic and can be competitive, which means it’s important you socialise them with other dogs from an early age so they can get used to sharing and playing.
How to train and exercise your Staffie
With Staffies, it’s really key that you train and socialise them as they’re strong dogs.
It’s especially important you work on their lead training, as they’re very muscular and so will be hard to contend with if they’re not well-trained on the lead!
They need around 1-2 hours of exercise a day to keep them in shape and happy.
They’re also a highly intelligent breed so mental stimulation is important too, in the form of things like sniff mats and puzzles.
Finally, they absolutely love to chew, so games like frisbee and playing with tough chew toys that don’t break easily, will keep them happy.
Common health conditions in Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Some common health conditions Staffies can have include:
- skin conditions and allergies - this can lead to discomfort and lots of scratching can damage their skin
- hip dysplasia – this can lead to inflammation and arthritis, which can get worse as they grow older
- cataracts – although this usually develops in much older dogs, it is possible to come on in younger dogs too
We know seeing your dog ill or injured is really upsetting. As soon as you start to see any symptoms of illness, it’s important you speak to your vet right away.
A lot of these things can be treated or managed with the right medicines or exercise.
Feeding and nutrition
Staffies need a good, balanced diet to keep them in tip top shape. As they’re energetic dogs, you need to make sure they get the right number of calories to sustain them.
Always check in with your vet to see if you’re feeding your Staffie the right diet.
If your Staffie suffers with allergies (specifically food allergies), you can talk to your vet to discuss dietary options to manage them.
Grooming your Staffie
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
As they have short coats, they’re easy to maintain and only need brushing around once a week.
Although you may need to give them a soak if they get particularly mucky, you should generally keep the baths to a minimum.
Like most dogs, regular bathing can cause issues for the natural PH of their skin and leave them irritated and itchy.
Things to know before you buy or rehome a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
As with any dog, bringing home a Staffie is a big commitment. To make sure they settle in well and you give them the best life you can, you should get a few things prepared:
- Make sure your home is dog-proofed, and they have a safe space to relax in.
- Plan your dog's mental and physical stimulation and read about their exercise needs.
- Figure out what you want to feed them and buy some food – proper nutrition is important.
- Prepare everyone in your household, especially children, on how to act around dogs.
- Secure your garden, as Staffies have a high prey drive and can chase small animals.
- Buy a lead, collar, ID tag, bowls, dog bed and durable toys (they love to chew!).
- Consider your pet insurance options – as with all dogs, Staffies are prone to certain health issues and can have accidents.
Ready to insure your Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Did you know?
